The History of Babylon and its Empire

Situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the first people came to inhabit, survive and thrive. These were the Sumerians who lived in separate city-states for centuries, competing for control and dominance. The Akkadian Empire eventually came to control them, directed by Sargon, the world's first emperor. Next came the new Sumerian Empire, but this would last just over 100 years before disintegration, once again into city-states. And this is where Babylon's story begins. The city-state of Babylon was said to have been founded during the time of the Akkadian Empire, but very little is known about early Babylon. It is known that the Babylonian state retained the written Akkadian language and retained the Sumerian language for religious use. In the periods between the 20th and 19th century BC, profound change took place as waves of migrants and invasions occurred under the direction of the Amorites. The Amorites weren't a united people, and were said to be nomadic, barbaric and uncivilised by the Sumerians. From the lands of modern-day Syria, they steadily integrated into the societies of Sumer, particularly Babylon, who slowly transformed from a small port city on the Euphrates to a regional power. The Amorites rose up in society, and when they were strong enough, installed themselves as leaders. In the 19th century BC, the first Amorite ruler, Sumu Abam, was elected as NC of Babylon. The Amorite rulers after him proved to be just as effective at ruling. The fifth NC, Sim Mubalit, managed to defend and defeat the preceding force of Ur. With their troops in retreat, Babylon was able to conquer the city of Issim. In 1792 BC, a king ascended to the throne by the name of Hammurabi. Hammurabi was a wise and administrative king early in his reign. He was careful not to offend, provoke or cause bad interactions with his superior neighbouring kingdoms and empires, persisting to stay out of conflict. Instead he concentrated on his people and the cities he controlled, focusing on expanding temples, infrastructure and emphasising the construction and improvement to a city's walled defences. Although his most famous act would be the introduction of his Code of Law, that applied to all of society. Hammurabi's Code of Law was a seven feet tall black diorite stone, placed in the centre of Babylon for all to see, carved in cuneiform text with 282 laws in total. These laws were similar to Sumerian law codes, such as the Code of Unamu used centuries before. Hammurabi's Code is an early example of essential law, a simple constitution where both the accused and accuser had the opportunity to provide evidence. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Many years Babylon remained peaceful, but it was forced to encounter its enemies. To the east was the kingdom of Elam, and they enacted a plot to drive the kingdoms of Larsa and Babylon against each other. The Elamites' plan was to strike when both powers were weak, but Hammurabi soon discovered their intentions. Hammurabi instead formed an alliance with Larsa, and the Babylonian forces marched, defeated and collected tribute from Elam. Unpleased by Larsa and their lack of support in the gruesome battles against Elam, Hammurabi turned on his ally and affirmed control across southern Mesopotamia after conquering Larsa and her allies. Hungry for more, Hammurabi turned to Asher and Eshnunna and his old ally Amari, all wealthy, vibrant kingdoms to the north. He annexed the areas quickly, and continued to hold a sphere of influence over Elam and Asher, squashing any resistance or potential rivals. Hammurabi had proven to be a worthy administrator, military tactician, and a great king. During this time, Babylon grew to be the largest city in the world, with over 100,000 inhabitants. At its centre there was said to be a great ziggurat over 300 feet tall. Following Hammurabi's death, the Babylonian Empire fell apart. Although his son fought a number of successful campaigns, it was not enough. The sphere of influence over Asher and Elam rapidly faded, and without sufficient resources the northern territory could not be held. Babylon reverted to a small kingdom in southern Mesopotamia once more, and allowed the rise of several small kingdoms and states. A storm of Hittites under the leadership of Mersalee I desolated the city of Babylon by loot and plunder, but they returned to Anatolia, seeing Babylon as too far from home to defend. Instead, Babylon was infiltrated by the Kassites, who conquered the remainder of the region without trouble. Soon after, they rebuilt many of the conquered cities. They adopted their culture and expanded territory. The Kassites ruled Babylon for over 400 years. They had little interest in the arts or learning, but excelled in trade. Rather than seeking conflict, the Kassites of Babylon formed many alliances which were reinforced with intermarriage between ruling families within Mesopotamia. But out of the struggling Mitanni empire came the Assyrians. In 1365 BC, the ambitious king Ashurbalate defeated the Mitanni. For the following hundred years, the Mitanni, Hittites and Babylonians would struggle to keep them at bay. The Assyrian king Tekuli-Ninurta led his forces