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Babylonians
Babylon stands with Athens and Rome as a cultural ancestor of western civilization. It was founded by the people of ancient Mesopotamia, who settled in the fertile crescent between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers before the fourth millennium b.c. Some of the earliest experiments in agriculture and irrigation, the invention of writing, the birth of mathematics and the development of urban life all began there. Biblical associations are also numerous, from Nineveh to the Tower of Babel and the Flood. In Babylonians , H. W. F. Saggs describes the ebb and flow in the successive fortunes of the Sumerians, Akkadians, Amorites, and Babylonians who flourished in this region. Using evidence from pottery, cuneiform tablets, cylinder seals, early architecture and metallurgy, he illuminates the myths, religion, languages, trade, politics, and warfare--as well as the legacy--of the Babylonians and their predecessors.
During the twentieth century, collaboration by archaeologists from many nations has greatly increased the range of archaeological evidence, while work by linguists has gradually unlocked the secrets of the thousands of clay tablets recovered from the area. Today the historical record for some periods of ancient Mesopotamia is substantially better than for some centuries of Europe in the Christian era. Gaps and uncertainties remain, but Babylonians conveys a rich and fascinating picture of the development of this remarkable civilization from before the beginning of the third millennium b.c.
During the twentieth century, collaboration by archaeologists from many nations has greatly increased the range of archaeological evidence, while work by linguists has gradually unlocked the secrets of the thousands of clay tablets recovered from the area. Today the historical record for some periods of ancient Mesopotamia is substantially better than for some centuries of Europe in the Christian era. Gaps and uncertainties remain, but Babylonians conveys a rich and fascinating picture of the development of this remarkable civilization from before the beginning of the third millennium b.c.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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450 people want to read
About the author
Henry William Frederick Saggs
10 books13 followersHenry William Frederick Saggs was an English classicist and orientalist.After studying theology at King's College London, Skaggs served with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. After the war he attended the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, where he studied Assyriology under Sidney Smith, earning his Ph.D. in 1953. Saggs taught at Baghdad University and Mosul University before becoming Chair of Semitic Languages in University College, Cardiff, where he served from 1966 until his retirement in 1983.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 18, 2013
First, let's start with the fact that this is a Folio Society edition. That equates to one simple fact...if public transit is crowded and there's only one seat left, I get the seat. Because my book is superior to those flimsy paperbacks and Mc-eBooks. Bow down to my book. No, don't even look at it. The paper is real. The spine is real. The cover is real. It's real. Kneel!
We have given you kingship over everything
Mesopotamia comes alive in this classic history of the people who built those cool ziggurats. The myths, the literature, the wars, the gardens, the religions...they're all brought to life with knowledge (and opinions) by Saggs. That seat is mine.
Book Season = Summer (feel the heat)
We have given you kingship over everything
Mesopotamia comes alive in this classic history of the people who built those cool ziggurats. The myths, the literature, the wars, the gardens, the religions...they're all brought to life with knowledge (and opinions) by Saggs. That seat is mine.
Book Season = Summer (feel the heat)
January 13, 2011
الكتاب استعرض التاريخ البابلي كمنطقة و الذي شمل آخر ثلاثة آلاف سنة قبل الميلاد. كان التركيز الأكبر على الوضع السياسي و الديني بالإضافة للتقدمات العلمية للبابليين, خصوصا في مجال اللغويات. يحتوي الكتاب أيضا على تفاصيل عن الحركة العلمية التي أدت لاكتشاف و تفسير الآثار البابلية في القرنين التاسع عشر و العشرين. نظرا للخلفية الأكاديمية للكاتب فالكتاب لم يحتوي على الإضافات المنمقة و الخيالية الموجودة في آداب الآثار الأخرى. و من الظاهر حرص المؤلف على الأمانة العلمية و ترك حرية التفسير للقارئ. بالرغم من الطبيعة الأكاديمية للكتاب فالأسلوب شيق و واضح و يمكن تتبع الأحداث و الأسماء بسهولة, ربما عدى آخر فصل لوجود شخصيات كثيرة مشاركة في الوضع البابلي في تلك الفترة. الكتاب مليء بنماذج للآثار التي دلت على الاستنتاجات الموجودة مما يعطي نظرة أشمل على طبيعة العملية.
