FIG. PAGE
1.Plan of the ruins of the city of Babylon facing[1]
2.Part of the outer city walls; ground-plan[3]
3.Plan of the mound “Babil”[7]
4.Section of a canal when newly constructed (B), and after long use (C)[8]
5.View of the mound “Babil”[9]
6.General view of Babylon, seen from the north-west[13]
7.The Euphrates in 1911[17]
8.The Euphrates, seen looking north from the Expedition House in 1907[17]
9.A djird, opposite Kweiresh[20]
10.Arab at work on a canal in the neighbourhood of Babylon[21]
11.The hooked plough in Babylon[21]
12.Doorway of the Expedition House in Kweiresh[22]
13.Plan of the Kasr[23]
14.Paving block of the Procession Street[25]
15.Beginning of the excavations on March 26, 1899, with the pavement of the Procession Street on the east side of the Kasr[27]
16.The lion of the Procession Street Coloured plate, facing[28]
17.Cross-section of a lion relief (B) and of an Assyrian relief (A)[29]
18.Eastern end of the mud-brick wing, at the Ishtar Gate, from the north[32]
19.General view of the Ishtar Gate from the north[33]
20.Gold plaque from grave in the Nabopolassar Palace[34]
21.Section through the Ishtar Gate[35]
22.Grooved expansion joints at the Ishtar Gate[36]
23.View of the Ishtar Gate from the west[37]
24.The two eastern towers of the Ishtar Gate[39]
25.Enamelled reliefs at the Ishtar Gate, beginning of excavations, April 1, 1902[40]
26.The bull of the Ishtar Gate Coloured plate, facing[43]
27.A bull, not enamelled[43]
28.Inscription from the Ishtar Gate[44]
29.Enamelled wall length of the Ishtar Gate Coloured plate, facing[45]
30.The enamelled piece of wall[45]
31.The sirrush of the Ishtar Gate Coloured plate, facing[47]
32.A sirrush, not enamelled[47]
33.Leg of a sirrush and of a raptorial bird[48]
34.Limestone projectiles[50]
35.Canal to the south of the Kasr[51]
36.View of Procession Street, east of Etemenanki[53]
37.Inscription referring to Procession Street[54]
38.Ground-plan and section of Ninmach Temple[56]
39.Bronze ferrule of doorpost, Emach[57]
40.Court in Ninmach Temple[58]
41.Emach cylinder inscription of Sardanapalus[60]
42.Kisu inscription of Emach[61]
43.Reconstruction of Southern Citadel, from the north[66]
44.Complete plan of Southern Citadel[67]
45.Arched doorway in Southern Citadel[69]
46.Eastern part of Southern Citadel[73]
47.An alabastron[74]
48.Brick stamps of Nebuchadnezzar[76]
49.Stamped brick of Nebuchadnezzar, omitting father’s name[77]
50.Brick stamp of Evil-Merodach[78]
51.Brick stamps, Nebuchadnezzar, Neriglissar, and Nabonidus[79]
52.Aramaic addition on Nebuchadnezzar brick[80]
53.Aramaic addition on Nebuchadnezzar brick[81]
54.Excavations in Southern Citadel, from the north[83]
55.The six-lined Lebanon inscription from Southern Citadel[85]
56.The eight-lined standard inscription from Southern Citadel[85]
57.Inscribed bricks in situ, Southern Citadel[87]
58.Base of column, Southern Citadel[89]
59.Vaulted Building, from the south-west[92]
60.Arches of the Vaulted Building[93]
61.Abutments of arches of the Vaulted Building[94]
62.Section through the Vaulted Building[95]
63.The central part of the Southern Citadel[101]
64.Decoration of the Throne-Room Coloured plate, facing[104]
65.Position marks on the enamelled bricks[105]
66.Bases of late columns in court 36, Southern Citadel[109]
67.Ramps between the Nebuchadnezzar and Nabopolassar Palaces[111]
68.Space between the Nabopolassar Palace and Citadel wall, on the south[115]
69.North wall of the Nabopolassar Palace[117]
70.Statuette of Papsukal in Nabopolassar Palace[119]
71.Wall of two-ridged bricks in Southern Citadel[120]
72.Door in south wall of Southern Citadel[121]
73.South wall of Nabopolassar Palace, from the west[122]
74.Foundation of fortification wall north of the Southern Citadel[123]
75.Drains between Southern Citadel wall and the mud wall[124]
76.Western part of the Southern Citadel[126]
77.Apadana of Xerxes in Persepolis[128]
78.Inscription from the Persian building[129]
