Episode Summary: Babylon: The Most Important City of Antiquity

In this compelling episode of Dan Snow's History Hit, host Dan Snow delves deep into the heart of ancient Mesopotamia, unraveling the intricate tapestry of one of history's foundational civilizations. Joined by guest Amanda Padani, a distinguished professor of history and author of Weavers, Scribes and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Near East, Snow explores why Babylon stands as a pivotal city in antiquity and how Mesopotamian innovations laid the groundwork for modern society.

Introduction to Mesopotamian Civilization

Amanda Padani opens the discussion by emphasizing the often-overlooked significance of Mesopotamian culture compared to the more frequently cited civilizations of Greece and Rome. She highlights Mesopotamia's profound influence on subsequent advancements in science, politics, engineering, and daily life, noting, "We owe to the ancient Mesopotamians... the wheel, geometry, beer drinking, all of that."

Defining Civilization: Beyond Modern Perceptions

Dan Snow grapples with the definition of "civilization," suggesting that urban culture, marked by cities with monumental architecture and social stratification, is a more precise term. At [05:06], he states:

"If we talk about urban culture, though, urban culture begins with cities... And they did it really well."

He underscores that early Mesopotamian cities like Uruk, established around 3500 BCE, exhibited organized societies akin to modern urban centers, complete with labor forces dedicated to construction and infrastructure.

Geographical Advantages and Religious Significance

Padani and Snow explore the geographical factors that facilitated the rise of Mesopotamian cities. The fertile land, nourished by the Euphrates River, enabled dense populations through effective irrigation like basin farming. Snow explains at [07:13]:

"The region is very fertile... it wasn't possible to live far away from the city if you were not living near the river."

Moreover, the religious dimension played a crucial role. Cities like Uruk were considered abodes of deities, providing a sense of protection and community cohesion. This divine association not only attracted residents but also fostered trade and cultural exchanges, as Padani notes:

"People want to be in the big city. You want to be. Things are going on there."

Peace and Governance in Early Cities

Contrary to the chaotic image often associated with early civilizations, Mesopotamian cities were surprisingly peaceful internally. Snow reveals at [10:37]:

"There wasn't much random violence... a real sense of community."

He cites archaeological studies showing low instances of violent injuries among skeletons and highlights the existence of a judicial system that minimized corruption and maintained order. Diplomacy and organized warfare were prevalent externally, with city-states forming alliances and maintaining structured military forces.

The Birth of Writing: Cuneiform's Enduring Legacy

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the development and impact of writing in Mesopotamia. Snow elucidates the creation of cuneiform around 3200 BCE, initially a system for administrative record-keeping rather than literature. He describes how this syllabary facilitated the management of resources and labor, stating at [12:40]:

"They're keeping track of things that they couldn't possibly commit to memory."

This writing system proved versatile, adapting to multiple languages over millennia and laying the foundation for recorded history. The durability of clay tablets ensured the preservation of vast amounts of information, giving modern historians unprecedented insights into daily life and governance.

Enheduanna: The First Named Author

The conversation turns to Enheduanna, the high priestess and daughter of King Sargon of Akkad, recognized as the first known author in history. Padani draws parallels between Enheduanna and later literary figures, noting:

"She is sometimes called the first known author in history."

Through her hymns, Enheduanna not only established literary traditions but also exemplified the significant roles women held in religious and political spheres within Mesopotamian society.

Babylon's Rise and Hammurabi's Legacy

Babylon's prominence is intricately linked to King Hammurabi, famed for his comprehensive law code. At [17:50], Snow discusses Hammurabi's strategic consolidation of power:

"Hammurabi decided quite late in his reign... he managed to sort of conquer the neighbors."

Although Hammurabi's empire was relatively short-lived after his death in the mid-18th century BCE, his law code endured, profoundly influencing subsequent legal systems. Padani emphasizes the accidental nature of Hammurabi's lasting fame, attributing it to the discovery of his well-preserved stele in 1902, which brought his laws to global attention:

"Because he gets this front page news, he becomes the person who gets in the textbooks."

