The Aramaic language is an ancient Semitic language that originated in the Near East around the 10th century BCE. It was widely spoken by various peoples, including the Babylonians and Persians, and became the lingua franca of the region. Aramaic is known for its influence on other languages and cultures, particularly during the time of the Achaemenid Empire. Aramaic is significant in religious contexts, as it is the language of parts of the Hebrew Bible and was spoken by Jesus Christ. Today, it has several dialects and is still used by some communities, particularly among Assyrian and Chaldean groups in the Middle East and diaspora.