Ctesias’ Descriptions of Ninus (Nimrod)

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Ctesias born in Knidos around 5 B.C. received a good education and earned his life as a medical doctor was one of the well-known figures of his time. He was taken to Persia approximately in B.C. 400. He served as a medical doctor to the royal family. During this time in Persia, he wrote a twenty-three volume book about Assyrian and Persian histories. Ninus (Nimrod), who was the founder of Ninova city, was mentioned in great deal by Ctesias expressions which were greatly cited by ancient authors. Learning from ancient authors, Ctesias accounts have been important sources to understand Assyrian and Persian histories from Hellenistic Period to the Middle Ages. Reviewing previous historians, he found great number of mistakes and shortcomings from their works. Even though Ctesias texts didn’t survive to reach to our days, he was greatly influenced by the ancient authors. In the 19th century, Assyrian archaeological excavations provided us with cuneiforms. These cuneiforms challenged Ctesias accounts and disqualified many of his accounts. Great number of names and events mentioned by Ctesias were not found in those cuneiforms. This has curtailed credibility of Ctesias. By comparing texts of ancient authors, this study will try to explain important events in the life of Ninus.

573

Ctesias , Ninus , Diodorus Siculus , Nineveh , Semiramis

Tarih Incelemeleri Dergisi

590

Tarih Incelemeleri Dergisi