babylon
Definition
Proper noun 1. An ancient city: The capital city of the ancient kingdom of Babylonia, located in Mesopotamia (in present-day Iraq). It was a major political, cultural, and religious center of the ancient world, famous for its size, wealth, and architectural achievements like the Hanging Gardens. 2. A symbol of grandeur and excess: In later cultural and religious contexts, often used metaphorically to represent a place of great wealth, luxury, sin, or moral corruption.
Usage Examples
- As a historical city:
- The ruins of Babylon are located near the modern city of Al Hillah in Iraq.
- Nebuchadnezzar II was a famous king who greatly expanded Babylon.
- As a metaphorical symbol:
- The decadent party was described as a modern Babylon.
- Some religious texts use Babylon as a symbol of worldly corruption.
Advanced Usage
- "Whore of Babylon": A symbolic figure found in the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible, representing a system of evil, idolatry, and persecution.
- "Babylonian captivity": Refers to the period in Jewish history when Jews were exiled to Babylon after the conquest of Jerusalem (c. 586–538 BCE). It can also refer metaphorically to any state of exile or subjugation.
Variants and Related Words
- Babylonia (Proper noun): The ancient empire or kingdom of which Babylon was the capital.
- Babylonian (Adjective): Of or relating to Babylon or Babylonia (e.g., ).
- Babylonian (Noun): A native or inhabitant of ancient Babylonia.
Synonyms
- (For the metaphorical sense): Sodom, Gomorrah, den of iniquity, hive of scum and villainy.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Confusion of tongues/Babel": While "Babel" is the Hebrew name for Babylon, the idiom "Tower of Babel" or "confusion of tongues" originates from the biblical story about a tower built in Babylon and is used to describe a situation of chaotic misunderstanding due to many languages or voices. This is a closely associated concept.
- "By the rivers of Babylon": A phrase from the Bible (Psalm 137) expressing profound sorrow and longing during the Babylonian exile, often used to depict deep sadness or nostalgia.
Noun
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the chief city of ancient Mesopotamia and capital of the ancient kingdom of Babylonia
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