Rules for their pronunciation were accordingly laid down, which were the more necessary as the hymns were in Sumerian.

The dead language of Sumer had become sacred, like Latin in the Middle Ages, and each line of a hymn was provided with a translation in Semitic Babylonian.
In appearance, a Babylonian temple was not very unlike those of Canaan or of Solomon.

The image of the god stood in the innermost shrine, the Holy of Holies, where also was the mercy-seat, whereon it was believed, as upon a throne, the deity was accustomed to descend at certain times of the year.

In the little temple of Balawat, near Nineveh, discovered by Mr.Hormuzd Rassam, the mercy-seat was shaped like an ark, and contained two written tables of stone; no statue of the god, however, seems in this instance to have stood beside it.

In front of it was the altar, approached by steps.
In the court of the temple was a "sea" or "deep," like that which was made by Solomon.