79.Base of column from Persian building[129]
80.Enamelled artificial block from Persian building Coloured plate, facing[130]
81.The north-west corner of the Southern Citadel[132]
82.The moat wall of Imgur-Bel, west of the Southern Citadel[133]
83.Inscribed brick from the moat wall of Imgur-Bel[134]
84.Trench west of the Southern Citadel, during excavation[134]
85.Trench west of the Southern Citadel, completely excavated[135]
86.Inscribed brick from the Sargon wall[138]
87.Section through fortification walls north of the Southern Citadel[139]
88.Stamped brick of Nabopolassar’s Arachtu wall[140]
89.Inscribed brick of Nabopolassar’s Arachtu wall[141]
90.Chiselled brick of Nabopolassar’s Arachtu wall[142]
91.View of north-west corner of the Southern Citadel, with the Arachtu walls[143]
92.Space between the two mud walls[149]
93.Northern end of the inner city wall, from the south-east[151]
94.System of the inner city walls[152]
95.Drain in the inner city wall[153]
96.Nimitti-Bel foundation cylinder of Sardanapalus[154]
97.Drain through inner city wall[155]
98.Brickwork blocks in the Principal Citadel[157]
99.Inscribed paving blocks—above, Evil-Merodach; below, Nebuchadnezzar[159]
100.North-east corner of Principal Citadel, from the north[161]
101.The basalt lion in the Principal Citadel[162]
102.The Shamash-resh-ussur stela[163]
103.The Hittite stela, obverse[165]
104.The Hittite stela, reverse[165]
105.Pavement slab of Adad-nirari[166]
106.Doorway with drain, in north wall of the Principal Citadel[171]
107.Plan of the northern bastions, north-east of Kasr[172]
108.Ascent to the Acropolis. Homera in the background[175]
109.Stone wall of Northern Citadel, from west looking east[176]
110.Stone wall of Northern Citadel with inscription[177]
111.Inscription on the stone wall of the Northern Citadel[178]
112.Doorway with canal in stone wall[179]
113.Canal in front of the Northern Citadel, on the north[180]
114.Plan of Esagila and Etemenanki[184]
115.East side of the peribolos of Etemenanki[185]
116.Esarhaddon’s Etemenanki inscription[186]
117.Sardanapalus’ Etemenanki inscription[186]
118.Nebuchadnezzar’s Etemenanki inscription[187]
119.Reconstruction of the peribolos, with the tower of Babylon, the temple of Esagila, the quay wall of Nabonidus, and the Euphrates bridge[188]
120.Duck weight with inscription[190]
121.Upper part of a stela with divine emblems[191]
122.The western pier of the bridge over the Euphrates[198]
123.Plan of the mound Amran[205]
124.Section through Esagila[206]
125.Sardanapalus’ Esagila brick[207]
126.Esarhaddon’s Esagila brick[208]
127.Esarhaddon’s Esagila Babylon brick[209]
128.Terra-cotta figure from brick casket at Esagila[210]
129.The excavation of Esagila[213]
130.Tomb of Amran Ibn Ali[214]
131.Later buildings on northern slope of Amran[217]
132.Alabaster figure with asphalt perruque[218]
133.A slipper sarcophagus[219]
134.Esarhaddon’s Adad kunukku from Esagila[221]
135.Marduk-nâdin-shum’s Marduk kunukku[221]
136.Plan of Ishin aswad[224]
137.Ground-plan of temple “Z”[225]
138.Cella façade in temple “Z”[225]
139.Reconstruction of temple “Z”[226]
140.Figure of Papsukal from temple “Z”—front view[227]
141.Figure of Papsukal from temple “Z”—back view[227]
142.Plan of Epatutila[230]
143.Section of Epatutila[231]
144.Epatutila foundation cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar[232]
145.Figure from brick casket of Epatutila, restored[232]
146.Papsukal figure from principal cella postament in Epatutila[232]
147.Ruins of Epatutila[233]
148.Terra-cotta apes, male and female[234]
149.Early horseman, glazed[235]
150.Later horseman (Parthian?)[235]
151.Woman in covered litter, on horseback[235]
152.Coloured enamelled vase Coloured plate—[Frontispiece]
153.Schematic diagram of the transfer of the upper levels (A, B, left) of a mound of debris to lower-lying region (A, B, on the right)[237]
