the babylonian civilization's assignment. by Anamta Dua, hope so you like. :) :)

1. THE BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
The city of Babylon was the capital of the ancient land of Babylonia in southern
Mesopotamia. It was situated on the Euphrates River about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad,
just north of modern Iraqi town of al-Hillah. The tremendous wealth and power of this city,
along with its monumental size and appearance, were certainly considered a Biblical myth, that
is, until its foundations were unearthed and its riches substantiated during the 19th century.
Archaeologists stood in awe as their discoveries revealed that certain stories in the Bible were an
actual situation that had happened in time.
Ancient Babylon:
It is Located in Mesopotamia between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Today, the
remains of the city are spread out over a cluster of mounds located on the Euphrates about 60
miles southwest of Baghdad, Iraq. The river divided the city in two, with the old city to the east
and a smaller new city to the west. Once the city was rebuilt, the name was changed to
Babylonia.
Meaning of Babylon:
The Word "Babylon" is Akkadian "babilani" which means "the Gate of God(s)" and it
became the capital of the land of Babylonia. The etymology of the name “Babel” in the Bible
means "confused" (Gen 11:9) and throughout the Bible, Babylon was a symbol of the confusion
caused by godlessness. The name Babylon is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Babel.

2. Agriculture:
The ground is very fertile and produces wild barley, chickpea, and sesame. The
marshlands produce an edible root that is equal in nutrition to barley. The land is also rich with
dates, apples, and other fruit as well as fish and birds. Agriculture formed the economic base of
Babylonian civilization with production of barley, wheat, fruits, vegetables, with cattle and sheep
predominating.
Irrigation and dikes controlled the waters of the Euphrates River, providing bountiful
harvests of grain, vegetables, and fruit in normal years. These foods were supplemented by herds
of sheep and some cattle. Traded food surpluses for raw materials like copper, gold, and wood,
which they used to manufacture weapons, household objects, jewelry, and other items that could
be traded.
HOUSES AND FARMS:
Houses were made of sun-dried bricks. And these were inhabited by farmers
and artisans. The city streets -narrow, winding, and quite irregular, with high, windowless walls
of houses on both sides. The streets were unpaved and undrain. The average house was small,
single story made of mud-brick structure, consisting of several rooms grouped around a court.
The house of a well-to-do -two-story brick dwelling of about a dozen rooms and was plastered
and whitewashed both inside and out. The
ground floor consisted of a reception room,
kitchen, lavatory, servants' quarters, and,
sometimes, even a private chapel. Furniture

3. consisted of low tables, high-backed chairs, and beds with wooden frames. Household vessels
were made of different material like clay, stone, copper, and bronze, and baskets and chests of
reed and wood. Floors and walls were adorned with reed mats, skin rugs, and woolen hangings.
Below the house was often located a mausoleum in which the family dead were buried.
Religion:
The Babylonian religion is Polytheistic, similar to that of the Aztec or Greek religion.
Architecture (Temples, ziggurats, gates) and art were dedicated to their many gods. Several
religious cults throughout the city worship with their own way, fought often. Religious Practices
include:
 Giving offerings of food and artifacts. Human sacrifices were possible as well.
 Practices of healing magic, magic charms and divination.
 People or families had individual gods for personal prayer. They could leave their god
and worship a new one if they had bad luck with their last god.
Gods include:
 Marduk - King of Gods, God of the rising sun
 Ea - God of wisdom
 Shamash - God of justice, Sun God
 Ishtar - God of love and war
 Tiamat - Dragon goddess, slain by
Marduk, corpse made into the Earth
 Nabu - Son of Marduk

