|
| Iraq, Babylon, Mesopotamia |
|
| |
Iraq, Babylon, Mesopotamia
Iraq, known in ancient times as Mesopotamia. It was home to the world's first known civilization, the Sumerian culture The ruins of Ur, Babylon (Babylon, ancient city, Mesopotamia), and other ancient cities are in Iraq.
Iraq was the site of flourishing ancient civilizations, including the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Parthian cultures. (Babylon, ancient city, Mesopotamia) *The origins of the name Iraq is disputed. There are several suggested origins for the name. One dates to the Sumerian city of Uruk (or Erech)[citation needed]; another maintains that Iraq comes from the Aramaic language, meaning "the land along the banks of the rivers"[citation needed]; another that Iraq refers to the root of a palm tree numerous in the country[citation needed]. * Print in light blue is from Wikipedia.
According to Professor Wilhelm Eilers, The name al-‘Irāq, for all its Arabic apperance, is derived from Middle Persian erāq "lowlands".
Under the Persian Sassanid dynasty, there was a region called "Erak Arabi," referring to the part of the south western region of the Persian Empire that is now part of southern Iraq. The name Al-Iraq was used by the Arabs themselves, from the 6th century, for the land Iraq covers.
The patron god of Babylon, Marduk (probably compares with Bel), became a leading deity in the Neo-Babylonian pantheon.
The city was destroyed (c.689 B.C.) by the Assyrians and its real spendor belongs to the later period of Babylonia after the city was rebuilt. The brilliant color and luxury of Babylon became legendary from the days of Nebuchadnezzar (d. 562 B.C.). The Hanging Gardens were one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The walls of Babylon, its palace, and the processional way with the famous Ishtar Gate ( Dedicated to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the Gate was constructed of blue glazed tiles with alternating rows of bas-relief sirrush (dragons) and aurochs.) were decorated with colorfully glazed brick. The roof and doors of the gate were of cedar, according to the dedication plaque. Through the gate ran the Processional Way which was lined with walls covered in lions on glazed bricks (about 120 of them). The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon. It was constructed in about 575 BC by order of King Nebuchadnezzar II on the north side of the city. The city was famed for its sensual living.
The region is the legendary locale of the Garden of Eden. The origin of the term "Eden", which in Hebrew means "delight" .
I also must note,****There have been a number of claims as to the actual geographic location of the Garden of Eden, though many of these have little or no connection to the text of Genesis. Most put the Garden somewhere in the Middle East near Armenia, with Jewish tradition citing Yerevan at 40°10′12.0″N, 44°31′12.0″E, and with Mount Ararat only 30 miles to the south west.(information written between astericks taken from Wikipedia and Wikipedia also has statement, "Another possibility was proposed by archaeologist David Rohl, based on archaeological evidence, putting the garden in north-western Iran.")****
After the death of Assurbanipal, the last great Assyrian monarch, Nabopolassar, the ruler of Babylonia, established (625 B.C.) his independence. He allied himself with the Medes and Persians and helped to bring about the capture of Nineveh (612 B.C.) and the fall of the Assyrian Empire. He established what is generally known as the Chaldaean or New Babylonian Empire. Under his son, Nebuchadnezzar, the new empire reached its height (see Babylon). The Hebrews were defeated and punished with the Babylonian captivity. Egypt had already been defeated by Nebuchadnezzar in the great battle of Carchemish (605) while Nabopolassar was still alive
Muslims conquered Iraq in the seventh century A.D. In the eighth century, the Abassid caliphate established its capital at Baghdad, which became a frontier outpost on the Ottoman Empire.
The kingdom of Iraq was formed in 1921 (Iraq became a republic in 1958). Most of the country’s once large Jewish population emigrated to Israel in the early 1950s.
About the size of California.
Muslim 97%, Christian 3%, others less than 1%. Small communities of Christians, Jews, Bahais, Mandaeans, and Yezidis also exist. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslim but differ from their Arab neighbors in language, dress, and customs.
Concerning music, Iraq is known primarily for an instrument called the oud (similar to a lute) and a rebab (similar to a fiddle) Lute can generally refer to any plucked string instrument with a neck (either fretted or unfretted) and a deep round back, or a specific instrument from the family of European lutes.
Some of my readers requested that I do a blog on Iraq. I did not get into today's political areas, as most of you are aware of that. I will say this, in my opinion--the troubles in the Middle East are about RELIGION and promises documented in the Scripture, promises to the people of Israel, the HEBREWS. Oil and other things are a part of the picture, but the bottom line, in MY opinion all comes right back to SCRIPTURE. I do not argue. I am stating my opinion. I did not put this blog on here to argue. |
|
| To add a comment to "Iraq, Babylon, Mesopotamia" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 18, 2008 |
 |
|
|
| INTERESTING YAHSCHILD, STU |
|
|
| January 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great Blog and very interesting I can see it was a labor of love. God Bless! |
|
|
| January 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
Yahschild you have truly out done your self with is OUTSTANDING 
 |
|
|
| January 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thank you, Stuart! Glad you stopped by and took the time to read the blog and to leave a comment! I thought it was interesting, too. |
|
|
| January 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Interesting blog. I would ad the Ishtar Gate, which is still standing, thanks to Saddam Hussein who was considered the last, but not least. King of Babylon. Is where the name Easter came from. A pagan holiday celebrated every spring by Christians all over the world. The word does NOTappear in the original text however. It is "Passover"(yes, I have a copy of the original text!)
But, some fool entered it in the ol' King James and the churches ran with it. Rather than attempt to figure out the true "Passover" is 14 days after the Spring Solstice. As it always has been.
The Spring Solstice is the true first day of the year. Long story. But truth be known. Thanks for a good blog. You know how I love the history of the world!! God bless!! |
|
|
| January 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Thank you, Doyle!
I am glad you found the blog interesting. It is an interesting subject and is always great to be able to understand ancient times. Ancient history is linked to the present and the more we study about it, the clearer that link becomes.
Thanks for your comment and star. |
|
|
| January 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Very interesting! |
|
|
| January 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Arlene,
You are so encouraging! I really appreciate your star and comment about my blogs. Your comment, "Social studies was my worst subject growing up..I hated it. Now the things you teach are intresting....History/Present day/ and the Bible. Thanks for bringing this area to life for me.".
This statement really was so honest and and says so much about you. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your reading material! Very encouraging!
Be blessed!
|
|
|
| January 25, 2008 |
|
|
|
MaKelly, Glad you liked the blog. I found it interesting, too, the way it ties with ancient history and current events. I appreciate your enthusiasm!  |
|
|
| January 26, 2008 |
|
|
|
Yes, Golden, the Ishtar Gates are still there. I understand they are beautiful to look at, too. They are decorated with a lot of pagan images. I know Easter came from pagan worship and Christians have intermingled pagan and Saviour worship at Easter and other times. (and they really don't mean to, I'm sure. I prefer to believe they will see that when they are ready--about the easter bunny, etc.).
I think your message says it all and so, I'l just sincerely thank you for your time to read it, your star, and comment. |
|
|
| February 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
Restore, I haven't forgotten you!!! You left a very encouraging comment and I appreciate your star and comment more than you can know.
I always did enjoy History/social studies. I had subjects that I did not enjoy so much though! Ha! I'm a curious person anyway, so I like gathering information, always have liked it. It's great to share it as well as read the blogs of others research, too.
I am so glad you find my blogs interesting and something that you can learn from. What a compliment that you would print them out! You are an inspiration to me and I really do appreciate your encouragement! Be blessed! |
|
|
Follow this blog
