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{{Redirect|Nebuchadnezzar}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = Nabû-kudurri-usur
| title = [[List of kings of Babylon|King of Babylon]]
| image = Nebukadnessar II.jpg
| caption = An engraving on an eye stone of onyx with an inscription of Nebuchadnezzar II. Anton Nyström, 1901.<ref>Anton Nyström, ''Allmän kulturhistoria eller det mänskliga lifvet i dess utveckling'', bd 2 (1901)</ref>
| reign = c. 605 – 562 BC
| coronation =
| predecessor = [[Nabopolassar]]
| successor = [[Amel-Marduk]]
| spouse =
| royal house =
| father = [[Nabopolassar]]
| mother =
| birth_date = c. 634 BC
| birth_place =
| death_date = c. 562 BC
| death_place =
| buried =}}
'''Nebuchadnezzar II''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Nebuchadnezzar.ogg|n|ɛ|b|j|u-|k|ə|d|ˈ|n|ɛ|z|ər}}; {{lang-arc|ܢܵܒܘܼ ܟܘܼܕܘܼܪܝܼ ܐܘܼܨܘܼܪ }}; {{lang-he-n|נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר}} ''{{transl|he|ISO|Nəḇūḵaḏneṣṣar}}''; [[Ancient Greek]]: Ναβουχοδονόσωρ ''{{transl|el|ISO|Naboukhodonósôr}}''; [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: نِبُوخَذنِصَّر ''{{transl|ar|DIN|nibūḫaḏniṣṣar}}''; c. 634 – 562 BC) was a Chaldean king of the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]], who reigned c. 605 BC – 562 BC. Both the construction of the [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon]] and the destruction of [[Jerusalem]]'s [[First Temple|temple]] are ascribed to him. He is featured in the [[Book of Daniel]] and is mentioned in several other books of the [[Bible]].

The [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] name, '''Nabû-kudurri-uṣur''', means "O god [[Nabu]], preserve/defend my firstborn son". Nabu, son of the god [[Marduk]], is the Babylonian deity of wisdom. In an [[inscription]], Nebuchadnezzar styles himself as Nabu's "beloved" and "favourite".<ref>Harper, R. F. quoted in Peet, Stephen Denison (editor). 1900. “Editorial Notes,” ''The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal''. New York: Doubleday, vol. XXII, May and June, p. 207.</ref><ref>Lamb, Harold. 1960. ''Cyrus the Great''. New York: Doubleday, p. 104.</ref> His name has previously been mistakenly interpreted as "O Nabu, defend my ''[[kudurru]]''",<ref>Schrader, Eberhard. 1888. ''The Cuneiform Inscriptions and the Old Testament''. London: Williams and Norgate, p. 48 (footnote).</ref> in which sense a ''kudurru'' is an inscribed stone deed of property. However, when contained in a ruler's title, ''kudurru'' approximates to "firstborn son" or "oldest son".<ref>Chicago Assyrian Dictionary sub Kudurru Ca5'</ref> Variations of the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] form include {{Hebrew|נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר}} and {{Hebrew|נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר}} (''Nəḇuḵaḏreṣṣar''). He is also known as ''Bakhat Nasar'', which means "winner of the fate", or literally, "fate winner".{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}

==Life==
Nebuchadnezzar was the oldest son and successor of [[Nabopolassar]], who delivered [[Babylon]] from its three centuries of vassalage to its fellow [[Mesopotamian]] state, [[Assyria]], and in alliance with the [[Medes]], [[Persian people|Persians]], [[Scythians]], and [[Cimmerians]], laid [[Nineveh]] in ruins. According to [[Berossus]], some years before he became king of Babylon, Babylonian dynasties were united. There are conflicting accounts of [[Nitocris of Babylon]] being either his wife or daughter.

[[Nabopolassar]] was intent on annexing the western provinces of [[Syria]] (ancient [[Aram (biblical region)|Aram]]) from [[Necho II]] (whose own dynasty had been installed as vassals of Assyria, and who was still hoping to help restore Assyrian power), and to this end dispatched his son westward with a large army. In the ensuing [[Battle of Carchemish]] in 605 BC, the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] and [[Assyria]]n army was defeated and driven back, and the [[region of Syria]] and [[Phoenicia]] were brought under the control of Babylon. [[Nabopolassar]] died in August that year, and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to ascend the throne.

[[File:Germany Zwiefalten Münster Nebuchadnezzer and Zedekiah.jpg|thumbnail|230px|Nebuchadnezzar faces off against [[Zedekiah]], the last king of [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], who holds a plan of [[Jerusalem]], in a [[Baroque sculpture|Baroque]] era depiction in [[Zwiefalten Abbey]], Germany.]]

After the defeat of the [[Cimmerians]] and [[Scythians]], previous allies in the defeat of Assyria, Nebuchadnezzar's expeditions were directed westward, although the powerful [[Median empire]] lay to the north. Nebuchadnezzar's political marriage to [[Amytis of Media]], the daughter of the [[Medes|Median]] king, had ensured peace between the two empires.

Nebuchadnezzar engaged in several military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in [[Aramea]] (modern [[Syria]]) and [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]]. An attempted invasion of [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] in 601 BC was met with setbacks, however, leading to numerous rebellions among the [[Phoenicia]]n and [[Canaan]]ite states of the [[Levant]], [[Jewish–Babylonian war|including Judah]]. Nebuchadnezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, [[Siege of Jerusalem (597 BC)|capturing Jerusalem in 597 BC]] and deposing King [[Jehoiakim]], then [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|destroying the city in 587 BC]] due to rebellion, and deporting many of the prominent citizens along with a sizable portion of the Jewish population of [[Judea]] to Babylon.<ref>Flavius Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews, Book VIII'', ch. 6–8.</ref> These events are described in the Prophets (''[[Nevi'im]]'') and Writings (''[[Ketuvim]]''), sections of the [[Hebrew Bible]] (in the books [[2 Kings]] and [[Jeremiah]], and [[2 Chronicles]], respectively). After the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar engaged in a thirteen-year siege of [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]] (circa 586–573) which ended in a compromise, with the [[Tyrians]] accepting Babylonian authority.<ref>{{cite book|title=Unlock the Bible: Keys to Exploring the Culture and Times|year=2012|publisher=Thomas Nelson|isbn=1418547263|page=347|editor=Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Allen|first=Leslie C.|title=Jeremiah: A Commentary|year=2008|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|isbn=978-0664222239|page=472}}</ref>

Following the pacification of the Phoenician state of [[Tyre, Lebanon|Tyre]], Nebuchadnezzar turned again to Egypt. A [[clay tablet]],<ref>Elgood, Percival George. 1951. ''Later Dynasties of Egypt''. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, p. 106.</ref> now in the [[British Museum]], states: "In the 37th year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to [[Mizraim|Mitzraim]] (Egypt) to wage war. [[Amasis II|Amasis]], king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad." Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia, and a campaign against Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon, and constructed canals, aqueducts, temples and reservoirs.

