millennium before Christ, Babylon's supremacy was permanently
established under the rule of Hammurabi. Marduk, the god of that city,
was thus placed at the head of the Babylonian pantheon. The theologians
of the day also recast and combined the ancient legends, as, for
example, those of the creation, so as to explain why he, one of the
later gods, was acknowledged by all as supreme. A relationship was also
traced between the leading gods, and their respective functions were
clearly defined. Corresponding to each male deity was a female deity:
thus, the consort of Marduk was Ishtar, while that of Bel was Belit.
Furthermore, the ancient myths appear to have been, cooerdinated, so that
from this time on Babylonian, theology presents a certain unity and
symmetry, although one is constantly reminded of the very different
elements out of which it had been built up.

[Sidenote: _Development of ethical standards and laws_]

Parallel to the evolution of Babylonian religion was that unfolding of
ethical ideals and laws which finds its noblest record and expression in
the remarkable code of Hammurabi (about 2250 B.C.). In its high sense of
justice; in its regard for the rights of property and of individuals; in
its attitude toward women, even though it comes from the ancient East;
and above all in its protection of widows and orphans, this code marks
almost as high a stage in the revelation of what is right as the
primitive Old Testament laws, with which it has points of striking
resemblance.

[Sidenote: _A general comparison between the religions and laws of Egypt
and Babylonia_]

The evolution of ancient Egyptian civilization and religion was parallel