BabylonBabylon's Heritage
The King Nebukhadnetzar spoke and said:
"Is not this great Babylon,
which I myself have built for the House of the Kingdom,
by the might of my power and the magnificence of my splendour?"
which I myself have built for the House of the Kingdom,
by the might of my power and the magnificence of my splendour?"
Daniel 4:30
Babylon was the most important city of history, so much that no other city, not even Rome, had the same glory. Babylon is the head of the empires. Only Nineveh was so great before her destruction. Babylon was not destroyed but abandoned, and even the Euphrates changed course withdrawing several kilometres from the ancient city. That is why Babylon will not exist never again, but only the ruins of the passed splendour will witness what the city once was. Even though somebody may attempt to rebuild Babylon, that will not be Babylon, not in the original place, and never with the original power and glory. Nevertheless, this city has left her heritage and is present in modern civilization, very present... Babylon is in the heart of any great city, in the soul of commerce and entertainment, of lust and vanity; Babylon is the soul of globalization, the first city that was built to rule over the whole mankind.The city of Babylon, "BAB-ILANI" in Chaldean language, was built on both sides of the Euphrates having each side a trapezium shape. The centre of the city was in the eastern side, protected by double walls and a channel by the outer side of the walls, and a single wall by the Euphrates. A bridge led to the western side, that was also protected by a double wall, except by the river shore.
Surrounding the eastern side, there was a peripheral zone roughly triangle-shaped also protected by walls; this was mainly a green area of parks and gardens, with some royal palaces where the kings used to have their celebrations and parties. The Beyt-Nisanu -"House of the New Year"- to celebrate the new year, and the Summer Palace where the king used to be in times of peace during the Summertime.
The city was accessible through ten gates, four of them in the western side (see maps below).
Such a city was inexpugnable, and to take Babylon would have been an almost impossible undertaking.
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The king Nebukhadnetzar made of Babylon the capital of the world. He was a wise king, and even though he conquered many nations with his army, he was not unkind towards the surrendered peoples. He destroyed Yerushalaym because Judahites rebelled against him many times, but he appointed a Jew as his main counsellor who was second only to him in the kingdom, the Prophet Daniel.
The Jews were in exile in Babylon, but they were also allowed to become a wealthy people, so much that when the permission to return back to Zion was given, most Jews chose to remain in Babylon.
Notwithstanding, the kings that succeeded Nebukhadnetzar were not as wise as he was. His son Avilmardukh took the throne after him but was murdered after two years and one of his army generals took the kingdom. Other two kings reigned in a short period, until Nabuna'id achieved stability again. But Nabuna'id retired himself in Arabia and settled his residence in Teyma, leaving his son Belshatzar to rule in Babylon. Belshatzar was fond of parties and licentious behaviour; Babylon was so powerful and safe that he did not imagine the fall of his empire.
On Tishrey 16th of the year 3222, Ugbaru, general of Kurush the king of Persia, entered Babylon without battle, while the king was in Teyma and the crown prince was drunken after a party. In this way the great invincible city was taken, and her empire ended.
"Babylon shall become a heap, habitation of jackals,
an astonishment and a hissing, without inhabitant.
Her cities have become a ruin, a dry land and a desert,
a land where no one dwells,
neither does son of man pass by it."
Yirmiyahu 51:37, 43
Kings of BabylonTHE BABYLONIAN "KINGS" BEFORE THE DELUGEThe history of Babylon according to the first inhabitants of that region, the Sumerian, begins at the very Creation of the world. They have left different records of ten "kings" who reigned in the area "before the great Deluge covered the whole Earth". These ten kings may correspond to the ten generations mentioned in the Scriptures (Bereshyit ch.5). These ten "kings" are thought to have settled their capital in one of the lower Mesopotamian cities. The following is the Dynastic Record of Larsa and the correspondence to the ten Patriarchs of Genesis.
Pala-Kinatim
Nangish-Lishma
Bahima
Buanun
Kalibum
Galumum
Zukakin
Atab
Mashda
Arpu-RimEtana
Balih
En-Mennuna
Melam-Kishi
Bargal-Nuna
Mes-Simug
Tizkar
Il-Kum
Il-Tasadum
Enmebaragisi
Agga
Uhub
Mesilim
Dadasig
Mamagalla
Galbum
Tug'e
Mennunna
Enbi-Ishtar
Lugalmu
IbieraKubaba (Queen)Puzur-Sin
Ur-Zababa
Simudar
Usi-Watar
Ishtarmuti
Ishmeshamash
Nannia
The Sumerian states collapsed with the expansion of Semitic peoples, and the AKKADIAN kings took control over the lower Mesopotamia. The first Akkadian king mentioned is the same as the first Assyrian king, SHARYUKENU, known in history as SARGON, is to be identified with the Biblical ASHUR (Assur), founder of the Assyrian state. This Ashur seems to have been the king of the State-City of Akkad in rivalry with Nimrud, king of Sumerians, and then emigrated to found Assur in the Northern Mesopotamia, where Nimrud had settled his own colonies at Kalah (also called Nimrud).
