Who Built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (sometimes called the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis) are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But who built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? This post will answer that question and then tell you a few interesting facts about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon!
Who Built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
The Hanging Gardens were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II who was the ruler of Babylon in the Chaldean Dynasty and reigned between 605 and 562 BC. It is believed that Nebuchadnezzar constructed the gardens for his wife Amytis of Media who was very sick at the time. She longed for the lovely trees and fragrant plants from her homeland Persia.
Interesting Facts about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- The Hanging Gardens were destroyed by several earthquakes sometime after the second century BC.
- Something similar to an Archimedes screw was probably used to raise water to the required height so the plants would receive enough water. Writings on several tablets describe its use.
- To prevent water from eroding the ground, Nebuchadnezzar used massive slabs of stone. This had something that had never been done in Babylon!
- We know from the Bible that Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah and Jerusalem and sent the Jews into exile. Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in several books of the Bible and is featured heavily in the Book of Daniel.
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