Ancient Babylon.

Dedicated to Eleni and Alseia (Al see ah), whose family support us on Patreon.
Written & told by Bertie.
Proofed & audio edited by Jana Elizabeth.
Hello, this is Bertie, and I’m here with the latest story based on the Histories of Herodotus.

In a previous episode I told you how a young Persian called Cyrus rose to power in the part of
the world we now call Iran. He led a hill tribe called the Persians in revolt against their masters,
the Medes. When he made himself king of the Medes and the Persians, Cyrus inherited an
empire, that already included a large part of the Middle East. Before long, he set his sights on the
biggest prize of all - Babylon.

Babylon was probably the largest, wealthiest and most powerful city in the world at that time. Its
name meant, “God’s Gate”.
It was based on a bend in the River Euphrates in what we now call Iraq, about 50 miles south of
Bagdad. You will often hear the word Mesopotamia to describe that part of the world. It is Greek
for Between the Rivers - referring to the Euphrates and the Tigris. The people who lived between
the two great rivers dug water channels into the land so that they could easily farm crops and
grow food.

This fertile part of the world was where writing first appeared around 3,100 years before the
birth of Christ. And in many ways, it's where civilisation began.
Herodotus visited Babylon and has left us a detailed description. He said it surpassed any other
city in its splendour and size. It was surrounded by a moat and two massive walls. The outer
walls were wide enough for two chariots to pass each other along the top of them. The River
Euphrates ran right through the centre and people crossed the river in little round boats to reach
the other side of the city.
He does not mention the Hanging Gardens of Babylon that were one of the seven Wonders of the
Ancient World. These were gardens that ran up the side of the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar like a
slope on a side of the mountain covered in trees and plants. All day long men worked screw
pumps to bring water up from the Euphrates and to sprinkle the gardens.

The widest and most beautiful of the eight gates of Babylon was the Ishtar Gate, which was
covered in a blue lapis gaze and decorated with images of lions and bulls. This opened onto a
broad central avenue along which great processions would pass during festivals.

Ancient Babylon features often in the Bible. It is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis under
the name of Babel. According to the Bible story, there was a time when all people spoke one
language. Humans tried to build a tower - the Tower of Babel - So tall that it would reach up to
Heaven. God struck the tower down, and scattered people all over the world, making them
babble in different languages so that they would no longer be united.

And Babylon plays a major part in the history of the Jews, as recorded in the Bible. Because
Babylon’s greatest king Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in the year 587
BC. He led many of the surviving Jews back to Babylon as slaves. Psalm 137 in the Bible recalls
the time of sadness.
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion”.
Those words were made into a disco song in the 1970s by the group, Boney-M.
The Book of Daniel in the Bible features a story called the Feast of Belshazzar. Belshazzar,
crown prince of Babylon held a feast where he and his friends drank from goblets stolen from the
temple of Jerusalem which they had ruined. While they were revelling, the hand of god appeared
and wrote four mysterious words on the wall. Belshazzar was both terrified and baffled by the
strange writing. His magicians could not solve the puzzle, and his queen advised him to call a
Jew, Daniel who was known for his wisdom. Daniel explained the Writing on the Wall as
meaning that the days were numbered for both Belshazzar and Babylon and they would both be
destroyed. And soon they both were.

The story is probably a fable, but it’s related to the real fall of Babylon.

The Persian Cyrus led his army against Babylon in the year 539 BC. Herodotus tells us that he
delayed his attack on the city for one year, in order to punish a river. Yes - you heard that right -
a river. His favourite white horse had plunged into the river Gyndes and had been swept away by
its currents. Cyrus was so furious with the river that he ordered his men to weaken it. They spent
the whole summer digging trenches to take away its waters and after that they had to postpone
the attack on Babylon until the following spring.

The Persian army met the Babylonians outside the city walls at the Battle of Opis. The Persians
defeated the Babylonians who then retreated back into the city where they had stocked up
enough food to hold out for years.

