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Etemenanki consisted of six stages built upon a platform, and provided with a sanctuary at the top. A tablet seemingly giving a detailed description of this building was for a time in the hands of archaeologist George Smith in 1876; however he had not time to give a translation of the document or to publish the text, but his detailed account of it (''Athenaeum'', February 12, 1876) is exceedingly interesting.

Etemenanki consisted of six stages built upon a platform, and provided with a sanctuary at the top. A tablet seemingly giving a detailed description of this building was for a time in the hands of archaeologist George Smith in 1876; however he had not time to give a translation of the document or to publish the text, but his detailed account of it (''Athenaeum'', February 12, 1876) is exceedingly interesting.

First there was the outer court called the “grand court,” measuring, according to Smith's estimate, 1,156 ft. by 900 ft., and a smaller one, called “the court of Ishtar and Zagaga,” 1,056 ft. by 450 ft. Round the court were six gates admitting to the temples: (1) The grand gate; (2) The gate of the rising sun (east); (3) The great gate; (4) The gate of the colossi; (5) The gate of the canal; and (6) The gate of the tower-view.

First there was the outer court called the “grand court,” measuring, according to Smith's estimate, 1,156 ft. by 900 ft., and a smaller one, called “the court of Ishtar and Zagaga,” 1,056 ft. by 450 ft. Round the court were six gates admitting to the temples: (1) The grand gate; (2) The gate of the rising sun (east); (3) The great gate; (4) The gate of the colossi; (5) The gate of the canal; and (6) The gate of the tower-view.

====Platform====

====Platform====

After this came a space or platform apparently walled - a ''ki-gallu'' square in form, and measuring 3 ku each way. Its size is doubtful, as the value of the ku is unknown. The sides of this enclosure faced the cardinal points. In its walls were four gates, one on each side, and named from the points toward which they looked. Within this enclosure stood a large building measuring 10 ''gar'' (according to Smith, a ''gar'' is 20 feet; 10 ''gar'' = 200 ft.) each way. Unfortunately, the name of this structure was damaged, so that its nature and use are uncertain.

After this came a space or platform apparently walled - a ''ki-gallu'' square in form, and measuring 3 ku each way. Its size is doubtful, as the value of the ku is unknown. The sides of this enclosure faced the cardinal points. In its walls were four gates, one on each side, and named from the points toward which they looked. Within this enclosure stood a large building measuring 10 ''gar'' (according to Smith, a ''gar'' is 20 feet; 10 ''gar'' = 200 ft.) each way. Unfortunately, the name of this structure was damaged, so that its nature and use are uncertain.

====Chapels and Shrines====

====Chapels and Shrines====

Round the base of the Tower were small temples or chapels dedicated to the various gods of the Babylonians. On the East were 16 shrines, the principal of them being dedicated to Nebo and Tašmêtu, his spouse; on the North were two temples dedicated to Êa. (Aê) and Nusku respectively; on the South was a single temple to the two great gods, Anu and Bel (Enlil?). It was on the West, however, that the principal buildings lay - a double house with a court between the wings 35 cubits (Smith: 58 ft.) wide. These two wings were not alike in dimensions, the structure on one side being 100 cubits by 20 (166 ft. by 34 ft.) and on the other 100 cubits by 65 (166 ft. by 108 ft.). In these western chambers stood the couch of the god, and the golden throne mentioned by [[Herodotus]], with other objects of great value. The couch was stated to have measured 9 cubits by 4 (15 ft. by 6 feet 8 inches).

Round the base of the Tower were small temples or chapels dedicated to the various gods of the Babylonians. On the East were 16 shrines, the principal of them being dedicated to Nebo and Tašmêtu, his spouse; on the North were two temples dedicated to Êa. (Aê) and Nusku respectively; on the South was a single temple to the two great gods, Anu and Bel (Enlil?). It was on the West, however, that the principal buildings lay - a double house with a court between the wings 35 cubits (Smith: 58 ft.) wide. These two wings were not alike in dimensions, the structure on one side being 100 cubits by 20 (166 ft. by 34 ft.) and on the other 100 cubits by 65 (166 ft. by 108 ft.). In these western chambers stood the couch of the god, and the golden throne mentioned by [[Herodotus]], with other objects of great value. The couch was stated to have measured 9 cubits by 4 (15 ft. by 6 feet 8 inches).

