Reference
- BabyloniaAn ancient nation named after its capital city, Babylon. It became a powerful kingdom (Old Babylonian empire) in the eighteenth century BC under Hammurabi but then declined in importance. The Neo-Babylonian empire arose in the eighth cent. BC and eventually defeated Assyria. It was the Babylonians or Chaldeans who destroyed Jerusalem in 586 and took many Jews captive.
- BabylonCapital of the land of Babylonia, from which the land takes its name. Babylon (meaning “the gate of the gods”) was situated in central Mesopotamia on the river Euphrates, some 50 mi. (80 km.) S of modern Baghdad, capital of Iraq. Being situated on an important caravan-trade route, it was in contact with all the most important cultural centers of the ancient Near East. The city was founded perhaps as early as 3000 BC and had a long and complicated history. Under Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 605 – 562 BC) it attained the height of its splendor. The references to Babylon in the NT (1 Pet. 5:13; Rev. 14:8; etc.) are probably allusions to rome.
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Perspectives
The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon
The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon is an exciting story of detection involving legends, expert decipherment of ancient texts, and a vivid description of a little-known civilization. Recognised in ancient times as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the legendary Hanging Garden ofBabylon and its location still remains a mystery steeped in shadow and puzzling myths.In this remarkable volume Stephanie Dalley, a world expert on ancient Babylonian language, gathers for the first time all the material on this enigmatic World Wonder. Tracing the history of the Garden, Dalley describes how the decipherment of an original text and its link to sculpture in the BritishMuseum has enabled her to pin down where the Garden was positioned and to describe in detail what it may have looked like. Through this dramatic and fascinating reconstruction of the Garden, Dalley is also able to follow its influence on later garden design.Like a palimpsest, Dalley unscrambles the many legends that have built up around the Garden, including the parts played by Semiramis and Nebuchadnezzar, and following the evolution of its design, she shows why this Garden deserves its place alongside the Pyramids and the Colossus of Rhodes as one ofthe most astonishing technical achievements of the ancient world.
Babylon
Civilization was born eight thousand years ago, between the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, when migrants from the surrounding mountains and deserts began to create increasingly sophisticated urban societies. In the cities that they built, half of human history took place. InBabylon,Paul Kriwaczek tells the story of Mesopotamia from the earliest settlements seven thousand years ago to the eclipse of Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Bringing the people of this land to life in vibrant detail, the author chronicles the rise and fall of power during this period and explores the political and social systems, as well as the technical and cultural innovations, which made this land extraordinary. At the heart of this book is the story of Babylon, which rose to prominence underthe Amorite king Hammurabi from about 1800 BCE. Even as Babylon's fortunes waxed and waned, it never lost its allure as the ancient world's greatest city. Engaging and compelling,Babylonreveals the splendor of the ancient world that laid the foundation for civilization itself.
The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon
The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon is an exciting story of detection involving legends, expert decipherment of ancient texts, and a vivid description of a little-known civilization. Recognised in ancient times as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the legendary Hanging Garden ofBabylon and its location still remains a mystery steeped in shadow and puzzling myths.In this remarkable volume Stephanie Dalley, a world expert on ancient Babylonian language, gathers for the first time all the material on this enigmatic World Wonder. Tracing the history of the Garden, Dalley describes how the decipherment of an original text and its link to sculpture in the BritishMuseum has enabled her to pin down where the Garden was positioned and to describe in detail what it may have looked like. Through this dramatic and fascinating reconstruction of the Garden, Dalley is also able to follow its influence on later garden design.Like a palimpsest, Dalley unscrambles the many legends that have built up around the Garden, including the parts played by Semiramis and Nebuchadnezzar, and following the evolution of its design, she shows why this Garden deserves its place alongside the Pyramids and the Colossus of Rhodes as one ofthe most astonishing technical achievements of the ancient world.
The Babylonians
Gwendolyn Leick's approachable survey introduces the Babylonians, the people, the culture and the reality behind the popular myth of Babylon. Spanningnbsp;some 1800 years in the history of the Babylonians, from the time of Hammurabi, famous for his Law-Code, to the time when Alexander's heirs ruled the Near East, Leick examines how archaeological discoveries and cuneiform tablets recovered from Babylonian cities allow us an impression of the Babylonian people and their society, their intellectual and spiritual preoccupations. Exploring the lives of kings and merchants, women and slaves, and the social, historical, geographical and cultural context in which their extraordinary civilization flourished for so many centuries, The Babylonians has provided scholars and students with a dazzling new insight into this fascinating world.
Old Babylonian Period (2003-1595 B. C. )
A short introduction for each inscription gives its general contents, place of origin, and relative dating. Also included are a detailed catalogue of exemplars, a brief commentary, bibliography, and text in transliteration facing an English translation.
Revelations of Writing
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Babylon is the only ancient civilization to leave written information about practically every possible category of their society. From lists of professions to qualities to gemstones to poetry, encyclopedic tablets open up Babylonian society for historians.
Excavation of Babylon
- Films on Demand This link opens in a new windowDuring the excavation of Babylon, scientists found different archaeological structures such as homes and depositories that were almost completely preserved. Buried deep under the sand, they found complete buildings.
Ishtar Gate and Processional Way
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Continue your study of ancient Babylon by reflecting on Nebuchadnezzar's city gates and processional way. These impressive feats of architecture and engineering inspire awe through their sheer size. The animals on the gate--lions, bulls, and the snake-dragon--were meant to protect the city by intimidating those who would bring harm to the community.
Learn More
- Babylon, early periodBabylon was the most famous Mesopotamian city in antiquity, located along the Euphrates River, 55 miles southwest of modern Baghdad...
- Babylonian CaptivityExile of Jewish deportees to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar II's capture of Jerusalem in 586 BC; it was the first diaspora of the Jewish people...
- Marduk or Bel-Marduk or MerodachIn Assyrio-Babylonian mythology, the two-headed sun god, creator of Earth and humans, and their intermediary with his father Ea, god of water and wisdom. ..
- Mesopotamian artBabylon came to artistic prominence in the 6th century BC, when it flourished under King Nebuchadnezzar II...
- Nebuchadnezzar's campaignsNebuchadnezzar II (ca. 630–562 BCE) was the second king of the Chaldean dynasty of Babylonia...
- Nebuchadrezzar IISecond and greatest king of the Chaldean dynasty of Babylonia. He began his military career as an administrator (c. 610 bc) and ascended the throne on his father’s death, just after winning Syria from the Egyptians (605 bc). ..
Code of Hammurabi
- Films on Demand This link opens in a new windowCylinder seals were used for authenticating documents. Hammurabi was the true founder of Babylon. He turned a city into an empire. He wrote a code of laws that could be universally applied.