According to Herodotus, Cyrus ordered his men to dig channels into the River Euphrates at the point
where it flowed into the city. These channels lowered the water of the river, so that his army could
wade into Babylon. They sneaked into the city during a religious festival, when the Babylonians were too
busy partying to notice that they were being attacked. The city fell easily.

That’s the version told by Herodotus. We have another story from an ancient document that is
even more interesting. The document is written by somebody who was actually there at the time
- although he may have been a bit biased because that person was Cyrus himself.

After taking Babylon, Cyrus wrote the story of his conquest on a roundish stone called a
cylinder. The cylinder is now in the British museum in London.

He wrote:

I am Cyrus, king of the world, great king, mighty king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and
Akkad, king of the four quarters.
And he tells us that Marduk, the god of the Babylonians, was angry with the rulers of the city.
King, Nabonidu had stopped worshipping him. Marduk searched the world for a good king and
found Cyrus the Persian and ordered him to attack Babylon.
Cyrus marched with an army so vast that like the waters of a river, you could not even count the
numbers of his men. He entered Babylon without a battle and the people rejoiced and bowed down and
kissed his feet. He came in peace and did not permit his soldiers to frighten any of the people. Then he
 returned the images of the gods to their temples. And he let the people who lived in Babylon return to
their homes.

Cyrus does not specifically mention the Jews, but many people think that last sentence is about
them. We know that Cyrus did indeed allow the Jews to return home from Babylon. He also
ordered the temple of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Not surprisingly the Bible repeatedly praised
Cyrus and calls him Anointed by the Lord.

And that’s the story of how Cyrus, king of the Persians, conquered the greatest city in the world.
He did not use a full on attack, but what is called diplomacy. He seems to have persuaded the
people of Babylon that he would look after them and their gods better than their own king. After
he took the city, he did not destroy it, or murder its people and rulers, or turn anyone into slaves.
Instead he set himself up as a wise and just ruler.

Other generals at the time, and in most other periods of history, were not nearly so wise. It’s
more the norm for victers to kill and enslave their defeated enemies. Some people claim that
Cyrus was the founder of human rights - but I think that’s going way too far. His mercy was
conditional on people handing over their gold, bowing down before him, and even kissing his
feet. He realised it was efficient to rule with people’s agreement, and to enroll them willingly
into his army to make his forces even greater. Even so, it is the quality of mercy that made Cyrus
one of the greatest military leaders of all time.

And I'm delighted to dedicate this story to Eleni and Alseia (Al see ah) who love to listen to
Storynory in their home in New Zealand. They especially love the Lapis stories and The History
of Herodotus.

Eleni is 7 1/2 and loves books and ballet, Alseia is 4 3/4 and loves gardening and singing.
Their parents, Phil and Susannah have signed up as monthly supporters on Patreon and we’re
very grateful for their support.
For now, from me Bertie, goodbye!
Herodotus

The Cretan Bull

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Did you like this story? Please write in English. Comments are moderated.

 Please don’t call The Bible a fable. It is history, and more valid than Herodotus’ writings. Before
making such statements, you would be wise to investigate the historicity and authenticity of
biblical writings. Making a sweeping statement that stories in the Bible are fables is just ignorant
and belies your worldview.

Anonymous — January 22, 2019

 Dear Anon, I’m not saying all the Bible is a fable – and there is historical truth in the story about
the destruction of the temple and the exile in Babylon. These are major historical facts which the
Bible does record. However, the story of the writing on the wall has several historical
inaccuracies in it – not to mention the supernatural element in it.

The Book of Daniel confused Darius with Cyrus. It thinks that Darius captured Babylon which
nobody else claims, and it even contradicts the rest of the Bible which praises Cyrus as ‘the king
of Babylon’ who ordered the temple to be rebuilt (Darius came later).
The Book of Daniel is also confused about who Belshazzar was and how he met his end. But as I
say, it is generally correct about the fall of Babylon. It’s surely interesting – if you are looking at
history – that Herodotus and the Bible and the Cylinder of Cyrus are all discussing the same
great event – the fall of Babylon.
It’s not quite accurate to say that all the Bible is history – which records the past – some of it is
prophesy which records the future – an important difference.

