CHAPTEE IV. THE CAPITAL.


Babylon, the capital of the Fourth Monarchy, was probably the largest
and most magnificent city of the ancient world. A dim tradition current
in the East gave, it is true, a greater extent, if not a greater
splendor, to the metropolis of Assyria; but this tradition first appears
in ages subsequent to the complete destruction of the more northern
city; and it is contradicted by the testimony of facts. The walls of
Nineveh have been completely traced, and indicate a city three miles in
length, by less than a mile and a half in breadth, containing an area of
about 1800 English acres. Of this area less than one tenth is occupied
by ruins of any pretension. On the admitted site of Babylon striking
masses of ruin cover a space considerably larger than that which at
Nineveh constitutes the whole area of the town. Beyond this space
in every direction, north, east, south and west, are detached mounds
indicating the former existence of edifices of some size, while the
intermediate ground between these mounds and the main ruins shows
distinct traces of its having been built upon in former days.

Of the actual size of the town, modern research gives us no clear and
definite notion. One explorer only has come away from the country with
an idea that the general position of the detached mounds, by which the
plain around Hillah is dotted, enables him to draw the lines of the
ancient walls, and mark out the exact position of the city. But the very
maps and plans which are put forward in support of this view show that