Nebuchadnezzar inscription on the Ishtar Gate, sun symbol

Germany, Museum Island, Berlin, Pergamon Museum

Glazed bricks, modern reconstruction, Pergamon Museum, Museum Island, Berlin

Babylon (Iraq), 6th century BCE

Division of finds, VA Bab 7661

Numerous brick fragments with remnants of cuneiform signs were found in the immediate vicinity of the Ishtar Gate. They probably once formed part of a building inscription of Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BCE), integrated into the gate. Although we do not know exactly where the text was originally located, there is no doubt that it concerns the gate's building.

The inscription displayed here is a reconstruction made from original fragments and modern bricks. The text could be reconstructed on the basis of a well-preserved building inscription of the Babylonian king, now in London.

It reads: "I [=Nebuchadnezzar] laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level [...] and had them built out of sheer blue stone, on which bulls and dragons were elaborately painted. [...] I set up wild bulls and furious dragons in front of the gates and thus magnificently adorned them with luxurious splendour for all mankind to look at in surprise". (Excerpt]

Supplementary images:

Nebuchadnezzar inscription on the Ishtar Gate, Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Taken on Wednesday 07th of August 2019

Device: Google

Model: Pixel 3 XL

Genre: 6th Century B.C.

Source: Berlin, Germany

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