مترجم الكتاب متخصص في المجال و من سيرته يبدو أنه متمرس على الترجمة و التأليف في الكتب من هذه النوعية. الترجمة واضحة جدا و من الواضح تمكن المترجم من الموضوع. تعليق المترجم في الحواشي قليل و في محله, و يعطي انطباعات تخص القارئ العربي. العمل تقديم و مراجعة أحد تلامذة المؤلف السابقين, ممل يزيد من الموثوقية العلمية للترجمة.
مترجم الكتاب متخصص في المجال و من سيرته يبدو أنه متمرس على الترجمة و التأليف في الكتب من هذه النوعية. الترجمة واضحة جدا و من الواضح تمكن المترجم من الموضوع. تعليق المترجم في الحواشي قليل و في محله, و يعطي انطباعات تخص القارئ العربي. العمل تقديم و مراجعة أحد تلامذة المؤلف السابقين, ممل يزيد من الموثوقية العلمية للترجمة.
January 22, 2023
A solid foundation for someone whose only have just begun their journey into ancient Babylonian history. A good starting point prior to deep diving into more specific aspects. Highly enjoyable and easy read.
July 7, 2025
This is the kind of narrative history on ancient Mesopotamia we've been sorely missing, even if some of the information is dated.
February 24, 2015
Very solid history of quite a long time period (focusing on roughly 2300-500 BC). It's a complete history, unlike the Egyptian history also in this folio series, with very interesting chapters on magic and religion, science, and literature, for example.
It felt a bit rushed at times but mostly because there is so much to cover; I'm looking forward to picking up some more specialist works to complement what I found interesting in this excellent generalist one.
It felt a bit rushed at times but mostly because there is so much to cover; I'm looking forward to picking up some more specialist works to complement what I found interesting in this excellent generalist one.
October 3, 2022
The most recent book I have found by Saggs, and probably one of his last (he died in 2005), Babylonians is a volume in the "Peoples of the Past" series, originally published by the British Museum. Probably this is also for now one of the most up-to-date popular books on early Mesopotamia in general, since archaeological investigations in Iraq have only recently been renewed after a more than twenty year hiatus following the barbarian invasions of the late twentieth century.
While much of the information here is similar to his earlier and more comprehensive books, there are also some differences, both major (the theory of the changing sea levels in the Persian Gulf which were considered a wrong hypothesis after about 1950 have now been largely confirmed, there is far more attention given in general to changes in climate and their influence on Mesopotamian history, and there is also much more about the Aramean migration and the Chaldean period) and minor (e.g. the "Laws of Ur-Nammu" are now known to be from his son and successor Shulgi).
I have one more book left in my ancient history reading project from 2018 focusing on Babylon specifically (this book covered the entire period from the Sumerians on, although it does not cover the Assyrians in any depth, because they have their own book in the series) and a few on special topics before I move on to the periphery (counterclockwise, Nubia and northeast Africa, Arabia and Bahrein, Iran, Anatolia, the Phoenicians and so forth, skipping Palestine for the time being) and eventually get to my goal of Greece and Rome.
While much of the information here is similar to his earlier and more comprehensive books, there are also some differences, both major (the theory of the changing sea levels in the Persian Gulf which were considered a wrong hypothesis after about 1950 have now been largely confirmed, there is far more attention given in general to changes in climate and their influence on Mesopotamian history, and there is also much more about the Aramean migration and the Chaldean period) and minor (e.g. the "Laws of Ur-Nammu" are now known to be from his son and successor Shulgi).
I have one more book left in my ancient history reading project from 2018 focusing on Babylon specifically (this book covered the entire period from the Sumerians on, although it does not cover the Assyrians in any depth, because they have their own book in the series) and a few on special topics before I move on to the periphery (counterclockwise, Nubia and northeast Africa, Arabia and Bahrein, Iran, Anatolia, the Phoenicians and so forth, skipping Palestine for the time being) and eventually get to my goal of Greece and Rome.