THE KINGS OF AKKADSharyukenu (Sargon I)RimushManishtushuNaramsu’in/Naram-sinSharkalisharriElulu'meshDud'uShu'durul
Akkadians did not keep a complete unity in lower Mesopotamia during the early Semitic period, and cities were still self-ruled. This is known as the "Isin-Larsa Period".
(Jewish/b.c.e.)
(Jewish/b.c.e.)
Then, the city of Babylon was growing in importance and wealth, until the achievement of hegemony in all the land of Shin’ar, also known as Chaldea, so that the old name of the land was replaced by historians by the most common denomination of "Babylonia".
The first Babylonian kings were anyway of Sumerian origin; Babel was ruled by Nimrod’s dynasty, known as the "Amurru", that were already settled also in Kana’an. The most important king of this dynasty was Hammurapi, who achieved not only unifying the lower Mesopotamia but had also extended his influence to Kanaanite cities. This Hammurapi is recorded in the Bible as Amraphel, in alliance with other kings – the king of Larsa Eri’aku (Aryokh) among them – in an attempt to reinforce their hegemony over Amorite kings in Kana’an (Bereshyit, ch. 14).
The Kings of BABYLONDynasty of Amurru
Kings Nimrod … Sumuabum Sumula’el Sabium Aplisin Sinmuballit Hammurapi Samsuiluna Abi’eshush Ammiditana Ammisaduqa Shamshuditana Gulkišar
Kings Gandash Agum I Kashtiliash I Ušši A-šú Abirattash Kashtiliash II Urzigurumash Harbashihu Tiptakzi Agum II Kakrime Burnaburiash I Kashtiliash III Ulamburiash Agum III Kadashmanharbe Kara’indash Kurigalzu I Kadashmanenlil I Burnaburiash III Karakhardash, Nazibugash Kurigalzu II Nazimaruttash Kadashmanturgu Kadashmanenlil II Kudurenlil Shagaraktishuriash Kashtiliash IV Tukulti-Ninurta I Enlilnadinshumi Kadashmankharbe II Adadshuma'iddina Adadshumussur Melishichu Marduk’apaliddina I Zababashumiddina Enlilnadinakhkhe
Kings Mardukabitakhkheshu /
Marduk-kābit-aḫḫēšuIttimarduk'balatu Ninurta-nadinshumi Nabukudurrussur I /
Nabû-kudurrī-uṣurEnlilnadinapli Marduknadinakhkhi Mardukshapikzeri Adad-Apla-Iddina Marduk-Akhkhi'Eriba Marduk-Zēra Nabushumlibur
Kings Simmashshikhu Eamukhinshumi Kashshunadinakhkhe Eulmashshakinshumi Ninurta'kudurrussur I Shiriqtishukamunu Marbiti'apalussur Nabumukinapli Ninurta'kudurrussur I Marbiti'achiddin Shamashmudammiq Nabushumishkun I Nabushumukin Nabu’apaliddin Mardukzakirshumi I Mardukbalatzuiqbi Bab’achiddin Ninurta'apalekur Adadshumibai Mardukbelzeri Marduk'apalussur Eribamarduk Nabushumishkun II Nabunassar / Nabû-naṣir Nabunadinzer Nabushumishkun III Nabum'ukinzer
Kings Pul (Tiglat-Pileser III) Ululai (Shalmaneser V) Marduk'apaliddina II
(Chaldean ruler)Sharyukenu (Sargon II) Sinakhi'eriba (Sennakherib)
(resettled under Assyrian Dominion)
Kings Mardukzakirshumi II Marduk'apaliddina II Belibni Assurnadinshum Nergal'ushezib (Elamite ruler) Mushezib-Marduk (Elamite ruler)
Kings Sinakhi'eriba (Sennakherib) Ashurachiddin (Asarhadon) Shamashshumukin
(under Ashurbanipal)Kandalanu
(under Ashurbanipal)Ashur'etif-Ilani
Kings Nabupal'ussur (Nabopolassar) Nabukudurnussur[Nebukhadnezzar]
3156-3200 / 605-561Evilmardukh / Amēl-Marduk Nergalsarezer /
Nergal-Šarra-UṣurLabashmarduk (Laburusharkud) Nabû-nā’id - Belshatzar /
Bel-šarru-Uṣur
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different ways of writing:
"NEBUKHADNETZAR, KING OF BABYLON" |
The last king of Babylon, Nabuna'id, retired himself in his residences in Arabia and the actual ruler was his son, Belshatzar. Babylon fell in 3222 before Persians and Medes. This fact marked the end of Semitic hegemony in the Middle East for about 1200 years, that is until Arabs’ take-over in history.
