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A Seal with a History
This clay tablet records several inscriptions found on an old lapis lazuli cylinder seal. The seal had belonged first to the Kassite king Shagarakti-Shuriash (reigned 1245-1233 BCE) in Babylon. It was taken to Assyria; later it was returned to Babylon, where it was rediscovered by the Assyrian king Sennacherib (reigned 708-681 BCE). Probably 689 BCE. From Nineveh, Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (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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