Babylonian Power

 Babylon's timeline spans millennia, from its rise under Hammurabi (c. 1800s BCE) in the Old Babylonian Period, through Kassite and Assyrian rule, to the powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539 BCE), featuring founder Nabopolassar (626-605 BCE) and great conqueror Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BCE), ending with the final king Nabonidus, whose reign was overthrown by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BCE, marking the end of independent Babylonian rule. 

Here's a breakdown of key periods and rulers:

1. Old Babylonian Period (c. 2000 - 1600 BCE)

• Hammurabi (c. 1792–1750 BCE): Unified Mesopotamia and established Babylon as a major power, famous for his law code. 

2. Foreign Rule & Assyrian Domination (c. 1600 - 626 BCE)

• Kassites (c. 1600–900 BCE): Ruled Babylon after the Hittite sack, with a long, relatively stable period.
• Neo-Assyrian Period (c. 911-608 BCE): Babylon often under Assyrian control, experiencing revolts and resistance. 

3. Neo-Babylonian (Chaldean) Empire (626 - 539 BCE)

• Nabopolassar (626–605 BCE): Founded the empire by overthrowing Assyrians; conquered Nineveh with the Medes.
• Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BCE): Son of Nabopolassar; expanded the empire, conquered Jerusalem (597 BCE), and built magnificent structures like the Ishtar Gate.
• Evil-Merodach (562–560 BCE): Nebuchadnezzar's successor; released King Jehoiachin.
• Neriglissar (560–556 BCE).
• Labashi-Marduk (556 BCE).
• Nabonidus (556–539 BCE): Last king; focused on religious reforms, alienated priests, and relied on his son Belshazzar. 

4. Persian Conquest (539 BCE)

• Cyrus the Great: Conquered Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire and incorporating it into the Achaemenid Persian Empire.