Babylonia

Lower portion of the region between the Tigris and Euphrates. Its early history, as given by Berosus and Hero dot us, claims great antiquity. Its chief city was Babylon; it waged war with the A yrians to the north, with varying succe . Tiglath Pileser, the founder of the second A yrian empire, conquered B. 744 B.C. It was under A yrian sway until the revolt of Nabopola ar 625. His son Nebuchadnezzar (604-561) was master of a great empire. This was overthrown later on by the Persians under Cyrus, who merged it in his empire. Remains unearthed show that the arts had reached considerable development. The cuneiform inscriptions upon brick cylinders are being rapidly deciphered, and give much information regarding the religion, mythology, daily life and history of the Babylonians. Americans are actively interested in this work, and Univ. Pa. has sent two expeditions to explore its ruins.