This is the beautiful reconstructed smaller frontal of the double Ishtar Gate, the eighth to the inner city of Babylon, in the Pergamon Museum of Berlin, Germany.

It was fashioned some time around 575 BC during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II of the Neo-Babylonian Empire on the north side of the city, dedicated as the name reflects to goddess Ishtar.

Once every year, the Ishtar Gate and linking Processional Way were employed in the New Year’s procession to Akitu Temple, located outside the city, which was part of the annual Akitu Festival that marked the beginning of the new year.

The rituals and ceremonies concerned lasted for twelve days and the festival commenced on the first day of the shifting month Nisannu, associated with the barley harvest at the time of the vernal equinox.