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Eight Wonders of the World

- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

By andrea villaPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is one of the most famous wonders of the ancient world. Located in present-day Iraq, the gardens were believed to have been built by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BCE. The gardens were said to have been a magnificent feat of engineering and horticulture, featuring terraces, waterfalls, exotic plants, and a complex irrigation system.

Despite being one of the most celebrated wonders of the ancient world, there is some debate over whether the Hanging Gardens of Babylon actually existed. While many ancient historians wrote about the gardens, and their descriptions were widely circulated, no physical remains have been found.

The gardens were said to have been built to appease Nebuchadnezzar's wife, Amytis, who was homesick for the lush vegetation of her homeland in Media (present-day Iran). According to legend, Nebuchadnezzar commissioned the construction of a series of terraced gardens that would resemble the mountains of Media and be filled with exotic plants and trees.

The gardens were said to have been built on a raised platform of mud bricks, with the terraces rising one above the other to a height of over 75 feet. The platform was then covered in layers of asphalt and lead to make it waterproof, and a system of pumps and waterwheels was used to transport water from the Euphrates River to the top of the garden.

The gardens were said to have been filled with exotic plants and trees, including palm trees, cedars, and pines, as well as flowers and fruit trees. The gardens were irrigated using a complex system of canals and aqueducts, which were designed to distribute water evenly across the terraces.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were said to have been a symbol of the wealth and power of the Babylonian empire. The gardens were visited by many foreign dignitaries and were considered one of the wonders of the ancient world.

Despite their fame, the gardens were destroyed and their location lost to history. Many theories have been put forward as to what happened to the gardens, with some historians speculating that they were destroyed by earthquakes, while others suggest that they may have been dismantled and moved to another location.

In recent years, there have been some efforts to uncover the remains of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Archaeologists have conducted excavations in the area where the gardens were said to have been located, but so far no physical evidence of the gardens has been found.

Despite the mystery surrounding the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, they remain one of the most iconic symbols of the ancient world. Their beauty and magnificence continue to inspire people today, and their legacy lives on in the many legends and stories that have been passed down through the ages.

In recent years, there have been some efforts to uncover the remains of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Archaeologists have conducted excavations in the area where the gardens were said to have been located, but so far no physical evidence of the gardens has been found.

Despite the mystery surrounding the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, they remain one of the most iconic symbols of the ancient world. Their beauty and magnificence continue to inspire people today, and their legacy lives on in the many legends and stories that have been passed down through the ages.

Despite the mystery surrounding the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, they remain one of the most iconic symbols of the ancient world. Their beauty and magnificence continue to inspire people today, and their legacy lives on in the many legends and stories that have been passed down through the ages.

history
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