Babylon was one of the most grandiose cities in the ancient world, and was also the center of Mesopotamian civilization. It was a power that was ruled by Alexander the Great. Now the ruins of Babylon, which has long lost its grandeur, are hills located near Al Hill, a city in Iraq.
History of Babylon
Babylon existed for approximately two millennia. Its origin is attributed to the third millennium BC. A thousand years after its founding, the Amorites took possession of the city, who began to establish their own dynasty. During the reign of Hammurabi, Babylon becomes the political center in the country. He maintained this position for another 1000 years. The city personified "the abode of roy alty", and even its god Marduk received an honorable place in the pantheon of patrons of all Mesopotamia. From the second millennium BC. there was a noticeable rise - there was a development of trade and crafts, the population increased sharply. The appearance of Babylon also flourished - the districts were built up, fortifications were updated, streets were laid.
Year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians
Mid 6th century BC became a time of greatchanges. King Cyrus II led his Persian troops to the city in order to conquer Babylon. His army was equal to the Assyrian - excellent archers and cavalry were selected. Help from Egypt did not arrive, and Babylon had to face the cruel and determined conquerors on its own.
The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians - 539 BC. The troops of Cyrus laid siege to the city. The inhabitants, who were once forced to move from their lands, did not want to defend Babylon. Their intentions were transparent - if the old power falls, then perhaps the Persians will not hold them, and they will be able to return to their native lands. Thus, the conduct of the aggressive policy was reflected in the aggressive attitude of the inhabitants of the city. Even among the Babylonian nobility, there was talk that Cyrus II could become a better king. The priests opened the gates of the army in the hope of gaining a more significant status in front of the people and the new government. So the Persian kingdom had a new capital - Babylon.
The last Babylonian king
The Persian conquest of Babylon did not take the capital by surprise. During the attack, the city had a large food supply and could still hold the siege for a long time. King Belshazzar (historians have many doubts about the authenticity of his name) arranged feasts to show that he was not afraid of Cyrus. The tables were lined with precious vessels that served as drinking bowls. They were taken from conquered peoples. Among them were vessels from the temple in Jerusalem. The rulers glorified the Babylonian gods, whom they trusted with their fate,because they believed that luck would not leave them this time, despite the efforts of Cyrus and his accomplices in the city.
The fate of Belshazzar
During one of the celebrations, where there were many nobles and nobles, according to legend, a human hand appeared in the air and began to slowly draw out words. The king was dumbfounded with horror at the sight of this picture. Wise men were gathered, but this language was unknown to them. Then the queen advised to call Daniel, an elderly prophet who, even under Nebuchadnezzar, was known as a wise adviser. He translated the phrase from Aramaic. Literally, it read "Numbered (the end of your kingdom), weighed and given to the Persians." That same night, the Chaldean ruler was overtaken by death.
How Babylon Was Taken – Versions
Different sources describe different options for conquest. The year of the capture of the city of Babylon by the Persians is fraught with many ambiguities. The biblical story says (more suggested) that the capital was taken by attack (or by cunning) after the siege. According to this version, King Belshazzar died during a skirmish with enemies at night. Herodotus tells in detail about the military trick shown by Cyrus.
The clinical record tells a different story - Persian troops defeated the Babylonians during a battle in an open field. Cyrus then entered the city unhindered. However, there is an ambiguity in this story as well. It can also be understood as follows - the city held out for 4 months, and then the Persians entered it.
Cyrus Government
Year of the capture of BabylonPersians showed that the new king began to restore order. Images of deities that were taken out during previous reigns were returned to the cities. The restoration of the Jerusalem Temple, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, began. The Jewish exiles were able to return to their homeland. Cyrus planned a fight with Egypt and strengthened the borders of his possessions. Under his rule, Jerusalem became a self-governing temple city, as did Babylon, Nippur, and others. For some time, Cambyses, his son, helped lead the new king. Cyrus assumed the royal titles of Babylonia. Thus, he showed that he intended to continue the established policy. Cyrus became "the king of countries and kings", which says a lot about the state itself.
The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians brought many changes. After the city was conquered, the Western countries to the borders with Egypt had no choice but to submit to the new powerful ruler - Cyrus.
Reunification into one big state was beneficial to trading groups and merchants who previously feared attacks on the roads. Now the entire intermediary market between East and West was in their hands. The history of Babylon speaks of the new capital of a great power and the annexed countries as "Babylon and the District."
The city grew stronger and revived, became a very important political center of the new state. Cyrus not only thought about expanding the territories of his kingdom in Egypt, but also carefully monitored that the borders of his state remained impregnable, for example, for the nomadic Scythians.
