The Babylonian Civilization

Babylonia was an ancient state in Mesopotamia (in modern Iraq). Its capital was Babylon. The earliest mention of Babylon is dating back to around 2400 BC.

Babylonia was situated between the two great rivers of western Asia, the Tigris and Euphrates.

It can be divided into two parts, the northern, more or less mountainous and the southern, flat and marshy.

The country consisted of twelve or so cities, surrounded by villages. At the head of the political structure was the king, an absolute monarch.

Thanks to the system of irrigation the cultivation of the soil was highly advanced in Babylonia. The Babylonians grew wheat, vegetables and fruit. They also kept cows, pigs, goats and sheep.

Babylonian cultural achievements left a deep impression on the ancient world, and particularly on the Greeks.

Even present-day civilization is indebted culturally to Babylonian civilization. For example, Babylonian influence can be seen in the Bible.

The Bible says: when the world was new all the people spoke the same language. They could talk to each other and understand each other. One day they were talking and decided to built a tall tower which would reach the heaven.

And everyone said: “We are the greatest people in the world!” The God didn’t want them to build the tower. He saw that they were selfish and proud. So he gave each person a different language.