Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Cultures

Overview courses

• History and Cultures of the Ancient Near East (VU, course code L_AABAOHW202)

  The course History and Cultures of the Ancient Near East (period 1) is a thorough introduction to ancient Near Eastern history from the late 4th millennium to the 3rd century BC. The focus lies on Mesopotamia, but the Levant is also included.

• Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (VU, course code L_BEBAARC209)

  This course, taught in period 2, presents an archaeology-based overview of the societies and cultures of the Ancient Near East. You will discuss several themes related to sedentism and food production, ancient urbanism. Other subjects are town-countryside relationships, including power and monumentality, food supply system, and administration.

• Religion in Antiquity (UvA, course code 138221036Y)

  This course (period 3) deals with the main points and issues of religion in ancient Mesopotamia and the Greco-Roman world. The lectures give an overview of the deities, religious life, rituals and customs in these various cultures.

  Taught at UvA, Amsterdam Centre

• Elementary Akkadian I (UvA, course code 138111006Y)

  In the course Elementary Akkadian (period 4) you will be introduced to the basics of the Akkadian (Babylonian-Assyrian) language and you will learn how the cuneiform writing system functioned. The language study is accompanied with cultural-historical topics such as literature and society.

  Taught at UvA, Amsterdam Centre

• Elementary Akkadian II (UvA, course code 138111016Y)

  Elementary Akkadian II (period 5) is a continuation of the first part in period 4. At the end of the course you will be able to read and translate easy Akkadian texts.Elementary Akkadian II (period 5) is a continuation of the first part in period 4. At the end of the course you will be able to read and translate easy Akkadian texts.

  Taught at UvA, Amsterdam Centre

• Hebreeuws I (Dutch, VU, course code G_BATRSPC132)

  During Hebreeuws I you will learn the basics (alphabet, grammar and syntax) of ancient, that is, biblical Hebrew.

• Hebreeuws II (Dutch, VU, course code G_BATRSPC133)

  During Hebreeuws II you will continue the study of the grammar and  also familiarize yourself with Rabbinical texts and thought.

• Hebreeuws III (Dutch, VU, course code G_BATRSPC134)

  Hebreeuws III is a continuation of Hebreeuws II. In this course, the knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew is further deepened. You will also increase your reading skills. The course focuses on the grammatical analysis and translation of Biblical Hebrew texts, with special attention to the syntax of Biblical Hebrew prose.

• Aramaic (Leiden University)

  This course is not taught at the VU in 2026-27. Leiden University offers a similar 10 EC course where you will be very welcome. Classes are taught there once a week during the first semester (roughly our periods 1 and 2). Registration as a guest student is required.

• Syriac 1 (VU, course code L_GOBAALG005)

  After a short introduction into the history of the Syriac language, you will be introduced into the Syriac language. Special attention is paid to the salient linguistic features of the Semitic languages (which include Syriac, Hebrew, Arabic) in comparison with, for example, Indo-European languages. At the end of the course you will master a basic knowledge of the Syriac language (orthography, phonology, morphology, syntax) and you will be able to read some "easy" original Syriac texts independently.

• Syriac 2 (VU, course code L_GOBAALG006)

  You will get a good knowledge of the Syriac grammar and a first experience with reading various representatives of the wealth of Syriac literature (Bible translations, commentaries, treatises, poetry) with the help of the available resources (grammars, dictionaries).