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'''Nebuchadrezzar II''' (also '''Nebuchadnezzar'''; reigned [[605 B.C.E.]] - [[562 B.C.E.]]), is perhaps the best known ruler of [[Babylon]] in the [[Chaldean Dynasty]]. He is famous for his conquests of [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]] and [[Jerusalem]], his monumental building within his capital of Babylon, his role in the [[Book of Daniel]], and his construction of the [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon]], which as legend has it he made for his wife because she was homesick for the mountain springs where she grew up.
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[[Image:Nebuchadnezzar.jpg|thumb|250px|'''Nebuchadrezzar II''' surveys the great city of Babylon]]
  
He is traditionally called "Nebuchadnezzar the Great", but his destruction of temples in Jerusalem and the conquest of Judah caused his vilification in Judaic tradition and in the Bible, causing him to be interpreted very differently by western Christians and Jews than in contemporary Iraq, where he is glorified as a historic leader.
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'''Nebuchadrezzar II''' (also '''Nebuchadnezzar'''; reigned 605-562 <SMALL>B.C.E.</SMALL>), is the best-known ruler of [[Babylonian Empire|Babylonia]] in the Chaldean Dynasty. He is famous for his conquests of [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], his monumental building projects within his capital of Babylon, his role in the biblical books of [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] and [[Book of Jeremiah|Jeremiah]], and the construction of the [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon]].
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He is traditionally called "Nebuchadrezzar the Great" and was referred to by the prophet Jeremiah as "God's servant." However, his destruction of the [[Temple of Jerusalem|Temple]] and his forcing the citizens of Judah into exile caused his vilification in other parts of the [[Bible]] and Judaic tradition. This has caused him to be interpreted very differently by Judeo-Christians in the west compared to contemporary [[Iraq]], where he is glorified as a great historic leader.
  
==Name==
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== Biography ==
His name in [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] '''Nab&ucirc;-kudurri-u&#7779;ur''', is variously interpreted as "O [[Nabu|Nebo]], defend my offspring", "empire", "[[kudurru|landmark]]", or "work". In an [[inscription]] he styles himself "Nebo's favourite." The [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] form is '''&#1504;&#1489;&#1493;&#1499;&#1491;&#1504;&#1488;&#1510;&#1512;''' '''{{Unicode|Nəbūkadnệṣṣar}}''', (the presence of the &#1488; ([[aleph]]) may indicate an earlier Hebrew pronunciation ''{{Unicode|Nəbūkadenʾeṣṣar}}''), and sometimes (in [[Jeremiah]] and [[Ezekiel]])
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'''&#1504;&#1489;&#1493;&#1499;&#1491;&#1512;&#1488;&#1510;&#1512;''', '''{{Unicode|Nəbūkadrệṣṣar}}'''. The [[Septuagint]] and [[Vulgate]] Bibles have  Ναβουχοδονοσορ, ''Nabuchodonosor'' (perhaps reflecting an earlier Hebrew pronunciation '''Nabūkudunʾuṣur''') but the [[KJV]] re-introduces the Hebrew variants as ''Nebuchadnezzar'' vs. ''Nebuchadrezzar''.
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===Name and Family===
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Nebuchadrezzar was the oldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on [[Assyria]] and laid the great city of Nineveh in ruins. His reported marriage to Amyitis, the daughter of the Median ruler Cyaxares, united the [[Medes|Median]] and Chaldean dynasties, and&mdash;together with Nebuchadrezzar's outstanding qualities as a military leader and builder&mdash;made the [[Babylonian Empire]] the most powerful of its time.
  
== Biography ==
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His name in [[Akkadian_Empire#Language|Akkadian language]], '''Nabû-kudurri-sur''', is interpreted as "O Nebo, defend..." (either) "my offspring," "my empire," or "my boundary stone,” with Nebo being the Babylonian god of wisdom and son of the primary deity, Marduk. In an inscription he styles himself "Nebo's favorite." The [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] form is '''נבוכדנאצר''', {{Unicode|Nəbūkadnệzzar}}, and sometimes (in Jeremiah and Ezekiel) '''נבוכדראצר''', {{Unicode|Nəbūkadrệzzar}}. The [[Septuagint]] and [[Vulgate]] Bibles have '''Ναβουχοδονοσορ''', Nabuchodonosor, but the [[King James Bible]] re-introduces the Hebrew variants as ''Nebuchadnezzar'' and ''Nebuchadrezzar''. The latter will be used in this article because it more closely resembles the Akkadian.
  
