604-562 B.C.E.
King Of Babylon

Accession of the King. Following the destruction of Assyrian military power at the end of the seventh century, a new Babylonian dynasty inherited the mantle of the Assyrian empire. The founder of the Neo-Babylonian dynasty (often called the "Chaldean" dynasty) was Nabopolassar (625-605 B.C.E.). He was succeeded on the throne by his son Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned for fortythree years. Nebuchadnezzar continued his father's claims to the lands of northern Syria by campaigning in the region eight times. Once Assyrian control over this area had disappeared, Syria and the Levant were hotly contested. Small states such as Judah and city-states such as the Mediterranean port of Tyre were caught between the military ambitions of the Babylonians and the Egyptians. In 605 B.C.E., while still crown prince, Nebuchadnezzar routed the Egyptian forces in a battle for control...