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The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by Nebuchadnezzar around 600 B.C. to please his wife, who was lonely for her homeland. They were destroyed after the first century B.C. by an earthquake. They are considered one of the original Seven Wonders of the World.

Greek historians have extensively documented Hanging Gardens, although many have confused them with other gardens existing at Nineveh. Tablets from Nineveh show gardens, carefully watered and nurtured.

Babylonian history shows no documentation on the hanging Gardens. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were first described in the late fourth century B.C., and later Greek historians elaborated on these accounts.

Archaeological excavation of the palace has uncovered buildings and in nearby well. However, Greek historians stated that the Hanging Gardens were located on the banks of the Euphrates River, far from the palace.

Recent excavations near the Euphrates River show some massive walls, some 25 m thick. Seeds and other substances scattered in the area seemed to indicate a garden nearby. Further proof is needed before it can be decisively stated whether these were in fact the original Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Ancient picture of the Hanging Gardens. Irrigation on a man-made slope.

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