More about Babylonia

The earlier history of Babylonia is normally connected to that of Sumer, the land of city-states that covered the same part of Mesopotamia as Babylonia. The rise of Babylonia must not be understood as the rise of a new region and people. It rather involved that old Sumer came under the effective control of a single city, Babylon. Hammurabi's first year of reign is generally considered as the beginning of Babylonia's history, but its exact dating is uncertain. There are 3 chronological systems for the ancient Middle East, and according to these, Hammurabi's first year is either 1848 BCE, 1792 BCE or 1728 BCE. The middle of these is used by most publications.

A TIMELINE:

• Around 1900 BCE: The Semitic tribe, the Amorites, conquers most of Mesopotamia, establish their kings in Babylon.
• 1792 BCE: With Hammurabi's accession to power, the kingdom starts to become an important force.
• 1760s: Hammurabi wins important victories against Babylonia's neighbors, principally Elam and Larsa. The kingdom rises to one of the regions most important powers.
• Last half 18th century: Babylonian civilization continues to progress under king Samsu-iluna (1750- 1712 BCE), son of Hammurabi. His strongest opponents are the Kassites and the Sea-Land under the leadership of Iluma-ilum.
• 17th century: Babylonia declines in power and territory under less apt rulers.
• Around 1595: The Hittites attack Babylonia, loot the kingdom and remove king Samsuditana from power. A weak Babylonia comes under control of Sea-Land.
• Around 1600: Babylon sacked and taken over by the Kassites. A 400 year period of growth and prosperity for the region ensues. This was a period of great cultural achievement, and one of the most impressive literary works - the Enuma Elish.
• Around 1350: The Assyrians start to exercise their politics towards Babylonia, but do not conquer the country.
• Around 1160 The Elamites conquer Babylonia, and loot the cities.
• Around 1120: With king Nebuchadnezzar I, Babylonia is revived. Under him, the kingdom attacks both Elam and Assyria.
• 11th century: After Nebuchadnezzar I's death, Babylonia went into a period of political chaos that would last for 200 yrs.
• 9th century: The Chaldeans take control over Babylonia; they revive Babylonia, making it the dominant power in Mesopotamia.
8th century: Many bitter wars are fought against Assyria.
• Around 625: The Chaldean king, Nabopolassar, makes Babylon his capital; a new great era starts for Babylonia.
• 612: In an alliance with the Medes, the Babylonian king, Nabopalassar (626- 605 BCE), defeats Assyria and brings the kingdom to a final end.
• 605: King Nebuchadnezzar II wins a decisive victory against the Egyptians at Carchemish — Egypt had until then carried out many campaigns in the region after the fall of Assyria. During his reign, Babylonia becomes a new great power, politically and culturally.
  562: Following the death of Nebuchadnezzar II, a power struggle for the throne ensues between several contenders that weakens Babylonia.
• 539: After capturing King Nabonidus of Babylonia, Persia is able to conquer Babylon without meeting resistance, and Babylonia was annexed to Persia. This represents the end of what we call Babylonia, but much of the culture and most of the cities survived for some additional centuries.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon


Hanging Gardens of Babylon by Martin Heemskerck

The hand-colored engraving by the 16th century Dutch artist, Martin Heemskerck, depicts the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. According to scholars, the gardens did not hang, but grew on the roofs and terraces of the royal palace in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar II, the Chaldean king, supposedly had the gardens built in about 600 BC as a consolation to his Median wife who missed the natural surroundings of her homeland.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon ~ New!

Credits:
Content sources: Ancient Babylonia, Babylonia, A history of ancient Babylon
Timeline: Tore Kjeilen, Encyclopaedia of the Orient
Map courtesy of Ancient Babylonia
Images in public domain, found at Babylon
Page background: Alal-Sin Malachus w/color modification by Xena.
Table background: Samarcande Bahktiari's Kilim Bazaar
Page design and content: Xena ApilSin, May 2008