One of the most unique spoken languages ever is the Aramaic language, which even Jesus is known to have spoken. But, what exactly did they use Aramaic for? Why was it so important? Let us explore the backstory of this ancient language to shed light on its role in shaping societies and civilizations in North Africa as well as other parts of Asia.
History of the Aramaic Language
Aramaic was once a Semitic language. It was first discovered in the ancient Near East between the 10th and 11th centuries BCE. It was widely spoken in regions of what we know now as Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and Palestine. Aramaic served as the lingua franca of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires and had great cultural and administrative influence in different parts of the Near East for various periods.
If we consider similarity, Aramaic is close to Hebrew, Arabic, and Akkadian. In ancient times, there have been different religious texts that were written in Aramaic. For example, some portions of the Hebrew Bible, such as Daniel’s or Ezra’s book were written using Aramaic. Additionally, Targums, several sections in the Christian New Testament, and even Ketubah signings were also written in Aramaic.
The language has been used for writing non-religious works as well as inscriptions and administrative documents. The impact that this language has on many mother tongues spoken in this region, continues to be felt despite its decline in terms of speakers.
The Aramaic Language in the Ancient World
The majority of the world used the Aramaic language primarily as it was adopted by several powerful empires for administrative and diplomatic services. The emergence of Aramaic as this major world language came due to many factors, such as:
Assyrian and Babylonian Empire
Aramaic was highly important during the Neo-Assyrian Empire (circa 911-609 BCE) and the upcoming Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539 BCE). In order to make it easier and more efficient for people to carry out tasks, these territories that ruled over vast areas in the Near East adopted Aramaic for official use. In line with the people’s growth, Aramaic followed them and became the language of governance where they were located.
Persian Empire
After the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the Achaemenid Persian Empire (circa 550-330 BCE) emerged as the most powerful state in the Near East. The placement of Aramaic as an official language under Persian yoke further entrenched it as a lingua franca across one of the largest empires ever known. For example, Persians used this language for communication, trading, and record-keeping.
Historical Uses of the Aramaic Language
Aramaic has had a strong tradition that cuts many domains including trade, administration, literature, and religion. Its main historical uses include:
Ketubah Signing
The Ketubah is a Jewish ancient marriage contract that was usually written in Aramaic. Through the Ketubah signing ceremony, it defines the groom’s duties and rights towards his bride such as financial obligations, as well as provision for her welfare. The use of Aramaic in the Ketubah shows the language’s significance in Jewish legal and ceremonial traditions.
Administration
One of the earliest known examples of Aramaic is found in letters sent between kings and officials. The language spread over vast areas because it was used for official decrees, and legal documents, and even offered correspondence between officials and administrative purposes by empires like Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian.
Education
Aramaic was used as a language for teaching in schools, academies, or centers where pupils were taught how to read, write, and interpret texts. Scholars and scribes, on the other hand, used it for areas of academic inquiry. This included commentaries and treatises which covered philosophy, natural sciences, and theology.
Inscriptions
On monuments, gravestones, and public structures, Aramaic inscriptions were added in order to remember what really happened historically. Aramaic inscriptions were also used to honor their dignitaries as well as convey vital information to ordinary people of the time.
Trade and Commerce
The adoption of Aramaic as a medium of trade contributed significantly to its spread. This facilitated economic activities among different regions by using traders and merchants who spoke Aramaic.
The Decline of the Aramaic Language
There are several historical factors responsible for the decline of the Aramaic language. This includes:
Religion
The rise of Christianity followed by Islam in the Near East meant competition for Aramaic with Greek and later Arabic languages as religious options respectively. However, some communities still use it for religious purposes (such as the Ketubah signing), while Greek and Arabic became dominant languages in religious and prayer books.
Adaption
A significant number of people who spoke Aramaic would incorporate aspects of their culture or adopt the official language used by the conquering empires. This process contributed to the fall of the spoken Aramaic to mainly urban groups and their educated people.
Language Changes
Over time, political, social, and economic circumstances changed so speakers of the Aramaic language stopped speaking it. They started to opt for another more widespread option gradually.
War and Politics
Historically, areas where Aramaic was spoken were always under conquerors or political shifts. The conquests of Alexander the Great and later the Hellenistic period made Greek a dominant language in many previously Aramaic-speaking regions. Afterward, there were Arab conquests that took place in the seventh century CE. This led to the spread of Arabic which then further displaced Aramaic.
The Aramaic language was very important in the ancient world as it served as a medium of cultural and religious expression, lingua franca, and as administrative language. Communication, trade, and governance were facilitated by its expansion throughout empires such as the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires in the Near East. Aramaic’s cultural significance within Judaism and Christianity was seen in religious texts such as Ketubah signings, the Hebrew Bible, and even Targums. The fact that over time it declined as a result of political changes and invasions does not contradict that Aramaic’s influence can still be seen today. This is noticed in spoken dialects, available surviving written records, and religious traditions. This makes the Aramaic language an everlasting element on the map of the linguistic-cultural ancient world.