The descriptions of ancient writers would lead us to expect that we should find among the ruins unmistakable traces of the great temple of Belus, and at least some indication of the position occupied by the Hanging Gardens.

These two famous constructions can scarcely, one would think, have wholly perished.

More especially, the Belus temple, which was a stade square, and (according to some) a stade in height, must almost of necessity have a representative among the existing remains.

This, indeed, is admitted on all hands; and the controversy is thereby narrowed to the question, which of two great ruins--the only two entitled by their size and situation to attention--has the better right to be regarded as the great and celebrated sanctuary of the ancient Babylon.
That the mound of Babil is the _ziggurat_ or tower of a Babylonian temple scarcely admits of a doubt.

Its square shape, its solid construction, its isolated grandeur, its careful emplacement with the sides facing the cardinal points, and its close resemblance to other known Babylonian temple-towers, sufficiently mark it for a building of this character, or at any rate raise a presumption which it would require very strong reasons indeed to overcome.