Analyzing Hammurabi's Laws: Pragmatism Over Retribution

The episode delves into the substance of Hammurabi's laws, dispelling the common misconception that they were solely retaliatory ("an eye for an eye"). Instead, many laws addressed property rights, contracts, and administrative regulations. Snow explains at [25:16]:

"Most of them are about things like inheritance, land control... there's a lot of really interesting insights into daily life."

He also highlights the pragmatic application of these laws, where punishments were often fines rather than death sentences, contrary to what the stele might suggest. This reveals a sophisticated legal system aimed at maintaining social order and property rights.

Preservation Through Clay: A Treasure Trove of History

One of the episode's key insights is the extraordinary preservation of Mesopotamian records compared to other ancient civilizations. Snow attributes this to the use of clay tablets, which remain intact over millennia, unlike the perishable materials like papyrus used by Egyptians and Greeks. At [29:39], he marvels:

"There is... more than a half a million documents that survive."

This abundance of primary sources provides an unparalleled window into the lives of ordinary people, governance, and societal norms of ancient Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamia vs. Other Civilizations: Why the Oversight?

Padani and Snow discuss why Mesopotamian civilization hasn't achieved the same popular recognition as Greece or Rome. They suggest that the continuous tradition of Greek and Roman cultures, with their uninterrupted linguistic and scholarly influence, overshadowed the rediscovered cuneiform records of Mesopotamia. Snow notes:

"Cuneiform was deciphered in the mid-19th century... they were regarded as important in his time and in the generations that followed him."

Despite the rich historical material, the focus in Western education and popular media has traditionally leaned towards Greco-Roman narratives, leaving Mesopotamia less celebrated in the public consciousness.

Scientific Contributions: The Legacy of Mesopotamian Knowledge

The episode highlights Mesopotamia's enduring contributions to modern science, particularly in mathematics and astronomy. Snow explains the origin of the base-60 system, which persists today in our division of hours and minutes:

"They had a base 60 number system... it makes for good fractions."

Additionally, the 360-degree circle and the names of constellations owe their origins to Mesopotamian astronomers, who sought to interpret the gods' will through celestial movements.

The Gradual Decline and Enduring Influence of Babylon

The decline of Mesopotamian civilization is portrayed not as a sudden collapse but a gradual transformation under successive conquerors, culminating with the Persian conquest by Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE. Snow illustrates the seamless transition, where daily life and administrative practices continued largely unchanged despite the shift in rulers:

"They wouldn't have said, Aha, 539. Everything has changed now at all."

This enduring continuity underscores Babylon's remarkable resilience and the lasting imprint of Mesopotamian culture on subsequent civilizations.

Concluding Remarks: Celebrating the Ancient Near East

As the episode wraps up, Padani champions the rich narratives uncovered through Mesopotamian studies, aiming to elevate the public's appreciation for this ancient civilization. She references Snow's book, Weavers, Scribes and Kings, as a pivotal work that brings to life the stories of ordinary Mesopotamians whose lives were meticulously recorded on clay tablets.

"We're not speculating. These are real people and we can talk about them and about their lives without having to make stuff up."

Key Quotes:

• Amanda Padani [02:01]:

  "In the first cities to emerge on this planet of Earth, men and women strove to work out how to live together..."

• Dan Snow [05:06]:

  "Urban culture begins with cities... they did it really well."

• Dan Snow [07:13]:

  "The region is very fertile... it wasn't possible to live far away from the city if you were not living near the river."

• Dan Snow [12:40]:

  "They're keeping track of things that they couldn't possibly commit to memory."

• Dan Snow [25:16]:

  "Most of them are about things like inheritance, land control... there's a lot of really interesting insights into daily life."

• Amanda Padani [33:22]:

  "And also apart from the lives of the fascinating lives of normal people, as it were, sort of bedrock civilizational developments around science and astronomy and all that kind of stuff."

This episode serves as a profound exploration of Babylon's pivotal role in shaping human history, underscoring the legacy of Mesopotamian innovations that continue to influence our modern world.