Assyriology is young, but its findings already deepen our view of ancient history.
This rectorial address explores what the field promises for understanding Western Asia, and what it has already revealed. It frames Assyriology as a growing, powerful ally to traditional study, not a rival to established disciplines.
In clear terms, the speaker lays out why thousands of published and unpublished documents matter. The talk highlights language comparison, ancient history, literature, arts, science, and especially mythology and religion, all of which waiting to be deciphered or examined more deeply. It also places Assyriology in the broader world of universities, noting the contrast between flourishing, mature fields and a youthful, still developing science.
- Why Assyriology matters for ancient history and culture
- How vast archives can illuminate language, religion, and myth
- What the Amarna era reveals about power, diplomacy, and worldviews
- The idea of science that keeps moving forward, not resting on laurels
Ideal for readers of ancient Near Eastern history and religious studies, this edition offers a historical glance at the field as it stands and where it is headed.