Below is the seventh in a series of articles from Mark McLaughlin showcasing the 16 civilizations in Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East. You can find the first six articles in the series here.
“…then Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak, so that I should rule over the black-headed people like Shamash and enlighten the land, to further the well-being of mankind.
-from the Code of Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC)
Babylon was the greatest, most prized, most awe-inspiring, most populous and, according to the Old Testament, most corrupt city of the ancient world. No other empire could call itself such until it held Babylon. The storied law-giver, Hammurabi, built this city-state into an empire; but he earned lasting fame and glory not for his martial but for his legal brilliance. His Code created the foundation for most legal systems still with us today. Babylon’s history had many ups and downs. Frequently conquered, it also regularly rebelled. Even after its doom was written on the wall by the hand of God and it fell to Cyrus the Great of Persia, Babylon retained its legendary importance and allure – as evidenced by the triumphal march through the city’s fabled Ishtar Gate by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. (A feat you, too, can attempt in the scenario which bears the Macedonian bully’s name).
In the game, Babylon’s darker side comes to the foe as it is that it is one of but two civilizations in the game who will, if possible, take captives rather than a mina if it should seize and loot another civilization’s City. Nevertheless, Babylon has it all: bonuses to gain disks, mina and improve its Fate card hand. This is as it should be, considering it was thought to be the center of the world (in more ways than one). Those bonuses are largely dependent upon keeping a City in Babylon (as it should be), but even if the City is reduced or falls, the rich, fertile lands around it ensure that even if down, Babylon is rarely out.
Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Sumerians
Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Egyptians
Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Elamites
Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Assyrians
Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Akkadians
Author: Mark McLaughlin
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