Ancient EgyptIf I Could Turn Back Time Project

EgyptThe Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Location• Location: Where is it? • Absolute Location –

32°N,45°• Relative Location – The

Hanging Gardens of Babylon are located in Babylon, along the Euphrates River

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Place: What is it like?• Babylon was the center of the

Chaldean Empire and the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. I can’t believe I am actually here! I am met with a sweet smell as I slowly walk up to this awe-inspiring place. It is unbelievable to stand in front of this enormous staircase that is covered with the most beautiful flowers and plants I have ever seen! The water for the irrigation is pumped from the local Euphrates River to keep the plant life thriving…who would have thought that such an ancient civilization would be so technologically savvy?

Human/environment interaction:What is the relationship between the people and their surroundings?

• Amazingly, it appears the Babylonians have their own form of irrigation. That is what helps keep the flowers looking and smelling so sweet…I can’t believe they have such modern technology in these ancient times!

Movement:How do people in one area relate to people in another?

• Babylon was surrounded by an extremely thick wall to help protect it from invaders. This was important because this city was the largest and richest city of its time. Babylon became rich from trade because it was located in the middle of a trade route. There were many artisans who lived outside the center of Babylon who traded their pottery, cloth, baskets, and jewelry to other neighboring cities.

Region: What common features bring geographical areas together?

• The Chaldeans and earlier Mesopotamians believed that the changes in the sky revealed the plans of the gods. Astronomers of this region mapped the stars, planets, and the phases of the moon. They also made one of the first sundials and had the first seven day week. The Euphrates River was an important geographical element that brought people of this region together because people used it for traveling, trade, food, and water.