Walls of Babylon
Oil on wood, 36 cm x 47 cm, by Bernard Rantwyck 1611, after the engraving by Philips Galle
Pitti Palace, Florence


 

See Seven Wonders of the World

The Walls of Babylon were immense defensive structures surrounding the ancient city in present-day Iraq, built during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 605–562 BC). Known for their strength and elaborate design, they featured multiple layers of fortifications, moats, and towers. The walls were said to be wide enough for chariots to ride along the top and included the renowned Ishtar Gate, adorned with glazed bricks depicting lions, dragons, and bulls. While their engineering and scale contributed to their inclusion amongst the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (sometimes in preference to the Hanging Gardens), ancient accounts, particularly those of Herodotus, likely exaggerated their dimensions. Archaeological excavations confirm that Babylon had formidable walls, but their actual height was probably around 12 metres rather than the 100 metres claimed by Herodotus. The Ishtar Gate, a significant element of the city's defences, has been partially reconstructed and is now displayed in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Rantwyck's depiction of the walls combines artistic imagination with historical accounts, offering a Renaissance-era perspective on one of history’s most renowned structures.