Benno Landsberger (1890-1968) was an Assyriologist whose research and teaching decisively
shaped the development of his field in the latter two thirds of the 20th century. The present
work constitutes the first book-length study of Landsberger's life and career. Focusing on his
formative years it is sought to answer the question of his motivation for the study of ancient
Mesopotamia in the context of the cultural discourses of the day. In doing so the work
uncovers the personal background behind Landsberger's concept of Eigenbegrifflichkeit of
Babylonian culture a foundational theoretical framework for further development of Assyriology
as a modern scientific discipline. Additionally the book presents and analyzes new evidence
for Landsberger's studies and work in Leipzig relocation to Ankara as well as his personal
life before and during his Turkish exile. The volume also addresses in detail Landsberger's
relationship and enduring interaction with his students from the golden age of the Leipziger
Schule of Assyriology. Drawing on a wealth of often hardly accessible archival oral and
epistolary sources the book offers a well-founded and contextualized account of Landsberger's
life and work in his European and Turkish periods. It is a welcome contribution to the
historiography of Assyriology providing much new knowledge as well as many stimuli for further
research.