According to Babylonian tradition, towards the end of his life, Nebuchadnezzar prophesied the impending ruin of the [[Chaldean Dynasty]] (Berossus and [[Abydenus]] in [[Eusebius]], ''[[Praeparatio Evangelica]]'', 9.41). He died in Babylon between the second and sixth months of the forty-third year of his reign, and was succeeded by [[Amel-Marduk]].

==Construction activity==
[[File:Pergamon Museum Berlin 2007085.jpg|thumb|left|Building Inscription of King Nebuchadnezar II at the [[Ishtar Gate]]. An abridged excerpt says: ''"I (Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level and had them built out of pure blue stone. Upon the walls in the inner room of the gate are bulls and dragons and thus I magnificently adorned them with luxurious splendour for all mankind to behold in awe."'']]
During the last century of [[Nineveh]]'s existence, Babylon had been greatly devastated, not only at the hands of [[Sennacherib]] and [[Assurbanipal]], but also as a result of Babylon's repeated rebellions. Nebuchadnezzar, 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";<ref>Smith, William and Fuller, J.M. 1893. ''A Dictionary of the Bible: Comprising Its Antiquities, Biography, Geography, and Natural History.'' London: John Murray, vol. I, p. 314.</ref> 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. The bridge across the Euphrates is of particular interest, in that it was supported on asphalt covered brick piers that were streamlined to reduce the upstream resistance to flow, and the downstream turbulence that would otherwise undermine the foundations. Nebuchadnezzar's construction 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 [[Mede wall]] between the Tigris and the Euphrates to protect the country against incursions from the north. These undertakings required a considerable number of laborers; an inscription at the great temple of [[Marduk]] suggests that the labouring force used for his public works was most likely made up of captives brought from various parts of western Asia.

Nebuchadnezzar is credited by [[Berossus]] with the construction of the [[Hanging Gardens]], for his homesick wife [[Amytis of Media (wife of Nebuchadnezzar)|Amyitis (or Amytis)]] to remind her of her homeland, Medis (Media) in Persia. He is also credited for the construction of the [[Ishtar Gate]], one of the eight gates leading into the city of Babylon.<ref name="FosterGardensofEden">{{cite conference| first =Karen Polinger| last =Foster| authorlink =| chapter =Gardens of Eden: Flora and Fauna in the Ancient Near East| booktitle =Transformations of Middle Eastern Natural Environments: Legacies and Lessons| pages =320–329| year=1998| publisher =[[Yale University]]| location =[[New Haven]]| url =http://environment.yale.edu/documents/downloads/0-9/103foster.pdf| accessdate =2007-08-11 }}</ref> However, some scholars argue that the Gardens may have been constructed by the [[Assyria]]n king [[Sennacherib]] in his capital city, Nineveh.<ref>Dalley, Stephanie, (2013) ''The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon: an elusive world Wonder traced,'' OUP. ISBN 978-0-19-966226-5</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Rollinger |first1=Robert |year=2013 |chapter=Berossos and the Monuments |page=155 |editor1-last=Haubold |editor1-first=Johannes |editor2-last=Lanfranchi |editor2-first=Giovanni B. |editor3-last=Rollinger |editor3-first=Robert |editor4-last=Steele |editor4-first=John |displayeditors=1 |title=The World of Berossos |publisher=Harrassowitz |isbn=978-3-447-06728-7}}</ref>

==Portrayal in the Bible==
[[File:Daniel Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's Dream.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Daniel Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's Dream]]
Nebuchadnezzar is widely known through his portrayal in the Bible, especially the [[Book of Daniel]]. The Bible discusses events of his reign and his conquest of Jerusalem. Daniel 2 contains an account attributed to the second year of his reign, in which Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a huge image made of various materials (gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay). The prophet [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] tells him God's interpretation, that it stands for the rise and fall of world powers, starting with Nebuchadnezzar's own as the golden head.

Daniel 3 is an account of Nebuchadnezzar erecting a large idol made of gold for worship during a public ceremony on the plain of Dura. When three Jews, whose names were [[Hananiah]], [[Mishael]], and [[Azariah]] (respectively renamed [[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego]] by their captors, to facilitate their assimilation into Babylonian culture), refuse to take part, he has them cast into a fiery furnace. They are protected by what Nebuchadnezzar describes as "a son of the gods" (Daniel 3:25 NIV) and emerge unscathed without even the smell of smoke.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kjvonly.org/doug/kutilek_son_of_god.htm|title=Son of God or a Son of the Gods (Daniel 3:25)?|work=kjvonly.org|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref> Daniel 3 goes on to say that Nebuchadnezzar realized that no man-made god has the power to save and praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He then made a decree that anyone of any nation that would make any accusation against God would be mutilated and their homes be destroyed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+3%3A28-29&version=NIV|title=Daniel 3:28-29|work=Bible Gateway|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref> Daniel 4 contains an account of Nebuchadnezzar's dream about an immense tree, which Daniel interprets to mean that Nebuchadnezzar will go insane for seven years because of his pride. The chapter is written from the perspective of king Nebuchadnezzar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+4&version=NIV|title=Daniel 4|work=Bible Gateway|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref>

