Non-Western: The Ishtar Gate
I took these pictures in 2007 at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.
I personally consider the Ishtar Gate to be one of the most amazing pieces of architecture in the entire world. I’ve adored it since early childhood, I visited the gate while living in Germany, and I even have a copy of one of the dragons tattooed onto my wrist.
The gate was built around 575 BC by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II, one of eight to the inner city of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar II built it in an effort to beautify his capital and as a tribute to the goddess Ishtar. The base of the wall was first excavated by the German archaeologist Robert Koldewey in 1902, and the bricks he uncovered during the excavation have been used to reconstruct the wall in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. The giant blue gate is covered in bas-reliefs (dragons, lions, and aurochs) and opens to the Processional Way—a long road bordered by walls that match the gate—which was used in ceremonies and other important events.
The Ishtar Gate is absolutely amazing to behold! The entire gate almost glows—it’s a brilliant glazed blue with white flowers and amazingly detailed bas-relief creatures. One of the creatures is particularly fascinating to me because of the mystery surrounding it: the sirrush/mushhushshu, or dragon. The significance of the dragon has been debated since before the gate was recovered. In some ancient text, including books which did not make it into the modern Bible, the mushhushshu was actually a living create which Nebuchadnezzar II actually kept and forced his people to worship as a living god. Cryptozoologists are particularly encouraged in this possibility by its depiction among known animals. Other scholars assert that the mushhushshu is merely a symbol of the Babylonian god Marduk and was meant as a symbol of divine protection. One of the most interesting hypotheses asserts that the Babylonians got the idea for the mushhushshu from equatorial Africa. It is said that the Congo is home to a dragon known in the region as Mokele-Mbembe. It is believed by some that the Babylonians not only saw this legendary creature of Africa but also captured one and brought it back to the city of Babylon where it was kept in the temple under the command of Nebuchadnezzar II.
I love everything about this gate. It’s beautiful and imposing and has an absolutely fascinating history!
Works Consulted
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar_Gate
http://www.bible-history.com/babylonia/BabyloniaThe_Ishtar_Gate.htm
http://www.ishtartemple.org/IshtarGate.htm
4 Comments »
Leave a Reply
-
Recent
-
Links
-
Archives
- November 2009 (4)
- October 2009 (3)
- September 2009 (2)
-
Categories
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
What a truly magnificent structure, I love architecture and the stories behind it. I had never heard of this gate before, I’m glad you chose it for your post and gave us the opportunity to see it. The story about the dragon is really interesting, I was just talking to a friend not too long ago about how many cultures have dragon-like creatures in their ancient art or folklore. My personal theory is that the myths most likely stem from dinosaur bones these various civilizations must have unearthed, but who knows. The idea of a dragon living in the temple is much more fun. Great post, very informative, if I ever make it to Germany I’m going to put this on my list of things to see.
Great information. At first, I wasn’t too crazy about the gate, but after reading about the history and the meaning behind the dragon I can say that I think it is a great piece of art. I wish I could see the gate in person so I can see the glow. I’m sure it looks gorgeous.
I found these gates to be astonishing as well. I have always been a fan of architecture, especially that of past civilizations. Despite living in Germany for 6 years i never managed to visit Berlin; however, I was quite amazed with all the other historic architecture I was able to visit during my time in Europe. I love the colors of this work, and how every stone comes together to create a larger images and such an amazing arch. In addition, i find it even more amazing that something from 572BC has survived all these years and was able to be unearthed in 1902 for a whole new audience to impress. Overall, I found your blog very interesting and informative. Good job with your explanations and historical details.
Wow, great job. I too have been to Germany and seen all of the amazing architecture. You did a good job of describing everything there is to know about the gate. I enjoyed that you you went into the meaning and the history of the dragon symbol that are on the walls. Its sad that we (united states) do not really have much ancient art to look at!