Maxwell Institute symposium will focus on 7th century B.C.

PROVO — The writings from the seventh century B.C. will be the topic of a symposium for Brigham Young University's Neal A. Maxwell Institute on Aug. 31 in the Harold B. Lee Library auditorium from 1:30-5:30 p.m.

The seventh century includes the height of the Assyrian Empire and its demise and the rise of Babylon. It's when Isaiah ended his work, Jeremiah started his and when Lehi's family was the most active.

The program includes: "Seventh-Century Judean Historiography," by Marvin Sweeney from Claremont Lincoln University at 1:30 p.m.; "The Role of Aramaic in the Neo-Assyrian Empire," by K. Lawson Younger Jr. of Trinity International University at 2:30 p.m.; "The State of Literacy in the Levant of the Seventh Century BC," by Christopher Rollston from Emmanuel Christian Seminary at 3:30 p.m.; and "Palestinian Hieratic," by Stefan Wimmer from the University of Munich at 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free and the public is welcome at the symposium, sponsored by the Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies and the Harold B. Lee Library. For more information, visit maxwellinstitute.byu.edu.