The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven (1) ____________ of the Ancient World, are believed to have been constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 605-562 BCE. According to historical accounts, the gardens were built to please his homesick wife, Amytis of Media, who longed for the green hills and valleys of her homeland. The gardens are said to have featured a series of terraces, lush with trees, shrubs, and vines, creating a remarkable oasis in the arid (2) ____________ of Babylon.
The actual existence and (3) ____________ of the Hanging Gardens are subjects of debate among historians and archaeologists. Some suggest that they might not have been located in Babylon at all, but rather in Nineveh, based on the findings of ancient texts and archaeological evidence. The gardens were described as being irrigated by a (4) ____________, possibly involving a chain pump or a series of buckets and pulleys to lift water from the Euphrates River.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their existence, the legend of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon endures, symbolizing the grandeur and innovation of ancient Mesopotamian civilization. These gardens continue to capture the imagination, representing the interplay between human ingenuity and the (5) ____________. Today, the idea of the Hanging Gardens remains a powerful testament to the (6) ____________ and horticultural achievements of ancient societies.
