Babylonia (𒆳𒆍𒀭𒊏𒆠) was an ancient state based around the city of Babylon in present-day Iraq. In Mesopotamia, the civilization of Sumer existed around 5400 BCE, and Babylonia emerged sometime in the 3000s. The Babylonian state used Akkadian language, but retained the Sumerian language in sacred texts. Babylonia thrived for more than 1,300 years; however, in that time, Southern Mesopotamia had no defensible boundaries, leaving it vulnerable to attack from neighbouring states. After the death of Hammurabi, sixth Babylonian ruler, the dynasty began to decline rapidly until, in around 1595 BCE, Babylonia was conquered by the Hittites.