Nebuchadnezzar was the oldest son and successor of [[Nabopolassar]], who delivered Babylon from its dependence on [[Assyria]] and laid [[Nineveh]] in ruins. According to [[Berossus]], he married the daughter of [[Cyaxares]], and thus the [[Medes|Median]] and Babylonian dynasties were united.
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===Military Exploits===
  
[[Necho II]], the king of [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]], had gained a victory over the Assyrians at [[Carchemish]]. This secured Egypt the possession of [[Phoenicia]]n provinces of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, including parts of Palestine. The remaining Assyrian provinces were divided between Babylonia and Media. [[Nabopolassar]] was intent on reconquering from Necho the western provinces of Syria, however, and to this end dispatched his son with a powerful army westward. In the ensuing [[Battle of Carchemish]] in [[605 BC]], the Egyptian army was defeated and driven back, and Syria and Phoenicia were brought under the sway of Babylon. Nabopolassar died on [[August 15]], [[605 B.C.E.]] and Nebuchadnezzar quickly returned to Babylon to ascend to the throne.
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When the Assyrian capital Nineveh was overrun by the Babylonians under Nabopolassar in 612 <SMALL>B.C.E.</SMALL>, Egypt allied itself with the Assyrians and marched to their aid in 609. The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] army of Pharaoh Necho II was delayed at Megiddo by the forces of King Josiah of Judah, who was killed in the battle. When the Egyptians met the full might of the Babylonian army, now led by the young general and crown prince Nebuchadrezzar, at Carchemish in 605, the combined Egyptian and Assyrian forces were soundly defeated. Assyria ceased to exist as an independent power, and Egypt retreated, no longer able to act as a significant force in the [[Middle East]].
  
After the defeat of the [[Cimmerians]] and [[Scythians]], all of Nebuchadrezzar's expeditions were directed westwards, although a powerful neighbour lay to the North; the cause of this was that a wise political marriage with [[Amuhia]], the daughter of the [[Medians|Median]] king, had insured a lasting peace between the two empires.
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Ascending to the throne after his father's death, Nebuchadrezzar engaged in several successful military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in Syria and Judah. A clash with the newly resurgent Egypt in 601, however, met with setbacks, leading to several rebellions among the states of the Levant, including Judah. Nebuchadrezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, capturing [[Jerusalem]] in 597 <small>B.C.E.</small>, and bringing King Jehoiachin and other leading citizens of Judah to Babylon. When Pharaoh Apries attempted a new Egyptian invasion of Babylonian-controlled [[Palestine]] in 589, Judah and other states of the region once again rebelled, despite advice to the contrary by such figures as the prophet Jeremiah. Another siege of Jerusalem occurred in 587/586, ending in the destruction of both the city and the Temple, as well as the deportation of a new wave of exiles to Babylon. Nebuchadrezzar then engaged in a 13-year siege of great Phoenician city of Tyre (585-572 <SMALL>B.C.E.</SMALL>), which ended, if not in outright victory, with the Tyrians accepting Babylonian authority.
  
Nebuchadrezzar engaged in several military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in Syria and Judah.  An attempted invasion of Egypt in [[601 B.C.E.]] met with setbacks, however, leading to numerous rebellions among the states of the Levant, including Judah.  Nebuchadrezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, capturing [[Jerusalem]] in [[597 B.C.E.]], and bringing King [[Jehoiachin]] to Babylon. When Pharaoh [[Apries]] attempted an invasion of Palestine again, in [[589 B.C.E.]], Judah and other states of the region once again rebelled.  Another siege of Jerusalem occurred in [[587 B.C.E.|587]]/[[586 B.C.E.]], ending in the destruction of both the city and the Temple and the deportation of many prominent citizens to Babylon. These events are described in the [[Bible]]. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadrezzar engaged in a 13 year long siege of [[Tyre]] ([[585 B.C.E.|585]]-[[572 B.C.E.]]), which ended in a compromise, with the Tyrians accepting Babylonian authority.
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Following the pacification of Tyre, Nebuchadrezzar apparently turned again to Egypt. A clay tablet, now in the British Museum, bears the following inscription referring to his wars: "In the 37th year of Nebuchadrezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to [[Ancient Egypt|Mitzraim]] (Egypt) to make war. Amasis II, king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad."
  
