Nebuchadnezzar II

Nebuchadnezzar II was the second and greatest king of the Chaldean dynasty of Babylonia. He was the eldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, who founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire by overthrowing the Assyrians. Nebuchadnezzar inherited his father’s military skills and ambitions, and led several campaigns to expand his domain. He defeated the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, and secured control of Syria and Palestine. He also besieged Jerusalem several times, and destroyed the city and its temple in 586 BC. He deported many Jews to Babylon, initiating the period known as the Babylonian Captivity in Jewish history. Nebuchadnezzar was not only a warrior, but also a builder and patron of arts and sciences. He made Babylon one of the most splendid cities in the ancient world, with its famous walls, gates, palaces, temples, and gardens. He is credited with constructing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, to please his wife Amytis, who missed her homeland in Media. He also built the Ishtar Gate, a magnificent entrance to the city decorated with glazed bricks depicting lions, bulls, and dragons. He restored many temples and shrines throughout his empire, and sponsored astronomical observations and calculations. Nebuchadnezzar was a devout worshipper of Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, and claimed to be his chosen instrument. He also respected the gods of other nations, and employed wise men and magicians from various backgrounds. He appears several times in the Bible, especially in the Book of Daniel, where he is portrayed as a powerful but arrogant ruler who is humbled by God. According to the biblical account, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a great statue made of different metals, which was interpreted by Daniel as a prophecy of the succession of empires that would follow Babylon. He also had a vision of a great tree that was cut down, which foreshadowed his temporary madness and loss of power. The Bible says that Nebuchadnezzar praised God after recovering from his insanity, and acknowledged his sovereignty over all kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar died in Babylon in 562 BC, after ruling for 43 years. He was succeeded by his son Amel-Marduk (also known as Evil-Merodach in the Bible), who released Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, from prison. Nebuchadnezzar’s dynasty lasted for only four more kings, until the Persian conquest of Babylon by Cyrus the Great in 539 BC. Nebuchadnezzar’s legacy as a great king and conqueror was remembered by later generations of Babylonians, Jews, Greeks, and Arabs. He is also a prominent figure in Christian and Islamic traditions, where he is seen as a symbol of worldly power and pride that is ultimately subdued by God.