The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are a legendary aspect of Neo-Babylonian art and architecture and are attributed to King Nebuchadnezzar II. Their actual existence is unconfirmed, but they symbolize the splendor of ancient Babylon, which included grand constructions like the Ishtar Gate and the city's fortified walls.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the most celebrated pieces of Neo-Babylonian art and architecture. These legendary gardens are attributed to the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled from 604-561 BCE. Nebuchadnezzar is said to have created the gardens for his wife, who longed for the green hills and valleys of her native Media, in what is now Iran.
This is all part of the broader scope of ancient Babylonian history. The Neo-Babylonian period marked a renaissance of construction and culture in the city of Babylon, bringing about not only the Hanging Gardens but also the famed Ishtar Gate and the renewal of the city's walls and seven gates. Babylon, especially during Nebuchadnezzar's reign, was transformed into a symbol of splendor and might, featuring monumental palaces and the iconic ziggurat tower.
While the existence of the Hanging Gardens has not been confirmed definitively by archaeologists and could be a myth, they have left a significant imprint on popular imagination and are often depicted in art and literature throughout the ages. The very idea of the Hanging Gardens reflects the grandeur that was associated with Babylon and its kings, with Nebuchadnezzar himself boasting of his achievements in magnificence for all mankind to behold.