It would appear that following the pacification of Tyre, Nebuchadrezzar turned again to Egypt.  A [[clay tablet]], now in the [[British Museum]], bears the following inscription referring to his wars:
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The greatest king of his age, Nebuchadrezzar died in Babylon between the second and sixth months of the forty-third year of his reign.
  
"In the 37th year of Nebuchadrezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to [[Egypt|Mitzraim]] (Egypt) to make war. [[Amasis II|Amasis]], king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad." 
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===Building Projects===
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[[Image:Babylon 600B.C.E. Painting.jpg|thumb|300px|Mural depicting the palace quarter of Nebuchadrezzar's Babylon. The Ishtar Gate is shown in the top left corner of the image]]
  
Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia, and inflicted chastisement on Egypt, Nebuchadrezzar now set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon, and constructed canals, aqueducts and reservoirs.
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Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia and inflicted chastisement on Egypt, Nebuchadrezzar set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon. He constructed canals, aqueducts, and reservoirs and made Babylon into one of the wonders of the ancient world. He ordered the complete reconstruction of the imperial grounds, including rebuilding the Etemenanki ziggurat and the construction of the fabulous [[Ishtar Gate]]&mdash;the most spectacular of eight gates that ringed the perimeter of Babylon. The Ishtar Gate survives today in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Nebuchadnezzar is also credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, said to have been built for his homesick wife, Amyitis.
  
From Nebuchadrezzar's inscriptions and from the number of temples erected or restored by this prince we gather that he was a very devout man. What we know of his history shows him to have been of a humane disposition, in striking contrast with the display of wanton cruelty of most Assyrian rulers. It was due to this moderation that Jerusalem was spared repeatedly, and finally destroyed only when its destruction became a political necessity; rebel princes easily obtained pardon, and [[Zedekiah]] himself, whose ungratefulness to the Babylonian king was particularly odious, would, had he manifested less stubbornness, have been treated with greater indulgence (Jeremiah 38:17, 18); Nebuchadrezzar showed much consideration to [[Jeremiah]], leaving him free to accompany the exiles to Babylon or to remain in Jerusalem, and appointing one of the Prophet's friends, Godolias, to the governorship of Jerusalem; he granted likewise such a share of freedom to the exiled Jews that some rose to a position of prominence at Court and [[Baruch ben Neriah|Baruch]] thought it a duty to exhort his fellow-countrymen to have the welfare of Babylon at heart and to pray for her king. Babylonian tradition has it that towards the end of his life, Nebuchadrezzar, inspired from on high, prophesied the impending ruin to the Chaldean Empire ([[Berosus]] and [[Abydenus]] in [[Eusebius]], ''Praep. Evang.'', 9.41).  
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Nebuchadrezzar seems to have prided himself on his constructions more than on his military victories. During the last century of Nineveh's existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated. Nebuchadrezzar, continuing his father's work of reconstruction, aimed at making his capital one of the world's great cities. Old temples were restored, and new edifices of incredible magnificence were erected to the many gods of the Babylonian pantheon to complete the royal palace begun by Nabopolassar. Nothing was reportedly spared, neither cedar-wood, nor bronze, gold, silver, and precious stones. An underground passage and a stone bridge connected the two parts of the city separated by the [[Euphrates]]. The city itself was rendered impregnable by the construction of a triple line of walls.  
  
Nebuchadrezzar died in Babylon between the second and sixth months of the forty-third year of his reign.
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Nebuchadrezzar's activity was not confined to the capital. He is credited with the restoration of the Lake of Sippar, the opening of a port on the [[Persian Gulf]], and the building of the famous Median wall between the [[Tigris]] and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the North. These gigantic undertakings required an innumerable host of workmen. From the inscription of the great temple of Marduk, we may infer that captives brought from various parts of Western Asia probably made up a large part of the laboring force used in all his public works. [[Image:Ishtar-Gate.jpg|thumb|300px|The reconstructed Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum.]]
  
