city-state · c. 1894–539 BC
Babylon
Babylon was a great city and kingdom of ancient Mesopotamia, famed under Hammurabi for its law code and later for the legendary Hanging Gardens.
Key Takeaways
- Babylon was a leading power of ancient Mesopotamia.
- Under Hammurabi it produced one of the earliest written law codes.
- Babylonian astronomers made pioneering observations of the heavens.
- It fell to Cyrus the Great's Persians in 539 BC.
- Type
- City-state / kingdom
- Famous king
- Hammurabi
- Fell to
- Cyrus the Great (539 BC)
Rising on the Euphrates, Babylon became the political and cultural heart of Mesopotamia, renowned for Hammurabi's law code, advances in astronomy and mathematics, and monumental architecture.
Babylon was the jewel of ancient Mesopotamia, a city on the Euphrates that twice rose to dominate the region. Under King Hammurabi it produced one of the world’s earliest written law codes, and its scholars laid foundations in astronomy and mathematics that the Greeks would later inherit.
The city’s wealth and monuments became legendary. In 539 BC Babylon fell to Cyrus the Great, who folded it into the new Persian Empire — but its name has echoed through history ever since.
Key Achievements
- Produced the Code of Hammurabi.
- Advanced astronomy and mathematics.
Notable Figures of Babylon
Hammurabi
86Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon who united Mesopotamia under his rule and issued the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest and most complete written law codes in history.
Hammurabi
86Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon who united Mesopotamia under his rule and issued the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest and most complete written law codes in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Babylon famous for?
Babylon was famous for Hammurabi's law code, its advances in astronomy and mathematics, and later legends such as the Hanging Gardens; it fell to Persia in 539 BC.