(Assyrian: bab-ili, gate of the god)
Ancient city on the Euphrates River, about 60 miles south of Baghdad. As early as 2872 B.C. it was the capital of Sargon of Agade. From 2250 it was the capital of Babylonia and the holy city of western Asia. After being destroyed by Sennacherib, 689 B.C., it was rebuilt by his successor. After the downfall of Assyria, Babylon again, under Nabopolassar, became the seat of empire. Nabuchodonosor made it one of the wonders of the world. It was captured by Cyrus, 538 B.C. In 275 B.C. it was destroyed and the inhabitants transferred to Seleucia. Among its buildings were the temples of E-Zida and E-Saggila. It is mentioned in Apocalypse, 17, as the city of abominations. The Patriarchate of Babylon was founded, 1681, for the Chaldean Rite. Present patriarch, appointed, 1900, Emmanuel Thomas, residing at Mosul, Iraq.