Civilization V - Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar II)

King Nebuchadnezzar
Ancient Babylon Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar Babylon Map
Civilization V - Babylon (nebuchadnezzar Ii) 2
Civilization V - Babylon (nebuchadnezzar Ii) 6

With over 40 different civilizations to play, Civ 5 is a massively replayable 4X strategy experience. Each civ and leader favors at least one of the four different paths to victory (domination, science, diplomacy, and culture). While most leaders can competently pursue any of these conditions, not are created equal. This content requires the base game Sid Meier's Civilization V. Previously available exclusively as part of the Digital Deluxe Edition, the Babylonian Civilization Pack and their ruler, Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 561 B.C.), is now available as a separate download.

Babylon rose from Mesopotamia: the land between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, just southwest of modern-day Baghdad, around 2000 BC. At the time, the people weren’t known as Babylonians, but Amorites. A chieftain named Sumu-abum declared him and his people independent from the neighboring city-state, Kazallu, and founded the first Babylonian dynasty. But Babylon was a minor city-state until the rule of its most famous ruler, Hammurabi.
Hammurabi improved the infrastructure of Babylon and expanded its borders through a series of alliances, betrayals, and conquests. He ruled his empire with a set of laws collected in the Code of Hammurabi, laws that detailed how crime and punishment should be handled. They were incredibly specific and rational: most of us are familiar with the expression “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” from the code, but they also detail prices for theft (stealing an ox is punishable by paying thirty times the original price), medical malpractice, and other offenses. Significantly, the Code contains within it the assumption of innocence until proven guilty, an innovation at that time.
Even though Hammurabi was often away on military campaigns, he continued to rule from a distance, allowing him to maintain a personal touch with his rapidly expanding empire. By the end of his forty-two-year reign, he controlled all of southern Mesopotamia. The city of Babylon was established as the capital of this empire, and it became the heart of wealth and power in Mesopotamia.
Babylon declined after Hammurabi’s passing in 1750 BC. None of his successors had the same vision, alliances, or military prowess to hold together the massive empire (at least none of them were deified during their lifetimes like Hammurabi was—it was a lot to live up to). Hammurabi’s immediate successor, Samsu-iluna, saw the empire Hammurabi built begin to collapse. The Assyrians pushed back against Hammurabi’s expansions, and his successors failed to hold the borders, reducing Babylon to a smaller city-state once again.
For the next few hundred years, Babylon was overthrown, sacked, and conquered multiple times. Crop failures, a lack of a strong ruler, and outside conflicts hampered the city’s ability to regain a steady foothold even within their borders. The Hittites, Kassites, Chaldeans, Aramaeans, and finally, the Assyrians all claimed the land for a time. Under the Kassites, Babylon was able to find some prosperity again (under the name “Karanduniash”), particularly in the areas of math, medicine, and astrology. They held the city for over four hundred years, until it was taken over by yet another conqueror.
During the later part of Assyrian-ruled Babylon, amid Assyrian king Sennacherib’s reign, Babylonia was in perpetual state of unrest and rebellion, which Sennacherib reasoned could only be stopped by razing the city. The city burned. Sennacherib broke down the walls and ruined the city, destroying its religious temples and palaces. Sennacherib’s own sons were shocked by what he’d done and murdered their father in penance before helping to rebuild the city.
King Nabopolassar of Chaldea began building up the city once again in 612 BC. He started by making alliances, and then his son, King Nebuchadnezzar II, built Babylon to become one of the most beautiful wonders of the ancient world. In a flurry of architectural artistry, Nebuchadnezzar built the Etemenanki ziggurat and the Ishtar Gate. It’s said he also commissioned the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for his wife, although the location has never been confirmed.
Like many other regions around 500 BC, Babylon fell to Cyrus the Great of Persia. Under King Cyrus II and eventually King Darius I, Babylon was made the capital city of the 9th Satrapy, or province, as well as the administrative capital of the Persian Empire. It once again became a city that catered to scholars and artists alike. For two hundred years, the city prospered. However, over time, the city revolted, particularly after taxes were increased without significant structural improvements to show for the money.
Babylon saw the conquest of Alexander the Great, who once again brought wealth and knowledge to the city. For twelve years, the echo of past golden ages rippled through the region. Following Alexander’s passing and ill-advised division of his empire to multiple generals, combined with the “transfer” of part of the population, the city-state once more fell into commercial insignificance.
Despite the cycles of conquest, destruction, and later rebuilding, Babylon remained firmly rooted within our historical memory thanks to its periods of academic and architectural prominence. Regardless of whether the Hanging Gardens once resided in Babylon, the city still boasts other architectural marvels. Despite periods of conquest, Babylon was never wholly razed or sowed with salt. Instead, the conquerors, to a degree, allowed some aspects to remain. Pieces of the Ishtar gate, tablets, and even floor are still found at the ancient site, in present-day Iraq, waiting to be unearthed and, perhaps, built again.

King Nebuchadnezzar

Civ 6 might be the hottest Civilization game at the moment, but I can’t help but love Civ 5.

