| c.612 | After 3 month siege, NINEVEH, capital of Assyria from 704, falls to coalition. | 612 B76 9-833, 17, 946, CAH 3.2, FLAP 183, MCAW 74, RAH, RAI2 313, Sag1 139, Sdl 4-315, SOTS 167, 218, WBH 20 |
| NEO-ASSYRIAN Period ends. Began 912. |
| c.612 | SIN-SHAR-ISHKUN, son of Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria from 627, burns in flames of Nineveh. Assyrian army and last member of dynasty ASHUR-UBALLIT-II are chased into Aram, hold out in Haran until 609. | 612 CAH 3.1, FLAP 184, HCC, MRDK, RAI2, RAI3, Sag, Sdl 4-311, absA, bk, frM, hifi, kidA, lexA |
| c.612 | Nabopolassar tries to take Haran, fails, and ravages surrounding area. | 612 MCAW 74 |
| c.612 | After fall of Nineveh, Haran remains unmolested because Medes & Scythians want to get their loot from Ashur home before it's stolen, so both of them go home. Nabopolassar wants to consolidate as much of Assyria as possible before Medes & Scythians return and grab it. | 612 Sag1 140 |
| c.611 Apr. May | "In the 16th year in the month of Iyyar the Babylonian king [Nabopolassar] called out his army and marched into Assyria. From ... to the month of Marchesvan they marched about victoriously." | Babylonian Chronicle 611 DOTT 77 |
| c.610 | SCYTHIANS (and possibly Medes) return to attack Haran. | 610 RAI3 376, Sag1 140 |
| c.610 | Assyrian troops in Haran flee southwest to join Egyptian allies. | 610 DOTT 77, IDB 2-998, Sag1 140 609 MCAW 74 |
| c.610 | 1st known STONE BRIDGE built by Nabopolassar across Euphrates. It has a 116m drawbridge. | 600 TTT |
| c.610 | HARAN, under Assyria from 900, plundered by Scythians & Babylonians. Temple of Sin destroyed until 554. Scythians leave a garrison in Haran until 556. Nabopolassar takes loot home to Babylon. | 610 B76 11-988, DOTT 77, ISBE 3-470, RAI2 314, Sag1 140, Sdl 4-315, SOTS 238, 322, WBH 20 |
| c.609 | Last member of Assyrian dynasty, ASHUR-UBALLIT-II gone. Holding out in Haran from 612, flees southwest, and disappears from history. | 609 B76 9-833, 11-988, CAH 3.1, HCC, MRDK, RAI3 376, SOTS 322, bk, irch 608 MCAW 74 606 FLAP 184 no date: Sag1 140 |
| c.609 | GORDYENE (Karkha), region between Armenia and Mesopotamia, under Assyria from 1329, comes under Medes until 550. | 609 rcM |
| c.609 | SCYTHIANS in Haran are counterattacked and besieged by a renewed Egyptian / Assyrian force. NABOPOLASSAR returns and breaks siege. Egyptian / Assyrian force withdraws to Carchemish, sends envoy to Egypt requesting reinforcements. Scythians withdraw from Haran. Nabopolassar leaves Babylonian garrison in Haran. | 610 DOTT 77, Sag1 140 609 Sdl 4-315, SOTS 167, 233, lvA |
| c.609 | MARI, under Assyria from 750, comes under Babylon until 539. | 609 rcS |
| c.608 | MEDES turn on former allies, the SCYTHIANS, who withdraw. | 608 MCAW 74 |
| c.608 | Babylonian campaign into northwest Syria and mountains of Urartu south of Taurus range. | 608 B76 18-1041, MNHK 182 |
| c.608/7 | Northwest Syria south of Taurus Mts. annexed by Babylon. | 608/7 B76 18-1041 |
| c.607 | NABOPOLASSAR, king of Babylon 620-05, and son Nebuchadrezzar, cross Euphrates into Syria, seize Kimuhu near Carchemish. | 607 MNHK 182 607/6 B76 12-925 |
| c.606 | NABOPOLASSAR, king of Babylon 620-05, establishes a garrison at Quramati on east bank of Euphrates. | 606 MNHK 183 |
| c.606 | NABOPOLASSAR, king of Babylon 620-05, leaves son Nebuchadrezzar in charge of Syria, withdraws to east of Euphrates. | 606 B76 12-925, DOTT 78 605 SOTS 233 |
| c.605 | Egyptians from Carchemish cross Euphrates, drive Babylonians from Quramati. | 605 BHoE 583, MNHK 183, SOTS 322 |
| c.605 | Nabopolassar king of Babylon, in poor health, appoints son NEBUCHADREZZAR to clear Egyptians out of Syria. Neb tries unsuccessfully to bridge Euphrates. | 607 RAI2 315, RAI3 378 605 DOTT 78, MNHK 185, Sdl 4-348, SOTS 233 |
| NebuchadRezzar, not NebuchadNezzar. | IDB 1-253 |
| c.605 | NEBUCHADREZZAR, son of Nabopolassar king of Babylon attacks and defeats NEKO-II of Egypt (and Ionian mercenaries) at CARCHEMISH, burns Carchemish. A remnant of Egyptians flee south to Hamath, and is wiped out. Neb chases Egyptians south as far as Pelusium at the border of Egypt, gaining all lands north of it. | 605 B76 12-925, 17-946, FLAP 185, HCC, IDB 2-54, ISBE 3-507, MCAW 74, MNHK 183, RAH 103, RAI2 315, RAI3 378, Sag1 141, Sdl 4-348, SOTS 233, TTPC, WPOT 166, bk |
