The ancient Babylonians had an almost symbiotic relationship between religion and government
that lasted for millennia.
Yet it can be found even to this day as it bubbles away almost unnoticed
under the banner of a united Europe.
The year is 539 BC and the city of Babylon has fallen to the Medo-Persian Empire
by the hands of Cyrus the Great
However, the Babylonian priesthood, or Chaldean magi as they are also known,
continued to play an important role alongside the conquering Persians.
The Chaldean priesthood played an intermediary role between their god ‘Bel-Marduk’
and the king.
At the start of each year in spring they would celebrate the barley harvest,
with what is known as the Akitu festival.
On the fifth day of the festival the High Priest would conduct an unusual ceremony
in order to humiliate the king.
In the words of religious historian Jonathan Zittel Smith:
The Chaldean magi were therefore still fully integrated into the politico-religious affairs
of Babylon.
After nearly fifty years of their intrusive practises and two attempts to usurp the throne,
Xerxes I punished the priesthood in 487 BC
The eventual effect of this was the relocation and re-establishing of the Chaldean Magi
to another area, in the ancient city of Pergamon, modern day Turkey.
Historian William B. Barker stated that
Shortly after the success of Alexander the Great’s military campaign in 336 BC,
Pergamon entered the Hellenistic period.
The Babylonian system, its religion and pagan gods continued,
albeit now in the guise of Greek mythology.
Bel-Marduk, or Belus became known to the Greeks as Zeus
According to Greek Historian, Diodorius, the Assyrian queen Semiramis
Henry Layard also proved the origins of Greek Mythology in his book, 'Nineveh and its Remains"
Let me take a moment to just to clarify that Assyrian religious origin that Layard refers to
included the Babylonian religion as they were almost identical.
Layard stated this fact in his later book, 'Nineveh and Babylon'
The power and influence wielded from Pargamon
ended with the death of Attalus III in 133 BC.
Upon his death, Attalus bequeathed his domain and title of Pontifex Maximum to Rome.
The interesting origin of this title is recorded by François Lenormant in his book
In 63 BC Julius Caesar was officially recognised as Pontifex Maximus
and this tradition was continued by successive Roman Emperors
until Gratian refused the title.
Two years later, however, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Demasus I
was elected Pontifex Maximus.
In the words of William Barry, in his book on The Papal Monarchy
Yet the role of the Chief Magi has nothing to do with Christianity.
It merely adopted Christianity to serve its purpose;
you can watch our Viewpoint titled 'Constantine & Christianity' to learn more about this.
Today the Pope, or Pontifus Maximus, sits on the same seat of power
that the Chaldean Chief Magi once occupied in Babylon.
According to the book of Revelation ,
this religious seat is the center of the Babylonian Mystery religion
and it patiently awaits a European restitution between both Church and State,
which will bring about a global shift in power
unlike anything we have seen before.
I am Jonathan Riley for Tomorrow’s World Viewpoint.