El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-08-16

@HE German Oriental Society is pursuing
q wonderful work in laying bare the re-
L mains Of the magnificent city of Babylon.
A few years ago Babylon was merely a
name that called up a vague vision Of some
thing vast and splendid. To-day, through the
Iabors Of these archaeologists, We can see the
city as it actually was in Biblical times.
Herewith are some photographs Of the latest
excavations by the Oriental Society. Here is
the very city that was the capital Of the empire
from which Abraham came. 1t was countless
centuries old when that patriarch set out to
found the race Of the chosen people. It al
ready possessed a splendid civilization
# was noted for the luxury Of its palaces,
TEMPLES and mansions, although they were
bniIt of brick on account Of the lack OF stone.
The surrounding country was then rich and
fertile as a result of the splendid system OF
irrigation. although to-day it lies a barren desert
for the lack Of irrigation.
0Babvlon's walls were so thick that they were
impregnabIe against any military force en-
Moved in those days. 1t was finally captured
nv an army that crept in through an unguarueu
gate while the army and people were pIuhseu
in drunkenness and shameless deoaucnery.
The walls we're strengthened and ornamenCeu
nv tremendous towers that dominated the coun-
try for miles around.
The Dalaces and mansions had beautiful gar
dens. the most attractive Of which were uhose
situated on the banks Of the River Euphrates;
The Hanging Gardens" OF Babylon connecUeu
with the royal palace formed one OF the seven
wonders of the ancient world.
The TEMPLES and libraries possessed millions
Of books, clay tablets engraved with cunel1orm
inscriptions, in which the origin OF the human
race and other primitive legends OF intense In
terest were related
" This is the city which was a DyWoro lot
wicked splendor throughout the Biblical perloo
and for centuries after its downfall Its END
came nearly two thousand years ago, when the
degenerate Belshazzar was overwhelmed IN the
midst Of his sinful luxury, as related IN the
book Of the prophet Daniel.
One of the most curious objects unearthed
nv the present excavators Is q huge lion stand
ing over a man. It somewhat suggests the
modern cubist style Of art, but yet 1t is not
without intelligence and artistic force me
sculptor's idea was to express the power OF a
lion.
This is the Oldest and most primitive work OF
art vet discovered in Babylon. It dates from
at least four thousand years back. NO other
sculpture in this style has yet been Iound- II
was a tremendous task to bring BLOCKS OF Stone
this size to Babylon. The block OF granlIe
from which the lion was carved was obtained
in a quarry two hundred miles away and brought
down the Euphrates on a raft
Another photograph shows a portion OF the
tremendous wall Of ancient Babylon. This sec
tion of wall is part Of the Triumphal Gateway OF
Ishtar, the principal female divinity OF Babylon.
Many of the sculptures decorating the wall at
this gateway still remain beneath the surface
and it is doubtful if the entire wall will ever
be uncovered.
The gateway is profusely decorated with
many animals. conspicuous among which is the
bull, the sacred animal Of the god NeDo. The
brickwork, formed Of very large bricks, is in per
lect condition. It has survived numerous earth
uuakes and the ravages Of time and weather for
over two thousand years. It bears eloquent tes-
dmony to the excellence Of BabylOnian methods
# construction
The most interesting photograph, however is,
probably, the one that shows a large group Of
The ruins of the temples and houses of Babylon.
The thickness of the walls shown here again
proves the magnificent construction Of the an
RENT city and explains why the old historians
speak Of it with mingled awe and admiration.
The nearest group Of ruins represents all that
Is left Of the palace Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT, the
mightiest King Of Babylon. Each brick Of the
foundation bears that mOnarchs name and his
royal titles all stamped in cuneiform writing.
The inscribed side is placed Ownward
The great column Of bricks shown in the fore
ground formed part of the entrance hall Of the