The Old Babylonian Period c. 1894 - 1594 BCE

by David Milson 
  • At the end of the 3rd millenium BCE, empire was breaking up, cities were isolated, and agriculture abandoned
  • We will see briefly some architecture from the Neo-Sumerian Period (2125-2025 BCE) and Isin, Larsa Periods (2025-1894 BCE)
  • Earliest known brick vault was found at Tel Rimah (c. 2100 BCE)
  • 1894 the Amorite Dynasty was founded at Babylon, maintained pre-eminence for 2000 years
  • In 100 years, (1894-1794 BCE) Babylon ruled over Mesopotamia, and gave its name to both Sumer and Akkad
  • Hammurabi (1792-1750 BCE) is the best-known ruler, whose stele inscribed with his law-code was found by the French in 1901 (now in the Louvre)
  • 13,000 letters found in the royal palace of Zimri-Lim at Mari (on the Euphrates) give an enlightening picture of life at the time
  • Zimri-Lim was defeated by Hammurabi in 1757 BCE

Map of Tell al-Rimah, Babylon, Mari and Tell Atchana

The earliest pitched-brick vault (c. 2100 BCE)


Tell a-Rimah (from above)

Hammurabi and the stele


Carved head of a ruler (Hammurabi?)
Stele of Hammurabi, inscribed with his law-code

Babylon


plan of the north western corner of the city


Ziggurat of Marduk (enlarged)


drains in the city

Mari


Photo of the excavations next to the Euphrates
Plan of the royal palace of Zimri-Lim
Wall painting from the palace, found near the southern courtyard

Shaduppum (Tell Harmal)


Two temples, northern one (A) with broad cella plan, and the southern, with a long-room type of plan
Lion guardian of baked clay from entrance to the northern temple

Tel al-Rimah


Spiral columns and palm trunks in mud-brick decorate the eastern temple facade

 

Plan of the temple and zigurrat

Alalakh c. 1780 BCE (Tel Achtana)


City Gate of Level VII
Yarim-Lin's Palace and Temple of Level VII


Yarim-Lin


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