This is my absolute favorite type of history; this book covers the leaders as well as the clothes, foods, and gender roles of the ancient peoples of this Mesopotamian region. I love to hear as much about the people and their culture, gods, and mythology, as about their wars. I was flabbergasted to read how much the Greeks got from the Babylonians -- yet the Greeks get all the credit. It is staggering how much information is stuffed in these few pages. Bravo, Captivating History!
Readers get a feel of the Code of Hammurabi through the words and the image of the black stele (upon which it is written). After reading this, one realizes being a physician in Hammurabi's time was a precarious profession. According to Hammurabi's 282 laws, a miscreant's punishment was terrible, swift, and sure.
One observation that the author makes about the 'great flood to wipe out humanity' myth is that it occurs in almost every major religion across the globe, including Australian Aboriginies, Babylonians, Christians, Hindi, and many other indigenous tribes throughout both American continents. A particularly interesting section was about the Babylonians and the Bible. In all, this is a very satisfying explanation of the Babylonian Kingdom and culture.
Readers get a feel of the Code of Hammurabi through the words and the image of the black stele (upon which it is written). After reading this, one realizes being a physician in Hammurabi's time was a precarious profession. According to Hammurabi's 282 laws, a miscreant's punishment was terrible, swift, and sure.
One observation that the author makes about the 'great flood to wipe out humanity' myth is that it occurs in almost every major religion across the globe, including Australian Aboriginies, Babylonians, Christians, Hindi, and many other indigenous tribes throughout both American continents. A particularly interesting section was about the Babylonians and the Bible. In all, this is a very satisfying explanation of the Babylonian Kingdom and culture.