===Bout of insanity===
[[File:William Blake - Nebuchadnezzar - WGA02216.jpg|thumb|right|240px|''[[Nebuchadnezzar (Blake)|Nebuchadnezzar]]'', by [[William Blake]], depicting the king during his bout of insanity]]While boasting about his achievements, Nebuchadnezzar is humbled by [[God]]. The king loses his sanity and lives in the wild like an animal for seven years. After this, his sanity and position are restored and he praises and honors God. Theologians have interpreted this story in several ways. [[Origen]] attributed the metamorphosis as a representation of the [[Fallen angel#Fall of Satan|fall of Lucifer]], [[Jean Bodin|Bodin]] and [[Philipp Clüver|Cluvier]] maintained it was a metamorphosis of both soul and body, [[Tertullian]] confined the transformation to the body only, without the loss of reason, cases of which [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] stated were reported in Italy, but gave them little credit. Gaspard Peucer asserted that the transformation of men into wolves was common in [[Livonia]]. Some Jewish rabbis asserted there was an exchange of souls between the man and ox, while others argued for an apparent or [[wiktionary:docetism|docetic]] change which was not real. The most generally received opinion, which was also held by [[Jerome]], was that the madman was under the influence of [[Hypochondriasis|hypochondriachal]] [[monomania]] by which God could humble the pride of kings.<ref>Samuel Fallows, [http://books.google.com/books?id=JbJUAAAAYAAJ& ''The Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopaedia and Scriptural Dictionary''] The Howard-Severance Company (1920) Vol.2 p.302</ref>

Modern writers have speculated that the biblical account might refer to an illness with a natural organic cause. Some consider it to have been an attack of [[clinical lycanthropy]] or alternatively [[porphyria]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Kroeger, Catherine Clark |title=The Women's Study Bible: New Living Translation |year=2009 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-529125-4 |edition=Second |author2=Evans, Mary J. |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hKT7ftnh0xYC&pg=PA1003&dq=King+Nebuchadnezzar+%2B+Clinical+lycanthropy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W0AET9GLF5PC8QOTuKX_Dw&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=King%20Nebuchadnezzar%20%2B%20Clinical%20lycanthropy&f=false}}</ref> Psychologist [[Henry Gleitman]] wrote that Nebuchadnezzar's insanity was a result of general paresis or paralytic dementia seen in advanced cases of [[syphilis]].<ref>Henry Gleitman, Psychology (New York: W W Norton, 2007), 219.</ref>

Some scholars<ref>Wolfram von Soden: "Eine babylonische Volksüberlieferung von Nabonid in den Danielerzählungen". In: ''Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft'' 53 (1935), pp. 81–89.</ref> think that Nebuchadnezzar's portrayal by Daniel is a mixture of traditions about Nebuchadnezzar and about [[Nabonidus]] (''Nabuna'id'') who became confused with him. For example, Nabonidus was the natural, or paternal father of [[Belshazzar]], and the seven years of insanity could be related to Nabonidus' sojourn in [[Tayma]] in the desert. Fragments from the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], written from 150 BC to 70 AD<ref>[[F. F. Bruce|Bruce, F. F.]] [http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/kenyon/storyofbible/2ck11.htm "The Last Thirty Years"]. ''Story of the Bible''. ed. [[Frederic G. Kenyon]]. Retrieved June 19, 2007.</ref> state that it was Nabonidus (N-b-n-y) who was smitten by God with a fever for seven years of his reign while his son [[Belshazzar]] ruled.

The [[Book of Jeremiah]] contains a prophecy about the arising of a "destroyer of nations", commonly regarded as a reference to Nebuchadnezzar (''Jer.'' 4:7),<ref>''Calvin's Bible Commentaries: Jeremiah and Lamentations, Part I, John Calvin'', translated by John King, Forgotten Books, 2007, p. 168.</ref> as well as an account of Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem and looting and destruction of the temple (''Jer.'' 52).

===Helel, Son of the Morning===
Chapter 14 of the [[Book of Isaiah]] refers to what [[Jewish exegesis]] of the [[Prophecy|prophetic vision]] of Isaiah 14:12-15 identifies as King Nebuchadnezzar II; the [[Hebrew]] text says {{lang|he|הֵילֵל בֶּן-שָׁחַר (''Helel ben Shaḥar'', "day-star, son of the morning")}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASTRONOMY - Helel, Son of the Morning.|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2052-astronomy|work=The unedited full-text of the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia|publisher=JewishEncyclopedia.com|accessdate=1 July 2012}}</ref> It is a taunting [[prophecy]] against an oppressive king.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wilken|first=Robert|title=Isaiah: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators|year=2007|publisher=Wm Eerdmans Publishing|location=Grand Rapids MI|isbn=978-0-8028-2581-0|pages=171}}</ref> In Isaiah 14,<ref>{{cite web|title=Bible|url=http://kingjbible.com/isaiah/14-1.htm}}</ref> the king is being mocked, as he is struck through with a sword, killed, and thrown into a common grave. Mainstream [[Christianity]] reads into this passage to the fall of [[Lucifer]] because verse 20 says that this king of Babylon will not be "joined with them [all the kings of the nations] in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people; the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever", but rather be cast out of the grave, while "All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, every one in his own house".<ref>Isaiah 14:18</ref> "Helel ben Shaḥar" may refer to the [[Venus|Morning Star]], but Isaiah gives no indication that Helel is a star.<ref>Gunkel, "Schöpfung und Chaos," pp. 132 et seq.</ref><ref name=MM-Isa14>{{cite web|title=Isaiah Chapter 14|url=http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1014.htm|website=mechon-mamre.org|publisher=The Mamre Institute|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in medieval Muslim sources==
According to [[Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari|Tabari]], Nebuchadnezzar, whose Persian name was Bukhtrashah, was of Persian descent, from the progeny of Jūdharz. Some believe he lived as long as 300 years.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70">{{cite book|last=Ṭabarī|first=Muḥammad Ibn-Ǧarīr Aṭ-|title=The History of Al-Tabarī|year=1987|publisher=State Univ. of New York Pr.|pages=43–70}}</ref> While much of what is written about Nebuchadnezzar depicts a ruthless warrior, some texts show a ruler who was concerned with both spiritual and moral issues in life and was seeking divine guidance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford}}</ref>

Nebuchadnezzar was seen as a strong, conquering force in Islamic texts and historical compilations, like [[Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari|Tabari]]. The [[Babylon]]ian leader used force and destruction to grow an empire. He conquered kingdom after kingdom, including [[Phoenicia]], [[Philistia]], [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], [[Ammon]], [[Moab]], [[Jerusalem]], and more.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tabouis|first=G.R.|title=Nebuchadnezzar|year=1931|publisher=Whittlesey House|page=3}}</ref> The most notable events that Tabari’s collection focuses on is the [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|destruction of Jerusalem]].<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70"/>

===Destruction of Jerusalem===
Nebuchadnezzar was sent from [[Balkh]] by Luhrāsb, a Persian ruler, to defeat the Jews in Jerusalem. Some sources believe that Luhrāsb’s son, Bahman, is the one who sent Nebuchadnezzar to exile the Jews from Jerusalem.<ref name="Calkins 1930">{{cite book|last=Calkins|first=Raymond|title=Jeremiah the Prophet: A Study in Personal Religion|year=1930|publisher=Macmillan|location=New York}}</ref> According to one source in Tabari, at the time Nebuchadnezzar was summoned to defeat Jerusalem, he was finishing a peace agreement with the people of [[Damascus]]. Because of this, he sent an officer to ease the tension in Jerusalem and create a peace treaty. The officer successfully met with the king of Jerusalem and made a peace treaty. As was custom for the Babylonians, the officer took hostages with him as and began the return journey to Nebuchadnezzar. When the officer reached [[Tiberias]], he heard that the Israelites had revolted against their king and killed him because the king had given the Babylonians hostages. The hostages were then beheaded and Nebuchadnezzar made his way to Jerusalem.

