King Nebuchadnezzar died c. 562 BC after ruling over Babylon for forty-three years. Upon his death a number of successors vied for power, culminating in a revolt that took place in 556 BC. A man named Nabonidus, one of the conspirators, assumed the throne and eventually installed his son Belshazzar as co-regent. In the meantime, the powerful new empire of the Medes and Persians began conquering territories under the leadership of Cyrus the Great. By 539 BC, the Persian army had reached the city of Babylon, surrounding King Belshazzar in his palace. In the face of this crisis, the king decided
...more
