Babylon became a major military power under Amorite king Hammurabi

, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 B.C. After Hammurabi conquered neighboring city-states, he brought much of southern and central Mesopotamia under unified Babylonian rule, creating an empire called Babylonia.

What is Babylon known for?

Babylon was the capital of the Babylonian and Neo-Babylonian Empires. It was a sprawling, heavily-populated city with enormous walls and multiple palaces and temples. Famous structures and artifacts include the temple of Marduk, the Ishtar Gate, and stelae upon which Hammurabi's Code was written.

Why is Babylon important to Christians?

The New Testament employs Babylon as a symbol of man's sinfulness and God's judgment. In 1 Peter 5:13, the apostle cites Babylon to remind Christians in Rome to be as faithful as Daniel was. Finally, in the book of Revelation, Babylon again stands for Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, the enemy of Christianity.