Britannica Sources used in this answer

How large was the base of Etemenanki, the ziggurat linked with the Tower of Babel?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Reconstructed Ishtar Gate at Babylon near Al-Hillah, Iraq, featuring blue walls decorated with rows of yellow and white animal reliefs and a central arched entrance. — Babylon A reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate at the ruins of Babylon, near modern Al-Ḥillah, Iraq.

The Etemenanki, the ziggurat in Babylon often associated with the Tower of Babel, featured a square base. According to the Esagila Tablet, which provides the mean dimensions of the structure, the base measured approximately 300 feet (91.4 meters) on each side.1