==Construction activity==
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From Nebuchadrezzar's inscriptions and from the number of temples erected or restored by this prince, it seems that he was a very devout man. What is known of his history shows him to have been of a humane disposition, in striking contrast with the display of wanton cruelty of most Assyrian rulers. It was due to this moderation that Jerusalem was spared repeatedly, until its destruction became a political necessity. Rebel princes easily obtained pardon, and even Judah's rebellious king [[Zedekiah]] would have been treated with greater indulgence had he manifested less stubbornness (Jer. 38:17-18). Nebuchadrezzar showed much consideration to [[Jeremiah]], leaving him free to accompany the exiles to Babylon or to remain in Jerusalem and appointing one of the prophet's friends, Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to the governorship of Judah. He granted likewise such a share of freedom to the exiled Jews that some rose to a position of prominence at court and Jeremiah reportedly thought it a duty to exhort his fellow-countrymen to have the welfare of Babylon at heart and to pray for her king (Jer. 29). Babylonian tradition has it that towards the end of his life, Nebuchadrezzar, inspired from on high, prophesied the impending ruin to the Chaldean Empire (Berosus and Abydenus in [[Eusebius]], ''Praep. Evang.'' 9.41).
Nebuchadrezzar seems to have prided himself on his constructions more than on his victories. During the last century of [[Niniveh]]'s existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated, not only at the hands of [[Sennacherib]] and [[Assurbanipal]], but also as a result of her ever renewed rebellions. Nebuchadrezzar, continuing his father's work of reconstruction, aimed at making his capital one of the world's wonders. Old temples were restored; new edifices of incredible magnificence  were erected to the many gods of the Babylonian pantheon ([[Diodorus of Sicily]], 2.95; [[Herodotus]], 1.183)
 
to complete the royal palace begun by Nabopolassar, nothing was spared, neither "cedar-wood, nor bronze, gold, silver, rare and precious stones"; an underground passage and a stone bridge connected the two parts of the city separated by the Euphrates; the city itself was rendered impregnable by the construction of a triple line of walls. Nor was Nebuchadrezzar's activity confined to the capital; he is credited with the restoration of the Lake of [[Sippar]], the opening of a port on the Persian Gulf, and the building of the famous Median wall between the Tigris and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the North: in fact, there is scarcely a place around Babylon where his name does not appear and where traces of his activity are not found. These gigantic undertakings required an innumerable host of workmen: from the inscription of the great temple of [[Marduk]] , we may infer that most probably captives brought from various parts of Western Asia made up a large part of the labouring force used in all his public works.
 
  
==Portrayal in the Book of Daniel==
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==Portrayal in the Bible==
[[Image:William Blake - Nebukadnezar.jpg|thumb|right|Nebukadnezar, by William Blake]]
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Despite these impressive historical achievements, Nebuchadrezzar is most widely known through the sometimes-unflattering portrayal of him in the Bible, especially the Book of Daniel and, to a lesser degree, the Book of Jeremiah.
Nebuchadrezzar is most widely known through his portrayal in the Bible, especially the Book of Daniel, which discusses several events of his reign in addition to his conquest of Jerusalem:
 
  
In the second year of his reign (evidently counting from his conquest of the Jews), Nebuchadrezzar dreams of a [[Nebuchadnezzar's statue vision in Daniel 2|huge image]] made of various materials (gold, copper, iron, etc). The prophet [[Daniel]] interprets it to stand for the rise and fall of world powers. (''Daniel'' Chapter 2)
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As mentioned earlier, the biblical King [[Josiah]] met his death at the battle of Meggido in an action supporting the newly ascendant Babylonians against the forces of Pharaoh Necho II. [[Jeremiah]], whose career, like Josiah's, opposed alliances with Egypt, argued powerfully in favor of Judah's cooperation with Babylon, a stance that put him into direct conflict both with Judah's later kings and with other prophets. Jeremiah believed that Nebuchadrezzar was "God's servant" (Jer. 25:29) who had been raised up to chastise Judah for her sins. He urged the kings of Judah to act as Nebuchadrezzar's loyal vassals rather than to seek independence or cooperation with Egypt against Babylonian hegemony. For speaking out in favor of Nebuchadrezzar, he narrowly avoided capital punishment, was banned from the Temple, endured beatings, and nearly starved to death in prison. As a result, when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, they showed Jeremiah great respect and unusual liberty (Jer 39:11-12). The prophet [[Ezekiel]] followed Jeremiah's lead in portraying Nebuchadrezzar as God's instrument to chastise both Tyre and Egypt (Ezek. 29-30). Even Nebuchadrezzar's destruction of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]], according to Ezekiel, was carried out in accordance with God's will (Ezek. 24:21).
  
