Question

Жители Вавилона знали соседние с Двуречьем страны и моря . Например , они знали о существовании двух больших водных пространств. Это не были реки - одно из них они называли морем Восхода , а другое -море Заката .Как в наши дни называются эти водные пространства ? Чем объяснить каждое из древних названий?

Answer 1

Море Восхода - Персидский залив. Море Заката - Средиземное море. Так как они считали, что мир заключён между двумя морями, с одного из которых восход, а на другое закат.

Answer 2

Ancient Names for Water Bodies in Babylon

The ancient residents of Babylon were aware of the neighboring lands and seas surrounding Mesopotamia. They had knowledge of two significant water bodies, which they referred to as the "Sea of the Rising Sun" and the "Sea of the Setting Sun" These were not rivers but rather large bodies of water. In modern times, these water bodies are known by different names.

Sea of the Rising Sun

The water body referred to as the "Sea of the Rising Sun" by the Babylonians is now known as the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf is located in Western Asia and is an extension of the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. The name "Sea of the Rising Sun" likely refers to the location of the Persian Gulf to the east of Babylon, where the sun rises.

Sea of the Setting Sun

The water body known as the "Sea of the Setting Sun" by the Babylonians corresponds to the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea is a large body of water located between Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. The name "Sea of the Setting Sun" likely refers to the location of the Mediterranean Sea to the west of Babylon, where the sun sets.

To summarize, the Babylonians referred to the Persian Gulf as the "Sea of the Rising Sun" and the Mediterranean Sea as the "Sea of the Setting Sun." These names likely originated from the geographical positions of these water bodies in relation to Babylon.