154.Schematic diagram of section through Babylonian house ruins, with wells[238]
155.Plan of Merkes[241]
156.View of street in Merkes[243]
157.First dynasty tablets[245]
158.Labyrinthine lines on a tablet[245]
159.Drawing on a tablet[246]
160.Pottery urn with tablets[247]
161.Bowls[247]
162.Aramaic incantation bowl[248]
163.Beakers[249]
164.Vases[249]
165.Storage jars, on ring stands below[250]
166.Large storage jars[250]
167.Fragments of Greek vases[251]
168.Flasks[251]
169.Flat circular vases[252]
170.Lamps[253]
171.Glazed rhyton[255]
172.Glass goblet and jug[255]
173.Ancient glass[256]
174.Earthenware bell[256]
175.Woman on a beaker or omphalos[257]
176.Earthenware boat[258]
177.Earthenware boats with animal inside[258]
178.Stone vessel[259]
179.Basalt bowl for rubbing out grain[259]
180.Ancient Babylonian rubbing-mill, in use by an Arab[260]
181.Prehistoric utensils[260]
182.Prehistoric implements[261]
183.Swords, lance-head, and knives, in bronze[262]
184.Bronze arrow-heads; prehistoric flint knife and saws[262]
185.Chain of onyx beads from grave in Merkes[263]
186.Grave deposits of gold, glass, and shell, from Merkes[264]
187.Leg-bones, each with five anklets, from Merkes[265]
188.Gold ornaments[266]
189.Bronze fibulae[267]
190.Rings and their seal impressions[267]
191.Cylinder seals and signet with their impressions[268]
192.Stone amulets[269]
193.Greek coins in a jar[270]
194.Two vertebrae, a boar’s tusk, and three bone joints prepared as sword handles[270]
195.Double-urn burial from Merkes[272]
196.Trough coffin, with lid[273]
197.Trough coffin, opened[273]
198.Crouching burial[274]
199.Brick grave from Merkes[274]
200.Anthropoid sarcophagus, north-east of Kasr[275]
201.Deposits from a coffin[276]
202.Female figure with folded hands (Ninmach?)[278]
203.Woman with folded hands, old Babylonian style[278]
204.Woman and child[278]
205.Woman and child, Graeco-Parthian style[279]
206.Woman and child, Graeco-Parthian style[279]
207.Seated woman and child[279]
208.Woman with hands supporting breasts[279]
209.Woman with hands supporting breasts[279]
210.Woman with hands supporting breasts, Graeco-Parthian style[280]
211.Woman with arms hanging down[280]
212.Male figure with goblet (Anu?)[281]
213.Man with folded hands[281]
214.Man with folded hands, Parthian style[281]
215.Bearded male figure, seated (Marduk?)[281]
216.Man with flower in his hand[281]
217.Woman with flower in her hand[281]
218.Woman holding palm branch (?)[282]
219.Woman holding palm branch (deity)[282]
220.Woman holding palm branch, Greek style[282]
221.Terra-cotta amulet[283]
222.Musician with double flute[283]
223.Lute-player[283]
224.Lute-player[283]
225.Woman with harp[284]
226.Woman with tambourine[284]
227.Woman reclining[284]
228.Woman reclining[284]
229.Pottery mask[284]
230.Pottery mask[285]
231.Greek terra-cotta[285]
232.Greek terra-cotta[285]
233.Greek terra-cotta[286]
234.Cupid as a jar handle[286]
235.Reconstruction of the Great House in Merkes[287]
236.Ground-plan of the Great House in Merkes[288]
237.Section of the Great House in Merkes[289]
238.Steps to roof in village of Kweiresh[290]
239.North-east corner of the Great House in Merkes[291]
240.Façade of house with doorway, brick grave in front, Merkes[292]
241.Ground-plan of house in Fara (Shuruppak)[293]
242.Ground-plan from Telloh[294]
243.Papsukal figure, from foundation casket of Ishtar temple[296]
244.Ground-plan of temple of Ishtar of Agade, Merkes[297]
245.Section of temple of Ishtar of Agade, Merkes[297]
246.Ground-plan of Ezida, the temple of Nebo, in Borsippa[298]
247.Temple of Ishtar of Agade in Merkes; view of cellafaçade[299]
248.Inscription from Greek theatre[301]
249.Plan of the mounds, Homera[302]
250.General view of the Greek theatre[303]
251.Statue pedestals in orchestra[304]
252.View of proscenium pillars[305]
253.Plan of Greek theatre, restored[306]
254.Gypsum decorations of Greek theatre[307]
255.Section through the northern mound of Homera[308]

