Audiotour 4 Babylon (room 230)

Look at this glazed brick decoration called the Lion Passant (AO 21118)

This brick panel (Neo-Babylonian period, reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, 604 - 562 BC) comes from the processional route of Marduk, the ‘street of Babylon’. It was a bit like the Champs Élysées in Paris! This major axis of the city led to the sanctuary of Marduk passing through the gate of Ishtar, goddess of whom the lion was the animal attribute.

Both sides of the Way were decorated with passing lions like this one several meters high. The procession of priests took this route during the New Year celebration ceremonies. An impressive city, with wide and high walls, Babylon seemed impregnable and had the reputation of never releasing its prisoners.

In the Bible, the lion is the symbol of Babylon (Daniel 7:2-4). For the prophet Jeremiah (50,17): The people of Israel are scattered sheep. Lions have dispersed them. King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzara of Babylon gnawed on their bones.

Looking at this menacing lion, we readily think of the Jewish captives deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:8-16), like Daniel and his companions, torn from their family, walking through this unknown city, and struck with amazement in the face of these many temples dedicated to Ishtar, Bel and Nebo (Daniel 1:1,6)

But how long would the Master of Time allow his people to suffer Babylonian domination?

Let's go look at the map of empires, on the left side of showcases 5 and 6