====The First Stage====

====The First Stage====

In the center of these groups of buildings stood the great Tower in stages, called by the Babylonians “the Tower of Babel” (''ziqqurat Bâbîli''). The stages decreased from the lowest upward, but each was square in plan. The first or foundation-stage was 15 gar each way by 5 1/2 gar high (300 ft. by 110 ft. high), and seems to have been decorated with the usual double recesses which are a characteristic of Assyr-Bab architecture.

In the center of these groups of buildings stood the great Tower in stages, called by the Babylonians “the Tower of Babel” (''ziqqurat Bâbîli''). The stages decreased from the lowest upward, but each was square in plan. The first or foundation-stage was 15 gar each way by 5 1/2 gar high (300 ft. by 110 ft. high), and seems to have been decorated with the usual double recesses which are a characteristic of Assyr-Bab architecture.

====The Remaining Stages====

====The Remaining Stages====

The second stage was 13 gar square and 3 gar high (260 ft. by 60 ft.). A term was applied to it which Smith did not understand, but he notes that it probably had sloping sides. The stages from the 3rd to the 5th were all of equal height, namely, 1 gar (20 ft.), and were respectively 10 gar (200 ft.), 8 1/3 gar (170 ft.) and 7 gar (140 ft.) square. The dimensions of the 6th stage were omitted, but may be restored in accordance with the others, namely, 5 1/2 gar square (110 ft.) by 1 gar (20 ft.) high.

The second stage was 13 gar square and 3 gar high (260 ft. by 60 ft.). A term was applied to it which Smith did not understand, but he notes that it probably had sloping sides. The stages from the 3rd to the 5th were all of equal height, namely, 1 gar (20 ft.), and were respectively 10 gar (200 ft.), 8 1/3 gar (170 ft.) and 7 gar (140 ft.) square. The dimensions of the 6th stage were omitted, but may be restored in accordance with the others, namely, 5 1/2 gar square (110 ft.) by 1 gar (20 ft.) high.

====The Chapel at the Top====

====The Chapel at the Top====

On this was raised the 7th stage or the upper temple or sanctuary of the god Bel-Merodach, 4 gar long, 3 1/2 gar broad and 2 1/2 gar high (80 ft., 60 ft., and 50 ft., respectively). Smith did not mention the statue of the god, but it was conjectured that the chapel did contain one. The total height of the tower from foundation to chapel was 15 gar (300 ft.), the same as the breadth of its base. It cannot be said that it was by any means a beautiful building, but there was probably some symbolism in its measurements, and in appearance it probably resembled (except the decoration) the temple tower of Calah as restored in the frontispiece to Layard's Monuments of [[Nineveh]], 1st series, in which a step-pyramid with a similarly highbasement stage is shown.

On this was raised the 7th stage or the upper temple or sanctuary of the god Bel-Merodach, 4 gar long, 3 1/2 gar broad and 2 1/2 gar high (80 ft., 60 ft., and 50 ft., respectively). Smith did not mention the statue of the god, but it was conjectured that the chapel did contain one. The total height of the tower from foundation to chapel was 15 gar (300 ft.), the same as the breadth of its base. It cannot be said that it was by any means a beautiful building, but there was probably some symbolism in its measurements, and in appearance it probably resembled (except the decoration) the temple tower of Calah as restored in the frontispiece to Layard's Monuments of [[Nineveh]], 1st series, in which a step-pyramid with a similarly highbasement stage is shown.

