Learning Akkadian
Through the Code of Hammurabi
Saturdays, August 29th – October 31st, 2026, 10:00 AM EST.
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Have you ever wanted to read one of the world's oldest written languages but didn't know where to begin?
Join Dr. Josh Bowen for this live beginner-friendly course and learn the fundamentals of Akkadian, the language of ancient Mesopotamia, through selections from the Code of Hammurabi. Working with one of history's most influential legal texts, you'll build a foundation in the language while exploring authentic cuneiform inscriptions.
Over ten weeks, you'll learn the cuneiform writing system, Akkadian grammar, syntax, and vocabulary while developing the skills to read and translate passages from the Laws of Hammurabi. Topics include nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, verb forms, cases, relative clauses, and sentence structure—all introduced step by step with guided reading in class.
Designed for complete beginners, this course requires little to no work outside of class, though review and practice are encouraged for those who want to deepen their understanding.
Optional Textbook:
Joshua Bowen, Learn to Read Ancient Akkadian: An Introduction for Complete Beginners, Volume I, Volume I (2026)
Once you check out, you will receive instructions within 24 hours about how to join the online class.
About Josh Bowen
Dr. Joshua Bowen graduated from the Johns Hopkins University in 2017, with a Ph.D. in Assyriology. He wrote his dissertation on the lamentational liturgies of the city of Kiš, and specializes in the Sumerian language. Joshua was awarded the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (D.A.A.D.) and Fulbright scholarship during the 2014-2015 academic year, allowing him to spend the year in Tubingen, Germany, working with Dr. Konrad Volk on his dissertation project.
As well as his Ph.D., Josh holds a B.S. in Religion from Liberty University, a Th.M. in the Old Testament from Capital Bible Seminary, and a M.A. in Near Eastern Studies from the Johns Hopkins University. Prior to entering academia, Joshua was a chaplain in the U.S. Airforce where he also gained an A.A. in Avionics.
Joshua lives and works in southern Maryland, and spends his free time wrangling his 5 children, and sharing evidence-based information about the ancient Near East and the Hebrew Bible with his online communities.
Class Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to Akkadian & Sounds and Syllabification
Begin Laws of Hammurabi #14
Week 2: Introduction to Nouns, Verbs, and Prepositions, Part I
Week 3: Introduction to Nouns, Verbs, and Prepositions, Part II
Week 4: Adjectives
Begin Laws of Hammurabi #114
Week 5: Weak Verbs
Week 6: Imperatives and Construct Nouns
Begin Laws of Hammurabi #153
Week 7: Pronouns, Part I
Week 8: Pronouns, Part II
Begin Laws of Hammurabi #209
Week 9: Special Uses of the Accusative Case
Week 10: Verbal Suffixes and Relative Clauses
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About the Religion Department
The Religion Department is an online platform for learning about religion, taught by leading scholars in the field. We offer both pre-recorded courses and live video seminars, connecting curious learners with cutting-edge research and expert teaching in religious studies.
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