Cuneiform script on the Ishtar Gate. These words were written by the famous Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II in his own hand in 575 BC: I, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the pious king, the tireless ruler, who always cares for the welfare of the people of Babylon, I have accomplished what no king before me has accomplished. I have built these walls and gates and made them sacred to the gods. I have laid the pure blue stones, lapis lazuli, upon them are images of dragons, bulls, and lions, and adorned them with these dazzling colors so that mankind may enjoy this majestic and enchanting sight. Babylon may one day fall under another lord after me, but wherever that lord goes, he will find the blue tiles and stones, telling future generations of the glory I have brought to Babylon. Note: This inscription is found on the Ishtar Gate and is from the words of King Nebuchadnezzar himself. It is preserved with the gate in the Pergamon Museum in Germany.