This document discusses the history and components of ancient cities, specifically Babylon, as part of a student project analyzing elements of past cities to design a better future town. It provides background on Babylon's founding in the 3rd millennium BC and rise as the center of various empires throughout history. Key periods discussed include the Empire of Hammurabi in the 18th century BC, repeated conquests by neighboring powers through the 16th-7th centuries BC, and revival under King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 7th-6th centuries BC before falling to the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great in 539 BC. Data on ancient cities like Babylon was collected to inform the design of a new, improved town called