During another incident, Nebuchadrezzar erects a large idol for worship during a public ceremony on the plain of Dura.  When three Jews, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) refuse to take part, he has them cast into a roaring furnace.  They are protected by an [[angel]] and emerge unscathed. (''Daniel'' Chapter 3)
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[[Image:William Blake - Nebukadnezar.jpg|thumb|300px|right|William Blake's depiction of Nebuchadrezzar's animal-like years, from the Book of Daniel]]
  
Another dream, this time of an immense tree, is interpreted by Daniel the prophet. (''Daniel'' Chapter 4)
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A different attitude toward Nebuchadrezzar is evident in the Book of Daniel. Here, Nebuchadrezzar is the archetypal idol worshiper and tyrant. Although Daniel wins his favor by interpreting his dreams (Dan. 2), when the three young Hebrew noblemen Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to participate in Nebuchadrezzar's state-required idolatry, he arrogantly throws them into a super-heated furnance, where they are protected by God's angel (Dan. 3). Because of his arrogance, Nebuchadrezzar loses his sanity and lives in the wild like an animal for seven years (Dan. 4) He eventually repents, however, and affirms the supremacy of Daniel's deity.
  
While boasting over his achievements, Nebuchadrezzar is humbled by [[God]]. The king loses his sanity and lives in the wild like an animal for seven years (by some considered as an attack of the madness called [[clinical boanthropy]]). After this, his sanity and position are restored. Neither the illness, nor the interregnum which it must have caused, are recorded in Babylonian annals; however, there is a notable absence of any record of acts or decrees by the king during [[582 B.C.E.|582]]-[[575 B.C.E.]].{{Citation needed}} Some  scholars believe that the Book of Daniel was written long after the events described, during the [[2nd century B.C.E.]], and thus are skeptical of the details of Nebuchadrezzar's portrayal by Daniel.
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Some scholars think that Daniel's portrayal of Nebuchadrezzar is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadrezzar and Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon. For example, the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' reported time in the desert. Evidence for this view was found on fragments from the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] that reference Nabonidus (N-b-n-y) being smitten by God with a fever for seven years of his reign while his son Belshazzar was regent.
  
Some scholars think that Nebuchadrezzar's portrayal by Daniel is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadrezzar — he was indeed the one who conquered Jerusalem — and about [[Nabonidus]] (Nabuna'id), the last king of Babylon. For example, Nabonidus was the real father of [[Belshazzar]], and the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' sojourn in [[Tayma]] in the desert.  Evidence for this view was actually found on some fragments from the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] that reference Nabonidus (N-b-n-y) being smitten by God with a fever for seven years of his reign while his son Belshazzar was regent.
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Nebuchadrezzar is also mentioned in several other biblical books, especially in the popular apocryphal book, Judith. Here, however, he is referred to as the king of Assyria, ruling from Nineveh&mdash;a clear and perhaps intentional inaccuracy.
  
 
== Successors ==
 
== Successors ==
After his death in October, 562 BC, having reigned 43 years, he was succeeded by his son [[Amel-Marduk]], who, after a reign of two years, was succeeded by [[Neriglissar]] ([[559 B.C.E.|559]] - [[555 B.C.E.|555]]), who was succeeded by [[Nabonidus]] ([[555 B.C.E.|555]] - [[538 B.C.E.|538]]), at the close of whose reign (less than a quarter of a century after the death of Nebuchadrezzar) Babylon fell under [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] as the head of the combined armies of Media and [[Persian Empire|Persia]].
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After his death, probably in October 562 <SMALL>B.C.E.</SMALL>, having reigned 43 years, Nebuchadrezzar was succeeded by his son Amel-Marduk. After a reign of two years, Amel-Marduk was succeeded by Neriglissar (559-555), who was succeeded by Nabonidus (555-538). At the close of the reign of Nabonidus (less than a quarter of a century after the death of Nebuchadrezzar) Babylon fell to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] of Persia at the head of the combined armies of Media and [[Persian Empire|Persia]]. It was under Cyrus that the exiles from Judah were first allowed to return and rebuild the Temple destroyed by Nebuchadrezzar.
 