to Babylon, and with victory demolished the walls, massacred many civilians, pillaged and plundered. King Tekuli would be murdered by his sons upon his return, as many in Assyria had come to love and admire the culture of Babylon. Babylon was once again overwhelmed with migrants from the deserts of the Levant. These migrants were the Chaldeans, and they quickly assimilated into the city. By 900 BC, the Assyrians were rising once again, with highly trained soldiers and iron-forged weapons. Babylon was soon absorbed into the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Change would come with the rebellion of the Chaldean chief, Nabopolassar. Nabopolassar formed an alliance with the Medes, and their combined armies attacked and sacked the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. The city fell after a three-month long siege, bringing an end to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. By his death, Babylon was once again a great empire. He was succeeded by his son Nebuchadnezzar II, who expanded the empire greatly. The Babylonians sacked the holy city of Jerusalem, taking the Jews from their homeland and into captivity. As a result, Babylon's historical fate was sealed, becoming known as the City of Evil and Sin by Hebrew and Christian texts. But in reality, Nebuchadnezzar built new temples called ziggurats, restored buildings, and improved the city walls, adding towers and fortifications. He is even said to have opened up a museum in one of the royal palace complexes. He enlarged the Temple of Marduk, creating a broad processional route to lead to the lavish decorated Ishtar Gate in the inner city walls. Babylon once again became a great, magnificent city. The most famous feature of the city were said to be the hanging gardens, an outstanding work of architecture. A pyramid of steps were constructed to feature terraces, reinforced by beautiful columns. The terraces were packed full of colourful plants, fruit trees, and vegetation, where all could marvel at its size and magnificence. It was said to have been constructed on the orders of Nebuchadnezzar, so he could please his wife Hermiatus, who missed the green landscape of her homeland. However, modern archaeologists and historians have cast doubts to whether the gardens really existed. No trace has ever been found, and writings near the time mention no magnificent garden. Greek historians who detailed them may have mistakenly described a garden of Assyrian King Sennacherib, in his capital Nineveh. Nevertheless, Babylon was said to be a great city, flourishing with culture, science, and arts. Upon the death of Nebuchadnezzar, the empire took a dark turn. The following kings of Babylon proved to be unpopular. King Nabonidas tried to promote the worship of the moon god Sin, while censoring the worship of Marduk, the nation's beloved deity. This made him massively unpopular with both the people and the priesthood. Aligned with a lack of military leadership, his generals soon grew to hate him. To the lands of the east, a new emerging empire gradually swept to the borders of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The fragmented and weak Babylonians were unable to withstand this new threat, and quickly fell. The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, arrived at the city of Babylon after scattering the disorganized Babylonian forces. The city was taken almost without a fight. Cyrus wisely treated the inhabitants with respect. He rebuilt many of the temples dedicated to Marduk, released all the Jews, and allowed them to return to their homeland. Babylon soon prospered under Persian rule, for more than 200 years in fact, flourishing in the arts and sciences. In time, however, the empire was sidelined by high taxes, and satraps became rebellious. Babylon's greatness slowly declined, but upon the conquest of Alexander the Great, the hopes for greatness were rejuvenated. Alexander ordered his soldiers to not loot the city or kill its inhabitants following its fall. His plan was to instead make Babylon the new capital of his newly found empire. Alexander's intention was to make it a place of learning and arts once again, to rebuild its infrastructure that had since fallen into disarray. He wanted its beauty to blossom, but his plans would not come to pass. Shortly after his crowning, he set off to finish what remained of the Persian Empire, and what lay beyond. He returned to the city after his army refused to go no further past the river Ganges. But upon his arrival, he soon fell ill and died leaving his new empire in crisis, without a successor, without true leadership. His generals fought for control of territory within his empire. Babylon was incorporated into the Seleucid Empire, but its leaders had little interest in carrying out Alexander's plans for the city. Gradually, the city depleted in population, trade and influence. The city was abandoned, practically vanishing from existence. Never again would it recover and become a thriving metropolis it had once been. Instead it remained as ruins, undisturbed and largely forgotten, until rumours caught the attention of Europeans. In the age of European colonialism, archaeologists uncovered the legendary tales of its greatness.