Podcast Summary: The Ancients – "Tower of Babel"

Episode Details

• Title: Tower of Babel
• Host: Tristan Hughes, History Hit
• Release Date: November 24, 2024

1. Introduction

In this special episode of The Ancients, hosted by Tristan Hughes, listeners are treated to an in-depth exploration of the Tower of Babel. Notably, this episode marks the podcast's inaugural live recording at the London Podcast Festival, featuring esteemed guest Professor Lloyd Llewellyn Jones, a renowned expert in Mesopotamian history and archaeology.

Tristan Hughes [04:23]:

"Welcome to this special episode of The Ancients in front of a live audience as we explore the captivating story of the Tower of Babel."

2. The Biblical Narrative of the Tower of Babel

Professor Jones begins by recounting the biblical account of the Tower of Babel as presented in the Book of Genesis. This narrative describes humanity's attempt to build a city and a tower "with its top in the heavens," aiming to make a name for themselves and prevent their dispersion across the earth.

Professor Jones [05:51]:

"It's essentially a text which recounts a kind of divide between God and humans. God confuses their language so that they can no longer communicate."

The story emphasizes themes of human ambition, divine intervention, and the origin of diverse languages.

3. Archaeological Investigations and Ziggurats

Transitioning from the biblical text, Professor Jones delves into the archaeological aspects, focusing on ziggurats—massive stepped structures prevalent in ancient Mesopotamian cities.

Professor Jones [09:06]:

"A ziggurat is essentially a step pyramid... The whole purpose was to have a shrine at the very top of the apex, where the God was thought to reside."

Ziggurats served as ceremonial centers, bridging the earthly realm with the divine. Their architectural prominence made them candidates for the real-life inspiration behind the Tower of Babel myth.

4. Identifying the Tower of Babel in Babylon

Early archaeologists, armed with bibles and shovels, purportedly linked these ziggurats to the biblical Tower of Babel upon discovering such structures in ancient Babylon.

Professor Jones [15:40]:

"It's Babylon itself, bilbil or bilbol in Akkadian, means the gate of the gods. It's the tower of Babylon that he's actually talking about."

One significant contender is the ziggurat at Dhur Kaligalzu, partially reconstructed under Saddam Hussein, which stood prominently as a symbol of Babylonian grandeur.

5. The Role of Babylonian Religion and Culture

The conversation highlights the centrality of ziggurats in Babylonian religion, particularly the worship of the god Marduk, the supreme deity. The ziggurat symbolized a divine staircase, facilitating the gods' descent to Earth.

Professor Jones [22:23]:

"It was built up 96 meters as well... Such beauty ensured that the ziggurat shone for miles around, symbolizing Babylon's glory."

Babylon's architectural prowess, especially in brickwork and glazed tiles, underscored its cultural and religious significance in the ancient world.

6. The Tower of Babel's Legacy in Later History and Culture

The Tower of Babel's influence extended beyond antiquity, permeating various facets of later cultures and religious texts. In the New Testament's Book of Revelation, Babylon symbolizes the corrupt Roman Empire.

Professor Jones [42:06]:

"Babylon is reactivated in the Christian mind... Rome is therefore cast as a second Babylon."

This symbolism persisted into the European Reformation, where Protestant reformers likened the Papal Rome to Babylon, further entrenching the tower's metaphorical legacy.

Artists like Pieter Brueghel the Elder immortalized the Tower of Babel through their works, depicting it as an unfinished, imposing structure emblematic of human hubris.

Professor Jones [46:45]:

"Brueghel's Tower of Babel... it symbolizes a corrupt monarchy, a defunct religion, and a wicked urban center all in one image."

Additionally, modern cultural references, such as Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", draw inspiration from the Tower of Babel myth, exemplifying its enduring relevance.

7. Conclusion

Professor Jones emphasizes the intertwined nature of biblical narratives and historical archaeology, advocating for a holistic approach to understanding ancient texts and cultures.

Professor Jones [52:16]:

"The Hebrew Bible doesn't come out of a vacuum. It is part of a Mesopotamian, Persian, Egyptian, and later on Greco-Roman world."

Tristan Hughes concludes the episode by acknowledging the rich discourse between mythology and archaeology, underscoring the Tower of Babel as a pivotal intersection of faith, history, and cultural evolution.

Tristan Hughes [52:51]:

"It is fascinating whether it's King Herod, Pontius Pilate, or the story of Noah and the Flood. There are so many parts, well-known stories from the biblical account that you can align or look alongside archaeology to make it more available to more and more people."

Notable Quotes

• Professor Jones [05:51]:

  "God confuses their language so that they can no longer communicate."

• Professor Jones [09:06]:

  "A ziggurat is essentially a step pyramid... where the God was thought to reside."

• Professor Jones [22:23]:

  "It was built up 96 meters as well... symbolizing Babylon's glory."

• Professor Jones [42:06]:

  "Babylon is reactivated in the Christian mind... Rome is therefore cast as a second Babylon."

• Professor Jones [52:16]:

  "The Hebrew Bible doesn't come out of a vacuum. It is part of a Mesopotamian, Persian, Egyptian, and later on Greco-Roman world."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Ancients masterfully weaves together biblical lore, archaeological evidence, and historical analysis to present a comprehensive view of the Tower of Babel. By bridging myth and history, Tristan Hughes and Professor Lloyd Llewellyn Jones offer listeners a nuanced understanding of how ancient narratives continue to shape and reflect human civilization.

For further episodes and insights into ancient history, follow The Ancients on Spotify or your preferred podcast platform.