 
== Named after Nebuchadrezzar ==
 
* There is a type of [[daylily]] named "Nebuchadnezzar's Furnace".
 
* In the popular ''[[The Matrix]]'' film trilogy, the hovercraft of the character 'Morpheus' is named the ''[[Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix)|Nebuchadnezzar]]''.
 
* A bottle of [[champagne (beverage)|champagne]] which contains the same amount as 20 bottles (15 litres) is called a [[Nebuchadnezzar (wine)|Nebuchadnezzar]].
 
* Opera [[Nabucco]]
 
* Saddam Hussein named one of his Republican Guards divisions after Nebuchadnezzar.
 
* A Legend card in the ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' card game is named Nebuchadnezzar.
 
* The [[VeggieTales]] character Nebby K. Nezzer is a play off of Nebuchadnezzar.
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
* Chapter 23, "The Chaldaean Kings" in George Roux, ''Ancient Iraq'' (3rd ed.). London: Penguin Books, 1992. ISBN 014012523-X
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* Leick, Gwendolyn. ''The Babylonians: An Introduction.'' London and New York: Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0415253152
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* Roux, George. ''Ancient Iraq'' (3rd ed.). Chapter 23, "The Chaldaean Kings.” London: Penguin Books, 1992. ISBN 014012523-X
 
* [http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/abc5/jerusalem.html ''ABC'' 5]: Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar
 
* [http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/abc5/jerusalem.html ''ABC'' 5]: Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10666c.htm Nabuchodonosor] on the [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]
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*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10666c.htm Nabuchodonosor] on the Catholic Encyclopedia
{{Eastons}}<br/>
 
{{Catholic}}
 
 
 
==External links==
 
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10887 Inscription of Nabuchadnezzar. ''Babylonian and Assyrian Literature''] - old translation
 
* [http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/meso/meso.html Nabuchadnezzar Ishtar gate Inscription]
 
 
 
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[[Category:562 B.C.E. deaths]]
 
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Latest revision as of 21:17, 23 December 2014


Nebuchadrezzar II surveys the great city of Babylon

Nebuchadrezzar II (also Nebuchadnezzar; reigned 605-562 B.C.E.), is the best-known ruler of Babylonia in the Chaldean Dynasty. He is famous for his conquests of Judah, his monumental building projects within his capital of Babylon, his role in the biblical books of Daniel and Jeremiah, and the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

He is traditionally called "Nebuchadrezzar the Great" and was referred to by the prophet Jeremiah as "God's servant." However, his destruction of the Temple and his forcing the citizens of Judah into exile caused his vilification in other parts of the Bible and Judaic tradition. This has caused him to be interpreted very differently by Judeo-Christians in the west compared to contemporary Iraq, where he is glorified as a great historic leader.

Biography

Name and Family

Nebuchadrezzar was the oldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on Assyria and laid the great city of Nineveh in ruins. His reported marriage to Amyitis, the daughter of the Median ruler Cyaxares, united the Median and Chaldean dynasties, and—together with Nebuchadrezzar's outstanding qualities as a military leader and builder—made the Babylonian Empire the most powerful of its time.

His name in Akkadian language, Nabû-kudurri-sur, is interpreted as "O Nebo, defend..." (either) "my offspring," "my empire," or "my boundary stone,” with Nebo being the Babylonian god of wisdom and son of the primary deity, Marduk. In an inscription he styles himself "Nebo's favorite." The Hebrew form is נבוכדנאצר, Nəbūkadnệzzar, and sometimes (in Jeremiah and Ezekiel) נבוכדראצר, Nəbūkadrệzzar. The Septuagint and Vulgate Bibles have Ναβουχοδονοσορ, Nabuchodonosor, but the King James Bible re-introduces the Hebrew variants as Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadrezzar. The latter will be used in this article because it more closely resembles the Akkadian.