June 3, 2023
As someone with only a surface-level understanding of ancient Mesopotamia, I found this book to be great at giving me a detailed overview of everything from historical events to the the cultural developments of the near east. I feel like it maintains a very nice balance between giving you lots of relevant information while also not making it feel like a dry school textbook.
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October 21, 2022
كتاب شامل جامع، من احد اساطين البحث العلمي في اثار بلاد الرافدين وتاريخها القديم، والترجمة لا تقل احترافا عن الاصل. لابد منه
April 19, 2024
Really enjoyed. Readable general overview. Very interesting, made me want to read more on this topic.
October 1, 2014
H.W.F. Saggs' "The Babylonians" is an excellent primer for anyone interested in the civic, economic, historical, linguistic, literary, political, or religious influence that the Babylonian civilization has had upon European culture. Well-researched and readable, Saggs' volume helps both the layman and the student of Mesopotamia orient themselves in the place and time of the ancient Babylonian people from the secon and first millenium BCE. Offering a concise, but informative overview of Babylonian origins among the non-Semitic Sumerians, their struggle for freedom against mountainous tribal invaders and the imperial nation of Assyria, and their ultimate legacy among the Greek, Roman, and European civilizations, "The Babylonians" is an excellent historical work detailing one of mankind's greatest cultures.
"The Babylonians" is told in four parts, each subdivided into a number of smaller chapters outlining specific elements.
The first six chapters are all straight-forward history, beginning with an overview of the various chronologies used by archaeologists, and exploring the origins of Mesopotamian civilization. The text proper begins with an overview of the prehistoric Sumerians, the early Akkadian dynasty which followed them, and the short, but vital, Sumerian Renaissance that closed out the third millenium BC. After laying this foundation Saggs jumps straight away into the dual rise of Babylon and Assyria in southern and northern Mesopotamia, respectively. The primary focus of these middle chapters being military campaigns, empire buildings, and the advancement of architectural techniques. The first third of the study concludes with the collapse of Babylon under Assyrian might, and the subsequent resurgence of the Babylonian way of life under the guidance and power of the Chaldean empire, before the incursion of the Persian army.
Part two details the real meat and potatoes of life in the Babylonian empire, with chapters seven through ten turning the focus from outward expansion, to inward stability as Saggs presents a general overview of civic, economic, and political atmosphere of the Babylonian empire. Saggs touches on the life of a slave, a common laborer, a merchant, a student of the scribal school, as well as lawyers, wardens,and governors of a city-state, all while detailing the complex division of labor that supported the Babylonian empire for so many thousands of years. Saggs' subsequent study of the economy of Babylon delves into trade, laying the foundation for theories on how Mesopotamian culture and beliefs may have traveled north into Anatolia and Greece, from whence they reached the rest of the modern world. Once more Saggs takes his time to explain the intricacies of the Babylonian way of life, but never loses the interest of the reader.
Part three presents an overview of Babylonian theology, with a focus on the life of temple servants and priests. Explored in chapters eleven and twelve, Saggs begins with a scholarly overview of the pantheon of Babylon, extrapolating the genealogy of Mesopotamia's gods and goddesses as it was understood in the epic narrative Enuma Elish (the Babylonian creation myth). From there Saggs segues into practices of animism, magic, and sorcery as understood in the Babylonian mind. This section is particularly interesting as it presents a number of theories on the origins of deities and their evolution as mankind conquered the natural world around him. Part three ends with a comprehensive overview of temple life in Babylon, detailing the role of the King in religious rites, the power and sphere of influence of the High Priest and High Priestess, and even the tasks and daily functions of priests, poets, singers, physicians, and exorcists.