Assyrian Kings
The Assyrian nation was founded by Ashur, and there was a continuous succession of native kings reigning until the collapse of their empire. Ashur was the first Assyrian king, though it is difficult to define when the Akkadian period ends to give place to the Assyrian era. In fact, the early Assyrian kings are identifiable with the Akkadian sovereigns, and Ashur himself may be the same person as Sargon I, the first Akkadian king. In such case, the empty space between Ashur and the following kings may be partially completed with the Akkadian kings listed above (Rimush, Manishtushu, Naramsu’in, Sharkalisharri, Elulu'mesh, Dud'u, Shu'durul ).
Dynasty of Ashur
Kings
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Years (Jewish / b.c.e.)
|
Ashur (Sharyukenu I of Akkad ?)
|
~ 1660 / ~ 2100 (?)
|
...
| |
The "Tent Dweller Kings" (Asibutu Kultare)
| |
Tudiya
| |
Adamu
| |
Yangi
| |
Suhlâmu
| |
Harharu
| |
Mandaru
| |
Imtsu
| |
Hartsu
| |
Didânu
| |
Hanû
| |
Zuabu
| |
Nuabu
| |
Abazu
| |
Belû
| |
| Azarah | |
Ushpia
| |
| Apiashal | |
Dynasty of Ashur
| |
| Halê | |
| Samânu | |
| Hayâni | |
| Ilu-Mer | |
| Yakmesi | |
| Yakmeni | |
| Yazkur-El | |
| Ila Kabkabû | |
| Amînum | |
Sulili
| |
Kikkiya
| |
Akkiya
| |
Puzhurashur I
| |
Shallimakhkhe
| |
Ilushuma
| |
Erishum I
| |
Ikunum
| |
Puzhurashur II
| |
Naramsu’in
| |
Erishum II
| |
Shamsi'adad I / Šamši-Adad
|
1947-1979 / 1813-1781
|
...
| |
Ishmedagan I
| |
Mut'ashkur
| |
Rimush
| |
Asinum
| |
Puzhursin
| |
Ashurdugul
| |
Ashur'apaliddin
| |
Nazir-sin
| |
Sin-namir
| |
Ipqi'ishtar
| |
Adad'tzalulu
| |
Adasi
| |
Bel'bani
|
2060-2070 / 1700-1690
|
Libaya
|
2070-2087 / 1690-1673
|
Sharma'adad I
|
2087-2099 / 1673-1661
|
Iptarsin
|
2099-2111 / 1661-1649
|
Bazaya
|
2111-2139 / 1649-1621
|
Lullaya
|
2139-2145 / 1621-1615
|
Kidinninwa / Šu-Ninua
|
2145-2159 / 1615-1601
|
Sharma'adad II
|
2159-2162 / 1601-1598
|
Erishum III
|
2162-2175 / 1598-1585
|
Shamsi'adad II / Šamši-Adad
|
2175-2181 / 1585-1579
|
Ishmedagan II
|
2181-2197 / 1579-1563
|
Shamshi'adad III / Šamši-Adad
|
2197-2213 / 1563-1547
|
Ashurnirari I
|
2213-2239 / 1547-1521
|
Puzhurashur III
|
2239-2263 / 1521-1497
|
Enlil-nasir I
|
2263-2277 / 1497-1483
|
Nurili
|
2277-2285 / 1483-1475
|
Ashurshaduni
|
2285-2288 / 1475-1472
|
Ashurrabi I
|
2288-2308 / 1472-1452
|
Ashurnadinakhkhe I
|
2308-2328 / 1452-1433
|
Enlil-Nasir II
|
2328-2336 / 1433-1424
|
Ashurnirari II
|
2334-2341 / 1426-1419
|
Ashur'bel-Nisheshu
|
2341-2350 / 1419-1410
|
Ashur'rim-Nisheshu
|
2350-2357 / 1410-1403
|
Ashurnadinakhkhe II
|
2357-2367 / 1403-1393
|
Eriba'adad I
|
2357-2394 / 1393-1366
|
Ashur-Uballit I
|
2394-2430 / 1366-1330
|
Enlilnirari
|
2430-2440 / 1330-1320
|
Arikdenili
|
2440-2452 / 1320-1308
|
Adadnirari I
|
2452-2484 / 1308-1276
|
Shalmaneser I / Šulmanu-Ašared
|
2484-2514 / 1276-1246
|
Tukultininurta I
|
2514-2551 / 1246-1209
|
Ashurnadinapli
|
2551-2555 / 1209-1205
|
Ashurnirari III
|
2555-2561 / 1205-1199
|
Enlilkudurrussur
|
2561-2566 / 1199-1194
|
Ninurta'apalekur I
|
2566-2579 / 1194-1181
|
Ashurdan I / Aššur-Dan
|
2579-... / 1181-...