According to stories in the [[Old Testament]] Nebuchadnezzar ravaged the town, killed and enslaved the people, and then discovered the prophet [[Jeremiah]] in a prison. He had been jailed for about three years for prophesying Jerusalem's fate as told to him by God. Jeremiah warned the Israelites and told them to repent, but they had instead jailed him. The Testament states that God sent an angel to ask Jeremiah if the Israelites must be destroyed and Jeremiah agreed, beginning the attack by Nebuchadnezzar. When Jeremiah told this story to Nebuchadnezzar, he replied, “Wretched people, they defied their lord’s messenger”. He then released Jeremiah. Nebuchadnezzar does not worship the god of the Bible but [[Marduk]], a Babylonian god most often related to judgement.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Tabouis|first=G.R.|title=Nebuchadnezzr|year=1931|publisher=Whittlesey House|location=New York|page=130}}</ref> The Testament suggests that Nebuchadnezzar respected Jeremiah and his beliefs,<ref name="Calkins 1930"/> allowing Jeremiah to be an ally and help Nebuchadnezzar with policy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=T. Crouther|title=The Rebel Prophet: Studies in the Personality of Jeremiah|year=1932|publisher=Harper and Bros.|location=New York and London|page=65}}</ref>

Nebuchadnezzar then goes on to attack Egypt. After releasing Jeremiah from prison, the remaining Israelites apologized to Jeremiah but still do not listen to him when he tells them to stay in Jerusalem. They instead flee to Egypt, where the king takes them in even after Nebuchadnezzar has asked that they be returned. Nebuchadnezzar then conquers Egypt and moves further north in Africa before returning home with treasures and hoards of slaves. Nebuchadnezzar’s victories display the period of growth that Babylonians were experiencing. Every new victory resulted in a further accumulation of wealth and prisoners of war, both of which were used to strengthen the empire even more. It is also suggested that Nebuchadnezzar took royals hostage but treated them well so that when they were released, they would be supportive and complimentary of the Babylonian Empire.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford UP|location=Oxford|pages=81–84}}</ref>

After Nebuchadnezzar leaves, there is a disconnect between the sources. One says that Jeremiah speaks to God, who tells him that the city will be rebuilt. He then puts Jeremiah to sleep for a hundred years. The Israelites return and begin to rebuild the city and then God wakes Jeremiah from his slumber.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70"/>

Other sources say that Nebuchadnezzar puts [[Zedekiah]] in power. Jeremiah provides support and counsel to Zedekiah for the two years he is in charge because Zedekiah knows that the city is doomed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=T. Crouther|title=The Rebel Prophet: Studies in the Personality of Jeremiah|year=1932|publisher=Harper and Bros.|location=New York and London|page=117}}</ref> Jeremiah stays by his side, realizing that it is better to be Babylon’s ally than enemy. After ruling for two years, Zedekiah tried to make an alliance with Egypt, leading to his demise.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tabouis|first=G.R.|title=Nebuchadnezzar|year=1931|publisher=Whittlesey House|location=New York|pages=130–166}}</ref> Nebuchadnezzar puts an end to the alliance and the cities.

Some accounts say that [[Bahman]] took over after Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, eventually passing off the power to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]]. These accounts do not say a lot about Nebuchadnezzar or make him seem as powerful.

Yet another source say that God let Nebuchadnezzar rule as long as he wanted. Near the end of his reign, and life, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream but he cannot remember it when he awakes. He calls [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] to pray and talk to God to figure out what he had dreamed. He comes back and tells Nebuchadnezzar about his dream: He saw a statue, made up of many different materials. The feet were formed out of clay and the materials got stronger and stronger the higher they were on the body, with the head and neck being made from gold. These different substances symbolized the different reigns of rulers. Then, a rock was sent down from heaven and smashed the statue. This was meant to symbolize God sending a prophet to smash the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.<ref>{{cite book|last=Redditt|first=Paul L.|title=Daniel: Based on the New Revised Standard Version|year=1999|publisher=Sheffield Academic|location=Sheffield|pages=49–63}}</ref> Soon after this, Nebuchadnezzar addressed the Israelites. He talked about how powerful he was, so powerful that he had destroyed God’s house and people and that when he died, he would take over God’s kingdom. God, having heard this, pitied his people. He allowed them to return to Judea and multiply. One of the captives, [[Ezra]], was distraught about the fact that the Israelites’ scripture had been destroyed with the temple. God returns the scripture to him and his people<ref>{{cite book|last=Grabbe|first=Lester L.|title=Ezra-Nehemiah|year=1998|publisher=Routledge|location=London|pages=143–153}}</ref> and the Israelites live on under their own leadership.

===Sources===
While researchers rely mostly on firsthand accounts to learn about Nebuchadnezzar, that is not the only way they can get information. Much of the biographical information collected by historians about Nebuchadnezzar is taken from inscriptions on buildings that were erected during the rebuilding of Babylon.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford UP|location=Oxford|page=42}}</ref>

== Portrayal in Baha'i Faith ==
Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in the [[Kitáb-i-Íqán]], the primary theological work of the [[Bahá'í Faith]]. There he is described as having "delivered Jerusalem to the flames."<ref>[http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KI/ki-1.html] "The Kitáb-i-Íqán (Pages 81–93)". BAHA'I REFERENCE LIBRARY. Retrieved 2014-09-10.</ref>

==Nebuchadnezzar in fiction==

[[Voltaire]] interprets the legacy of Nebuchadnezzar and his relationship with Amasis in a short story entitled ''[[The White Bull]]''.

