Abridged Grammars of the Languages of the Cuneiform Inscriptions: Containing I.-A Sumero-Akkadian Grammar, II.-An Assyro-Babylonian Grammar, III.-A . V.-An Old Persian Grammar (Classic Reprint)

Master the grammars behind the languages of the cuneiform inscriptions with a clear, scholarly guide.

This edition presents a concise, readable approach to Sumero-Akkadian, Assyro-Babylonian, Vannic, Medic, and Old Persian grammar, focusing on reading the texts more than speech. It follows a plan that emphasizes practical analysis of inscriptions and the syntax that underpins them, making complex ideas more approachable.

The work introduces the phonetic foundations, the alphabet, and how signs relate to sounds. It explains how nouns, pronouns, and postpositions work in practice, and shows how verb moods, tenses, and voices shape meaning. You’ll also see how the elements of grammar tie together in the syntax of words and phrases, with examples drawn from the inscriptions themselves. While the material reflects scholarly study, the goal is to help readers read and understand the texts more accurately.

• Phonetics and transcription: how Akkadian and related languages are written and pronounced based on inscriptions.
• Nouns, postpositions, adjectives, and pronouns: how form and function align in complex sentences.
• Verbs and moods: how tense, aspect, and voice affect meaning across the languages.
• Syntax in practice: how phrases, clauses, and constructions convey relations and actions in the texts.

Ideal for students of ancient Near Eastern languages and scholars who read cuneiform inscriptions, as well as anyone seeking a solid, accessible reference on these grammars.