Walk the World Series: Iraq - Ancient City of Babylon
The ancient city of Babylon was the capital of the ancient Babylonian kingdom. In Akkadian, it means "Gate of the Gods," and it was founded around 3000 BC. After King Hammurabi unified the Mesopotamian region in the 18th century BC, he established his capital here and promulgated the "Code of Hammurabi." It served as the capital of both the Old Babylonian and Neo-Babylonian kingdoms, reaching its peak during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, before being conquered by the Persians in 539 BC and gradually declining. In 2019, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural heritage site.
Figure 1, the Ishtar Gate (outer gate, front half), is a life-sized replica reconstructed during Saddam Hussein's era based on archaeological data, used for the entrance display of the site. The original only remains as foundations and scattered bricks. The gate walls are covered with colorful glazed bricks, with a blue base inlaid with yellow, brown, and black reliefs featuring lions, bulls, and mythical creatures.
The upper city gate was taken to Germany. The Germans dismantled the tiles one by one, numbered them, and transported them to Berlin for reassembly.
Figure 4, the labyrinth built by King Nebuchadnezzar to defend against foreign invasions.
Figure 6, the Babylonian king feared time, so to ensure his name would be remembered forever, he carved his name on mudbrick tablets and built them into the city walls and palaces, sealed between the mudbricks, so his name would be passed down through the ages and never destroyed.
Figure 12, the Lion of Babylon (basalt statue) - over 2600 years old. The lion’s right paw steps on a human figure, with a hollow on its back, believed to have held a statue of the goddess Ishtar. The lion stepping on the human symbolizes Babylon’s military deterrence. It is now a national symbol of Iraq and used as a logo by organizations such as the Iraq Football Association.
Figures 15 and 16, the Ishtar Gate (inner gate, rear half) ~ This gate was built during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC), located at the northernmost section of the inner city wall, connecting the northern Processional Way with the main temple. It was buried under sand due to the decline of ancient Babylon until it was excavated in the late 19th century by German archaeologist Robert Koldewey’s team. A life-sized Ishtar Gate was reconstructed on the original site based on archaeological data.
Figures 17 and 18, the Processional Way of the Babylon ruins is a north-south ceremonial avenue built by Neo-Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC), completed around 575 BC, primarily used for religious celebrations and demonstrations of power.
Figures 19 and 20, Saddam Hussein’s palace, located at the top of Babylon to ensure he had the best view of the site. It is currently closed to the public.
After coming to power in 1979, Saddam began large-scale palace construction, with over 20 palaces mainly distributed across Iraq, such as in Baghdad, Tikrit (his hometown), and along the Tigris River. These palaces were often located in scenic areas, used for residence, hosting dignitaries, or as refuges, reflecting a focus on personal security and power display.