Languages of the ancient Near East part 1: Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian
This unique and wide-ranging course provides a broad introduction to the three major languages of the Ancient Near East, which together traverse a vast history of four millennia. In them were written some of the great landmarks of world literature, such as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Sumerian Descent of Inanna.
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Each term we will focus on one of the three languages, looking at basic grammar, morphology and syntax: the course will also provide students with an introduction to reading and writing their scripts (cuneiform and hieroglyphics). In the first term we will study Sumerian, in the second term Akkadian and in the third Egyptian. There will be class outings to the British Museum at the end of the first third, and the Petrie Museum at the end of the third.
What will we cover?
Although the course is primarily one of language instruction, we will touch more broadly on themes of Ancient Near Eastern history and culture.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
read and write simple cuneiform and hieroglyphics;
understand how to use sign lists in reading;
understand general rules of syntax and sentence structure;
command a basic set of vocabulary in all three languages.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is intended for complete beginners: no previous knowledge of foreign languages, ancient or modern, is expected.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Classroom contact involving deciphering and translating from each language will be complemented with between one to two hours per week of homework.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All study materials will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can advance to further studies in these languages and their literature. The tutor will be able to advise.
Vaughan Pilikian is an artist, writer and teacher. He has degrees in Classics, Sanskrit and Assyriology.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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In them were written some of the great landmarks of world literature, such as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Sumerian Descent of Inanna.003030838Languages of the ancient Near East part 1: Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/n/ancient-near-east_rn074-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRN074239239Languages of the ancient Near East part 1: Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian191155239Vaughan Pilikianlanguages-of-the-ancient-near-east-part-1-sumerian-akkadian-egyptian/rn074-2627This unique and wide-ranging course provides a broad introduction to the three major languages of the Ancient Near East, which together traverse a vast history of four millennia. In them were written some of the great landmarks of world literature, such as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Sumerian Descent of Inanna.0000-Available|2026-10-03 00:00:00<p>Each term we will focus on one of the three languages, looking at basic grammar, morphology and syntax: the course will also provide students with an introduction to reading and writing their scripts (cuneiform and hieroglyphics). In the first term we will study Sumerian, in the second term Akkadian and in the third Egyptian. There will be class outings to the British Museum at the end of the first third, and the Petrie Museum at the end of the third.</p>This unique and wide-ranging course provides a broad introduction to the three major languages of the Ancient Near East, which together traverse a vast history of four millennia. In them were written some of the great landmarks of world literature, such as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Sumerian Descent of Inanna.Although the course is primarily one of language instruction, we will touch more broadly on themes of Ancient Near Eastern history and culture.<ul><li>read and write simple cuneiform and hieroglyphics;</li><li>understand how to use sign lists in reading;</li><li>understand general rules of syntax and sentence structure;</li><li>command a basic set of vocabulary in all three languages.</li></ul>The course is intended for complete beginners: no previous knowledge of foreign languages, ancient or modern, is expected.Classroom contact involving deciphering and translating from each language will be complemented with between one to two hours per week of homework.All study materials will be provided by the tutor.You can advance to further studies in these languages and their literature. The tutor will be able to advise.Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual191239155RN074NONESat03/10/26 - 05/12/2616:00 - 17:3016:0017:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetVaughan PilikianBeginnersAvailable courses2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities239239Languages of the ancient Near East part 1: Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptianlanguages-of-the-ancient-near-east-part-1-sumerian-akkadian-egyptian/rn074-2627This unique and wide-ranging course provides a broad introduction to the three major languages of the Ancient Near East, which together traverse a vast history of four millennia. In them were written some of the great landmarks of world literature, such as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Sumerian Descent of Inanna.0000-Available|2026-10-03 00:00:00<p>Each term we will focus on one of the three languages, looking at basic grammar, morphology and syntax: the course will also provide students with an introduction to reading and writing their scripts (cuneiform and hieroglyphics). In the first term we will study Sumerian, in the second term Akkadian and in the third Egyptian. There will be class outings to the British Museum at the end of the first third, and the Petrie Museum at the end of the third.</p>This unique and wide-ranging course provides a broad introduction to the three major languages of the Ancient Near East, which together traverse a vast history of four millennia. In them were written some of the great landmarks of world literature, such as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Sumerian Descent of Inanna.Although the course is primarily one of language instruction, we will touch more broadly on themes of Ancient Near Eastern history and culture.<ul><li>read and write simple cuneiform and hieroglyphics;</li><li>understand how to use sign lists in reading;</li><li>understand general rules of syntax and sentence structure;</li><li>command a basic set of vocabulary in all three languages.</li></ul>The course is intended for complete beginners: no previous knowledge of foreign languages, ancient or modern, is expected.Classroom contact involving deciphering and translating from each language will be complemented with between one to two hours per week of homework.All study materials will be provided by the tutor.You can advance to further studies in these languages and their literature. The tutor will be able to advise.Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
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