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Ninurta-Tukulti-Aššur
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Mutakkil'nusku
|
...-2625 / ...-1135
|
Ashurreshishi I / Aššur-Reš-Iši
|
2625-2643 / 1135-1117
|
Tiglat-Pileser I / Tukulti-Apil-Ešarra
|
2643-2683 / 1117-1077
|
Asharedapalekur
|
2683-2686 / 1077-1074
|
Ashurbelkala I / Aššur-Bel-Kala
|
2686-... / 1074-...
|
Enlilrabi
| |
Ashurbelkala II / Aššur-Bel-Kala
|
...-2702 / ...-1058
|
Eriba'adad II
|
2702-2704 / 1058-1056
|
Shamshi'adad IV / Šamši-Adad
|
2704-2708 / 1056-1052
|
Ashurnazirpal I / Aššur-Nâṣir-Apli
|
2708-2727 / 1052-1033
|
Ashurbanipal I / Aššur-Bāni-Apli
|
2727-2731 / 1033-1014
|
Shalmaneser II / Šulmanu-Ašared
|
2731-2742 / 1029-1018
|
Ashurnirari IV / Aššur-Nirari
|
2742-2746 / 1018-1014
|
Ashurrabi II
|
2746-2787 / 1014-973
|
Ashurreshishi II / Aššur-Reš-Iši
|
2787-2792 / 973-968
|
Tiglat-Pileser II / Tukulti-Apil-Ešarra
|
2792-2825 / 968-935
|
Ashurdan II / Aššur-Dan
|
2825-2848 / 935-912
|
Adadnirari II
|
2848-2869 / 912-891
|
Tukultininurta II
|
2869-2876 / 891-884
|
Ashurnazirpal II / Aššur-Naṣir-Apal
|
2876-2901 / 884-859
|
Shalmaneser III / Šulmanu-Ašared
|
2901-2936 / 859-824
|
Shamshi'adad V / Šamši-Adad
|
2936-2950 / 824-810
|
Shammuramat (Queen)
|
2950-2954 / 810-806
|
Adadnirari III
|
2954-2978 / 806-782
|
Shalmaneser IV / Šulmanu-Ašared
|
2978-2988 / 782-772
|
Ashurdan III / Aššur-Dan
|
2988-3006 / 772-754
|
Ashurnirari V / Aššur-Nirari
|
3006-3014 / 754-746
|
Tiglat-Pileser III / Tukulti-Apil-Ešarra
|
3014-3033 / 746-727
|
Shalmaneser V / Šulmanu-Ašared
|
3033-3038 / 727-722
|
Sargon II / Šharyukenu
|
3038-3055 / 722-705
|
Sennakherib / Sîn-Aḫḫe-Eriba
|
3055-3079 / 705-681
|
Asarhadon / Aššur-Aḫḫe-Iddina
|
3079-3091 / 681-669
|
Ashurbanipal II / Aššur-Bāni-Apal
|
3091-3134 / 669-626
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Ashur'etif-Ilani / Aššur-Etil-Ilani
|
3134-3136 / 626-624
|
Sinshumlishir / Sin-Šumu-Lišir
|
3136-3137 / 624-623
|
Sinsharishkun / Sin-Šar-Iškun
|
3137-3148 / 623-612
|
Ashur-Uballit II
|
3148-3153 / 612-607
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The Southern Assyrian tribe of the Chaldees inherited the Assyrian Empire and settled the capital in Babylon.
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