ancient city which was the capital of Babylonia (an ancient empire in southwest Asia in what is now central Iraq). Babylonia flourished ca. 2100 - 689 b.c., and again ca. 625 - 538 b.c. as Chaldea or "New Babylonia." Babylon was noted for its wealth, luxury and wickedness. While under Chaldean rule, in 538 b.c., Babylon was captured by the Persians and Babylonia became an unimportant region of the PersianEmpire. See also Chaldean in this glossary.—Dianetics 55! Glossary (app 9.7.90)