4. King Hammurabi: (Babylonian king from 1792 to
1750B.C)
In the old Babylonian period the High point was reign of
King Hammurabi (1792-1750 B.C.) united all of Mesopotamia
through conquest. He was the sixth king of the first dynasty of
Babylon. Code reinforced “An eye for an eye” mentality. Laws
focused on property rights, slaves, children and women’s rights,
murder, theft and marriage. Punishment differed based on a person’s social class Hammurabi
Code. Expanded the city-state of Babylon along the Euphrates River to unite all of southern
Mesopotamia. His code, a collection of 282 laws and standards, stipulated rules for commercial
interactions and set fines and punishments to meet the requirements of justice. He ordered these
laws recorded in a slab of stone which measure 8 feet high, copied on stone tablets so they can be
disseminated to the provinces ruled by the Babylonian empire. These laws were retributive in
nature. Laws were introduced for two main reasons.
 To establish order in a land in constant conflict.
 To represent a king’s beliefs of justice.
Several laws were written to protect the poor and powerless from abuse 1595 B.C. Hittites
invaded Babylon and conqueror it. They modified Hammurabi’s Code and made it more lenient.
A large tribe called Kassites seized Mesopotamia (Babylon). During rule of Kassites, Babylon
saw a period of no growth. Downfall of Babylon Ancient Ruins of Hammurabi’s Throne.
TIMELINE:

5.  1795 BCE - 1750 BCE: Reign of Hammurabi, king of Babylon.
 1792 BCE - 1750 BCE: Reign of Hammurabi of Babylon, Ashur becomes vassal state.
 1792 BCE: King Hammurabi builds walls of Babylon.
 1787 BCE: Hammurabi of Babylon conquers Uruk and Isin.
 1772 BCE: The Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest codes of law in the world.
 1761 BCE: Hammurabi of Babylon destroys the city of Mari.
 1761 BCE: The city of Mari is destroyed by Babylon under Hammurabi.
 1755 BCE: Hammurabi rules the whole of Mesopotamia from Babylon.
 1700 BCE: The Code of Hammurabi, with laws regulating beer, written at Babylon
THE CODE OF HAMMURABI:
 One of the most important works of this "First Dynasty of Babylon” was the compilation
of a code of laws.
 This was made by order of Hammurabi after the expulsion of the Elamites and the
settlement of his kingdom.
 A copy of the Code of Hammurabi was found by J. de Morgan at Susa, and is now in the
Louvre.
 This code recognized that kingly power derived from God and that earthly rulers had
moral duties, as did their subjects. It laid out Hammurabi's task “to bring about the rule of
righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers” and to fear God.
 Hammurabi ordered these laws recorded in a slab of stone which measure eight feet high,
copied on clay tablets so they can be disseminated to the provinces ruled by the
Babylonian Empire.

6.  These laws were retributive in nature. It means “an
eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” Punishments were
meted out based on the gravity of the offense.
 As the rule of conduct was binding on all members of
thecommunity, state, and nation, the code provided
coherent boundaries for citizens in a complex society.
 Citizens understood that abiding by these rules meant
freedom to live and prosper.
 Although punishments for many minor infractions appear draconian by contemporary
standards, the code formalized the fundamental responsibility of the individual to act in
the context of the public interest.
 The code was grounded in commonly accepted principles of morality and ethics and
provided a clear set of norms for all members of society to live together in peace.
Achievements:
They built 250 towers that were 450 feet high - wide and deep moat that encircled the
city. The Euphrates River also flowed through the middle of the city. Ferry boats and a 1/2 mi.
long bridge with drawbridges closed at night. “Hanging Gardens” with the water was raised
from the river by hydraulic pumps. Eight massive gates were led to the inner city and 100 brass
gates. Streets were paved with stone slabs 3 feet square. There is a great Tower (Ziggurat) and
53 temples including the "GreatTemple of Marduk." 180 altars to Ishtar -Nebuchadnezzar’s
palace was considered to be the most magnificent building ever erected on earth. The city of
Babylon was famous throughout the ancient world. This is one of 8 gates leading into the city of
Babylon, and the most magnificent. This gate stood next to the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. Just