===Herodotus' Description===

===Herodotus' Description===

The description of the tower as given by [[Herodotus]] agrees. He states that it was a temple square in form, two furlongs (1, 213 ft.) each way, in the midst of which was built a solid tower a furlong square (nearly 607 ft.). This, however, must have been the platform, which, with the six stages and the chapel on the top, would make up the total of eight stages of which Herodotus speaks. The ascent by which the top was reached he describes as running “outside round about all the towers” - wording which suggests, although not necessarily, that it was spiral in design - i.e. one had to walk round the structure 7 times to reach the top. Representations on Babylonian boundary-stones suggest that this view would be correct, though a symmetrical arrangement of inclined paths might have been constructed which would have greatly improved the design. At the middle of the ascent, Herodotus says, there was a stopping-place with seats to rest upon, which rather favors this idea. At the top of the last tower there was a large cell, and in the cell a large couch was laid, well covered; and by it a golden table. There was no image there, nor did any human being spend the night there, except only a woman of the natives of the place chosen by the god, “as say the Chaldeans who are the priests of this god.” These men told Herodotus that the god often came to the cell, and rested upon the couch, “but,” he adds, “I do not believe them.” After mentioning parallels to this at Egyptian Thebes and Patam in Lycia, he goes on to speak of another cell below (that referred to in G. Smith's tablet) wherein was a great image of Zeus (Bel-Merodach) sitting, with a footstool and a large table, all of gold, and weighing no less than 800 talents. Outside of this cell was an altar to the god, made of gold; and also another altar, whereon full-grown animals were sacrificed, the golden altar being for sucklings only. The Chaldeans also told him that there was, in the precincts of the building, a statue 12 cubits high, and of solid gold. Darius Hystaspis desired to take possession of this valuable object, but did not venture. His son Xerxes, however, was not so considerate of the feelings of the people and the priesthood, for he also killed the priest when he forbade him to meddle with it.

The description of the tower as given by [[Herodotus]] agrees. He states that it was a temple square in form, two furlongs (1, 213 ft.) each way, in the midst of which was built a solid tower a furlong square (nearly 607 ft.). This, however, must have been the platform, which, with the six stages and the chapel on the top, would make up the total of eight stages of which Herodotus speaks. The ascent by which the top was reached he describes as running “outside round about all the towers” - wording which suggests, although not necessarily, that it was spiral in design - i.e. one had to walk round the structure 7 times to reach the top. Representations on Babylonian boundary-stones suggest that this view would be correct, though a symmetrical arrangement of inclined paths might have been constructed which would have greatly improved the design. At the middle of the ascent, Herodotus says, there was a stopping-place with seats to rest upon, which rather favors this idea. At the top of the last tower there was a large cell, and in the cell a large couch was laid, well covered; and by it a golden table. There was no image there, nor did any human being spend the night there, except only a woman of the natives of the place chosen by the god, “as say the Chaldeans who are the priests of this god.” These men told Herodotus that the god often came to the cell, and rested upon the couch, “but,” he adds, “I do not believe them.” After mentioning parallels to this at Egyptian Thebes and Patam in Lycia, he goes on to speak of another cell below (that referred to in G. Smith's tablet) wherein was a great image of Zeus (Bel-Merodach) sitting, with a footstool and a large table, all of gold, and weighing no less than 800 talents. Outside of this cell was an altar to the god, made of gold; and also another altar, whereon full-grown animals were sacrificed, the golden altar being for sucklings only. The Chaldeans also told him that there was, in the precincts of the building, a statue 12 cubits high, and of solid gold. Darius Hystaspis desired to take possession of this valuable object, but did not venture. His son Xerxes, however, was not so considerate of the feelings of the people and the priesthood, for he also killed the priest when he forbade him to meddle with it.

==The Builders of the Tower==

==The Builders of the Tower==

==Other Non-Biblical references==

==Other Non-Biblical references==

The Tower of Babel is mentioned in a number of other [[Apocrypha]]l and [[Pseudepigrapha|Pseudepigraphical]] texts, notably the [[Ethiopia]]n [[Book of Jubilees]], and also in [[Rabbinic literature]]. A similar tale appears in the [[Koran]], and a number of other cultures have similar stories<ref name="christiananswers">http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/confusionoflanguages.html</ref>.

