
The Rise and Fall of the City of Babylon - The World's First City
Will Babylon ever be restored? In the 1980s, Saddam Hussein ordered that repairs be started at the ancient site. However, this work was never completed. Interestingly, prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah also commented on the final state of the city of Babylon. As stated on page 41 of the book Archeology and Old Testament Study (Edited by D. W. Thomas, Oxford), "These extensive ruins, of which, despite Kol Dewey's work, only a small proportion has been excavated, have during past centuries been extensively plundered for building materials. Partly in consequence of this, much of the surface now presents an appearance of such chaotic disorder that it is strongly evocative of the prophecies of Isa. xiii. 19-22 and Jer. l. 39 f., the impression of desolation being further heightened by the aridity which marks a large part of the area of the ruins."
This once great and prosperous city remains a desolate waste to this day.