Babylon

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbæ.bɪ.lɒn/

Definitions

1. An ancient city in Mesopotamia famous for its grand buildings and rich cultural significance
2. A historical metropolis located in ancient Mesopotamia, renowned for its impressive architecture and pivotal role in cultural and political developments
3. An influential urban center of the ancient Near East, notable for its elaborate structures and significant contributions to civilization and trade

Etymology: The city's Akkadian name was Bāb-ilim, meaning "gate of the god," which the Greeks rendered as Babylōn. The Hebrew form, Bavel, resembles a verb meaning "to confuse," and Genesis 11 links the city's name to the scattering of human speech. That is a wordplay rather than the true origin. The name later took on a figurative sense. In Revelation, Babylon stands for a corrupt and oppressive power, and that symbolism was taken up by the Rastafari movement in Jamaica, where it denotes the established order and its authorities. The sense reached wider British audiences through Sacha Baron Cohen's satirical television show Da Ali G Show (2000–2004), which popularised it in that usage.