A History of Babylon, from the Foundation of the Monarchy to the Persian Conquest

A comprehensive chronological account traces Babylonia's political and cultural development from the establishment of its dynasties through the Persian conquest, integrating archaeological evidence, inscriptions, and recent discoveries. It reconstructs the city's urban fabric and monuments, discusses continuity in religious and architectural practice, and examines shifts in land tenure and social organization. The narrative contrasts Babylonian and Assyrian trajectories, highlights commerce and diplomacy as driving forces more than sustained military expansion, and assesses how rulers and external powers shaped changing fortunes. Concluding chapters consider the reach and limits of Babylonian civilization as revealed by the surviving sources.