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Cuneiform Tablet Listing the Names of Old Babylonian Kings
This clay tablet mentions the names of the kings of Babylon (genealogy of the Hammurabi's dynasty) as far as the reign of Ammiditana (reigned 1683-1647 BCE). The list also mentions the names of several Amorite tribal ancestors, to whose spirits offerings of food and drink were made. Old Babylonian Period. Probably from Sippar, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London).
Questions & Answers
What does the name Babylon mean?
- Babylon comes from the Akkadian word "Bav-il" meaning "Gate of the Gods."
Were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon real?
- Most modern-day scholars believe the Hanging Gardens were actually located in Nineveh during the time of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
What was Babylon most famous for in ancient times?
- Babylon was famous as an intellectual, religious, and cultural center. It was also known for its great walls and the Ishtar Gate.
Who was the patron deity of Babylon?
- The patron deity of Babylon changed with the times but, primarily, was Marduk or Ishtar.
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