Hormuzd Rassam
Early Life
Hormuzd Rassam was born on March 16, 1826, in Mosul, a city in modern-day Iraq. He was born into a Chaldean Catholic family, a branch of the Catholic Church that has its roots in the ancient Church of the East. His father, Anton Rassam, was a local government official, and his mother, Theresa, was a homemaker.
Education
Rassam was educated at the local schools in Mosul before being sent to England for further studies. In England, he attended St John's College at the University of Cambridge, where he studied Archaeology and Assyriology, the study of the ancient Assyrian civilization.
Career
Rassam began his career as an assistant to the British archaeologist Austen Henry Layard during his excavations in Nineveh. He quickly proved himself to be a capable archaeologist and was soon leading his own excavations. Rassam made several significant discoveries, including the clay tablets that contained the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known works of literature.
In addition to his archaeological work, Rassam also served as the British Consul in Aden, a port city in Yemen, and later in Aleppo, a city in Syria. He was known for his diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in maintaining good relations between Britain and the Middle East.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, Rassam retired from archaeology and diplomacy and settled in Brighton, England. He continued to write and lecture on Middle Eastern history and archaeology until his death on September 16, 1910.
Legacy
Rassam's contributions to archaeology and Assyriology are still recognized today. His discovery of the Epic of Gilgamesh has provided invaluable insights into ancient Assyrian culture and literature. His diplomatic work also helped to foster a better understanding between Britain and the Middle East.