GROUP 2 – BS PHARMACY 1C GSTS 7:30-8:30 R306

ALVAREZ, Vincent
ASSAYCO, James Beaver
BERNAS, Mae Angelica
BONGAOIL, Airhyle Krisha
BUMANGLAG, Evon Mae Sanndy

BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
The city of Babylon was founded by Akkadians around 2300 B.C. in ancient
Southern Mesopotamia, currently known as Iraq, along the Euphrates River
(History.com Editors, 2018). It became one of the largest cities of the ancient world
during the reign of King Hammurabi from 1792 to 1750 B.C. but after his death,
Babylonia fell apart and brought back to a small kingdom [ CITATION Jar17 \l 1033 ].
Until such time that the town was ruled by new set of kings from 626 B.C. to 539
B.C., and the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar around 612 B.C. wherein they
defeated the Assyrians at Nineveh, Babylonian civilization regained their
power [ CITATION Nel20 \l 1033 ]. The fall of Babylon happened in 539 B.C., when
King Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered the empire and then came under the
Persian control [ CITATION Ran20 \l 1033 ].
During the regime of Babylonian Empire, it cannot be denied that they
contributed a big part in the world today. Their significant contributions and
inventions became relevant in agriculture, architecture, transportation,
communication, literature, medicine, and other miscellaneous aspects that plays a
vital role in people’s lives. Some inventions and contributions are discussed
below.
AGRICULTURE
 Planting different crops, mainly barley, was the livelihood of Babylonians due that it
was blessed with fertile soil and temperate area [ CITATION Cra11 \l 1033 ].

ARCHITECTURE
 Tower of Babel was built in the land of Shinar which was believed as a myth
and may have been inspired by the Babylonian tower temple called Bab-ilu which
means gate of God.
 Hanging Gardens of Babylon was built during the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar
for his wife, Queen Amytis.

TRANSPORTATION
 In the year 3500 B.C., the first wheel was not invented for transportation but it is
invented as a potter’s wheel used for irrigation, pottery making and milling then
later on used as a means of transportation for the wealthy [ CITATION Adh19 \l 1033 ].
 In 3200 B.C., the invention of chariot, made from a lightwood with a bentwood
rim, was based on the invention of the wheel. It was used as a personal
transportation when the Babylonians started domesticating animals [ CITATION Adh19 \l
1033 ].

MEDICINE
 The Babylonian’s way of treating illnesses was through consulting a priest for it was
believed that a disease was brought upon by demons and bad spirits and the
only medicine was to pray to gods and goddesses [ CITATION Wicnd \l 1033 ].

POLITICS
 Hammurabi’s Code, inscribed in a 7-feet tall stone stele made of black diorite,
was set of laws instituted by King Hammurabi to govern the people under his
influential and fast-growing empire. More than a millennium after Hammurabi’s
death, his system of laws were copied by different cities and was placed on clay
tablets in 5th century B.C. [CITATION Jar13 \l 1033 ].

COMMUNICATION AND LITERATURE

 Cuneiform was comprised less than 1,000 characters used for accounting,
administrative and business purposes, and it was the first known form of
communication but cannot be regarded as a language [ CITATION Adh19 \l 1033 ].

GEOGRAPHY
 A Babylonian cartographer created the first ancient Mesopotamia world map in 2300
B.C. which covers small region of Babylonia and shows trade routes used as a
reference during military campaigns, hunting and exploration [ CITATION Adh19 \l 1033 ].

ASTROLOGY
 Astrology was the practice of Babylonian priests in determining the will of the
gods.  They recognized 18 constellations but they later focused on the 12 most
important constellations, which were adopted by the Greeks and aligned with the
constellations that we use today known as horoscope. They also recognized five of
the planets, along with the Sun and Moon which were associated with different gods.
Studying the movements of these celestial bodies made them come up with the
concept of time and the idea of lunar and solar eclipse [ CITATION Rob18 \l 1033 ].
References

Adhikari, S. (2019, November 29). Top 11 inventions and discoveries of mesopotamia.

Retrieved from Ancient History Lists:
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/mesopotamia-history/top-11-inventions-and-
discoveries-of-mesopotamia/
Crabben, j. (2011, February 23). Agriculture in the Fertile Crescent. Retrieved from
Ancient History Encyclopedia: https://www.ancient.eu/amp/2-9/
Editors, H. (2018, February 2). Babylonia. Retrieved from History:
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-middle-east/babylonia
Jarus, O. (2013, September 3). Code of Hammurabi: Ancient Babylonian Laws.
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babylon-center-of-mesopotamian-civilization.html
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https://www.historyonthenet.com/the-wonders-of-ancient-babylon
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Influenced Your Horoscope. Retrieved from Ancient Origins: https://www.ancient-
origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/babylonian-astrology-0010806
Wickramanayake, R. (n.d.). Babylonian History of Medicine. Retrieved from
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