A tribute to King Nebuchadnezzar II’s power, this mudbrick is inscribed with a square cuneiform stamp that reads: “Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, supporter of Esagil and Ezida, son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon.” Although typical of Mesopotamian architecture by its material, namely mud from the Euphrates or Tigris, this brick is quite peculiar in its shape, as square bricks were only found in the region of Babylon. Most probably made to be part of a building that would have been a testament to the king’s grandeur, such as a palace or a temple, it is now an important element in the understanding of his reign and political personality.   

Esagila and Ezida were two temples, respectively dedicated to Marduk, God of Babylon and to the God of writing. By mentioning these places in the stamp, the brick displays the importance of religious commitment in Nebuchadnezzar’s identity as a monarch. In fact, his patronage to these temples is one of the key elements of what is mentioned – and should therefore be remembered – about him. But more than simply showing us a personal element about Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, the brick also accounts in a broader way for the links between politics and religion in his days. It is clearly shown that they were indivisible from each other, and even intertwined, as no possible mutual independence was even thought of. This brick can therefore be seen as evidence for the early stages of the relationship between the political society and religion, as it comes from a time where our modern secularisation was an unknown and unthought-of process.