The Tower of Babel is mentioned in a number of other [[Apocrypha]]l and [[Pseudepigrapha|Pseudepigraphical]] texts, notably the [[Ethiopia]]n [[Book of Jubilees]], and also in [[Rabbinic literature]]. A similar tale appears in the [[Koran]], and a number of other cultures have similar stories.<ref name="christiananswers">http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/confusionoflanguages.html</ref>

== Linguistic evidence ==

== Linguistic evidence ==

Some Christian sources<ref name="christiananswers"/> cite 18th and 19th century observations from the field of comparative historical linguistics showing belief that all languages originated in a single language spoken in ancient Mesopotamia. Some modern linguists now trace a number of language families to languages believed to be reconstructed at the time of the earliest known human civilizations or possibly before.<ref name="mcwhorter">John McWhorter. The Power of Babel.</ref> The Tower of Babel would have predated all known human civilizations outside of the area around modern Iraq.  Linguists today are aware it is difficult to reconstruct the mother language for which there is no direct evidence apart from working with daughter tongues that have come down over time.<ref name="mcwhorter"/><ref>[http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003036.html Language Log.]</ref>.

Some Christian sources<ref name="christiananswers"/> cite 18th and 19th century observations from the field of comparative historical linguistics showing belief that all languages originated in a single language spoken in ancient Mesopotamia. Some modern linguists now trace a number of language families to languages believed to be reconstructed at the time of the earliest known human civilizations or possibly before.<ref name="mcwhorter">John McWhorter. The Power of Babel.</ref> The Tower of Babel would have predated all known human civilizations outside of the area around modern Iraq.  Linguists today are aware it is difficult to reconstruct the mother language for which there is no direct evidence apart from working with daughter tongues that have come down over time.<ref name="mcwhorter"/><ref>[http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003036.html Language Log.]</ref>  

To support the Biblical account, the [[Creation Museum]] in Kentucky reports the following:  

To support the Biblical account, the [[Creation Museum]] in Kentucky reports the following:  

<blockquote>The Bible claims that God created a number of human languages at the Tower of Babel "according to their families". Nineteenth-century linguists argued that languages evolved slowly, one by one. Today, linguists recognize languages fall into distinct "families" of recent origin.<ref name="langlog2">[http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004667.html#more Language Log.]</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>The Bible claims that God created a number of human languages at the Tower of Babel "according to their families". Nineteenth-century linguists argued that languages evolved slowly, one by one. Today, linguists recognize languages fall into distinct "families" of recent origin.<ref name="langlog2">[http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004667.html#more Language Log.]</ref></blockquote>

Since the 1950s in the field of linguistics based upon an evolutionary worldview, there has been a belief that human language has a partially biological origin <ref name="mcwhorter"/><ref>Steven Pinker. The Language Instinct.</ref><ref>Ronald Wardaugh. Investigating Language: Central Problems in Linguistics.</ref><ref>Frederick J. Newmeyer. Linguistic Theory in America.</ref>. If this hypothesis is correct, from the evolutionary perspective, then the original language (or languages) may have been spoken about 150,000 years ago.

Since the 1950s in the field of linguistics based upon an evolutionary worldview, there has been a belief that human language has a partially biological origin.<ref name="mcwhorter"/><ref>Steven Pinker. The Language Instinct.</ref><ref>Ronald Wardaugh. Investigating Language: Central Problems in Linguistics.</ref><ref>Frederick J. Newmeyer. Linguistic Theory in America.</ref> If this hypothesis is correct, from the evolutionary perspective, then the original language (or languages) may have been spoken about 150,000 years ago.

''Text based in part on the 1913 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, a work in the public domain.''

''Text based in part on the 1913 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, a work in the public domain.''

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== External Links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/confusionoflanguages.html Is there any reference to the confusion of languages at Babel in early Mesopotamian literature?]  

*[http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/confusionoflanguages.html Is there any reference to the confusion of languages at Babel in early Mesopotamian literature?]  

*[http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a021.html Is there archaeological evidence of the Tower of Babel?]  

*[http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a021.html Is there archaeological evidence of the Tower of Babel?]