| c.605 | 1st DEPORTATION V of Jews from Jerusalem to Babylon: includes 7,000 craftsmen and smiths, 1,000 potential soldiers, and supposedly Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and DANIEL. | 2K 24:14 606 GHH 605 MNHK 185, SOTS 346, ds, sl Jehoiakim yr 3 Dan 1:1 |
| c.605 | NABOPOLASSAR dies. King of Babylon from 620, dies in Babylon. Son quickly returns from Levant to Syria and succeeds as NEBUCHADREZZAR-II to 562. | 611 hifi 605 B76 VII-158, 6-480, 11-988, 12-925, BaCh 12, DHJ 286, FLAP 183, GHH, HCC, IDB 3-529, ISBE 1-385, 3-470, 507, Jud 12-912, MCAW 74, MNHK, MRDK, RAI2, RAI3, Sag, Sdl 4-311, SHWC 39, SOTS 234, WPoT, bk, brKB, frM, stmaB, wikB 604 RAH |
| c.604 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, invades "Hatti" land (Anatolia or Syria) and Levant to collect tribute and deal with recalcitrants. | 604 DOTT 79, ISBE 3-507, MNHK 186, RAI3 379, Sdl 4-348, SOTS 224, 234 |
| c.603 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, in Levant from 604, returns to Babylon. | 603 SOTS 234 |
| c.603 | NEB-II has a scarry dream and forgets it, asks his magi what the dream was, and what its interpretation is. They don't know. Daniel gets it right. | Neb yr 2: Dan 2:1 |
| c.601 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562 invades "Hatti" land (Anatolia or Syria) without resistance, comes back to Syria, goes south into Levant until 600. | 601 Sdl 4-349, SOTS 234 |
| c.600 | CYAXARES-II king of Medes 625-585 gets Scythian chiefs drunk at a party and kills them. Drives the rest north of Caucasus Mts. | no date: B76 9-832-3 |
| c.600 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, returns from Levant to Syria to Babylonia, rebuilds his army. | 600 B76 12-925, MCAW 74, MNHK 186, Sdl 4-349, SOTS 235 |
| c.600 | SLAVERY: A male slave in Babylonia costs 40 shekels. | 600 RAI2 337 |
| c.600 | WATER-LIFTING: Use of a hand wheel or continuous chain of buckets is evidenced in Babylonia. | 600 SHT 1-525 |
| c.600 | COMMERCE in Babylonia: wheeled carts drawn by onagers, riverboats powered by oarsmen, copper, silver, gold, vegetable oils from north of Tigris. Camels enter with dyes, glassware, gems, textiles. | 597 TTPC |
| c.600 | Enameling and glazing of brick and tile is known in Assyria and Babylonia. | 597 B76 3-163 |
| c.599 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, fortifies Riblah and Hamath, sends raiders to plunder desert Arabs returns to Syria. | 599 IDB 1-112 SOTS 235 |
| c.598 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, fights Arab nomads of Syria. | 599 RAI2 316, RAI3 379 598 MCAW 78, MNHK 186, SOTS 235 |
| c.598 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, departs from Babylon, invades northwest Arabia, remains in west until 595. | 599 RAI2 316, RAI3 379 598 B76 11-988, 12-925, IDB 3-530, MCAW 78, MNHK 186, Sdl 4-349, SOTS 235 |
| c.597 | Λ 2nd DEPORTATION V of 10,800 JEWS including 3,023 adult males from Jerusalem to BABYLON. Includes Ezekiel, officers, craftsmen, and smiths, temple furnishings and vessels. | Jehoiakim yr 11: 2K 23:36, 2Ch 36:5 Neb-II yr 7 Jer 52:28 598 IDB 2-186, 203 597 B76 7-127, 11-988, IDB 4-948, Jud 4-35, Sdl 4-350, 5-4, SOTS 344, WBH 20, ds, hifiI |
| c.595 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, campaigns in Akkad. | 595/4 ISBE 3-507 |
| c.595 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, away from Babylon from 598, in Syria from 596, returns, because of palace revolt. | 595 B76 12-925, MCAW 78, SOTS 235 |
| c.595/4 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II subdues palace revolt. | 595/4 B76 12-926 |
| c.595/4 | Babylonian army rebels. Subdued by Neb-II, but causes some vassals to consider rebellion. | 595-4 IDB 4-948, Sdl 4-358 |
| c.594 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, marches into "Hatti" land (Anatolia or Syria). | 595/4 Sdl 4-359 594 B76 12-926, IDB 4-948, SOTS 235 594/3 ISBE 3-507 |
