Animating the City of Nineveh
RevelationMedia is bringing Scripture to life through carefully crafted 3D animations. Explore the latest installment of iBIBLE, the world’s first fully animated journey through the Divine Narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. Join families worldwide and watch now at www.i.BIBLE!
This week, step into the streets of the ancient city of Nineveh. Learn how the animators at RevelationMedia are reconstructing the prominence of this great city for upcoming episodes of iBIBLE.
Below is a reconstruction capturing the city’s interior as it was during the time of the prophet Jonah, around the 8th century BC. At the height of its empire, Assyria controlled territories across Mesopotamia, the Levant, and even into Egypt in what today have become Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, and more. The animators are currently crafting the lush flora that adorn the outer walls of this city’s landscape.
Nineveh, the Assyrian Empire’s last great capital, stretched across the Tigris River and was vast enough that Jonah took three days to cross it (Jonah 3:3).
Our animation team carefully studies the historical and archeological details of ancient cites like Nineveh to accurately portray their role in the Biblical Narrative. Below you’ll see annotations on a frame suggesting edits to the royal palace.
The impressive walls and grand palace of Nineveh highlight the wealth and ambitions of its rulers. Some scholars suggest that Nineveh may have been the actual location of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. This is supported by historical records showing Nineveh’s extensive gardens, aqueducts, and irrigation systems that could have sustained such a legendary wonder.
Below is a detailed view of a main street in Nineveh, showcasing the gates, temple, and palace as they might have appeared to Jonah when he was sent to call the city to repentance.
Despite its size and wealth, Assyria was no match for God. During King Hezekiah’s reign, God protected Jerusalem from the Assyrians, fulfilling His promise of deliverance (2 Kings 19:32–34; Isaiah 37:33–35). A Babylonian historian describes a plague that reportedly struck the Assyrian army before its attack on Jerusalem, forcing the king to retreat to Nineveh. This record aligns with and supports the Biblical account of sudden divine intervention.
While much of the iBIBLE site is based on research, some details are artistically interpreted. The collage below helped guide the animators’ reconstruction.
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