---
product_id: 4603841
title: "The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon: An Elusive World Wonder Traced"
brand: "brand: oxford university press, usa"
price: "€ 60.95"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Book"
url: https://www.desertcart.gr/products/4603841-the-mystery-of-the-hanging-garden-of-babylon-an-elusive
store_origin: GR
region: Greece
---

# The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon: An Elusive World Wonder Traced

**Brand:** brand: oxford university press, usa
**Price:** € 60.95
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon: An Elusive World Wonder Traced by brand: oxford university press, usa
- **How much does it cost?** € 60.95 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.gr](https://www.desertcart.gr/products/4603841-the-mystery-of-the-hanging-garden-of-babylon-an-elusive)

## Best For

- brand: oxford university press, usa enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted brand: oxford university press, usa brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

From Booklist
        	
        	
        		
        		
	        		
						
			        		The locations of most of the seven wonders of the ancient world were known, but not that of the fabled Hanging Garden of Babylon, when Dalley embarked on research into it. A scholar of cuneiform texts, Dalley interprets many pieces of such archaeological evidence, but initially she reviews the descriptions of a fabulous garden given by ancient Greek and Roman authors. Only one, Josephus, specified Babylon as the location, a minority voice that provokes Dalley&#x2019;s suspicion that it was built elsewhere. As prelude to tackling that mystery, she discusses irrigation in ancient Mesopotamia, delving into detail about the water-raising device known as the Archimedes screw. Royal boasts in cuneiform about construction projects inform Dalley&#x2019;s discussion, which strives to dispel confusion among the experts about which monarch built what palace and grounds. Dalley&#x2019;s assessments induce her to propose that the garden was built by Sennacherib at Nineveh and probably was destroyed along with the rest of the city in 612 BCE. Loaded with illustrations, this work makes an intriguing argument as it accesses a special subject for general readers. --Gilbert Taylor
						    	
					    	
						
						Read more
					
	        	
        	
        
        	
        		Review
        	
        	
        		
        		
	        		
						
			        		&quot;Deeply researched and rigorously argued -- and certain to raise both hopes and objections.&quot; --Kirkus Reviews&quot;[Dalley] makes a compelling case. Scholars will doubtless find matter for debate, but her central argument rings true.&quot; --The Sunday Times&quot;[A] learned and never less than gripping study... There remain plenty of scholars who still stick by the traditional attribution of the wonder to Nebuchadnezzar, but I suspect that, with the publication of this book, Dalley will be adding to her already heavy-weight roster of supporters... [When] the inadequacies of a received tradition are as glaring as they clearly are in the case of the Hanging Garden, it is a cause for celebration that there are scholars of the calibre of Stephanie Dalley to propose a convincing alternative.&quot; --Literary Review&quot;[A] bold, clear and immensely interesting new book. Every good summer needs a controversy and Dalley&apos;s high-class book and sheer likeability have now given us an excellent one.&quot; --Financial Times&quot;This fascinating book reads more like a detective story than a scholarly account of an ancient civilization ... Ms. Dalley makes a brilliant and convincing argument.&quot; --Land & Business&quot;An enjoyable read throughout.&quot; --BBC History Magazine&quot;[Dalley] makes a compelling case. Scholars will doubtless find matter for debate, but her central argument rings true.&quot; --The Sunday Times&quot;[A] learned and never less than gripping study... There remain plenty of scholars who still stick by the traditional attribution of the wonder to Nebuchadnezzar, but I suspect that, with the publication of this book, Dalley will be adding to her already heavy-weight roster of supporters... [When] the inadequacies of a received tradition are as glaring as they clearly are in the case of the Hanging Garden, it is a cause for celebration that there are scholars of the calibre of Stephanie Dalley to propose a convincing alternative.&quot; --Literary Review&quot;[A] bold, clear and immensely interesting new book. Every good summer needs a controversy and Dalley&apos;s high-class book and sheer likeability have now given us an excellent one.&quot; --Financial Times
						    	
					    	
						
						Read more
					
	        	
        	
        
                
        
        
            
            
            See all Editorial Reviews

## Images

![The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon: An Elusive World Wonder Traced - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LNe7dm3RL.jpg)
![The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon: An Elusive World Wonder Traced - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31jygMdoJQL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ENJOYABLE HISTORICAL DETECTIVE STORY
            
*by V***S on July 8, 2013*

Though I lack the academic credentials to dispute any part of the author's solution to "The Mystery of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon", I enjoyed every step of her convincing investigation, and would be interested to read any serious objections. The footnotes and bibliography support the most thorough research into every aspect of the written and archaelogical evidence. There are many figures, and some color photos, including stills from her BBC documentary of 1999, which is now available on line. Since this is a mystery apparently solved, I shall not disclose any spoilers. However, here are a couple of things not generally known outside academic circles: An analysis of samples, taken in 1935, confirmed that concrete was used by the civilization that created the Garden. Even recent books continue to state that the Romans invented concrete, when in fact they perfected the mix by adding volcanic ash, etc, and were also masters of its use underwater. The use of bronze-cast screws, explained here, and recreated in the documentary, suggests that this civilization had mastered this device hundreds of years before Archimedes, who is usually given credit. And hydraulic engineering in general was of course an essential component. This book is not "fantastic archaeology", a speculative fantasy resting on nothing. It is a work of serious scholarship, well written for a wide audience. It belongs in every collection on archaeology and the ancient near east,and I have no reservations about placing it on my shelf with established studies in those fields.
  

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Nineveh!
            
*by A***S on August 11, 2014*

The Mystery of the  Hanging Garden of Babylon by Stephanie Dally, the elusive ancient Seventh Wonder of the World, is exquisitely written and obviously scholarly, perhaps even exhaustively so, but captivating nonetheless from beginning to end, albeit the author proves that the Garden was at Nineveh by the Tigris, not Babylon by the Euphrates. Read the book and see for yourself how she works that bit of magic--backed by rational thought and scholarly detective work worthy of her credentials at the Oriental Institute of Oxford!  --Zario Zolo
  

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ you will enjoy this book
            
*by M***A on August 30, 2013*

Anyone can read this book. That is to say, you don't need to by an expert in archeology or history to enjoy the writing. It provides new and old evidence that challenges the encyclopedia's definition of The Hanging Garden of Babylon and its creator. The author guides you through several chapters filled with evidence ranging from Greek literature, technology, architecture and  symbolism by providing plates and writings to make her point. Recommended.
  

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.gr/products/4603841-the-mystery-of-the-hanging-garden-of-babylon-an-elusive](https://www.desertcart.gr/products/4603841-the-mystery-of-the-hanging-garden-of-babylon-an-elusive)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Greece*
*Store origin: GR*
*Last updated: 2026-02-24*