Babylon

I couldn't help but think "Aureliano Babilonia" sounded a lot like "Babylon." Of course, this is another Bible reference to add to the growing list of allusions in 100 Years. Babylon was a very corrupt and sinful city in the Bible. Similarly, over time, Macondo became corrupted from all the inventions, advances, and outside influences. AB's main role in the book is to translate the manuscripts, which brings about and leads to Macondo's destruction. I had to do some additional research on Babylon, but the internet said, "God called for Babylon's ultimate destruction." Jeremiah 51:58 says, "The broad wall of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned with fire." It might have been a coincidence (but considering the significant amount of allusions, it probably was on purpose) that AB's last name is "Babilonia" for a reason--to add yet another level of depth to the novel. Macondo (Babylon) had to be destroyed because of fate, and Bablionia indirectly and directly carried out those orders. (I say indirectly because he was not the tornado that swallowed Macondo and he also did not know that reading Melquiades's parchments would cause its end; I say directly because he was the one who translated the papers, initiating the destruction.)