Of all the sources on the fall of Babylon, the Cylinder of Cyrus surely has the most credibility
because he was contemporary with the events.

If you are interested there is more here.

http://www4.westminster.edu/staff/brennie/rel101/daniel.htm
Bertie — January 22, 2019
 First comment!!!!!! Badest story l have ever heard!!

Stuti — January 22, 2019

 It’s not my favourite but keep them coming anyway

Jo malone — January 22, 2019

 this audio is the best I listen I like storynory

daniel — January 22, 2019

 Awesome! !I love history! !

Dibora — January 22, 2019

 I hate this story because some people might have another faith

Lebron — January 22, 2019

 the bible is NOT a fable it is history O:<

Isabella2445 — January 22, 2019

 i like

lesther — January 22, 2019

 11th?

Adrian — January 22, 2019

 Probably as accurate you can get.

pistachios — January 23, 2019

 I’m a little mad you’re calling the bible a fable but the audio is still nice to.

Ari — January 23, 2019

 i love this book

lesther — January 23, 2019

 you guys need to see indiana jones movie´s than you would get the answer of this story and this
story was great .

luke — January 23, 2019

 ok good story I like this story

Demitri — January 23, 2019

 o.k good story i love the characters but it is a biblenot a fable.

Demitri — January 23, 2019

 I didn’t even read the story yet but I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eva 8 — January 23, 2019

 The story would not turn on very cute emoji!!!!!!!!!!!!but

still,,,,,,,
 Eva 8 — January 23, 2019
 All the people leaving annoying comments about the bible being called a fable need to get a life.
This is the first story on this website that I listened to, so I can’t yet compare it to others but I did
thoroughly enjoy listening to it.

Herbie Hind — January 24, 2019

 Hello,

I have not listened to the last few stories but I liked this one..like the other Histories of
Herodotus..

From Nobody.

PLEASE POST THE NEXT PARY OF MILO, DAISY AND THE WHITE RABBIT SOON.

Nobody — January 24, 2019

 I love it

bertie — January 24, 2019

 nice good

Anonymous — January 25, 2019

 It’s just a story no need to be offended

Kitty meow meow — January 25, 2019

 Great

Hfhfujm — January 26, 2019

 I love that you include the Bible in some of your stories. They really help me be reassured that
the history that I hear on podcasts have biblical principles as well^_^
Thank you Berny!
Unicorn300 — January 26, 2019
 Could you do some stories about Bible stories that are located in the Bible? Like, read it from the
book?
Thanks! Ps. Richard, I love your voices lol!
Unicorn300 — January 26, 2019
 I LIKET IT

AIDEN — January 28, 2019

 nice story

izayiah — January 28, 2019

 nice story

izayiahwilson — January 28, 2019

 dear dibora I do not like history but I love the word history. ;]
 eliwilson — January 28, 2019
 I love the Bible

Eli wilson — January 28, 2019

 I keep listening to this and I can’t stop

Ari M. — January 29, 2019

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ELIWILSON — January 29, 2019

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jovian wilson — January 29, 2019
 hay I think it’s interesting

saab — January 29, 2019

 hi, i love your story

prescott — January 29, 2019

 That is great. Thank. Masoud from Iran.

‫ — سعیدپور مسعود‬January 30, 2019

 Omg that was a good song next time put xxxtentacion changes plz plz respond

Thiago — January 30, 2019

 i like this

kingsten — January 31, 2019

 cool

harden — January 31, 2019

 I like

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Anonymous — February 1, 2019

 Please don’t call The Bible a fable. It is history, and more valid than Herodotus’ writings. Before
making such statements, you would be wise to investigate the historicity and authenticity of
biblical writings. Making a sweeping statement that stories in the Bible are fables is just ignorant
and belies your worldview.

blablabla — February 1, 2019

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Anonymous — February 1, 2019

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