The city of Babylon became the capital of southern Mesopotamia. Babylon was one of the greatest urban centres in the history of the world. The city covered several square miles. It was enclosed by massive walls 15 metres high and 17 metres thick. The walls of this ancient city still stand today. The city was built along the banks of the Euphrates River.

Cuneiform writing was invented by the Sumerians more than five thousand years ago. Earl cuneiform used pictures, but gradually the symbols became more abstract.

The city flourished for almost 2,000 years. It was a centre of trade, manufacturing, education, medicine, and above all, agricultural engineering. One of the earliest and greatest leaders of Babylon was Hammurabi. The Code of Hammurabi, which included both the laws and the punishment for breaking them, was etched into a stone tablet and put on display for all to see.