Military Exploits

When the Assyrian capital Nineveh was overrun by the Babylonians under Nabopolassar in 612 B.C.E., Egypt allied itself with the Assyrians and marched to their aid in 609. The Egyptian army of Pharaoh Necho II was delayed at Megiddo by the forces of King Josiah of Judah, who was killed in the battle. When the Egyptians met the full might of the Babylonian army, now led by the young general and crown prince Nebuchadrezzar, at Carchemish in 605, the combined Egyptian and Assyrian forces were soundly defeated. Assyria ceased to exist as an independent power, and Egypt retreated, no longer able to act as a significant force in the Middle East.

Ascending to the throne after his father's death, Nebuchadrezzar engaged in several successful military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in Syria and Judah. A clash with the newly resurgent Egypt in 601, however, met with setbacks, leading to several rebellions among the states of the Levant, including Judah. Nebuchadrezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, capturing Jerusalem in 597 B.C.E., and bringing King Jehoiachin and other leading citizens of Judah to Babylon. When Pharaoh Apries attempted a new Egyptian invasion of Babylonian-controlled Palestine in 589, Judah and other states of the region once again rebelled, despite advice to the contrary by such figures as the prophet Jeremiah. Another siege of Jerusalem occurred in 587/586, ending in the destruction of both the city and the Temple, as well as the deportation of a new wave of exiles to Babylon. Nebuchadrezzar then engaged in a 13-year siege of great Phoenician city of Tyre (585-572 B.C.E.), which ended, if not in outright victory, with the Tyrians accepting Babylonian authority.

Following the pacification of Tyre, Nebuchadrezzar apparently turned again to Egypt. A clay tablet, now in the British Museum, bears the following inscription referring to his wars: "In the 37th year of Nebuchadrezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to Mitzraim (Egypt) to make war. Amasis II, king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad."

The greatest king of his age, Nebuchadrezzar died in Babylon between the second and sixth months of the forty-third year of his reign.

Building Projects

Mural depicting the palace quarter of Nebuchadrezzar's Babylon. The Ishtar Gate is shown in the top left corner of the image

Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia and inflicted chastisement on Egypt, Nebuchadrezzar set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon. He constructed canals, aqueducts, and reservoirs and made Babylon into one of the wonders of the ancient world. He ordered the complete reconstruction of the imperial grounds, including rebuilding the Etemenanki ziggurat and the construction of the fabulous Ishtar Gate—the most spectacular of eight gates that ringed the perimeter of Babylon. The Ishtar Gate survives today in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Nebuchadnezzar is also credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, said to have been built for his homesick wife, Amyitis.

Nebuchadrezzar seems to have prided himself on his constructions more than on his military victories. During the last century of Nineveh's existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated. Nebuchadrezzar, continuing his father's work of reconstruction, aimed at making his capital one of the world's great cities. Old temples were restored, and new edifices of incredible magnificence were erected to the many gods of the Babylonian pantheon to complete the royal palace begun by Nabopolassar. Nothing was reportedly spared, neither cedar-wood, nor bronze, gold, silver, and precious stones. An underground passage and a stone bridge connected the two parts of the city separated by the Euphrates. The city itself was rendered impregnable by the construction of a triple line of walls.

Nebuchadrezzar's activity was not confined to the capital. He is credited with the restoration of the Lake of Sippar, the opening of a port on the Persian Gulf, and the building of the famous Median wall between the Tigris and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the North. These gigantic undertakings required an innumerable host of workmen. From the inscription of the great temple of Marduk, we may infer that captives brought from various parts of Western Asia probably made up a large part of the laboring force used in all his public works.

The reconstructed Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum.

