He had seen how the gate was built out of stone and cedar. He had seen the blue glazed tiles and the golden lions. It was an honorable monument to Ishtar, goddess of Babylon, goddess of Ur and Akkad. She who held the secret of life ever lasting...

He knew it would not stand forever, for he had seen them in his dreams. Chariots and hooves shook the earth of the Land between the Streams. He had felt it tremble and awoke with tears on his face. His wives were around him and tried to comfort him, but he could not stop weeping, for he had seen the wrath of the gods and men alike.

He heard the sandals of the Assyrians and the screams of women. The city was destroyed and the rubble thrown into the southern sea. Ishtar's tears flooded the Tigris and Eufrates.

" This was only the beginning", her voice had told him. And he had seen how the river dried up and the city burned, again and again. One invader after the other came and each of them excelled in destruction.

Bearded men with curved bows, half naked ones with iron helmets, men from the deserts on white horses and men from the plains with camels and sturdy ponies, but the further into the future he glanced, the more fearsome they appeared.

The last ones he had seen before his wives had woken him were a grasshopper with iron wings and dragon that breathed fire. Warriors were riding roaring lions and of Babylon was left naught but ashes. The skies were red and he saw how people turned to dust.

" Wake up", they said, "It's only a dream", but in the distance he heard the voice of Ishtar and it talked about oil...