Babylon

City / town

The great city on the Euphrates, capital of Nebuchadnezzar's empire, to which Judah was carried into exile in 586 BC. In prophecy and Revelation it becomes the byword for a proud, God-opposing world power.

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 2

Life, role & deeds

BibleThe imperial city to which Judah was carried into exile, and scripture's byword for pride and its fall.

2 Kings 25:11; Daniel 4:30

↳ Nebuchadnezzar

Sinoulpgc — CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyThe walls, processional way and glazed-brick Ishtar Gate of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon were excavated by Koldewey; the gate is rebuilt in Berlin.

Babylon excavations by R. Koldewey for the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft (1899-1917); R. Koldewey, 'Das wieder erstehende Babylon' (J. C. Hinrichs, 1913); Ishtar Gate and processional-way reconstruction, Pergamonmuseum, Berlin

ArchaeologyRobert Koldewey's German excavations (1899–1917) uncovered the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way faced in glazed blue brick, the vast South Palace of Nebuchadnezzar, and the foundations of the ziggurat Etemenanki — long linked with the Tower of Babel. The gate is reconstructed in Berlin's Pergamon Museum.

R. Koldewey, 'Das wieder erstehende Babylon' (J. C. Hinrichs, 1913; Eng. 'The Excavations at Babylon', 1914).