Assyrian Language Easy Lessons in the Cuneiform Inscriptions

Abstract

MR. KING'S modest little volume on the Assyrian language will, we believe, be welcomed by many who are not Assyriologists, because it contains a brief but lucid exposition of the principles upon which the decipherment of Assyrian is based. It is now many years ago since the first labourers in the stubborn field of Assyriology produced their first fruits, and as two generations of men have grown up since that time the early labours of Rawlinson, Lassen, Hincks, and Norris have become well nigh forgotten. Mr. King's book is, as its title signifies, intended to help beginners in the study of Assyrian to master that difficult language, but it is good to note that he also means the beginner to come behind the scenes and to see, not only the results, but how the results have been arrived at. In these days we are so much accustomed to see translations of cuneiform documents in English, French and German that it is hard to realise that less than fifty years ago the phonetic values of a great number of Assyrian characters were unknown.

Assyrian Language. Easy Lessons in the Cuneiform Inscriptions.

By L. W. King. Pp. xv + 216. (London: Kegan Paul and Co., Ltd., 1901.) Price 3s. 6d. net.