| Country |
Province
State |
Region |
City
Town |
District |
Site OR Event |
Click
to View |
Description |
Year
Taken |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
 The "Ishtar Gate" at the entrance to Babylon. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
The figures are bulls and a creature called a chimera. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
The bull is a common feature from the era when the Spring Equinox occurred when the Sun was in Taurus, 4000 years ago. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
The chimera resembles a dragon and has the attributes of a snake (tail), lion (front claws) and eagle (rear claws). |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
The gate was unique to Babylon. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
The Babylonian symbol for the Sun. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate |
 |
The gate is a 1960 copy 2/3rds the size of the original which is in a museum in Berlin (inset). |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The walls of the city. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The original city walls were next to the Euphrates River which has now changed course and is not close to the ruins. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The city was first mentioned in a clay tablet as a small village in the 23rd century BCE. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Old and new. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The first courtyard. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The Babylonian map of the world from 605 BCE. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
A map of Babylon during the reign of Nebuchandezzar II (c600 BCE). This includes the legendary Hanging Gardens (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) and a ziggurat which is the origin of the Tower of Babel story. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Babylon was the largest city on Earth between 1770 and 1670 BCE and again during 612 - 320 BCE. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The entrance to the ancient city is dominated by the walls of the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The palace was rebuilt under Saddam Hussein. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The rebuilt part is over the original foundations. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Nebuchadnezzar II ruled between 605 and 562 BCE and his reign is considered the city's golden age. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The entrance to the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The palace has five main courtyards and 250 rooms. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The bricks of the original palace were all inscribed with the name of Nebuchadnezzar. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
One of the five enormous courtyards. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
View of an archway from below. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The brickwork is extraordinary. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Gateways separate the courtyards. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in the Bible for destroying the Kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE. He exiled the population of Jerusalem "by the rivers of Babylon". |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Nebuchadnezzar was the second king of the New Babylonian Empire (c612 - c320 BCE). |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
View through two arches. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Some of the 250 rooms. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The palace is enormous. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
View through a tall arch. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Arched passageway. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The structure of the gates shows that arches existed before the Roman era. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The original paving stones. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Side chambers. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The walls are high. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
A couple showing the size of the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Cyrus the Great, the King of Persia, conquered the city in 539 BCE. Captured people like the Jews were allowed to return to their homelands under Cyrus so he is praised in the Bible. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Alexander The Great conquered the city in 331 BCE. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Nebuchadnezzar's throne room. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Alexander The Great died in 323 BCE and was laid in state in Nebuchadnezzar's throne room. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The throne plynth. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Couple visiting. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
View to an older part of the city. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Double arch. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The renovated part of the palace contains bricks inscribed with the name of Saddam Hussein. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Saddam Hussein bricks. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Brick inscribed with the name of Saddam Hussein (top centre). |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Saddam Hussein's name gouged out of a brick after his downfall. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
One of the smaller courtyards. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Small arch leading to a side chamber. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The Northern wall of the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Walls marking the course of the River Euphrates before it moved. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Decorated brickwork. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
After the death of Alexander the Great, Babylon was under the Hellenic Seleucid Empire. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Detail of the decorated brickwork. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Iraqi visitors. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
View through multiple arches. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Multiple arches. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The top of the wall. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Side chambers. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Key shaped arch leading to the rear exterior of the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The rear external wall. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The key shaped arch is unique to the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
The gateway to the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Palace of Nebuchadnezzar |
 |
Graffiti on the outer wall. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Palace built by Saddam Hussein overlooking the ruins of Babylon. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Saddam Hussein's Palace was looted during the USA invasion. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Mound thought to be part of the Hanging Gardens. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
The Processional Way is 900m long. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
The palace from the Processional Way. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
The paving is held together by (original) bitumen. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
This was the route taken by the king to enter the palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
The brickwork. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
View of Saddam Hussein's palace. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Processional Way |
 |
The high walls. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
The site of the original Ishtar Gate (which was taken to Berlin) was part of the Processional Way. Only the foundations remain. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
The unglazed brick foundations of the gate have bulls and chimera. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
Bull. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
Head of a bull. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
Chimera. This has the head of a dragon, the tail of a snake, the front claws of a lion and the rear claws of an eagle. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
Chimera head. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ishtar Gate (Original) |
 |
The site of the original Ishtar Gate was damaged by USA military forces who had a base here. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ninmahi Temple |
 |
Temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess, Ninmahi. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ninmahi Temple |
 |
The temple dates from the 6th century. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ninmahi Temple |
 |
The temple was built by Nebuchadnezzar. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
Ninmahi Temple |
 |
The walls of the temple were originally covered with mud. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The Old Babylon Empire lasted from 1770 to 1670 BCE. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The Old Babylon Empire was ruled by Hammurabi (1792 - 1750 BCE) who set up the world's first legal code. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
4000 year old brickwork. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The Northern Fort. This area was damaged by USA forces building a helipad nearby. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The entrance to the fort. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Much of the site is unrestored and unexcavated. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Ruins and mounds. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The Lion of Babylon. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The Lion of Babylon is a basalt figure of a lion attacking a person found by local people in 1776. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Visitors from Iraq. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
The city walls. |
2022 |
| Iraq |
|
|
Babylon |
|
|
 |
Distinctive brickwork. |
2022 |
