The City of Babylon

Babylon is represented as a fortified and crenellated city wall. Towers with small circular apertures rise over the projecting city gates at regular intervals. Figures tower above the battlemented sentry walk. On the north, east and south sides of the double capital they hold an object in their hand, and point downwards with their outstretched index finger. On the west side they look and point upwards. All seem to be engaged in a lively discussion. In the corners of the east side both towers carry an inscription that identifies the city: BABILONIA on the one side, MAGNA on the other (in the latter case the letters are shown in relief), “the great Babylon“. The ten towers, which stretch up to the upper margin of the calathus, symbolize the arrogance of the city.
Babylon was regarded as a regular sink of iniquity. In Holy Scripture the prophet Isaiah describes the city as pompous, lascivious and the abode of sorcerers (Isa 14:1-15). In the Book of Revelation, as the seven plagues are poured over the world, Babylon is described as follows: “God remembered great Babylon, to make her drain the cup of the fury of his wrath” (Rev 16:19). In another passage the city is castigated as “Babylon the great, mother of harlots and of earth’s abominations” (17:5). As the city of Nebuchadnezzar it is also mentioned in the Book of Daniel after the king’s dream and its interpretation by the prophet: “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power, as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan 4:30).

city Nebuchadnezzar gates inscription battlement fortification Babel Babylon Isaiah Revelation book Daniel MAGNA BABILONIA