==Named after Nebuchadnezzar==
*The San Francisco DJ Nebakaneza.
* The opera ''[[Nabucco]]'' (1842) by [[Giuseppe Verdi]].
* The [[Nabucco pipeline]], a planned natural gas pipeline that will transport natural gas from Turkey to Austria, via Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.
* [[Saddam Hussein]] considered himself to be the reincarnation of Nebuchadnezzar<ref>''Encyclopedia of the Developing World'', edited by Thomas M. Leonard, p. 793.</ref> and had the inscription "To King Nebuchadnezzar in the reign of Saddam Hussein" inscribed on bricks inserted into the walls of the ancient city of Babylon during a reconstruction project he initiated;<ref>''Archeology Under Dictatorship'', Michael L. Galaty and Charles Watkinson, p. 203.</ref> he named one of his Republican Guards divisions after Nebuchadnezzar.<ref>Fontenot, Gregory; Degen, E. J.; Tohn, David. 2005. ''On point: the United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom.'' Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, p. 263. ISBN 978-1-59114-279-9</ref>
* A bottle of [[wine]] with a volume equivalent to 20 standard bottles (15 litres) is called a [[Nebuchadnezzar (wine)|Nebuchadnezzar]].
* "Nebuchadnezzar's Furnace" is a type of [[daylily]].
* The name of Morpheus' vessel in the films ''[[The Matrix]]'' and ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''.
* Nebuchadnezzar II is a playable character in ''[[Civilization V]]''.
* Nebuchadnezzar II is mentioned in the Microsoft computer game ''[[Age of Empires]]'' in the eighth Babylon campaign "Nineveh" in the history section and after the campaign is won.
* Nebuchadnezzar is a card in [[Magic: The Gathering]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201212|title=Nebuchadnezzar (Masters Edition III) - Gatherer - Magic: The Gathering|work=wizards.com|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Babylonia]]
*[[Kings of Babylonia]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Chapter 23, "The Chaldaean Kings" in Georges Roux, ''Ancient Iraq'' (3rd ed.). London: Penguin Books, 1992. ISBN 0-14-012523-X
* [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]]
*{{Eastons|wstitle=Nebuchadnezzar}}
*{{Catholic|wstitle=Nabuchodonosor}}
* ''[[:fr:Référence:Nos ancêtres de l'Antiquité (Christian Settipani)|Nos ancêtres de l'Antiquité]]'', 1991, [[Christian Settipani]], p.
* Stefan Zawadski, "Nebuchadnezzar's Campaign in the 30th Year (575 BC): A Conflict with Tyre?" in Mordechai Cogan and Dan`el Kahn (eds), ''Treasures on Camels' Humps: Historical and Literary Studies from the Ancient Near East Presented to Israel Eph'al'' (Jerusalem, Magnes Press, 2008).
* T. E. Gaston, ''Historical Issues in the Book of Daniel'', Oxford: Taanathshiloh, 2005

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nebuchadnezzar II}}
{{AmCyc Poster|Nebuchadnezzar}}
* [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]
* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=154&letter=N&search=Nebuchadnezzar Jewish Encyclopedia on Nebuchadnezzar]
* [http://www.ancientopedia.com/Nebuchadnezzar_II/ Nebuchadnezzar II] on Ancient History Encyclopedia

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nabopolassar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Kings of Babylon|King of Babylon]]|years=605 BC – 562 BC}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Amel-Marduk]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Characters and names in the Quran}}

{{Persondata 
| NAME = Nebuchadnezzar II
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Nabû-kudurri-uṣur
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Chaldean king of Babylon
| DATE OF BIRTH = c. 634 BC
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 562 BC
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nebuchadnezzar Ii}}
[[Category:630 BC births]]
[[Category:562 BC deaths]]
[[Category:6th-century BC biblical rulers]]
[[Category:7th-century BC biblical rulers]]
[[Category:Babylonian kings]]
[[Category:Book of Daniel]]
[[Category:National symbols of Iraq]]
[[Category:History of Purim]]
[[Category:Nebuchadnezzar II| ]]
[[Category:Old Testament Apocrypha people]]

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 == Portrayal in medieval Muslim sources ==
-According to [[Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari]], Nebuchadnezzar, whose Persian name was Bukhtrashah, was of Persian descent, from the progeny of Jūdharz, however modern scholars are unanimous that he was either a native Mesopotamian ([[Assyria]]n-[[Babylonia]]n) or a [[Chaldea]]n. Some medieval writers erroneously believed he lived as long as 300 years.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70">{{cite book|last=Ṭabarī|first=Muḥammad Ibn-Ǧarīr Aṭ-|title=The History of Al-Tabarī|year=1987|publisher=State Univ. of New York Pr.|pages=43–70}}</ref> While much of what is written about Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar depicts a great warrior, some texts describe a ruler who was concerned with both spiritual and moral issues in life and was seeking divine guidance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford}}</ref>
+According to [[Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari]], Nebuchadnezzar, whose Persian name was Bukhtrashah, was of Persian descent, from the progeny of Jūdharz, however modern scholars are unanimous that he was either a native Mesopotamian ([[Babylonia]]n) or a [[Chaldea]]n. Some medieval writers erroneously believed he lived as long as 300 years.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70">{{cite book|last=Ṭabarī|first=Muḥammad Ibn-Ǧarīr Aṭ-|title=The History of Al-Tabarī|year=1987|publisher=State Univ. of New York Pr.|pages=43–70}}</ref> While much of what is written about Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar depicts a great warrior, some texts describe a ruler who was concerned with both spiritual and moral issues in life and was seeking divine guidance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford}}</ref>
 Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar was seen as a strong, conquering force in Middle eastern texts and historical compilations, like [[Al-Tabari]]. The [[Babylon]]ian leader used force and destruction to grow an empire. He conquered kingdom after kingdom, including [[Phoenicia]], [[Philistia]], [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], [[Ammon]], [[Moab]], and more.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tabouis |first=G.R. |title=Nebuchadnezzar|year=1931|publisher=Whittlesey House|page=3}}</ref> The most notable events that Tabari’s collection focuses on is the [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|destruction of Jerusalem]].<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70" />

