A king of Babylon once took a Persian wife; in the broad plains of the Euphrates she fell sick of longing for her native mountains; he caused a gigantic structure to be raised on arches, and the summit thereof to be covered with a depth of rich earth; caused the choicest trees and flowers to be planted there, and watered by artificial machinery.

This wonder completed, he led his wife thither; from its top she could look down into the plains below, as from the heights of Rachined, and with this costly gift he presented her.

Tell me, could even an Egyptian give more ?" [This stupendous erection is said to have been constructed by Nebuchadnezzar for his Persian wife Amytis.

Curtius V.5.
Josephus contra Apion.

I.19.Antiquities X.II.