Operation Ancient CivilizationIntelligence Brief

Agent: EXAMPLESpecial Division: BABYLON

Missing:

Epic of Gilgamesh

Intel: Disappeared January 13th, 2013 from the Museum of Ancient Mesopotamian Art

Objective:• To find Intel on: BABYLON– The Capital of Mesopotamia– Golden Age: during the reign of

Hammurabi– Founded by: NABOPOLASSAR– 625 BC

Suspect:HaRdly Worthit

Previous Crimes:

1999 The Mona Lisa, Paris, France

2003 The Tales of Genji, Kyoto, Japan

Location:

MODERN DAY IRAQ, SOUTHERN END OF THE EMPRIRE, BETWEEN THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES RIVER.

Ishtar Gate:• Stood 46 feet high

• The bricks were glazed lazier blue.

• There were 8 gates in total

• Built in 575 BCE

• Dedicated to the Goddess Ishtar

• The PROCESSIONAL WAY marked the sacred route to the temple of Marduk

• The gate was designed with bulls and dragons.

City of Babylon

Ziggurat: often referred to as the ‘Tower of Babylon’

Small temples on top terraceearly dwelling place of the gods

Map of Babylonia

City Map

The New Empire• The Second Babylonian Empire

stretched from the Zagros Mountains to Egypt, across the Fertile Crescent.

• Nabopolassar founded the Empire in 625 BCE

• The Persians of Opis defeated the Babylonians in 539 BCE

Hanging GardensThe mythology of the gardens… no evidence exists today, which makes archeologists suspicious that it did not exist at all. However, many kings wrote notes detailing the irrigation of renowned gardens… making

the possibility of the gardens a discovery yet to be verified.

Summary of Intel:• The greatest ruler was Hammurabi– 1792-1750 BCE

• Babylon became the largest city in the world• Population: 200 000• Centre of religion and trade• Temples = wealthy businesses• 1595 BCE- Hittites attack– Kassites and Assyrians take over

• Capital again in 626 BCE