1. Neo - Babylonian Empire

2. 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

3. Nebuchadnezzar II Greatest ruler of the Babylonians Famed builder
Terribly cruel

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

5. Babylonian Culture

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

7. 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

9. 2nd Babylonian Empire

10. 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

11. 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

12. Images on the Ishtar Gate

14. 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

17. 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