Imperial Aramaic

January 15–24, 2026 | Cambridge, UK

Learn to Read and Analyse Early Aramaic Texts from the First Empires

Aramaic—the administrative and diplomatic language of ancient empires—was once spoken from Egypt to Central Asia. This winter school focuses on Imperial Aramaic, the language of the Achaemenid bureaucracy and one of the earliest standardized written Semitic forms. Imperial Aramaic remains essential for understanding the development of Jewish literature, early Semitic literacy, and cross-cultural textual transmission in the ancient Near East.

Designed for students with at least one year of Biblical Hebrew, this course offers a rare chance to build foundational skills in reading Aramaic texts.

What You’ll Learn

• Foundational Grammar – Build a solid understanding of Biblical Aramaic grammar.

• Core Vocabulary – Begin to build your vocabulary of Biblical Aramaic.

• Reading & Translation – Gain confidence in translating texts from Ezra and Daniel.

Why Join This Winter School?

• Study one of the most influential ancient languages of the Near East

• Gain experience with primary sources in Biblical Aramaic

• Join a vibrant international community of students and scholars

Meet Your Tutor

Dr Nathaniel Greene
After completing an undergraduate degree in biblical studies and an MDiv in Old Testament, Dr Greene undertook graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, within the former Hebrew and Semitic Studies Department. There, they focused on Northwest Semitic languages and literatures, specialising in Northwest Semitic epigraphy, palaeography, the composition history of the Deuteronomistic History, and archaic state formation.

Following doctoral studies (completed in 2018), and a year on faculty at their alma mater, Dr Greene accepted a post at Brandeis University. They joined the department in Aberdeen following the disruptions of the COVID-19 lockdowns—accompanied by Odin, their golden retriever, who remains a familiar face on campus.

Course Schedule

Arrivals: Thursday, January 15 (between 11:00am–1:00pm)
Departures: Saturday, January 24 (after lunch)

Daily Timetable (January 16–23)

Note: There will be a half-day of teaching on January 16 and 24. No classes on Sunday, January 19.

Key Information

Accommodation:
Cambridge offers a wide range of accommodation options. Limited on-suite accommodation is available at Westminster College and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To check availability and pricing, please contact our accommodation team and mention the Ancient & Biblical Languages Winter School in your inquiry.

Cost
Fees include all teaching materials, weekday lunches, refreshments, and optional activities.

• Early Bird Rate (until July 31 2025): £550

• Standard Rate (from August 1 2025): £750

Cheshunt Bursaries
50% off for registered students or those on a low income

• Early Bird with Bursary: £275

• Standard Rate with Bursary: £375

Bursaries are limited and offered on a first-come first-served basis. Please select the relevant ticket at checkout using your student email if applying as student.

Refunds:

• Full refunds will be provided on request up to and including the 31st August 2025.
• 50% refunds will be provided on request up to and including 31st October 2025.
• We regret that we are unable to offer refunds after and including the 1st November 2025.

Study Hours:

• 24 hours of live instruction
• 24 hours of guided independent study

Travel & Parking:
Parking charges apply. Please see website — click here.

How to Book

Please book via Ticket Tailor by following this link.

Spaces are limited, and early booking is highly recommended. Once you have booked onto your desired course via Ticket Tailor, you will have 7 days to pay the course fee by bank transfer and confirm your place.