From Nebuchadrezzar's inscriptions and from the number of temples erected or restored by this prince, it seems that he was a very devout man. What is known of his history shows him to have been of a humane disposition, in striking contrast with the display of wanton cruelty of most Assyrian rulers. It was due to this moderation that Jerusalem was spared repeatedly, until its destruction became a political necessity. Rebel princes easily obtained pardon, and even Judah's rebellious king Zedekiah would have been treated with greater indulgence had he manifested less stubbornness (Jer. 38:17-18). Nebuchadrezzar showed much consideration to Jeremiah, leaving him free to accompany the exiles to Babylon or to remain in Jerusalem and appointing one of the prophet's friends, Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to the governorship of Judah. He granted likewise such a share of freedom to the exiled Jews that some rose to a position of prominence at court and Jeremiah reportedly thought it a duty to exhort his fellow-countrymen to have the welfare of Babylon at heart and to pray for her king (Jer. 29). Babylonian tradition has it that towards the end of his life, Nebuchadrezzar, inspired from on high, prophesied the impending ruin to the Chaldean Empire (Berosus and Abydenus in Eusebius, Praep. Evang. 9.41).

Portrayal in the Bible

Despite these impressive historical achievements, Nebuchadrezzar is most widely known through the sometimes-unflattering portrayal of him in the Bible, especially the Book of Daniel and, to a lesser degree, the Book of Jeremiah.

As mentioned earlier, the biblical King Josiah met his death at the battle of Meggido in an action supporting the newly ascendant Babylonians against the forces of Pharaoh Necho II. Jeremiah, whose career, like Josiah's, opposed alliances with Egypt, argued powerfully in favor of Judah's cooperation with Babylon, a stance that put him into direct conflict both with Judah's later kings and with other prophets. Jeremiah believed that Nebuchadrezzar was "God's servant" (Jer. 25:29) who had been raised up to chastise Judah for her sins. He urged the kings of Judah to act as Nebuchadrezzar's loyal vassals rather than to seek independence or cooperation with Egypt against Babylonian hegemony. For speaking out in favor of Nebuchadrezzar, he narrowly avoided capital punishment, was banned from the Temple, endured beatings, and nearly starved to death in prison. As a result, when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, they showed Jeremiah great respect and unusual liberty (Jer 39:11-12). The prophet Ezekiel followed Jeremiah's lead in portraying Nebuchadrezzar as God's instrument to chastise both Tyre and Egypt (Ezek. 29-30). Even Nebuchadrezzar's destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, according to Ezekiel, was carried out in accordance with God's will (Ezek. 24:21).

William Blake's depiction of Nebuchadrezzar's animal-like years, from the Book of Daniel

A different attitude toward Nebuchadrezzar is evident in the Book of Daniel. Here, Nebuchadrezzar is the archetypal idol worshiper and tyrant. Although Daniel wins his favor by interpreting his dreams (Dan. 2), when the three young Hebrew noblemen Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to participate in Nebuchadrezzar's state-required idolatry, he arrogantly throws them into a super-heated furnance, where they are protected by God's angel (Dan. 3). Because of his arrogance, Nebuchadrezzar loses his sanity and lives in the wild like an animal for seven years (Dan. 4) He eventually repents, however, and affirms the supremacy of Daniel's deity.

Some scholars think that Daniel's portrayal of Nebuchadrezzar is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadrezzar and Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon. For example, the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' reported time in the desert. Evidence for this view was found on fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls that reference Nabonidus (N-b-n-y) being smitten by God with a fever for seven years of his reign while his son Belshazzar was regent.

Nebuchadrezzar is also mentioned in several other biblical books, especially in the popular apocryphal book, Judith. Here, however, he is referred to as the king of Assyria, ruling from Nineveh—a clear and perhaps intentional inaccuracy.

Successors

After his death, probably in October 562 B.C.E., having reigned 43 years, Nebuchadrezzar was succeeded by his son Amel-Marduk. After a reign of two years, Amel-Marduk was succeeded by Neriglissar (559-555), who was succeeded by Nabonidus (555-538). At the close of the reign of Nabonidus (less than a quarter of a century after the death of Nebuchadrezzar) Babylon fell to Cyrus of Persia at the head of the combined armies of Media and Persia. It was under Cyrus that the exiles from Judah were first allowed to return and rebuild the Temple destroyed by Nebuchadrezzar.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Leick, Gwendolyn. The Babylonians: An Introduction. London and New York: Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0415253152
  • Roux, George. Ancient Iraq (3rd ed.). Chapter 23, "The Chaldaean Kings.” London: Penguin Books, 1992. ISBN 014012523-X
  • ABC 5: Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar
  • Nabuchodonosor on the Catholic Encyclopedia

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