Upside-Down Cuneiform: The Depiction of Babylonian Mathematics in Games

Upside-Down Cuneiform: The Depiction of Babylonian Mathematics in Games with Erica Meszaros (Wentworth Institute of Technology)

4 March at 4:00 pm GMT (online - ZOOM)

Abstract

Babylonian mathematics may seem like an esoteric topic; yet if you’re a gamer, chances are you’ve run into the language at some point. From action-adventure platformers to open-world mystery games to collectible card games, games slip in Babylonian references for seemingly myriad reasons.

This talk will introduce the basics of Babylonian mathematics, including the sexagesimal system and the cuneiform script, as a stepping stone to examining how this field is represented within games. In addition to showcasing examples from different gaming genres, this talk presents a brief history of how later peoples have used and “misused” ancient scripts and numbers in ways that accrete meaning. Ultimately, I am particularly interested in how the depiction of Babylonian material in games has shifted in recent history, from early video games like Prince of Persia to the rise of escape rooms and tangible cuneiform puzzles.

I argue that using Babylonian mathematical material “incorrectly” — say, upside-down or as an alphabet — helps shape a new meaning that is in line with how earlier cultures also re-interpreted this content.

ZOOM Meeting Information

Time: Mar 4, 2026 04:00 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/81875741206

Meeting ID: 818 7574 1206 Passcode: nakkisu1

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Contact

Jan Vrhovski j.vrhovski@ed.ac.uk