Neo - Babylonian Empire

Rose after the fall of Assyria 620 BC Called the Chaldeans Babylon was their capital Cruel rulers who conquer much of the Middle East Famed for beautifying Babylon and their scientific advancements

Nebuchadnezzar II Greatest ruler of the Babylonians Famed builder Terribly cruel

Babylonian Exile 587 BC Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Judah and Jerusalem Takes thousands of Hebrew captives and moves them to Babylon Depopulates Jerusalem

Babylonian Culture

Babylonian Culture Babylonians were a very learned people Cared about learning Reflected in their art and architectural achievements

Babylonian Mythology Chief god was Marduk Marduk is often depicted as a great man Babylonian mythology has the world’s 1st dragon myth Marduk vs. Tiamat Creation of man and heaven and earth

2nd Babylonian Empire

Nebuchadnezzar II Babylon’s greatest King and builder Builds the Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens Expands the empire from Israel to Turkey to Egypt

The Ishtar Gate 4 massive gateways at the 4 entrances to the city Made with blue tile and depicted with all sorts of fearsome beasts and soldiers Shows visitors the strength of Babylon Also Babylon appreciates art and beauty

Images on the Ishtar Gate

Sirrush A dragon that supposedly guarded Babylon Sirrush is Akkadian for “Splendor Serpent” Depicted on the Ishtar Gate Long necked reptile w/ eagle’s talons and a lion’s paws Mentioned in the Bible Some people believe that the Sirrush may have been a sauropod

Hanging Gardens of Babylon One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world Beautiful gardens that hung off the palace Built by Nebuchadnezzar II for his home sick wife Incredible accomplishment b/c Babylon is in a desert The palace had its own irrigation system