Babylonians (Peoples of the Past) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

H. W. F. Saggs' Babylonians is recommended for college-level students of ancient Mesopotamia: Professor Saggs uses evidence from pottery, architecture and metallurgy to recreate and examine the myths, languages, and lives of Babylonians and their predecessors. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (May 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520202228
• ISBN-13: 978-0520202221
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #863,789 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for style and information., March 4, 1999

By	Mark W. Patton (Columbia, S.C.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Babylonians (Peoples of the Past, 1) (Hardcover)

I found myself unable to put this book down. However, I feel that the title is a bit misleading in that while it does cover the Babylonians it also covers a whole lot more. To me the book served as an excellent summary of the history of ancient Mesopotamia from the Sumerians right on through the Babylonians. I borrowed it from the university library and ordered my own copy after I had read it. mwp

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book., May 17, 2000

By A Customer

Saggs puts together a very intriguing review of life in Early Mesopotamia, using archaeological evidence and historical texts. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though the title is a bit misleading. I highly recommend this book to any student doing research on the early settlements in the Sumer and Akkad region. The book covers briefly the Uruk period and in much more detail the Agade , Ur III, and old babylonian periods. Another book that you would also find of great interest is H. Crawfords book called "Sumer and the Sumerians". She examines the Uruk period in more detail than Saggs. Both books are of great value Professor, Student, and novelist alike.

13 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book rocks so hard it isn't even funny!!!, November 21, 2002

By	Joseph K. Dittmer (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dude, H.W.F. Saggs you are THE MAN (Notice how THE MAN is capitalized). This book really dishes out the skinny on ancient Mesopatamia, and homey take it from me this civilization is DOPE!! He begins by describing the studs(archaeologists, historians,etc.)who rediscovered a lot of the ancient Mesopotamian stuff. Then he breaks it down from the neolithic all the way to the end of the superfly Neo-Babylonian Empire. Saggs style is quite lucid and the pics add a lot to the material Saggs presents in this work. He really does an awesome job at introducing the amazing civilizations that made up ancient Mesopotamia. I especially like the part with the III Ur that dude Shulgi was totally sweet!! Saggs you must be butta' cause you on a roll!! In other words I highly recommend this book.