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History glossary

Ishtar Gate

a monumental blue-glazed gateway of ancient Babylon, now partly reconstructed in Berlin from excavated remains.

Category
Monument
Region
Ancient Babylon, modern Iraq
Date range
sixth century BCE

What it means

The Ishtar Gate was a ceremonial gateway built in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II, near modern Hillah in Iraq. Decorated with blue glazed bricks and animal reliefs, major parts were excavated and reconstructed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

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