The 2000-year story of Babylon sees it moving from a city-state to the centre of a great empire of the ancient world. It remained a centre of kingship under the empires of Assyria, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Alexander the Great, the Seleucids and the Parthians. Its city walls were declared to be a Wonder of the World while its ziggurat won fame as the Tower of Babel. Visitors to Berlin can admire its Ishtar Gate, and the supposed location of its elusive Hanging Garden is explained. Worship of its patron god Marduk spread widely while its well-trained scholars communicated legal, administrative and literary works throughout the ancient world, some of which provide a backdrop to Old Testament and Hittite texts. Its science also laid the foundations for Greek and Arab astronomy through a millennium of continuous astronomical observations. This accessible and up-to-date account is by one of the world's leading authorities.

'… this detailed history, drawing on fascinating ancient texts and the archaeology of the site, is valuable reading for anyone wanting to get to grips with ancient Babylon.'

Lucia Marchini Source: Minerva Magazine

‘An excellent work … Highly recommended.’

S. M. Burstein Source: Choice Magazine

‘… an overview of the 2000-year history of the city of Babylon, bringing the story up to date with a great deal of recent research and many new interpretations that have rarely made it into works for general readers. Creating a book like this is a difficult task, but Dalley has met the challenge expertly, creating a clear narrative that is well researched and nicely organized.’

Amanda H. Podany Source: Biblioteca Orientalis

‘The Greek Bible distinguishes Babylon from Babel, but in Hebrew it is the same menacing reality. Over the course of a history spanning two millennia, this initially modest city became the center of a succession of empires in antiquity, from Assyria to the Parthians, rivals of Rome, via Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and even Alexander the Great, who died there. This long history is presented by the author in a detailed, well-documented, and vivid manner, period by period …’

Etienne Nodet Source: Revue Biblique