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 [[File:Pergamon Museum Berlin 2007085.jpg|thumb|left|Building Inscription of King Nebuchadnezar II at the [[Ishtar Gate]]. An abridged excerpt says: ''"I&nbsp;(Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level and had them built out of pure blue stone. Upon the walls in the inner room of the gate are bulls and dragons and thus I magnificently adorned them with luxurious splendor for all mankind to behold in awe."'']]
 [[File:Detail of a terracotta cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar II, recording the building and reconstruction works at Babylon. 604-562 BCE. From Babylon, Iraq, housed in the British Museum.jpg|thumb|Detail of a terracotta cylinder of Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar II, recording the building and reconstruction works at Babylon. 604–562 BC. From Babylon, Iraq, housed in the British Museum]]
-Nebuchadnezzar was the eldest son and successor of [[Nabopolassar]], an [[Neo-Assyrian Empire|Assyrian]] official who rebelled and established himself as king of Babylon in 620&nbsp;BC; the dynasty he established ruled until 539&nbsp;BC, when the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]] was conquered by [[Cyrus the Great]].{{sfn|Bertman|2005|p=95}}{{sfn|Oates|1997|p=162}} Nebuchadnezzar is first mentioned in 607&nbsp;BC, during the destruction of Babylon's arch-enemy Assyria, at which point he was already crown prince.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=182}} In 605&nbsp;BC he and his ally [[Cyaxares]], ruler of the [[Medes]] and [[Persians]], led an army against the Assyrians and Egyptians, who were then occupying Syria, and in the ensuing [[Battle of Carchemish]], [[Necho&nbsp;II]] was defeated and Syria and [[Phoenicia]] were brought under the control of Babylon.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=182–183}}
+Nebuchadnezzar was the eldest son and successor of [[Nabopolassar]], a [[Chaldean Empire|Chaldean]] official who rebelled and established himself as king of Babylon in 620&nbsp;BC; the dynasty he established ruled until 539&nbsp;BC, when the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]] was conquered by [[Cyrus the Great]].{{sfn|Bertman|2005|p=95}}{{sfn|Oates|1997|p=162}} Nebuchadnezzar is first mentioned in 607&nbsp;BC, during the destruction of Babylon's arch-enemy of the cruel ancient Assyrian kings, at which point he was already crown Chaldean prince.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=182}} In 605&nbsp;BC he and his ally [[Cyaxares]], ruler of the [[Medes]] and [[Persians]], led an army against the ancient Assyrians and Egyptians, who were then occupying Syria, and in the ensuing [[Battle of Carchemish]], [[Necho&nbsp;II]] defeated them and Syria and [[Phoenicia]] were brought under the control of the Chaldean people of Mesopotamia.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=182–183}}
-[[Nabopolassar]] died in August {{citation needed|date=March 2018}} 605&nbsp;BC, and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to ascend the throne.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=183}} For the next few years his attention was devoted to subduing his eastern and northern borders, and in 595/4&nbsp;BC there was a serious but brief rebellion in Babylon itself.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} In 594/3&nbsp;BC the army was sent again to the west, possibly in reaction to the elevation of [[Psammetichus II]] to the throne of Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} King [[Zedekiah]] of Judah attempted to organize opposition among the small states in the region, but his capital, [[Jerusalem]], was taken in 587&nbsp;BC (the events are described in the Bible's [[Books of Kings]] and [[Book of Jeremiah]]).{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233–234}} In the following years Nebuchadnezzar incorporated [[Phoenicia]] and the former Assyrian provinces of [[Cilicia]] (southwestern Anatolia) into his empire and may have campaigned in Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=235–236}} In his last years Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar, "pay[ing] no heed to son or daughter," and was deeply suspicious of his sons.{{sfn|Foster|2009|p=131}} The kings who came after him ruled only briefly and [[Nabonidus]], apparently not of the royal family, was overthrown by the Persian conqueror [[Cyrus the Great]] less than twenty-five years after Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar's death.
+[[Nabopolassar]] died in August {{citation needed|date=March 2018}} 605&nbsp;BC, and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to ascend the throne.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=183}} For the next few years his attention was devoted to subduing his eastern and northern borders, and in 595/4&nbsp;BC there was a serious but brief rebellion in Babylon itself.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} In 594/3&nbsp;BC the army was sent again to the west, possibly in reaction to the elevation of [[Psammetichus II]] to the throne of Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} King [[Zedekiah]] of Judah attempted to organize opposition among the small states in the region, but his capital, [[Jerusalem]], was taken in 587&nbsp;BC (the events are described in the Bible's [[Books of Kings]] and [[Book of Jeremiah]]).{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233–234}} In the following years Nebuchadnezzar incorporated [[Phoenicia]] and the  provinces of [[Cilicia]] (southwestern Anatolia) into his empire and may have campaigned in Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=235–236}} In his last years Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar, "pay[ing] no heed to son or daughter," and was deeply suspicious of his sons.{{sfn|Foster|2009|p=131}} The kings who came after him ruled only briefly and [[Nabonidus]], apparently not of the royal family, was overthrown by the Persian conqueror [[Cyrus the Great]] less than twenty-five years after Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar's death.
 The ruins of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon are spread over two thousand acres, forming the largest archaeological site in the [[Middle East]].{{sfn|Arnold|2005|p=96}} He enlarged the royal palace (including in it a public museum, possibly the world's first), built and repaired temples, built a bridge over the [[Euphrates]], and constructed a grand processional boulevard (the Processional Way) and gateway (the [[Ishtar Gate]]) lavishly decorated with glazed brick.{{sfn|Bertman|2005|p=96}} Each Spring [[equinox]] (the start of the New Year) the god [[Marduk]] would leave his city temple<!--clarify – unlikely that a fictitious deity went for a walk--> for a temple outside the walls, returning through the Ishtar Gate and down the Processional Way, paved with colored stone and lined with molded lions, amidst rejoicing crowds.{{sfn|Foster|2009|p=131}}

