The Greatness That Was Babylon
The Greatness That Was Babylon (1962; second edition 1988) is a book about Babylonia by the Assyriologist H. W. F. Saggs.
 Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | H. W. F. Saggs |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Babylonia |
| Publisher | Sidgwick & Jackson |
Publication date | 1962 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 562 (first edition) |
Summary
Saggs, writing for the "general reader", describes the ancient Babylonians before and during the ancient Assyrian Empire. Topics discussed include cuneiform writing.[1]
Publication history
The Greatness That Was Babylon was first published in 1962 by Sidgwick & Jackson.[2] In 1988, the book was reissued in a revised and updated edition.[3]
Reception
The Greatness That Was Babylon received a positive review from the archaeologist Richard David Barnett in The Times Literary Supplement. Barnett commended the book for its "breadth and detail". However, he criticised Saggs's comparisons of the behaviour of the Babylonians with that of the Hebrews as described in the Old Testament. He also believed that Saggs had less mastery of archaeological material than of cuneiform studies.[4]
References
Citations
- Saggs 1962, pp. xvii–504.
- Saggs 1962, p. iv.
- The Times Literary Supplement 1988, p. 1104.
- Barnett 1963, p. 204.
Bibliography
- Books
- Saggs, H. W. F. (1962). The Greatness That Was Babylon. London: Sidgwick & Jackson.
- Journals
- Barnett, Richard David (1963). "Between the rivers". The Times Literary Supplement (3186).
- "Ancient History". The Times Literary Supplement (4462). 1988.