Prof. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, an expert in ancient Mesopotamian history, dives deep into the origins of the Tower of Babel story, exploring its connections to linguistic diversity and divine intervention. He reveals how ancient ziggurats inspired this iconic tale and discusses the cultural implications of the myth. The conversation also highlights the historical context of the Jewish exile in Babylon, shedding light on how this journey influenced their adaptation to a new culture while yearning for their homeland.
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Early Archaeology in Iraq
Early archaeologists went to Iraq with "a Bible in one hand and a shovel in the other".
They were determined to find biblical locations, including the Tower of Babel.
insights INSIGHT
Ziggurats: Stairways to Heaven
Ziggurats, stepped pyramids found throughout Mesopotamia, served as artificial mountains.
They were believed to be the point where heaven and earth met, allowing gods to descend.
insights INSIGHT
Misidentification of the Tower
Early archaeologists mistook several ziggurats for the Tower of Babel.
The true location was in Babylon, whose name means "gate of the gods" in Akkadian.
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The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished. He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android. The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'. The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.
Babylon
Babylon
The Great City of Revelation
Joseph R. Balyeat
This book explores the city of Babylon, particularly its role in biblical prophecy and its historical importance.
Persians
The Age of the Great Kings
Lloyd Llewellyn Jones
This book tells the epic story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, from its founding by Cyrus the Great around 550 BCE to its fall to Alexander the Great in the late 330s BCE. Llewellyn-Jones provides a detailed and engaging account of the empire's expansion, its bureaucratic and cultural systems, and the intricate royal relationships. The book corrects common misconceptions by offering a Persian-centric view, drawing on Iranian inscriptions, cuneiform tablets, art, and archaeology. It emphasizes the empire's multicultural nature, its significant advancements, and its enduring legacy in modern-day Iran.
The Tower of Babel story is iconic. Featured in the Book of Genesis, it explains how different languages came to be across the world. But what are its origins?
Join Tristan Hughes and Prof. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones in this special episode of The Ancients - recorded live at the London Podcast Festival - as they delve into the biblical roots of the myth and uncover the real archeological remains that inspired the fable. They explore how ancient ziggurats influenced depictions of the tower, discuss the intersection between history and faith and discover how age-old texts and modern archaeology combine to unravel the mysteries behind the story of the Tower of Babel.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The producer is Joseph Knight, audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
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