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 {{Lead too short|date=November 2017}}
-'''Nebuchadnezzar II''' (from [[Akkadian]] {{cuneiform|akk|𒀭𒀝𒆪𒁺𒌨𒊑𒋀}} ''<sup>[[DINGIR|d]]</sup>Nabû-kudurri-uṣur'', {{hebrew Name|נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר|Nəvūkádne’ṣar|Neḇukáḏné’ṣār}}), meaning "O god [[Nabu]], preserve/defend my firstborn son") was king of [[Neo-Babylonian Empire|Babylon]] c.&nbsp;605&nbsp;BC – c. 562&nbsp;BC, the longest and most powerful reign of any monarch in the Neo-Babylonian empire.{{sfn|Freedman|2000|p=953}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancient.eu/Nebuchadnezzar_II/ |title=Nebuchadnezzar II |publisher=ancient.eu |accessdate=December 22, 2017}}</ref>
+'''Nebuchadnezzar II''' (from [[Akkadian]] {{cuneiform|akk|𒀭𒀝𒆪𒁺𒌨𒊑𒋀}} ''<sup>[[DINGIR|d]]</sup>Nabû-kudurri-uṣur'', {{hebrew and Chaldean Name|נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר|Nəvūkádne’ṣar|Neḇukáḏné’ṣār}}), meaning "O god [[Nabu]], preserve/defend my firstborn son") was king of [[Neo-Babylonian Chaldean Empire|Babylon]] c.&nbsp;605&nbsp;BC – c. 562&nbsp;BC, the longest and most powerful reign of any monarch in the Neo-Babylonian empire.{{sfn|Freedman|2000|p=953}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancient.eu/Nebuchadnezzar_II/ |title=Nebuchadnezzar II |publisher=ancient.eu |accessdate=December 22, 2017}}</ref>
 == Career ==
 [[File:Pergamon Museum Berlin 2007085.jpg|thumb|left|Building Inscription of King Nebuchadnezar II at the [[Ishtar Gate]]. An abridged excerpt says: ''"I&nbsp;(Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level and had them built out of pure blue stone. Upon the walls in the inner room of the gate are bulls and dragons and thus I magnificently adorned them with luxurious splendor for all mankind to behold in awe."'']]
-[[File:Detail of a terracotta cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar II, recording the building and reconstruction works at Babylon. 604-562 BCE. From Babylon, Iraq, housed in the British Museum.jpg|thumb|Detail of a terracotta cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar II, recording the building and reconstruction works at Babylon. 604–562 BC. From Babylon, Iraq, housed in the British Museum]]
+[[File:Detail of a terracotta cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar II, recording the building and reconstruction works at Babylon. 604-562 BCE. From Babylon, Iraq, housed in the British Museum.jpg|thumb|Detail of a terracotta cylinder of Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar II, recording the building and reconstruction works at Babylon. 604–562 BC. From Babylon, Iraq, housed in the British Museum]]
 Nebuchadnezzar was the eldest son and successor of [[Nabopolassar]], an [[Neo-Assyrian Empire|Assyrian]] official who rebelled and established himself as king of Babylon in 620&nbsp;BC; the dynasty he established ruled until 539&nbsp;BC, when the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]] was conquered by [[Cyrus the Great]].{{sfn|Bertman|2005|p=95}}{{sfn|Oates|1997|p=162}} Nebuchadnezzar is first mentioned in 607&nbsp;BC, during the destruction of Babylon's arch-enemy Assyria, at which point he was already crown prince.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=182}} In 605&nbsp;BC he and his ally [[Cyaxares]], ruler of the [[Medes]] and [[Persians]], led an army against the Assyrians and Egyptians, who were then occupying Syria, and in the ensuing [[Battle of Carchemish]], [[Necho&nbsp;II]] was defeated and Syria and [[Phoenicia]] were brought under the control of Babylon.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=182–183}}
-[[Nabopolassar]] died in August {{citation needed|date=March 2018}} 605&nbsp;BC, and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to ascend the throne.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=183}} For the next few years his attention was devoted to subduing his eastern and northern borders, and in 595/4&nbsp;BC there was a serious but brief rebellion in Babylon itself.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} In 594/3&nbsp;BC the army was sent again to the west, possibly in reaction to the elevation of [[Psammetichus II]] to the throne of Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} King [[Zedekiah]] of Judah attempted to organize opposition among the small states in the region, but his capital, [[Jerusalem]], was taken in 587&nbsp;BC (the events are described in the Bible's [[Books of Kings]] and [[Book of Jeremiah]]).{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233–234}} In the following years Nebuchadnezzar incorporated [[Phoenicia]] and the former Assyrian provinces of [[Cilicia]] (southwestern Anatolia) into his empire and may have campaigned in Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=235–236}} In his last years Nebuchadnezzar seems to have begun behaving irrationally, "pay[ing] no heed to son or daughter," and was deeply suspicious of his sons.{{sfn|Foster|2009|p=131}} The kings who came after him ruled only briefly and [[Nabonidus]], apparently not of the royal family, was overthrown by the Persian conqueror [[Cyrus the Great]] less than twenty-five years after Nebuchadnezzar's death.
+[[Nabopolassar]] died in August {{citation needed|date=March 2018}} 605&nbsp;BC, and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to ascend the throne.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=183}} For the next few years his attention was devoted to subduing his eastern and northern borders, and in 595/4&nbsp;BC there was a serious but brief rebellion in Babylon itself.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} In 594/3&nbsp;BC the army was sent again to the west, possibly in reaction to the elevation of [[Psammetichus II]] to the throne of Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233}} King [[Zedekiah]] of Judah attempted to organize opposition among the small states in the region, but his capital, [[Jerusalem]], was taken in 587&nbsp;BC (the events are described in the Bible's [[Books of Kings]] and [[Book of Jeremiah]]).{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=233–234}} In the following years Nebuchadnezzar incorporated [[Phoenicia]] and the former Assyrian provinces of [[Cilicia]] (southwestern Anatolia) into his empire and may have campaigned in Egypt.{{sfn|Wiseman|1991a|p=235–236}} In his last years Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar, "pay[ing] no heed to son or daughter," and was deeply suspicious of his sons.{{sfn|Foster|2009|p=131}} The kings who came after him ruled only briefly and [[Nabonidus]], apparently not of the royal family, was overthrown by the Persian conqueror [[Cyrus the Great]] less than twenty-five years after Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar's death.
 The ruins of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon are spread over two thousand acres, forming the largest archaeological site in the [[Middle East]].{{sfn|Arnold|2005|p=96}} He enlarged the royal palace (including in it a public museum, possibly the world's first), built and repaired temples, built a bridge over the [[Euphrates]], and constructed a grand processional boulevard (the Processional Way) and gateway (the [[Ishtar Gate]]) lavishly decorated with glazed brick.{{sfn|Bertman|2005|p=96}} Each Spring [[equinox]] (the start of the New Year) the god [[Marduk]] would leave his city temple<!--clarify – unlikely that a fictitious deity went for a walk--> for a temple outside the walls, returning through the Ishtar Gate and down the Processional Way, paved with colored stone and lined with molded lions, amidst rejoicing crowds.{{sfn|Foster|2009|p=131}}
