Zikurat (Noun)
Meaning
A rectangular tiered temple or terraced mound erected by the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The Great Ziggurat of Ur, a massive zikurat built in the 3rd millennium BC, was one of the most impressive architectural achievements of the ancient Sumerians.
- The zikurat at Babylon was dedicated to the god Marduk and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Excavations at the ancient city of Nineveh uncovered a well-preserved zikurat that dated back to the 7th century BC.
- The zikurat was often seen as a bridge between heaven and earth, with its multiple levels representing the different realms of the universe.
- The ancient Assyrian king Sennacherib built a grand zikurat at the city of Ashur, which was adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.