The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: Myths and Modernity

This chapter explores the historical and architectural significance of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, referencing ancient historians and the structure's engineering challenges. It contrasts the site's grandeur with contemporary decay and discusses recent controversies surrounding its reconstruction in the 1980s. Additionally, the chapter touches on broader themes of accountability in higher education, with reflections on freedom of speech and university governance, particularly in relation to recent unrest at Stanford University.