Image Gallery
Stela from Babylonian Marduk Temple
This stela came from the Temple of Marduk in Babylon. It is a commemorative monument set up in honour of a private individual called Adad-Etir. He was an official in the temple, known as 'the dagger bearer', and this stela was erected by his son Marduk-balassu-iqbi. The figures carved in relief on the front represent the father and son together. Their shaven heads show that they are both priests.
Babylonian, about 900-800 BCE, From Babylon, Marduk temple, Mesopotamia, 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.
Add External Link
