Babylon in Paris: Alfred Loisy as Assyriologist

Abstract

Alfred Loisy is well known by scholars of the Roman Catholic Modernist controversy for his work in theology and biblical studies, which ended with his excommunication in 1908. His later work in the history of religions is also well known. What is less recognised by scholars is his early work in Assyriology, and in particular the religious texts and traditions of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians. Yet his Assyriological work laid the foundation for his biblical studies and later work in the history of religions. This article situates Loisy's Assyriological work in the context of the early history of the discipline of Assyriology.