On top of the ziggurat, where the world’s first citizens surveyed sweet waters, date palms, canals, temples, gardens and palaces, the soldiers asked about my trip.

ziggurat (n) : a temple tower of the Babylonians or Assyrians, consisting of a lofty pyramidal structure, built in successive stages, with outside staircases, and a shrine at the top; – called also zikkurat – source: G2 25.03.2003, p. 4