Babylon Myth and Reality

Abstract

Over 2500 years after the city's fall, Babylon is still an evocative name. The resonance of the Tower of Babel, the Hanging Gardens, Daniel in the Lions Den or the madness of Nebuchadnezzar continues today even without popular certainty that Babylon itself ever existed. Drawing on three of the most important collections of artefacts from the ancient city of Babylon, at the British Museum, the Louvre and the Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, this book brings to life Nebuchadnezzars magnificent state buildings with their famous glazed brick reliefs, and the great stepped tower or ziggurat that inspired the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel. Contemporary writings investigate the history, culture and religious life of the time, describing the Conquest of Jerusalem and the emergence of monotheism within Babylonian religion. Also included will be documents showing how ancient Babylons legacy lives on today tablets recording the signs of the zodiac, the appearance of Halleys Comet and the origins of modern calendars and clocks. While the real city remained lost under the sands of Iraq for 2000 years, a rich web of myths and associations gathered around the name. Babylon has inspired art, books, films, and music, and plays a powerful role in Rastafarian religion. This book explores how and why the magnificent ancient capital evolved into a universal symbol of the city of sin. The book brings together for the first time a wealth of art works from medieval manuscripts and major canvases to contemporary digital art, which have all been inspired by Babylon.

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