Final answer:
The Ishtar Gate was a magnificent entrance into Babylon, adorned with lapis lazuli glazed bricks and a procession of bas reliefs. It represented the goddess Ishtar and other deities, embodying the opulence of Neo-Babylonian architecture and art.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ishtar Gate was the decorated gate that was a key entrance into Babylon. This gate, constructed under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar around 575 BCE, was part of the great walls of Babylon, which were considered one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. Covered in lapis lazuli glazed bricks, the gate dazzled onlookers with its jewel-like shine. The gate was also adorned with a relief procession featuring animals such as lions, representing Ishtar, the goddess of fertility and war; bulls or aurochs, representing Adad; and dragons, representing Marduk, the patron god of the city. The structure's grand appearance was a testament to the monumental Neo-Babylonian architecture and a symbol of the city’s wealth and significance.
The Ishtar Gate now resides in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin and continues to be a magnificent example of ancient art and architecture. The gate's façade and the Processional Way are representative of the opulence and grandeur of Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar's rule. The attention to detail, from the blue glazed bricks to the bas reliefs of sacred animals, showcases the importance of aesthetics and religious symbolism in Babylonian culture.