The fourth and final part, filling the final two chapters of the volume, explores art, literature, science, and the legacy of the Babylonian people. Working primarily from Cuneiform tablets and monumental architecture, the volume concludes with a wonderful study of the Babylonian worldview and understanding of their place in the cosmos. Covering epic mythology, praise-songs and hymns, medical and anatomical studies, astronomy and astrology, and the first historical records, the conclusion of Saggs' efforts brings into stark contrast the great heights to which the Babylonians rose, and the depths to which they fell, such that modern archaeology was, for so long, under the erroneous impression that the Babylonians were a civilization of hedonistic miscreants. Saggs does well to dispel that illusion by the final page of his volume.
"The Babylonians" is told in four parts, each subdivided into a number of smaller chapters outlining specific elements.
The first six chapters are all straight-forward history, beginning with an overview of the various chronologies used by archaeologists, and exploring the origins of Mesopotamian civilization. The text proper begins with an overview of the prehistoric Sumerians, the early Akkadian dynasty which followed them, and the short, but vital, Sumerian Renaissance that closed out the third millenium BC. After laying this foundation Saggs jumps straight away into the dual rise of Babylon and Assyria in southern and northern Mesopotamia, respectively. The primary focus of these middle chapters being military campaigns, empire buildings, and the advancement of architectural techniques. The first third of the study concludes with the collapse of Babylon under Assyrian might, and the subsequent resurgence of the Babylonian way of life under the guidance and power of the Chaldean empire, before the incursion of the Persian army.
Part two details the real meat and potatoes of life in the Babylonian empire, with chapters seven through ten turning the focus from outward expansion, to inward stability as Saggs presents a general overview of civic, economic, and political atmosphere of the Babylonian empire. Saggs touches on the life of a slave, a common laborer, a merchant, a student of the scribal school, as well as lawyers, wardens,and governors of a city-state, all while detailing the complex division of labor that supported the Babylonian empire for so many thousands of years. Saggs' subsequent study of the economy of Babylon delves into trade, laying the foundation for theories on how Mesopotamian culture and beliefs may have traveled north into Anatolia and Greece, from whence they reached the rest of the modern world. Once more Saggs takes his time to explain the intricacies of the Babylonian way of life, but never loses the interest of the reader.
Part three presents an overview of Babylonian theology, with a focus on the life of temple servants and priests. Explored in chapters eleven and twelve, Saggs begins with a scholarly overview of the pantheon of Babylon, extrapolating the genealogy of Mesopotamia's gods and goddesses as it was understood in the epic narrative Enuma Elish (the Babylonian creation myth). From there Saggs segues into practices of animism, magic, and sorcery as understood in the Babylonian mind. This section is particularly interesting as it presents a number of theories on the origins of deities and their evolution as mankind conquered the natural world around him. Part three ends with a comprehensive overview of temple life in Babylon, detailing the role of the King in religious rites, the power and sphere of influence of the High Priest and High Priestess, and even the tasks and daily functions of priests, poets, singers, physicians, and exorcists.
The fourth and final part, filling the final two chapters of the volume, explores art, literature, science, and the legacy of the Babylonian people. Working primarily from Cuneiform tablets and monumental architecture, the volume concludes with a wonderful study of the Babylonian worldview and understanding of their place in the cosmos. Covering epic mythology, praise-songs and hymns, medical and anatomical studies, astronomy and astrology, and the first historical records, the conclusion of Saggs' efforts brings into stark contrast the great heights to which the Babylonians rose, and the depths to which they fell, such that modern archaeology was, for so long, under the erroneous impression that the Babylonians were a civilization of hedonistic miscreants. Saggs does well to dispel that illusion by the final page of his volume.
January 29, 2024
VERY interesting! I really appreciated the connections and contrasts with the biblical world.
September 8, 2023
Babylon stands with Athens and Rome as a cultural ancestor of western civilization. It was founded by the people of ancient Mesopotamia. The book is incredibly well researched and readable,the volume helps both introduce you to the first human civilization, and can be used as a reference if you're more experienced.
The Babylonians by H.W.F. Saggs can also be found as "The Greatness That Was Babylon. This book is awesome, and possibly the best one of the set, and the only one I would revisit. It deals with the Babylonians from their beginning to the end. About half of the book is their history and the other half is taken up with their social structure and way of life. Everything you'd want to know about a civilization you know nothing about (lord knows I didn't).