7. south of the palace was a ziggurat (pyramidal
temple) 300 ft high, probably the Tower of Babel
mentioned in the Bible.
WALLS OF THE BABYLONIA:
Transforming the city of Babylon into an
awe-inspiring wonder belongs to King Nebuchadnezzar II. He built three walls around Babylon
at heights of forty feet and so broad at the top that chariots could race around them. The Ishtar
Gate in the wall of Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon was claimed by some to be greater than any of
the listed Wonders of the Ancient World. The Greek historian Herodotus specifically praised the
walls, he said “it were 56 miles (90 kilometres) long, 80 feet (24 metres) thick, and 320 feet (97
metres) high.”
ISHTAR GATE:
The Eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon is
Ishtar gate. It was constructed in about 575 BC by
order of King Nebuchadnezzar II on the north side
of the city. Excavated in the early 20th century and
a reconstruction using original bricks is now shown
in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin. Dedicated to the
Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the gate was constructed using glazed brick with alternating rows of
bas- relief dragons and aurochs, symbolizing the gods Marduk.
THE HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON:

8. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World, and the only one whose location has
not been definitely established. Distinctive
feature of ancient Babylon was built by King
Nebuchadnezzar II in 600 BC, the gardens are believed to
have been a remarkable feat of engineering, “an ascending series of tiered gardens containing all
manner of trees, shrubs, and vines.” The gardens were said to have looked like a large green
mountain constructed of mud bricks, rising from the center of the city.
According to one legend, Nebuchadnezzar II built the Hanging Gardens for his Median
wife, Queen Amytis, because she missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland. He also
built a grand palace that came to be known as 'The Marvel of the Mankind'. Because of the lack
of evidence it has been suggested that the Hanging Gardens are purely mythical and if it did
indeed exist, it was destroyed sometime after the first century AD.
The ZIGURRATS:
It is one of the most important aspects of Babylonian
religion and tradition. Ziggurats were huge "stepped"
structures with, on their summit, far above the ground, a
temple. The same could be done on ground level but on top
of the ziggurat they would be "nearer the god". Therefore

9. the ziggurat was not just a religious center but also a center of civic pride. In the time of
Hammurabi they would sometimes reach the height of 150 feet. Around the base,
accommodation for priests.
Other major achievements and facts
 The most famous innovation of ancient Babylonian culture was astronomy, which began
as a study of astrology.
 Created calendar which perfectly predicted eclipses.
 Sexagesimal system for the calculation of time and angles, which is still practical because
of the multiple divisibility of the number 60.
 Cuneiform on clay tablets revealed their knowledge of science, math, and literature. That
Babylonians recorded on these tablets songs, prayers, and poems along with history and
laws.
 The Babylonians performed complicated surgeries and had extensive knowledge on
medicine. They even did operations of eyes.
Mathematics:
Lunar calendar – 12 months of 29 days, falling behind the seasons, every fifth year an
extra month was added. (the Jewish and Muslim calendars are based on the lunar calendar and so
every year extra days devoted to religious festivals are added, even nowadays)
Day - 24 hours, hour - 60 minutes, minute sixty seconds, angle 360 degrees (corresponds with
the invention of the wheel) = duodecimal system of counting – number 12 basis
Common calendar based on the lunar cycle of phases.

10. • New months began when the first crescent was visible after new moon.
• Thus a new month begins at sunset (and also for the Jewish and Islamic calendars).
• Synodic month = 29.5 days, so 12 lunar months total to 11 days less than a year.
• They added an extra month, at first irregularly, by the edict of the king.
• During the Persian dynasty they realized that 235 synodic months was almost exactly 19 years
(the Metonic cycle) and they introduced a fixed cycle of 7 months intercalated over 19 years.
Culture:
Babylonians inherited many of the cultural and technical achievements of the Sumerians.
They used sophisticated techniques in irrigation and agriculture. Babylonians were also skilled
engineers. They used the Sumerian counting system, which closely resembled the decimal
system used in much of the world today. They used an advanced system of writing and
developed a system of education similar to that created by Sumerians, their predecessors. School
were important cultural centers, and the curriculum consisted primarily of copying and
memorizing information in both the Sumerian and Babylonian languages. Babylonian artisans
were skilled in metallurgy and in making fabrics, cosmetics and perfumes. Babylonians also
practiced medical surgery
Society, EconomyAnd Politics:
Babylon was one of the first urban civilizations. It had a dozen urban centers surrounded
by villages. The fertile soil of Mesopotamia made agriculture the base of Babylonian economy.
A king, assisted by governors and other local administrators, was the ruler. A remarkable