Explanation of the Lettering
A The mound Amran.
ADK Ancient ruined village of Kweiresh.
AE Ancient Euphrates bed.
AK Ancient ruined canal.
AN Ancient Nil canal.
AS Outer city wall.
B The mound Babil.
DA The village of Ananeh.
DD The village of Djumdjumma.
DK The village of Kweiresh.
DS The village of Sindjar.
E Euphrates.
EM E-Mach, the temple of Ninmach.
EP E-Patutila, the temple of Ninib.
ES E-Sagila, the temple of Marduk.
ET E-Temenanki, the tower of Babylon.
F Fields.
FK Farm of Karabet.
G Tomb of Amran Ibn Ali.
GM Garden wall.
H The mound Homera.
IA Ishin aswad.
IS Inner city wall.
K The mound Kasr.
M Merkes.
MR Remains of walls.
N The Nil canal.
NB The Nil bridge.
NK New canal.
P Palms.
S Sachn.
T The Greek theatre.
TI Temple of Ishtar of Agade.
W Road.
WBH Road from Bagdad to Hilleh.
Z Temple Z of some unknown divinity.
Fig. 1.—PLAN OF THE RUINS OF THE CITY OF BABYLON.

I
THE OUTER CITY WALLS

In the time of Nebuchadnezzar the traveller who approached the capital of Babylonia from the north would find himself where the Nil Canal flows to-day, face to face with the colossal wall that surrounded mighty Babylon (Fig. [1]). Part of this wall still exists and is recognisable at the present time in the guise of a low earthen ridge about 4 to 5 kilometres in length. Up to the present we have only excavated a small part, so that it is only possible to give a detailed description of the most noteworthy features of these fortifications, that were rendered so famous by Greek authors.

There was a massive wall of crude brick 7 metres thick, in front of which, at an interval of about 12 metres, stood another wall of burnt brick 7.8 metres thick, with the strong wall of the fosse at its foot, also of burnt brick and 3.3 metres thick (Fig. [2]). The fosse must have been in front of this, but so far we have not searched closely for it, and therefore the counterscarp has not yet been found.

Astride on the mud wall were towers 8.37 metres (about 24 bricks) wide, that projected beyond the wall on both its faces. Measured from centre to centre these towers were 52.5 metres apart. Thus there was a tower at intervals of about 100 ells, for the Babylonian ell measured roughly half a metre.

Owing to the unfinished state of the excavations it is not yet possible to say how the towers on the outer wall were constructed. The space between the two walls was filled in with rubble, at least to the height at which the ruins are preserved and presumably to the crown of the outer wall. Thus on the top of the wall there was a road that afforded space for a team of four horses abreast, and even for two such teams to pass each other. Upon this crown of the wall the upper compartments of the towers faced each other like small houses.

This broad roadway on the summit of the wall, which was of world-renown owing to the descriptions of it given by classical writers, was of the greatest importance for the protection of the great city. It rendered possible the rapid shifting of defensive forces at any time to that part of the wall which was specially pressed by attack. The line of defence was very long; the north-east front, which can still be measured, is 4400 metres long, and on the south-east the ruined wall can be traced without excavation for a length of 2 kilometres. These two flanks of the wall certainly extended as far as the Euphrates as it flowed from north to south. With the Euphrates they enclosed that part of Babylon of which the ruins exist at the present time, but according to Herodotus and others they were supplemented on the other side of the Euphrates by two other walls, so that the town site consisted of a quadrangle through which the Euphrates flowed diagonally. Of the western walls nothing is now to be seen. Whether the traces of a line of wall to the south near the village of Sindjar will prove to have formed part of them has yet to be ascertained.