The ancient city known for its hanging gardens is Babylon, which was one of the most prominent cities of ancient Mesopotamia, located in present-day Iraq. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although their exact location and existence have been subjects of debate among historians and archaeologists.
Babylon was established around 1894 BC and grew into a significant cultural, religious, and political center. Under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605 to 562 BC, the city reached its zenith. Nebuchadnezzar is often credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens, built to please his wife, Amytis of Media. She reportedly missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland, leading her husband to create an extraordinary series of terraced gardens that resembled mountains.
The gardens are said to have been constructed using a series of terraces made from mud bricks, filled with a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and vines. The intricate irrigation system ensured that the gardens flourished in the arid climate of Babylon. However, the precise method of irrigation remains unclear, adding an air of mystery to the gardens. Some scholars believe water was lifted from the Euphrates River using an Archimedes screw or similar device, but this theory is unproven.
Despite the grand descriptions in ancient texts, some historians argue that the Hanging Gardens might not have been located in Babylon at all, suggesting that they could have been situated in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, instead. The writings of ancient historians, like Strabo and Philo of Byzantium, describe the gardens in such elaborate detail that they have fueled speculation over their true nature and location.
Today, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon hold a special place in mythology and the imagination of people around the world. They symbolize the ingenuity of ancient civilizations and the lengths to which rulers would go to please their loved ones. Although the gardens may no longer be visible today, their legacy continues to thrive in literature and art, painting a picture of a magnificent ancient world full of wonder.