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'Narrative of a journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, now first published: memoir on the ruins; with engravings from the original sketches by the author: remarks on the topography of ancient Babylon, by Major Rennell; in reference to the memoir: second memoir on the ruins; in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon. East India Company at Bagdad. Edited by his widow.' [‎94] (180/474)

The record is made up of 1 volume (324 pages). It was created in 1839. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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MEMOIR ON THE RUINS
semblance in themselves to the Birs; and we may,
therefore, reasonably conclude that they were in
tended for the same design, either the honour of the
dead, the observation of the celestial bodies, religious
worship, or perhaps some of these motives combined.
In like manner we find in Egypt the original idea
of the pyramids exactly copied at different times
on a smaller scale, and each pyramid having its
dependant temple. I leave to the learned the de
cision of this point, and the determining what de
gree of resemblance, in form and purpose, exists be
tween the pyramids of Memphis and the tower of
Belus.
I have dwelt the longer on this most interesting
of the Babylonian edifices, as I shall have but little
to offer on the rest. The citadel or palace (for it
served both these purposes, and was the only fortress
within the walls) was surrounded by an exterior
wall of sixty stadia in circumference ; inside which
was another of forty stadia, the interior face of which
was ornamented with painting, as is the custom of
the Persians at the present day ; and again, within
this last was a third, adorned with designs of hunt-
ing. On the opposite side of the river, and on the
same side with the tower of Belus, was situated the
old palace, the outer wall of which was no larger
than the inner one of the new. Above the new
palace or citadel were the hanging gardens, which,
according to Strabo, formed a square of four plethra
each face, and were fifty cubits in height. When I

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Narrative of a journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, now first published: memoir on the ruins; with engravings from the original sketches by the author: remarks on the topography of ancient Babylon, by Major Rennell; in reference to the memoir: second memoir on the ruins; in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon. East India Company at Bagdad , by Claudius James Rich.

Publication details: Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Duke-street, Stamford Street, London. Published by Duncan and Malcolm, Paternoster Row, MDCCCXXXIX [1839].

Physical description: Includes plates, illustrations, plan; octavo.

Extent and format
1 volume (324 pages)
Arrangement

The volume contains a table of contents with chapter headings with page references (pp xi-xv). Each chapter heading is followed by a detailed breakdown of the contents of that chapter. There is a list of illustrations (p xvi) with facing page references.

Physical characteristics

Dimensions: 220mm x 135mm.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Narrative of a journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, now first published: memoir on the ruins; with engravings from the original sketches by the author: remarks on the topography of ancient Babylon, by Major Rennell; in reference to the memoir: second memoir on the ruins; in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon. East India Company at Bagdad. Edited by his widow.' [‎94] (180/474), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOL.1947.a.2083., in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024137247.0x0000b5> [accessed 23 March 2025]

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