I don’t know if it’s the game’s art, or if I just found the gameplay so smooth, but this is easily in my top Civ games ever.

And I know that there are many people that still play it to this day, and absolutely love it.

So if you’re firing up another campaign and you’re looking for help on leadership, I’ll be ranking all the best leaders here. So you can make the right choice on your next Civilization V playthrough.

My picks are organized by victory type and civilization, so this should be easy to skim as well.

Best Leaders for Science Victory (Civ V)

Science victories have always been the most fun, because they allow you to research crazy technologies many ages after they existed in the real world.

There’s nothing more hilarious than seeing canons in the second century, at least in my opinion!

Here are my picks for the best leaders for a Science victory, if that’s your kinda thing.

Babylon – Nebuchadnezzar II

Although not as well-rounded as Korea, Babylon has a bunch of small improvements that will help you go for a science victory, and advance in technological discoveries much quicker than other civs.

With Babylon, you can build an academy very early on.

This makes it one of the best civilizations in general (well, for a science victory). They lack a strong military, though. So fair warning.

Korea – Sejong

Korea is arguably the best civilization in the game if you’re looking to get a science victory.

They have a special ability where all Great Person improvements, as well as all specialists, get a +2 bonus to science.

This will allow you to turn a ton of your tiles into science-oriented ones.

You should also look to build science-oriented wonders above anything else, too. You can use the improvements on them to boost the science yield even further!

Best Leaders for Culture Victory (Civ V)

Whether you’d like to sell your soul to the devil and become like Dubai, or follow a more traditional cultural path a la Europe, you’ll want to pick one of these leaders (and/or civs) to start your new game on the cultural side.

Brazil – Pedro II

Brazil will see you getting more tourists than any other.

Mostly thanks to their bonus for doubling all tourists in the region, as well as the unique ability to summon extra Great Persons when a Golden Age arises.

If you want an easy win and you’re going for a cultural victory, you’ll want to give the Brazilians a try. They will not disappoint.

Besides, they do have some rather strong units that will help you defend your territory against any incoming foes, should the chance for war draw close to your touristic borders.

Egypt – Ramesses II

Even though Egypt is seen as a powerful militaristic civilization in the game, it allows for various playthroughs that make it a well-rounded civ as a whole.

Egypt’s ability to create wonders faster than anyone else is probably the main reason why so many people love them. And that’s exactly why I think they’re the best for a cultural victory.

Spam those wonders and win, my son.

Best Leaders for Diplomacy Victory (Civ V)

Honestly, I never found it entertaining to play for a Diplomacy victory.

Why play peacefully when you can nuke the living crap out of your enemies? Virtually, of course.

In any case, these are my favorite leaders for a Diplomacy victory.

Venice – Enrico Dandolo

Added in the Brave New World update, the Venetian civilization is one of the best for a diplomacy victory, thanks to its unique gameplay strategies.

These are far too complex to go into details, but the way the Venetians build up their diplomacy is, alone, a fantastic reason to give them a go when opting for this path.

If you’re interested to learn more there’s actually this guide, well worth a read.

Siam – Ramkhamhaeng

I always found it great to play with city-states as your allies.

And I have to say that there’s no better way to do it than with the Siam.

You’ll be able to increase your Food, Culture, and Faith by becoming friendlier with city-states, which can be done easily thanks to the diplomatic bonuses of the civilization.

City-states will also help you build up a strong military so you can focus on your diplomacy all you want, without forgetting about your armies.

Best Leaders for Domination Victory (Civ V)

Ah, Domination.

Destroy cities, conquer your enemies, and annoy Gandhi to the point where he’ll decide to nuke you and start the most dangerous war in the history of Earth.

But which Civ 5 leaders are best fit for the role?

Poland – Casimir III

If you love cavalry, you’ll want to use Poland.

Civilization v - babylon (nebuchadnezzar ii) download

Ancient Babylon Nebuchadnezzar

Not only do they have unique Winged Hussars, but also a unique type of stable that’s way superior to the average one in the game.

Poland is not only one for the best civilizations for a domination victory, but it also stands as the best rounded-up civilization in the game.

You can actually pick Poland and go for any type of victory. That’s how awesome they are.

Zulu – Shaka

The Zulu have a unique unit that makes it one of the coolest civs out there, as well as a powerful military bonus that will have you looking for a domination victory as soon as the game starts.

You’ll be able to make it pretty far into a Civ 5 campaign if you opt for an early rush strategy. But the mid-game is where the Zulu becomes the most powerful here.

Hunnic – Attila

Atilla and the Huns are the most offensive civilization in the game, run by one hell of a leader.

They have siege units available earlier than any other civ, while also having Attila as their Leader, who’s the best conqueror the world has ever seen.

Nebuchadnezzar Babylon Map

As a Hun, you’ll want to rush your enemies in the early game and take full advantage of your early-game siege and powerful infantry.

Wipe the floors and conquer the world before the game is even halfway done.

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