The Kingdom of Babylon (circa 3500 BC – 729 BC) was located in the Mesopotamian plain, near what is now the territory of the Republic of Iraq.
About 5000 years ago, the people here established a nation, and by the 18th century BC, the Kingdom of Babylon emerged. “Mesopotamia” – “The Garden of Eden” in the Bible is a term from ancient Greek meaning “the land between two rivers,” hence it is also referred to as Mesopotamia.
“The two rivers” refer to the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. A few rare cities around the world developed in this plain at that time. Epic tales, mythology, pharmacopoeia, and the earliest agricultural calendars were propagated here. This region is considered one of the cradles of Western civilization.
Ancient Babylon was undoubtedly an ancient civilization. Key elements of a literate society included clay tablets; monumental architectural remains; and the central site for ritual activities – the Esagina Temple. The Etmelangita Temple stood 91 meters tall, with a base measuring 91.4 meters on each side, featuring seven tiers, each constructed from differently colored glazed bricks, topped with a glazed brick tower housing a golden statue of the deity Keduk.
Babylon was also the first civilization in the world to establish a system of schools. (Illustrative image).
Additionally, there was what is known as the Hanging Gardens, a park 25 meters high that utilized a three-dimensional terraced gardening technique. It featured layers built upon a high base, with various types of flowers and exotic grasses planted layer by layer, and irrigation systems buried within. The gardens were surrounded by a high wall adorned with colorful mosaics of lions. From a distance, this garden resembled a floating paradise.
In terms of culture, this area also had the first relatively complete writing system in the ancient world, and archaeological discoveries indicate that Babylon was also the first civilization in the world to establish a system of schools.
In the early 18th century BC, the Kingdom of Babylon rose to prominence. Under the leadership of Hammurabi, it became an empire encompassing the entire region of Mesopotamia. To consolidate his rule, Hammurabi established the first relatively complete written legal code in the ancient world – The Code of Hammurabi. He also employed religion to bolster his political power, claiming to be favored by the gods.
Hammurabi was the sixth king of the city-state of Babylon. The city-state, located in the middle reaches of the Euphrates River, had once been a vassal of Assyria to the north. It gradually took advantage of its geographical conditions to grow and thrive, but it was not until Hammurabi’s ascension that Babylon became a formidable nation.
Hammurabi was industrious; he constructed water protection facilities, rewarded trade, and established a standing army. He devised an ambitious conquest plan and implemented it with full confidence and determination.
Beginning in 1787 BC, the path to unifying Mesopotamia commenced, employing flexible and pragmatic foreign policies, while focusing efforts on conquering a nation over time, systematically dismantling the city-states of Iraq, Lalsa, and Mali. The conquest lasted approximately 35 years and exhausted Hammurabi’s resources. Except for the powerful Assyria in the north and Ashnen under its protection, Mesopotamia was effectively unified under Hammurabi’s iron fist. Consequently, Babylon became synonymous with southern Mesopotamia, and its civilization was also referred to as “Babylonian civilization.”
What led to its devastation? There are many causes.
For instance, Babylon experienced urban development and population growth, resulting in increased demand for arable land and wood. Consequently, wilderness areas were cleared, and forests were converted into agricultural land; without forests, desertification and soil erosion began to occur, gradually turning arable land into desert.
The lack of natural arable land caused food shortages, which in turn led to internal conflicts within the country. These internal conflicts weakened national power, creating opportunities for neighboring barbarians to exploit.
However, the reality is that “the fortress was always invaded from within.” To a certain extent, the uncivilized behavior contributed to its own downfall, and it was also appropriated by subsequent generations. Babylon is referred to as the “city of defeat.” This reflects its concept of decadence.
In the sacred texts, it is stated: “The great harlots sit by the waters… all have vile names… colorful garments, boats piled with treasures and jewels, holding golden cups. The wickedness and abominations of women’s adultery are rampant. On the faces of the girls are written: The mystery, the greatness of Babylon, mother of harlots and all abominations on earth.”
This has also been corroborated in Babylon through numerous depictions of nudity and scenes of sexual intercourse. It can be said that this relates to an uncivilized concept in Babylon, which had a strong cult of fertility. Therefore, whether their deity was Aphrodite the Refreshing or Baos, to perform worship, every woman had to be a sacred prostitute in a holy temple to engage in intercourse with strangers instead of the gods.
Even in daily life, when guests arrived, women were expected to accompany them as gifts… Thus, the robust development of sexuality led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, and they could not withstand the underdeveloped scientific knowledge, ultimately leading to their decline.
The ancient Babylonian civilization is divided into two periods: The Kingdom of Babylon and the New Babylonian Kingdom. Historical records state that because the Babylonians built tall towers hoping to reach heaven, God inflicted divine punishments, floods ravaged the land, and humanity relied on Noah’s Ark for survival, leading to the downfall of the Kingdom of Babylon.
According to historical records, after Hammurabi’s death, the empire collapsed. This kingdom was continuously invaded by the Hittites and the Kashites until it was ultimately absorbed by the Assyrian Empire in 729 BC. Twenty years later, Assyria was destroyed by the Chaldeans, who established a new Babylonian kingdom in Babylon for over 80 years. Later, the New Babylonian Kingdom was conquered by the Persians.
