Mesopotamia: Ishtar Gate

The Ishtar Gate became the entryway to the thriving city of Babylon (present-day Iraq) during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. In approximately 600 BC, this structure was made of glazed brick depicting lions, dragons, and bulls in low relief. A symbol of power and wealth, this gateway led to elaborate palaces and Hanging Gardens. The Hanging Gardens, only evidenced through ancient writings, was believed to have been an irrigated garden of tropical and lush plants to remind the Queen of her homeland that she missed so much.

Today, the Ishtar Gate is on display at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.