11. collection of laws, known as the Code of Hammurabi, ("An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth")
regulated the punishment that was inflicted upon citizens who misbehaved. Babylonian society
consisted of three classes:
 The upper strata (called awilu)
 The low strata (called mushkenu)
 The slaves (called wardu)
SocialStructure:
This was the leader that governed the Babylon Empire. He was the one that was
responsible in making certain decisions to govern his empire. Though he is not stated in the
Social Triangle. He is still a part of the Social Standings since he is the one that takes full
responsible action on how the Monarchy/Government progressed under his command.
AWILU
The Awilu were the free people in the upper class. They’re the ones who received free luxury
and they were the wealthy people who did not work nor contribute in the Monarchy of Babylon.
MUSHENKU
Mushkenu are the free person of low estate, who ranked legally between the awilu and the
wardu. The position of the mushkenu in society can be surmised from a number of legal
provisions in the Code of Hammurabi. Similar to the Awilu. The Mushenku were the one who
suffered under poverty in Babylon. Yet they were the ones who also did not give any
contribution to go to a higher class of social standings.
WARDU
These people were the slaves that did most of the work by doing the chores. Their contributions

12. were doing the things and working for the Upper classes and the Kings specifically only for
them.
Impact Of Social Classes
 By having different punishments for different social classes, deeper class distinctions
were created.
 In general, the code solidified an uneven balance in power. The rules enforced the "Right
to rule" type attitude that is seen throughout the Middle-East even today.
 It created extremely low and difficult chances to rise up in society, so there was not much
class movement.
Babylonian women had some legal rights, such as the right to hold property or to engage in
business. Men, however, were given more legal rights than women. They could quite easily
divorce their wives and sell their wives and children into slavery if they could not provide for
them.
Babylonian religious ceremonies were impressive. Priests, musicians, magicians, dream
interpreters and astrologers were involved in their preparation. The celebration of the new year at
the spring equinox was the most important religious festival of the year.
Medicine:
The Babylonians made several advances in medicine. They used logic and recorded
medical history to be able to diagnose and treat illnesses with various creams and pills. The
symptoms and diseases of a patient were treated through therapeutic means such
as bandages, creams and pills. If a patient could not be cured physically, the Babylonian

13. physicians often relied on exorcism to cleanse the patient from any curses. Esagil-kin-
apli's Diagnostic Handbook was based on a logical set of axioms and assumptions, including the
modern view that through the examination and inspection of the symptoms of a patient, it is
possible to determine the patient's disease, its aetiology and future development, and the chances
of the patient's recovery.
Writing:
Babylonians developed an abstract form of writing based on cuneiform symbols. Their
symbols were written on wet clay tablets which were baked in the hot sun. It was the use of a
stylus on a clay medium that led to the use of cuneiform symbols since curved lines could not be
drawn. There were libraries in most towns and temples; an old Sumerian proverb averred that
"he who would excel in the school of the scribes must rise with the dawn." Women as well as
men learned to read and write, and in Semitic times, this involved knowledge of the
extinct Sumerian language, and a complicated and extensive syllabary.
A considerable amount of Babylonian literature was translated from Sumerian originals,
and the language of religion and law long continued to be written in the old agglutinative

