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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Streaming Media
- B for BabylonA young Iraqi woman visits the Louvre to gather information on Babylonian artifacts, and through discussions with experts a picture emerges of a vibrant civilization and the kings and scribes, families and businesspeople, who composed it. This program focuses on some cultural highlights of the ancient empire, including its 24-volume encyclopedia, nuanced legal code, and influential body of literature. Babylon’s image as both biblical “cursed city” and “exotic Orient” of Western imagination is also presented, along with details of the city’s excavation during archaeology’s infancy. Viewers witness the mixed reactions of modern Iraqis to the Ishtar Gate’s display in Berlin, learn of threats to antiquities, and glimpse remains of the Tower of Babel on Google Earth.
- Ishtar Gate and Processional WayContinue 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.
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- 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). ..
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.
