[Avodah] which way to Jerusalem

[Eli Turkel]

<<Do we even know what direction they prayed in Bavel, ie   did they
realize that EY was almost due east (again depending on where in
Bavel)? since no one
traveled that way?>>

Surely they knew that;  they called E"Y Maarava.>>

Agreed. However, the exact direction would depend where in Babylonia one lived
parts of the Euphrates are north-east of EY
http://goodnewspirit.com/pdf7201euphratesmap.pdf
For example R. Judah b. Bathyra at Nisibis (in Mesopotamia near the
Syrian border)

However, an internet search shows that there were general maps in
existence at this time.
See for example
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_world_maps

-- 
Eli Turkel