The Old Babylonian Empire was one of the largest and most prominent seen in the ancient world. It existed for almost 500 years before falling to destruction in 1595 BCE, but not before uniting vast territories and stretching its influence through culture, law, and economic innovations.
At its peak during the 18th century BCE, the larger Mesopotamia reached an area that spanned roughly 193,000 sq. miles (500,000 km²). This stretched over what we know today as Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. The great city of Babylon was its center, and was a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, religion, and law.
But what was life truly like in Babylon? How did this thriving metropolis keep chaos from running rampant in the streets? Click through this gallery to find out.