WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
The excavations at Babylon cover

The excavations at Babylon

Chapter 13: X THE SOUTHERN CITADEL
By Robert Koldewey
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Archaeology & AnthropologyHistory - Ancient

About This Book

The work provides a detailed, chronological account of large-scale archaeological excavations at an ancient Mesopotamian city, outlining areas opened, trenching strategies, and the sequence of field campaigns. It describes uncovered architectural elements such as monumental gates, thick defensive walls, temples, palaces, processional streets, and a stone bridge, with particular attention to enamelled bricks and relief decoration. Stratigraphic observations and house-plan exposures are used to reconstruct phases of occupation and urban development. The volume includes measured plans, illustrations, and photographs, accompanied by epigraphic readings and interpretive commentary that relate finds to building history. Practical notes on excavation methodology, conservation, and logistical challenges complete the account.

X
THE SOUTHERN CITADEL

Fig. 43.—Reconstruction of Southern Citadel, from the north. The excavation of the western part is incomplete.

N. Temple of Ninmach. I. Ishtar Gate.

The southern, most ancient part of the Acropolis of Babylon we have been accustomed to distinguish as the Southern Citadel (Figs. 43, 44). This also was not all built at one time but at successive periods. The oldest part lies between the squaring lines i to m of the Kasr plan (cf., for the squares, Fig. 13). Here apparently stood a palace of Nabopolassar, which Nebuchadnezzar preserved in order to dwell there during the building of the eastern portion. This eastern side in front of the ancient palace, which was originally unoccupied or only built upon with private houses, was enclosed by a fortification wall of which certain of the more ancient parts still remain, such as the arched door on the eastern side. Nebuchadnezzar’s first work consisted in rebuilding the surrounding walls of the eastern part of this fortress with burnt brick, raising the whole square to a higher level, and placing on it a new palace. The new part was connected for a time with the older, lower portion by ramps (Fig. 67), which have been discovered uninjured beneath the pavement. The second building period of Nebuchadnezzar also renewed the ancient palace, raised it to the same height, and extended the western boundary as far as the squaring line g of the Kasr plan. Thus the whole formed a connected uniform building of quite unusual size. The further and later important enlargement of the palace by Nebuchadnezzar, which extended to the north and the west of the Southern Citadel, we will consider later. In the meantime we will turn to the inspection of the Southern Citadel, which presents itself as being uniformly the work of Nebuchadnezzar. Neriglissar’s work consisted of a restoration of the upper parts of the western portion. Nabonidus repaved the great court with fine large bricks, many of which still remain in position, and Artaxerxes built an Apadana against the west front, of which the foundations, as well as enamelled bricks and fragments of marble pillars and inscriptions, have been found (f 25 in plan). (Cf. p. 127 et seq.)

Fig. 44.—Complete plan of Southern Citadel. N. Ninmach Temple. I. Ishtar Door.