Advice of an Akkadian Father to His Son - Timeless Moral Wisdom from Ancient Mesopotamia.
Get ready to heed the Advice of an Akkadian Father to His Son, one of the oldest surviving works of wisdom literature, written around 2200 BCE in Akkad.
In this short but powerful 7‑minute episode, we bring to life a father’s voice from more than 4,000 years ago. His message guided his son and generations after on how to live with honor, respect, and fairness. Learn why the father urges his son:
- To treat others kindly, even enemies;
- To live justly in the eyes of Shamash, the god of justice;
- And to follow clear moral rules to ensure both social respect and divine favor.
These virtues mirror modern values: honesty, humility, respect, compassion, and integrity. Though engraved in cuneiform on an ancient tablet, the advice still relates. We trace parallels to Sumerian wisdom like the Instructions of Shuruppak, showing how these lines echo later moral codes. This video unfolds:
- A vivid reading of select passages
- Context about Akkadian society and belief in Shamash
- Commentary linking ancient ethics to today’s moral expectations
Whether you study ancient history or you love moral stories, you’ll find value in this. See how a father’s guidance from Akkad still speaks across millennia.
Let this short guide shape your view on respect, justice, and living right. Immerse in a moral code older than most civilizations, yet still so relevant today.
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