The writer guides you through the beginnings of written language, along history of war, as well as the fall of the kingdoms of the Tigris and Euphrates. The people there are sort of an inversion of Egypt in that we have very little artifacts (much of what they made was out of mud-brick, even their writing, on a flood plane) but we have lots of writing. Whenever a library of clay tablets would catch fire their scripts would be baked. Collaboration by archaeologists from many nations has greatly increased our archaeological evidence, while work by linguists has unlocked, gradually, the secrets of the thousands of clay tablets.
Personally, if I wanted to write a historical novel based in ancient bronze age times, or use it as a reference, this is the first book I would go to. Plus, you see where a lot of the original sources of the bible rely from (especially "the great flood"section.
The Babylonians by H.W.F. Saggs can also be found as "The Greatness That Was Babylon. This book is awesome, and possibly the best one of the set, and the only one I would revisit. It deals with the Babylonians from their beginning to the end. About half of the book is their history and the other half is taken up with their social structure and way of life. Everything you'd want to know about a civilization you know nothing about (lord knows I didn't).
The writer guides you through the beginnings of written language, along history of war, as well as the fall of the kingdoms of the Tigris and Euphrates. The people there are sort of an inversion of Egypt in that we have very little artifacts (much of what they made was out of mud-brick, even their writing, on a flood plane) but we have lots of writing. Whenever a library of clay tablets would catch fire their scripts would be baked. Collaboration by archaeologists from many nations has greatly increased our archaeological evidence, while work by linguists has unlocked, gradually, the secrets of the thousands of clay tablets.
Personally, if I wanted to write a historical novel based in ancient bronze age times, or use it as a reference, this is the first book I would go to. Plus, you see where a lot of the original sources of the bible rely from (especially "the great flood"section.
November 19, 2014
كتاب لاباس به...صعب للمبتدئين مثلي في تاريخ بابل...ليس لدي اي خلفية حول تاريخ بابل ولهذا كان صعب استيعاب الحزمات التاريخية والمصطلحات جميعها بالانكليزي....وماصعب الامر اكثر هو تركي للكتاب مدة طويلة.عموما اسلوب الكتاب علمي بحت...استطعت رسم صورة مبسطة ومعلومات بسيطة ستساعدني انشاء الله عندما اقرا كتاب اخر عن بابل...
(ولكن حسيت بسعادة في اخر نصف صفحة حيث ذكر الكاتب البريطاني (بروفيسور)
"ان جميع ماتعلمناه من تقدم وحضارة لم يكن اصلهة الروم كما توقعنة بل اصلهة حضارة بابل في بلاد مابين النهرين"
(ولكن حسيت بسعادة في اخر نصف صفحة حيث ذكر الكاتب البريطاني (بروفيسور)
"ان جميع ماتعلمناه من تقدم وحضارة لم يكن اصلهة الروم كما توقعنة بل اصلهة حضارة بابل في بلاد مابين النهرين"
February 17, 2015
Amazing history of Mesopotamia from the earliest days of civilization through the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. After a historical overview, the author examines things like religion, government, and daily life in some detail.
November 11, 2009
Ancient history that had major influence on us today! This was fascinating history. It is amazing to me how their myths ended up years later in the Bible.
June 11, 2013
Clean, comprehensible writing. Nice pictures, many in color. Scholarly but not dry.
November 18, 2015
Much of the world as we know it starts here.
February 28, 2021
كتاب جيد يحتوي علي كل ما هو مهم في حضارة بابل من دول وشعوب وتاريخ وثقافات بشكل مبسط وحيادي يجعلك تشعر بمدي انبهار الكاتب بهذه الحظارة وحبه لها ...
May 21, 2017
Really great detail throughout, and it's worth slogging through (or skipping in favor of wikipedia) the long, dry as the western desert, political history that kicks off the book. It's when Saggs starts describing the daily life of the Babylonians that he comes alive, and the only downside of the second half is that there isn't really any narrative, but only a succession of categories. Just don't start reading this book on a day when a snake fell from the ceiling into your bed.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews