Babylonians Written by Juliet Kunkel, Rachel Henry, Julia Crowther, Joe Marchesano, Devon Dobres, Max Auborn, and Ireta Russell

Religion Marduk was the most important god of all It was a custom for each city to select one god as their special patron The capital cities god was Marduk, because of this the city had to be great Ziggurat Means “to rise high” A huge ziggurat stood over 300 feet tall Had a gold roof It was the home of the gods Poly theism- Believing in multiple gods Ziggurat was the home of the gods Sacrifices were made

Rulers Kings Hammurabi Gilgamesh Nebuchadnezzar II Gods Marduk

Cities Homes Most homes were designed with three story living Even the very poor lived in tiny townhouses In the courtyard people had domesticated animals and small gardens Roofs were very important because they provided a forth living space when it became to hot in homes Babylon was a walled city so all the roof were private Streets The streets were very narrow and unpaved Streets and alleyways provided access to everyone’s front doors They also served as a garbage dump On occasion, the city would cover the street with an extra layer of clay which leveled the street but made it higher Some houses needed to build steps or make a new front door

Cities Cont. 300 foot high ziggurat could be seen from outside the city walls Procession Street or Avenue lead up to the walls of the city Huge brick animals along the side of the street Passed under Ishtar Gates designed with dragons and bulls in honor of Marduk

Hanging garden of Babylon Function- Royal gardens Made of Mud bricks, used lead so the structure could be waterproof Was said to be a gift to Nebuchadnezzar II’s wife Not actually located in Babylon, actually located in Nineveh Technologically advanced ways to get water to the top of the structure. Also not to get water into the foundations Destroyed by an earthquake

Hammurabi’s Code Oldest deciphered writing of significant length in the world Very strict laws for the Babylonian community 282 laws Civil laws (marriage, divorce, and disputes) Criminal laws (stealing, murder, and theft) More laws towards the men Women were expected to stay at home and take care of the children; laws reinforced that Not an even justice: if someone in the lower class commits a crime they will get a bigger punishment if a person in the upper class did the same crime