Babylon first became powerful under King Hamirabi but later fell under rule of the Kassites tribe who governed peacefully for over 400 years. Eventually Babylon was incorporated into the Assyrian empire whose people Babylon often rebelled against, leading the Assyrians to destroy the city in retaliation. The primary religious figures of Babylon were the god Marduk whose major festival was the 11 day New Year festival, and the goddess Ishtar representing love and war.