Chapter 5: He searches for the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate.

Along the old processional way he went, and considered the terraces, galleries and arcades that he saw. He came upon an enclosure full of trees and well tended. As he wandered through, he saw some of the men from the temple. Talking to them, he learned that many new plants had been brought to Babylon over centuries. The priests of the temple were not good cultivators, and only tended those they valued most. Here was a tree that had come from India, much valued for the sublime flavour of its fruit.

NOTE: historical analysis has shown this to be the mango tree Mangifera indica

Hiram continued on his way. He found the largest arch he had seen so far. It seemed that the structure was half buried in wind-blown soil. He wondered if this was the famous Ishtar Gate, named in honour of Ishtar, the ancient goddess known as Inanna to the Sumerians. It was late in the day and Hiram settled down to sleep on the ground under the arch.

At dusk a woman appeared and stood against a wall of the arch. He had not seen her before. She lifted her skirt around her waist and offered herself to him. She was smiling and of irresistible beauty. He asked what her price was, and she told him that all she asked of him was that he should help her people.

When he awoke the next morning he wondered if she had been just a dream. He never saw her again although he looked out for her.