14. language of Sumer. Vocabularies, grammars, and interlinear translations were compiled for the
use of students, as well as commentaries on the older texts and explanations of obscure words
and phrases. The characters of the syllabary were all arranged and named, and elaborate lists of
them were drawn up.
Babylonian Philosophy:
It can be traced back to early Mesopotamian wisdom, which embodied certain
philosophies of life, particularly ethics. These are reflected in Mesopotamian religion (much of
which revolved around the identification of the gods and goddesses with heavenly bodies) and in
a variety of Babylonian literature.
History of Babylonian Philosophy:
Their reasoning and rationality developed beyond empirical observation at a very early
date. Esagil-kin-apli's medical "Diagnostic Handbook", dating back to the 11th Century B.C.,
was based on a logical set of axioms and assumptions, including the modern view that, through
the examination and inspection of the symptoms of a patient, it is possible to determine the
patient's disease, and the chances of the patient's recovery.
During the 8th and 7th Centuries B.C., Babylonian astronomers began studying
philosophy dealing with the ideal nature of the early universe, and began employing an internal
logic within their predictive planetary systems, an important contribution to the philosophy of
science.
It is possible that Babylonian philosophy had an influence on Greek,
particularly Hellenistic philosophy. The Babylonian text "Dialogue of Pessimism" contains

15. similarities to sophism, Heraclitus' doctrine of contrasts,
the dialogues of Plato and Socrates' dialectical method of inquiry.
Basic Concepts:
There are four prominent concepts in Babylonian philosophy which have carried over to
many different philosophical schools and movements in different parts of the world:
1) All things are the result of organic evolution (so a Creator is not needed and the way is
open for Man to think that he helped in his own creation and evolution and that he
therefore has, in his own self, the power for his advancement).
2) The human intellect has pre-eminence (the educational systems of the day are enmeshed
in this ideology).
3) Promiscuity and sexual abandonment permeates all of society (and is all but encouraged,
even if it often results in the break-down of the home and marriage).
4) A total state or welfare society or, arguably, totalitarianism is the natural path to follow
(thus, the State - or in some cases organized religion - will act for the people, think for the
people, do everything for the people).
The PersianConquest& Babylon's Decline:
The Neo-Babylonian Empire continued after the death of Nebuchadnezzar II and
Babylon continued to play an important role in the region under the rule of Nabonidus and his
successor Belshazzar (featured in the biblical Book of Daniel). In 539 BCE the empire fell to the
Persians under Cyrus the Great at the Battle of Opis. Babylon’s walls were impregnable and so
the Persians cleverly devised a plan whereby they diverted the course of the Euphrates River so
that it fell to a manageable depth. While the residents of the city were distracted by one of their

16. great religious feast days, the Persian army waded the river and marched under the walls of
Babylon unnoticed. It was claimed the city was taken without a fight although documents of the
time indicate that repairs had to be made to the walls and some sections of the city and so
perhaps the action was not as effortless as the Persian account maintained.
Under Persian rule, Babylon flourished as a center of art and education. Cyrus and his
successors held the city in great regard and made it the administrative capital of their empire
(although at one point the Persian emperor Xerxes felt obliged to lay siege to the city after
another revolt). Babylonian mathematics, cosmology, and astronomy were highly respected and
it is thought that Thales of Miletus (known as the first western philosopher) may have studied
there and that Pythagoras developed his famous mathematical theorem based upon a Babylonian
model. When, after two hundred years, the Persian Empire fell to Alexander the Great in 331
BCE, he also gave great reverence to the city, ordering his men not to damage the buildings nor
molest the inhabitants. The historian Stephen Bertman writes, “Before his death, Alexander the
Great ordered the superstructure of Babylon’s ziggurat pulled down in order that it might be
rebuilt with greater splendor. But he never lived to bring his project to completion. Over the
centuries, its scattered bricks have been cannibalized by peasants to fulfill humbler dreams. All
that is left of the fabled Tower of Babel is the bed of a swampy pond.”