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“Babylon” in those days was Christian code for “Rome,” which was personified by the Emperor (and not by the Roman bishop of a tiny, outlawed religion.)Revelation Chapter 18 identifies the Whore of Babylon as the entity which killed the “apostles.” “Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (Rev. 18:20). “Apostles” were those chosen leaders who saw the Risen Christ, the last of whom was Paul (1 Cor. 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 9:1). Those First-Century Apostles were martyred by the Pagan Roman Empire.
Next time somebody tells you the Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon, ask them which “apostles” the Catholic Church killed. When they stare blankly, say, “You know, like Revelation 18:20 says.”
Revelation was written duing the Second Imperial Persecution, Domitian’s Persecution. Domitian was so like Nero in many respects there was a legend, “Nero Revividus” that Domitian was Nero come to life. A good deal of the symbology of Revelation plays on that legend, including the Number of the Beast and the healed wound in the Beast’s neck (Nero committed suicide that way.)