Q 01/05

On which river did ancient Babylon stand?

A) Tigris

B) Orontes

C) Euphrates

D) Karun

Answer · why

C) Euphrates

The site lies within modern Hillah, Iraq, about 85 km south of Baghdad; a branch of the river still bisects the ruins.

Q 02/05

In which modern country are the ruins of Babylon?

A) Turkey

B) Iraq

C) Syria

D) Iran

Answer · why

B) Iraq

UNESCO finally listed the site as World Heritage in July 2019; almost all its visitors are Iraqis.

Q 03/05

What does the Akkadian name Babilim, from which 'Babylon' derives, traditionally mean?

A) Gate of the gods

B) House of the king

C) River of life

D) City of the sun

Answer · why

A) Gate of the gods

Many scholars now think that is a folk etymology for an older non-Semitic name, perhaps Babilla or Babbar.

Q 04/05

In the Book of Genesis, the name Babel is interpreted to mean what?

A) Exile

B) Confusion

C) Tower

D) Pride

Answer · why

B) Confusion

The English verb 'to babble' is popularly linked to it, but there is no direct connection.

Q 05/05

Which Amorite king founded the Old Babylonian Empire in the 18th century BC?

A) Sargon

B) Nabopolassar

C) Nebuchadnezzar

D) Hammurabi

Answer · why

D) Hammurabi

He conquered Isin, Larsa, Ur, Uruk, Nippur and the rest of southern Mesopotamia; the whole region became known as Babylonia.