You’ve probably heard of Babylon, but this empire had a seriously wild history. There were ambitious kings, giant walls, and battles that shook the region. Some rulers were clever, others… not so much. Over time, the empire grew, thrived, and eventually fell. Still, the Babylon Empire left a mark that lasted for centuries.
Let’s go back into the world of the Babylon Empire through this timeline. You’ll see its roots, its struggles, and its most powerful achievements. Step by step, we’ll uncover how this city grew into one of history’s greatest empires.
In this article
Babylon Empire Timeline
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below. 
Babylon, or the “Gate of God,” started as a small town along the Euphrates in today’s Iraq. As it grew, it became one of the most famous cities of the ancient world. Kings like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar II built walls, temples, and palaces. Their work turned Babylon into a hub for learning, culture, and trade that lasted for centuries.
Keep reading to explore Babylon’s Empire story in this detailed timeline. We have covered every key moment, from its powerful rise to its dramatic fall.
Babylon is Founded (894 BCE)
Babylon started as a small town along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Around 1894 BCE, the Amorites, a group of nomads, took control. They began building the city into a bigger place with homes, temples, and markets.
Trade grew, and people traveled to Babylon for business and worship. Even as a small town, it became a center for culture, religion, and community. Over time, Babylon slowly turned into one of the most important cities in southern Mesopotamia.
Hammurabi Becomes King (1792 BCE)
Hammurabi became king and quickly made Babylon a powerful empire. He conquered nearby lands like Sumer and Akkad. The city grew bigger, stronger, and more organized. Babylon became a major power in Mesopotamia.
Hammurabi is best known for the Code of Hammurabi, one of the first written law codes. It covered trade, family, and crime. The laws gave people clear rules to follow. They helped the empire stay fair, united, and strong under his leadership.
Death of Hammurabi (1750 BCE)
After Hammurabi died, Babylon lost a strong king. His successors were weaker, and the empire started losing control of some regions. Political power declined, but the city stayed important for culture and religion.
Even with weaker kings, Hammurabi’s laws continued to guide people. They were copied and studied for centuries. Babylon remained a hub for learning and traditions. Knowledge, culture, and religious practices kept the city alive even when its political power was weak.
Hittites Sack Babylon (1595 BCE)
The Hittites, from today’s Turkey, invaded Babylon around 1595 BCE. They looted the city and took the statue of Marduk, the city’s main god. This event ended the Old Babylonian Empire and shocked the region.
Afterwards, the Kassites ruled Babylon for many years. They did not expand much but kept the city stable. They preserved Babylon’s religion and culture. The city survived and stayed important, showing that even after attacks, Babylon could recover and remain a major center.
Babylon under Assyrian Rule (1000-700 BCE)
Babylon became part of the Assyrian Empire. Assyrian governors ruled the city, and there were many rebellions. The city was not independent, but it stayed a center for culture and religion.
Even under Assyrian control, Babylon remained a place for learning. Scholars studied astronomy, math, and literature. Temples and schools kept knowledge alive. Culture and ideas grew, showing that the city could stay important even without political freedom.
Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (626 BCE)
Nabopolassar, a Babylonian general, led a revolt against the Assyrians. He joined with the Medes and destroyed Nineveh in 612 BCE. Babylon rose again and became strong.
The city’s walls were rebuilt, temples restored, and trade grew. Culture and art flourished. Nabopolassar prepared the way for his son, Nebuchadnezzar II, who would make Babylon one of the most famous cities of the ancient world. The empire regained power and prestige.
Reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BCE)
Nebuchadnezzar II expanded Babylon’s empire and captured Jerusalem in 586 BCE, starting the Babylonian Captivity. He built massive walls, temples, and palaces, making the city a symbol of wealth and strength.
He also built the Hanging Gardens and restored the ziggurat of Etemenanki. Babylon became a hub for culture, trade, and religion. People came from far away to see it. Under Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon reached its peak and became legendary across the ancient world.
Decline of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (562-539 BCE)
After Nebuchadnezzar died, weaker kings ruled Babylon. Religious problems grew, especially under King Nabonidus. Citizens and priests became unhappy, causing unrest across the empire.
The empire stopped expanding, but the city stayed important. Scholars and priests preserved traditions and knowledge. Babylon’s culture and religion remained strong. Even with weak kings, the city continued to influence the region and stayed respected for centuries.
Babylon is Conquered by Cyrus the Great (539 BCE)
Cyrus of Persia captured Babylon without much fighting. People welcomed him. He respected their customs and religion. Exiled groups, including the Jews, were allowed to return to their homelands.
This marked the end of the Babylonian Empire, but Babylon itself stayed important. Its achievements in law, science, and architecture influenced later civilizations. The city remained a hub of culture and learning, leaving a legacy that lasted for many generations.
How to Make a Babylon Empire Timeline Using EdrawMax?
Babylon’s story is full of great kings, big battles, and amazing ideas. But with so much history, it can be hard to follow. A timeline makes it easy to see what happened and when.
The best part is, you don’t need design skills to make one. EdraMax has simple templates that help you build your own Babylon Empire timeline minutes.
Here's how you can make one for yourself:
Step1Start with a Blank Canvas
- Open EdrawMax on your desktop and log in, or register if you’re new.
- Click New on the left panel, then choose Blank Drawing to open a fresh canvas.
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Step2Add a Background Image
- Go to the Insert tab and click Picture.
- Choose Local Pictures to upload a background image.
- Use the Adjust option on the floating toolbar to change brightness, contrast, or transparency so it suits your design.
Step3Insert a Timeline Title
- Add a title such as “Babylon Empire Timeline” using text or image. Let’s use text here.
- Click Text and then Click to Add Title to add your heading.
- Optionally, Insert icons like stars, cuneiform symbols, or ancient temples to make it more engaging.
Step4Insert the Timeline Layout
- On the top menu, go to Insert and select Timeline.
- Pick a Vertical Timeline with image placeholders, then click OK to add it to your canvas.
- Click on the timeline to open a toolbar where you can adjust its structure to fit Babylon’s chronology.
Step5Add Key Babylon Events
- Click Text on the left editing panel.
- Use Click to Add Subtitle for each era or ruler.
- Then use Click to Add Body to add short descriptions of each major event, king, or achievement.
- Repeat this process for all the events.
Step6Insert Milestone Images
- Go to Insert > Picture > Local Pictures and upload images like Babylon’s walls, ziggurats, kings, or artifacts.
- Click an image, choose Crop to Shape, and select a frame style to match your layout.
- Repeat for each milestone to make your timeline more visual and engaging.
Step7Save and Share Your Timeline
- When your timeline is complete, click File > Save to keep an editable version.
- To share it, go to File > Export and choose PNG, PDF, SVG, HTML, Visio, or Excel.
- Click Publish to share your timeline with the EdrawMax community.
Final Words
Babylon had an incredible journey from a small riverside town to one of the most famous cities of the ancient world. Kings like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar II made it powerful. They built walls, temples, and even the Hanging Gardens. Even when the city faced attacks or weak rulers, it stayed a center for learning, religion, and culture. Its ideas and achievements influenced generations to come.
If you want to see Babylon’s journey in a simple way, use EdrawMax. It helps you make clear and fun charts that show the rise and fall of empires.
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