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Image Gallery
Recreation of the Etemenanki in Babylon
The Etemenanki (Sumerian for: "temple of the foundation of heaven and earth") was a massive ziggurat dedicated to Marduk in ancient Babylon. It is unclear when the Etemenanki was originally constructed, and it is sometimes associated with or conflated with the Biblical Tower of Babel.
Courtesy of Ancient History Magazine / Karwansaray Publishers.
Questions & Answers
What was the purpose of the ziggurat in ancient Mesopotamia?
- The ziggurat was the site of worship for the god of the city. The temple at the top of the ziggurat was understood as the god's earthly home.
When were ziggurats built and used?
- Ziggurats were built and used in ancient Mesopotamia from at least c. 3000 BCE until c. 500 BCE when Zoroastrianism changed the model of worship in the region.
What does the ziggurat symbolize?
- The ziggurat symbolizes a mountain. It is an artificial mountain built to elevate the priests toward the realm of the gods.
What is the most famous ziggurat?
- The most famous ziggurat is the Etemenaki at Babylon (no longer extant), which is thought to have inspired the story of the Tower of Babel in the biblical Book of Genesis. The Great Ziggurat of Ur is also well-known, however, as is Chogha Zanbil, the ruins of both still extant.
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External Links
The Museum Journal | The Ziggurat of Ur
penn.museum
The Great Ziggurat of Ur
defense.gov
Ziggurat at Babylon
mit.edu
Ancient Mesopotamia: The Ziggurat
ducksters.com
Ziggurat of Ur, Smarthistory
smarthistory.org
