What is a Ziggurat? The Tower of Babel?
Are we just babbling? Ur High.
Ziggurat and Its Purposes
A ziggurat is a type of ancient temple tower that was common in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and other parts of the ancient Near East. The word “ziggurat” comes from the Akkadian word “ziggurratu,” which means “to build on a raised area.” Ziggurats were built in a stepped pyramid shape, with each level smaller than the one below it, and were usually made of mud bricks.
Ziggurats were built as places of worship and were often dedicated to a particular deity. They were believed to be the homes of the gods and were used for ritual purposes, including sacrifices, offerings, and prayers. Ziggurats were also seen as a way for humans to reach the heavens and connect with the gods. The tower in the story of the Tower of Babel is often interpreted as a ziggurat, although the Bible does not specifically mention it as such.
The Story of the Tower of Babel
The story of the Tower of Babel is found in the book of Genesis, chapter 11, in the Bible. According to the story, after the flood, people began to multiply and settle in the land of Shinar (modern-day Iraq). They decided to build a city with a tower that would reach to the heavens, in order to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth.
In Genesis 11:4, it says, “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’”
However, God saw their pride and arrogance and confused their language, causing them to speak different languages and be unable to understand each other. As a result, the people were unable to complete the tower and were scattered across the earth, leading to the formation of different languages and cultures.
Ur of the Chaldeans Ziggurat
The city of Ur, in ancient Mesopotamia, was known for its impressive ziggurat, a stepped pyramid structure that was used for religious and political purposes. The ziggurat of Ur was dedicated to the moon god Nanna, who was the patron deity of the city.
The ziggurat was constructed during the reign of King Ur-Nammu, who ruled in the 21st century BCE. It was made of mud bricks and was originally about 70 feet high. Over time, the ziggurat was renovated and expanded by other kings, including King Shulgi and King Nabonidus.
The base of the ziggurat was rectangular, with three sets of stairs leading up to the top platform. The platform was a small temple, where priests would perform rituals and offerings to the moon god. The temple was surrounded by a courtyard, which was used for various ceremonies and gatherings.
The ziggurat of Ur was considered a symbol of the power and wealth of the city, and it was an important center of worship for the people of Mesopotamia. Today, the ziggurat is in ruins, but some of the original structure can still be seen. It is considered an important archaeological site, and it has been excavated by various teams of archaeologists over the years.
