Changes
Importing a new version from external source
Additionally, a building inscription has been found which mentions the restoration of the [[Enlil]] [[Gate]] of Babylon shortly after its capture. Based on this information, the following reconstruction has been proposed:<ref>P. Briant, ''From Cyrus to Alexander: A history of the Persian Empire'' (Winona Lake IN: Eisenbrauns 2002), 50-5, 80-7; G. Tolini, "{{cite web|title = Quelques éléments concernant la prise de Babylon par Cyrus (octobre 539 av. J.-C.)|url = http://www.achemenet.com/ressources/enligne/arta/pdf/2005.003-Tolini.pdf}}", ''Arta'' (2005/03); A. Kuhrt, "{{cite web|title = Ancient Near Eastern history: The case of Cyrus the Great of Persia|url = http://www.proc.britac.ac.uk/tfiles/237224A/143p107.pdf}}", in H.G.M. Williamson (ed.), ''{{cite web|title = Understanding the history of ancient Israel|url = http://www.britac.ac.uk/pubs/cat/pba143.html}}'' (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2007), 107-27.</ref> When Cyrus attempted to march into southern Mesopotamia, he was met by the Babylonians near [[Opis]]. In the ensuing battle, the Persians were victorious. This in turn led to the nearby city of [[Sippar]] surrendering. Meanwhile, the Babylonians had withdrawn south to establish a line of defence near the Euphrates that was intended to prevent Cyrus from advancing too far. However, Cyrus' forces did not challenge the Babylonian army. Rather, he sent a small force south along the [[Tigris]] to try to take the capital by surprise. This plan worked: the Persian troops reached Babylon undetected and caught it unawares, meeting only minor resistance near one of its gates. Thus, they were not only able to capture Babylon, but also King Nabonidus.
