Ancient Mesopotamian Cities
Cities were usually shaped rectangularly, surrounded by high clay walls. Mesopotamian cities seldom used wood or timber in their construction, as there were no forests or trees in the area. The streets were generally wide for religious uses, such as parades of religious processions. Ziggurats, or large temples for gods and goddesses, were prominent features in the cities. Each city-state had a patron deity that they worshiped exclusively. The dominant political unit was the 'City-State', a small area surrounding a large, complex city.
Eridu
For Christians, there is the Garden of Eden.
But when Mesopotamians looked back at the very beginning of time, there is Eridu: the oldest city in the world. Founded in circa 5400 BCE, Eridu was believed to have been created by the gods and was home to the great water god Enki. A prominent religious city in the Sumer empire, but also extremely important to trade. It is believed that many different kingdoms came to this city, resulting in an exchange of cultures and art forms. The citizens of Uruk looked to Eridu for their template, as it was extremely successful in its early days. However, as nearby cities sprang up and were in their prime, Eridu started to wither. The once fertile soil became barren after centuries of irrigation and overuse. Regional kings and their armies broke out into wars, fighting for supremacy. Eventually the city was abandoned in 600 BCE.
But when Mesopotamians looked back at the very beginning of time, there is Eridu: the oldest city in the world. Founded in circa 5400 BCE, Eridu was believed to have been created by the gods and was home to the great water god Enki. A prominent religious city in the Sumer empire, but also extremely important to trade. It is believed that many different kingdoms came to this city, resulting in an exchange of cultures and art forms. The citizens of Uruk looked to Eridu for their template, as it was extremely successful in its early days. However, as nearby cities sprang up and were in their prime, Eridu started to wither. The once fertile soil became barren after centuries of irrigation and overuse. Regional kings and their armies broke out into wars, fighting for supremacy. Eventually the city was abandoned in 600 BCE.
Babylon
One of the most well known cities of Mesopotamia, Babylon was founded almost five thousand years ago on the Euphrates River. Its patron god was Marduk. He was believed to be the son of Ea, the patron god of Eridu; giving researchers reason to wonder if Babylon was a colony that branched off of Eridu.
Babylonia was located in southern Mesopotamia, in present day Iraq. Throughout most of history, its main rivals for power, were their neighbors, the Assyrians. It was an enormous walled city, with a netwrok of canals and a massive ziggurat that was visible from outside the walls. babylonian culture was exremely law-oriented. The great King Hammurabi created laws that unified and made the poor and the rich equal. There were harsh punishments for those who did not abide by them. However, he also respected their religion. When building Babylon, he created it with Marduk in mind and in his honor. The Babylonians first rose to power in 1894 B.C.E. The empire expanded under the leadership of Hammurabi, ,
but Assyrian forces overcame him and controlled Babylon until 605 B.C.E., when the Babylonians re-established their empire. Nabopolassar and his son, Nebuchadnezzar II (604–562 B.C.E.) are generally credited with creating the “Golden Age of Babylon,” a time when the arts, city life, and commerce flourished.
In 331 BC Alexander the Great captured Babylon, and it was here he died in 323 BC. After the fall of Alexander’s fledgling empire, Babylon was fought over by his surviving generals and was slowly abandoned over the following centuries.
The ruins of Babylon have suffered greatly due to looting and destructive policies, leaving little behind that captures the glory of the once-great city.
Babylonia was located in southern Mesopotamia, in present day Iraq. Throughout most of history, its main rivals for power, were their neighbors, the Assyrians. It was an enormous walled city, with a netwrok of canals and a massive ziggurat that was visible from outside the walls. babylonian culture was exremely law-oriented. The great King Hammurabi created laws that unified and made the poor and the rich equal. There were harsh punishments for those who did not abide by them. However, he also respected their religion. When building Babylon, he created it with Marduk in mind and in his honor. The Babylonians first rose to power in 1894 B.C.E. The empire expanded under the leadership of Hammurabi, ,
but Assyrian forces overcame him and controlled Babylon until 605 B.C.E., when the Babylonians re-established their empire. Nabopolassar and his son, Nebuchadnezzar II (604–562 B.C.E.) are generally credited with creating the “Golden Age of Babylon,” a time when the arts, city life, and commerce flourished.
In 331 BC Alexander the Great captured Babylon, and it was here he died in 323 BC. After the fall of Alexander’s fledgling empire, Babylon was fought over by his surviving generals and was slowly abandoned over the following centuries.
The ruins of Babylon have suffered greatly due to looting and destructive policies, leaving little behind that captures the glory of the once-great city.