Was Babylon built by forced labor?

Yes, much of the construction in ancient Babylon, like in other Mesopotamian cities, was likely accomplished through forced labor, including prisoners of war, enslaved individuals, and conscripted laborers. The labor force was often made up of people who were compelled to work on large state projects, such as the construction of walls, temples, and palaces. However, there were also skilled laborers who might have been paid for their work, particularly for more specialized tasks. Overall, the scale and grandeur of Babylon's architecture suggest a significant reliance on coercive labor practices.