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 [[File:Daniel Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's Dream.jpg|thumb|240px|Daniel Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's Dream]]
-Nebuchadnezzar is an important character in the [[Book of Daniel]], a collection of legendary tales and visions dating from the 2nd century BC.{{sfn|Collins|2002|p=2}} The consensus among scholars is that [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] never existed and was apparently chosen for the hero of the book because of his traditional reputation as a wise seer.{{sfn|Collins|1999|p=219}}{{sfn|Redditt|2008|p=180}} [[Daniel 1]] introduces Nebuchadnezzar as the king who takes Daniel and other Hebrew youths into captivity in Babylon, there to be trained in the magical arts. Through the help of God, Daniel excels in his studies, and the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign he interprets the king's dream of a huge image as God's prediction of the rise and fall of world powers, starting with Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom ([[Daniel 2]]). Nebuchadnezzar twice admits the power of the God of the Hebrews: first after [[Yahweh]] saves [[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego|three of Daniel's companions]] from a fiery furnace ([[Daniel 3]]) and secondly after Nebuchadnezzar himself suffers a humiliating period of madness, as Daniel predicted ([[Daniel 4]]).
+Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar is an important character in the [[Book of Daniel]] written in Chaldean language, a collection of legendary tales and visions dating from the 2nd century BC.{{sfn|Collins|2002|p=2}} The consensus among scholars is that [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] never existed and was apparently chosen for the hero of the book because of his traditional reputation as a wise seer.{{sfn|Collins|1999|p=219}}{{sfn|Redditt|2008|p=180}} [[Daniel 1]] introduces Nebuchadnezzar as the Chaldean king who takes Daniel and other Hebrew youths into captivity in Babylon, there to be trained in the magical arts. Through the help of God, Daniel excels in his studies, and the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign he interprets the king's dream of a huge image as God's prediction of the rise and fall of world powers, starting with Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom ([[Daniel 2]]). Nebuchadnezzar twice admits the power of the God of the Hebrews: first after [[Yahweh]] saves [[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego|three of Daniel's companions]] from a fiery furnace ([[Daniel 3]]) and secondly after Nebuchadnezzar himself suffers a humiliating period of madness, as Daniel predicted ([[Daniel 4]]).
-The [[Book of Jeremiah]] contains a prophecy about Nebuchadnezzar as the "destroyer of nations" (Jer. 4:7) and gives an account of the [[siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|siege of Jerusalem]] (587 BC) and the looting and destruction of the [[Solomon's Temple|First Temple]] (Jer. 39:1–10; 52:1–30).
+The [[Book of Jeremiah]] contains a prophecy about Nebuchadnezzar as the "builder of nations" (Jer. 4:7) and gives an account of the [[siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|siege of Jerusalem]] (587 BC) and the looting and destruction of the [[Solomon's Temple|First Temple]] (Jer. 39:1–10; 52:1–30).
 == Portrayal in medieval Muslim sources ==
-According to [[Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari]], Nebuchadnezzar, whose Persian name was Bukhtrashah, was of Persian descent, from the progeny of Jūdharz, however modern scholars are unanimous that he was either a native Mesopotamian ([[Assyria]]n-[[Babylonia]]n) or a [[Chaldea]]n. Some medieval writers erroneously believed he lived as long as 300 years.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70">{{cite book|last=Ṭabarī|first=Muḥammad Ibn-Ǧarīr Aṭ-|title=The History of Al-Tabarī|year=1987|publisher=State Univ. of New York Pr.|pages=43–70}}</ref> While much of what is written about Nebuchadnezzar depicts a ruthless warrior, some texts describe a ruler who was concerned with both spiritual and moral issues in life and was seeking divine guidance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford}}</ref>
+According to [[Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari]], Nebuchadnezzar, whose Persian name was Bukhtrashah, was of Persian descent, from the progeny of Jūdharz, however modern scholars are unanimous that he was either a native Mesopotamian ([[Assyria]]n-[[Babylonia]]n) or a [[Chaldea]]n. Some medieval writers erroneously believed he lived as long as 300 years.<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70">{{cite book|last=Ṭabarī|first=Muḥammad Ibn-Ǧarīr Aṭ-|title=The History of Al-Tabarī|year=1987|publisher=State Univ. of New York Pr.|pages=43–70}}</ref> While much of what is written about Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar depicts a great warrior, some texts describe a ruler who was concerned with both spiritual and moral issues in life and was seeking divine guidance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wiseman|first=D.J.|title=Nebuchadrezzar and Babylon|year=1985|publisher=Oxford}}</ref>
-Nebuchadnezzar was seen as a strong, conquering force in Islamic texts and historical compilations, like [[Al-Tabari]]. The [[Babylon]]ian leader used force and destruction to grow an empire. He conquered kingdom after kingdom, including [[Phoenicia]], [[Philistia]], [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], [[Ammon]], [[Moab]], and more.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tabouis |first=G.R. |title=Nebuchadnezzar|year=1931|publisher=Whittlesey House|page=3}}</ref> The most notable events that Tabari’s collection focuses on is the [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|destruction of Jerusalem]].<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70" />
+Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar was seen as a strong, conquering force in Middle eastern texts and historical compilations, like [[Al-Tabari]]. The [[Babylon]]ian leader used force and destruction to grow an empire. He conquered kingdom after kingdom, including [[Phoenicia]], [[Philistia]], [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], [[Ammon]], [[Moab]], and more.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tabouis |first=G.R. |title=Nebuchadnezzar|year=1931|publisher=Whittlesey House|page=3}}</ref> The most notable events that Tabari’s collection focuses on is the [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|destruction of Jerusalem]].<ref name="Ṭabarī 1987 43–70" />
 [[File:René-Antoine Houasse - Nabuchodonosor et Semiramis fait élever les jardins de Babylone (Versailles).jpg|thumb|center|upright=4.0|[[René-Antoine Houasse]]'s 1676 painting ''Nebuchadnezzar Ordering to your subjects the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to Please his Consort Amyitis'']]

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 {{Commons category|Nebuchadnezzar II}}
 {{AmCyc Poster|Nebuchadnezzar}}
-* [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10887 Inscription of Nabuchadnezzar. ''Babylonian and Assyrian Literature''] – old translation
+* [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10887 Inscription of Nabuchadnezzar. ''Babylonian Literature''] – old translation
 * [http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/meso/meso.html Nabuchadnezzar Ishtar gate Inscription]
 * [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=154&letter=N&search=Nebuchadnezzar Jewish Encyclopedia on Nebuchadnezzar]

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