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About the Babylonia by Costanza Casati Discussion category
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1
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22
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March 12, 2025
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Which minor character intrigued you the most, and why?
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25
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67
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March 12, 2025
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Overall, what did you think of Babylonia? (no spoilers, please!)
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25
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128
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March 12, 2025
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Had you heard of Semiramis before reading Babylonia? What did you learn about the time period from the novel?
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21
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67
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March 12, 2025
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While Babylonia is based on ancient histories very little is truly known about Semiramis’s life and reign. What do you think of the way the author filled in the gaps, and how she depicted her heroine and those around her?
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18
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41
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March 12, 2025
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Did anyone find it puzzling that there was never a return to Semiramis' village?
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16
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56
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March 12, 2025
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If you read the author’s previous novel, Clytemnestra, how did the two compare?
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15
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100
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March 12, 2025
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Semiramis tells Sasi that an ally’s greatest quality is loyalty, but he disagrees, saying it’s honesty instead. What did you think of his reply? With which character would you agree and why?
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14
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34
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March 12, 2025
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What were Semiramis true feelings for Onnes and Ninus? I was left wondering were there true feelings or just lust? As I questioned if she truly loved anyone
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14
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118
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March 12, 2025
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What audience would you recommend Babylonia to? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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14
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47
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March 12, 2025
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Semiramis tries to rescue the area’s governor, but the man is impaled. When the square is empty, she cleans the blood from the body. Why do you suppose she takes this action? How do you think this scene set the stage for the rest of the novel?
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12
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28
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March 12, 2025
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Semiramis’s successes are minimized from childhood. Are there any characters who truly see her accomplishments? Why do you believe women’s contributions have generally been undervalued throughout history? Has this changed over time, in your opinion?
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10
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36
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March 12, 2025
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Nisat tells Ninus, “People usually believe that wisdom and knowledge can be learned...It is strength that can be learned. One has understanding or one doesn’t.” What do you think she means by this statement? Do you agree with her assessment?
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9
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31
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March 12, 2025
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Sasi tells Semiramis that he believes she loved Onnes, “But do you think that in our world, love can ever be a strength?” How would you answer him? Do any of the characters truly experience love, in your opinion?
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7
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24
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March 12, 2025
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The author writes, “Can we grasp the instant when our fate turns? Or can we understand it only later, once the moment grows into a memory?” What do you think? Do you have a moment when your fate turned, and did you know it at the time?
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7
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20
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March 12, 2025
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Is there a quote or scene in Babylonia that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
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7
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53
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March 12, 2025
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Onnes, Ninus & Semiramis play “truth or dare” and ask what each fears; Onnes responds “madness,” while Semiramis replies “helplessness.” How were their characters illuminated by their answers, and how did this play out in the rest of the novel?
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6
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17
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March 12, 2025
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Ninus thinks, “Desire is a strange thing. What makes us want one person over another?” Do you think Onnes, Ninus and Semiramis exhibit desire, and if so, what do you think makes them want one person over another? How would you answer his question?
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6
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13
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March 12, 2025
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In an exchange between Semiramis and Nisat, Nisat states she finds that “the less people have been given in life, the more eager they are to prove themselves.” Does Nisat’s statement hold true? Which characters are trying to prove themselves and to whom?
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5
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12
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March 12, 2025
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Semiramis asks Ribat, “What do you do when you want something you know you can’t have?” He says he thinks of the consequences that will ensue. What did you think of this advice? Why do you suppose it didn’t help Semiramis? What advice would you give her?
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5
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18
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March 12, 2025
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Ninus quotes his father: “A woman’s love and a man’s duty…There comes a point in our lives when every one of us must choose. And there is only one right choice to make.” Which characters choose love over duty? Do they make the right choice?
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4
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13
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March 12, 2025
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When questioned, Sasi says he believes that fate “always leads us where we are meant to be.” What do you think of this statement? Do you agree? How much control do the characters have over their fates?
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4
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11
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March 12, 2025
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Ribat believes that “The gods bestow different gifts on different people.” What gifts do you think Semiramis, Ninus and Onnes possess? What gifts do you think you have?
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3
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17
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March 12, 2025
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