The Hanging Gardens and the Law Code of Hammurabi A Study of Babylon's Advanced Civilization

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The Hanging Gardens and the Law Code of HammurabiA Study of Babylon's Advanced Civilization  - The ancient civilization of Babylon is one that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. The civilization, which existed in what is now Iraq, was known for its impressive architectural achievements, complex system of writing, and intricate system of laws and government.


Babylon was first settled in the 18th century BCE by the Amorites, a Semitic people who migrated into the region from the west. Under the rule of Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792-1750 BCE, Babylon became one of the most powerful city-states in Mesopotamia.


Hammurabi is best known for his law code, which was one of the first written legal codes in human history. The code, which was engraved on a large stone stele, covered a wide range of topics, including property rights, contracts, and criminal law. 

The code was based on the principle of "an eye for an eye," which stipulated that the punishment for a crime should be commensurate with the severity of the crime. This principle was intended to ensure that justice was served and to deter people from committing crimes.


Babylon was also known for its impressive architectural achievements. The city was surrounded by massive walls, and within its walls were a number of impressive structures, including the famous Hanging Gardens, which were one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. 

The Hanging Gardens were a series of terraced gardens, with levels filled with trees, shrubs, and flowers, that were said to have been built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, who was homesick for her native Media. 

The gardens were an engineering marvel, as they were built on top of a massive stone platform and required a complex system of irrigation to keep the plants and trees alive.


Another important architectural achievement in Babylon was the construction of the ziggurat, a massive stepped pyramid that was used for religious ceremonies. The ziggurat was dedicated to the god Marduk, who was considered to be the patron god of Babylon. 

The ziggurat was built of brick and was said to have been over 300 feet tall. At the top of the ziggurat was a temple, where the priests of Marduk performed ceremonies and offerings to the god.


Babylon was also known for its system of writing. The Babylonians used a form of writing known as cuneiform, which was written on clay tablets using a stylus. Cuneiform was a complex system of writing, with over 600 different characters, and was used to record a wide range of information, including legal documents, religious texts, and astronomical observations. 

The Babylonians also developed a sophisticated system of mathematics, which was based on the sexagesimal (base 60) system, which is still used in time-keeping and angles measurement.


Despite its many achievements, the civilization of Babylon eventually fell. The city was conquered by the Assyrians in the 7th century BCE and later by the Persians in the 6th century BCE. The city was eventually abandoned and fell into ruin, but its legacy lived on through the many works of literature and history that were written about it.


In conclusion, the civilization of Babylon was one of the most advanced and powerful of the ancient world. Its achievements in law, architecture, writing, and mathematics had a profound impact on the development of human civilization. 

The legacy of Babylon lives on today in the many works of literature, history, and archaeology that continue to be studied and admired.

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