This exhibition, which takes its name from the Tower of Babel, explores the rich linguistic diversity of the special collections held at New College, Oxford.

Shown in the image above from our copy of the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle (BT1.15.5), the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel recounts the efforts of the human race to build a tower so tall that it would reach heaven itself. United by a single language and culture, humans are so successful in this endeavour that God reacts, confounding their speech so they can no longer understand each other and are unable to finish the tower’s construction. An etiological story, intended to explain the origin of languages and cultures, this tower is the perfect place to start this online exhibition that focuses on the Levant—a region of true linguistic and cultural diversity.

From a spectacular Qu’ran to intricately printed polyglot Bibles and ancient texts written in the distinctive Syriac script, in this online exhibition we take you on a journey across languages and cultures. At the same time, we reflect on the history of language learning at New College, introducing you to the life and work of D. S. Margoliouth (1858–1940)—one of the college’s most famous polyglots.

Use the menu below to start your journey . . .