![gates of babylon gates of babylon](https://live.staticflickr.com/2298/1767401146_2ff6e8c5d5_w.jpg)
These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Photograph of the ruins of Ishtar Gate at Babylon, Photographer unknown, early 20th c.
![gates of babylon gates of babylon](https://cdn.britannica.com/s:300x169,c:crop/20/13720-050-6ED7921E/reconstruction-ruins-Ishtar-Gate-Babylon-Al-Hillah-Iraq.jpg)
I placed wild bulls and ferocious dragons in the gateways and thus adorned them with luxurious splendor that people might gaze on them in wonder." I hung doors of cedar adorned with bronze at all the gate openings. I covered their roofs by laying majestic cedars length-wise over them. "I (Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level and had them built out of pure blue stone. His inscription on the Ishtar Gate reads: He beautified the city with building projects and art, focused on intellectual pursuits and enlarged the army and territory. It was his vision to create the most central, powerful cosmopolitan city. King Nachbuchanezzar II was one of the most influential and transforming kings of Mesopotamia. The gates were so massive that multiple museums (including several in the US, Istanbul and Paris) throughout the world house portions of it. The bulk of the structure resides at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. Later in the 20th century, work was able to continue. Excavation lasted from 1902-1914 when World War I put a halt to the work. The gates of Babylon were discovered by Robert Koldewey of the German Oriental Society. Reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate and Processional way. This was a yearly festival where the statue of the revered god was paraded through the streets. The processional way was most important for the Festival of Marduk. The gate walls stand 15 meters (50ft) high and is attached to a processional boulevard that extended about a kilometer (half a mile) in length and was 21 meters (70 ft) wide. This reverence traveled across Mesopotamia. Babylonians saw their city as a paradise with Marduk as a source of this power. These figures also served as a message that Babylon was a protected, powerful and important city. The lions represent the king and war - important symbols of Babylon, bulls are for Adad the weather god, and the snake-dragon for Marduk, the chief patron god. As with human figures of the time period, these animals are depicted in profile. Hundreds of bas-relief animals in yellow and brown brick representing other important deities line the walls of the gate and processional way. Originally thought to be lapis lazuli covered, this is now debated among experts how the lustrous sheen was accomplished. Most famously, the entire facade was covered in bright cobalt blue tiles, which shone like jewels under the bright sun. Numerous other symbols associated with other gods line the walls, but Ishtar is the primary associated with the gate. As the name suggests, it was dedicated to Ishtar - the goddess of fertility, love, war and sex. Photo by Josep RenaliasĬonstructed in 575 BCE during the reign of the revered King Nebuchadnezzar II (605BCE-562 BCE), the Ishtar gate was the 8th gate to the city and the main entrance. A primary medium of the time was bricks with various colored glazes, and they were very skilled and adept at these techniques.
![gates of babylon gates of babylon](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mtYL5bnpVdg/maxresdefault.jpg)
Mythological characters with magical qualities and representations of gods and kings were common themes of art. Babylonians were very aware of their history and lineage, and it was important that their art reflect this dedication. Even in ancient times, Babylon was known for its powerful and impressing architecture. Source: Twitter Ishtar Gate is a prime example of art and architecture of the Neo-Babylonian era. It was so impressive a structure, that even in ancient times it was considered as one of the Wonders of the World. With Babylon's Ishtar Gate we are able to go beyond the legends and experience the art and architecture of the most vibrant and prosperous era of the city. Since that time its legend has generated many myths - the Hanging Gardens, the Tower of Babel, and biblical interpretations added to the mystery of the city. Babylon, the ancient Mesopotamian city (modern day Iraq) existed from 18th century to 6th century BCE.