Learn to Read Ancient Akkadian: An Introduction for Complete Beginners

by Dr Joshua Aaron Bowen

Ancient Akkadian is one of the earliest known written languages, going back over 3,000 years into the past, preserving myths, laws, and ritual traditions that date even earlier. But learning to read this ancient language usually requires years of formal training, or relying on books written with overly technical jargon. Reading the incredible, rich literary tradition of Babylonia and Assyria has therefore been restricted to the lucky few - until now!

Learn to Read Ancient An Introduction for Complete Beginners is written specifically for people with no training in ancient languages, allowing you to learn ancient Akkadian without having to struggle with grammatical jargon. Everything is explained in clear language, with a handy index providing definitions just in case you need a reminder.

Every chapter explains important grammatical features, building upon previous lessons to provide an in-depth understanding of the language without being overwhelming. You will be introduced to some of the most commonly used Akkadian vocabulary, and extensive practice exercises help solidify your understanding of grammatical concepts. This volume also introduces you to the cuneiform writing system, with helpful exercises to give you practice reading and translating directly from cuneiform.

271 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2026