Podcast notes and takeaways for: Tower of Babel - The Ancients (2024)

Prof. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones delves into the ancient story of the Tower of Babel from the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, which illustrates a divide between God and humans as they attempt to build a city and tower reaching the heavens. In response to their ambition, God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth. This narrative is one of the earliest in the Bible, appearing just 10 chapters in.

Early archaeologists believed they had discovered the actual Tower of Babel in Iraq; however, it is now understood that only the text remains. The concept of ziggurats, step pyramids built by ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, is introduced as structures intended to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. These were often dedicated to specific deities, with one of the most famous being in Babylon, dedicated to the god Marduk. Although initially thought to be the Tower of Babel, the most likely contender was a ziggurat located in Dur Kaligalzu, rebuilt by Saddam Hussein in the 1980s and currently used as a wedding venue.

The history and significance of Babylon are explored, particularly during the reign of King Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar. Babylon, once destroyed by the Assyrians, was restored to become a cultural and wealthy center with an empire stretching from Iran to Egypt. It featured grand structures such as ziggurats and the Ishtar Gate, with its religious center dedicated to Marduk.

Nebuchadnezzar and his father constructed a monumental ziggurat for worship, made of glazed brickwork and measuring 96 by 96 meters. The processional way to the ziggurat was adorned with blue brickwork and lion statues. While some believe this ziggurat may have inspired the biblical Tower of Babel, others debate this due to timeline discrepancies.

The influence of the Babylonian exile on the writing of the Hebrew Bible, especially the book of Psalms, is highlighted. Jewish scribes in exile incorporated elements from Babylonian culture and mythology, including the Tower of Babel, into their writings as they longed for Jerusalem. The tension among Jews in exile, some assimilating and others yearning for home, is reflected in the writings of prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The Hebrew Bible, seen as a construction, was not finalized until the 1st century BC.

Prof. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones also touches on the impact of Mesopotamia and Babylon on ancient history and biblical tradition. Cuneiform tablets from the region shed light on everyday life, and the significant Jewish presence in Babylon persisted even after the city's fall. The cosmopolitan nature of Babylon, where multiple languages were spoken, may have influenced the creation of the Tower of Babel story, which appears in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament.

In the New Testament, the image of Babylon serves as a metaphor for Roman imperialism, subtly used due to the risk of persecution. This symbolism of corruption and downfall continued through the Protestant Reformation and into art, exemplified by Pieter Bruegel's painting of the Tower of Babel. Modern references to the story include the idea of a universal translator, like the Babel fish in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

The episode emphasizes the importance of aligning biblical stories, such as those of King Herod and Noah's flood, with archaeological evidence and understanding the Bible in its historical context. Guest Professor Lloyds Llewellyn Jones, who has authored books on Persia and Babylon, shares his expertise.