| c.594/3 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, again campaigns in Akkad. | 594 Jud 6-1090, 594/3 ISBE 3-507 |
| c.593 Jul 31 | Priest EZEKIEL in Babylonia from 597, by Chebar River, gets first vision: dramatic, but with no message except to listen to Ezekiel, and don't be rebellious. Remains active until 570. | Jehoiachin yr 5 Eze 1:1 593 IDB 2-203, ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364, bihi, htc, vb 592 B76 7-127, MCAW 81, Sdl 4-402 |
| c.592 | EZEKIEL in Babylonia. Has a complex vision full of sound and fury, signifying that Israel is in big trouble, but with no message. | yr 6 Eze 8:1 - 11:25 592 ISBE 2-262, 591 Sdl 4-412 |
| c.591 | Elders confer with EZEKIEL in Babylonia. He gives them the standard history lesson and exhortation to obey commandments, which if obeyed is followed by a promise to restore them to their land. | yr 7 Eze 20:1 591 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 590 Sdl 4-417 |
| c.588 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, marches into Syria. | 587 Sdl 4-366 |
| c.588 | EZEKIEL message. A parable about purging Israel. | yr 9 Eze 24:1-14 588 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 587 Sdl 4-418 |
| c.587 Jan 7 | EZEKIEL goes from Babylon to Egypt. | 587 ISBE 2-255 |
| Whether EZEKIEL operated in Babylon or Levant or both is disputed. |
| c.587 | Yahweh tells EZEKIEL that his wife will die, and he must not mourn. She dies. When people ask him why he's not mourning, he tells them the same will happen to them - or it already has happened. Anyway, it's supposed to make them know that he was told to do it by Yahweh. | Eze 24:15-27 587 Sdl 4-418 |
| c.587 | EZEKIEL prophesy against Egypt, which is to be devastated and uninhabited for 40 years. Never happens. See essay. | yr 10 Eze 29:1-16 587 ISBE 2-262, 3-508, SOTS 364 |
| c.587 | EZEKIEL message. Pharaoh will be conquered by Babylon. | yr 11 Eze 30:20-26 587 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 |
| c.587 | EZEKIEL message. Pharaoh will be conquered. | yr 11 Eze 31:1 587 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 |
| c.586 | EZEKIEL prophesy against Tyre, which is to be scraped clean - by Babylonians under Nebuchadrezzar-II according to context. Never happens. See essay. | yr 11 Eze 26-28 587 ISBE 2-262, 586 SOTS 364 |
| c.586 | Λ 3rd DEPORTATION: V 832 adult males by Nebuzaradan to Babylon. Includes leaders of Jerusalem. Zedekiah, Seriah ben Azariah the High Priest from 600, Zephaniah the second priest, Gedaliah, prince Seriah ben Neriah.. | 2K 25:11, Jer 39:5-8, Jer 52:26-29 587 IDB 2-186, btl 586 B76 12-926, Jud 4-35, MCAW 82, Sdl 5-4, sl, trubi |
| c.585 | Jewish deportees arrive in Babylonia. | yr 11 Eze 33:21 585 SOTS 364 |
| c.585 | EZEKIEL lamentation over Egypt, which is to be conquered by the king of Babylon. | yr 12 Eze 32:1-16 585 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 |
| c.585 | EZEKIEL lamentation over Egypt, Assyria (now defunct), Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom. | yr 12 Eze 32:17-32 588 CAH 4-6 585 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 |
| c.585 | 2nd ISAIAH born, probably in exile. | 590-80 Sdl 5-24 |
| c.582 | Λ 4th DEPORTATION from Jerusalem to Babylon: under authority of Nebuzaradan: 460 Jews. | 582 B76 7-127, 12-926, HCC, LEWH 46, SOTS 249 581 Sdl 5-4, sl |
| c.573 | EZEKIEL vision. He is standing on a mountain in Israel, and is told to measure various parts of an architectural structure, which is gradually revealed to be a temple. He is told various things what will happen when Israel is restored. | yr 25 Eze 40-48 574 IDB 4-150 573 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 572 Sdl 4-430 |
| c.571 | EZEKIEL last dated prophesy. Nebuchadrezzar-II will conquer Egypt. When that happens, Israel will be restored. | yr 27 Eze 29:17-21 571 ISBE 2-262, SOTS 364 570/69 Sdl 5-3 |
 photo by Maj. Mike Feeney |
| c.570 | BABYLON becomes biggest city on Earth under Neb-II. (10,000 hectares = 25,000 acres) | 700-601 TTS |
| c.570 | Priest EZEKIEL in Babylonia from 597, active from 593, ends. | 573 Tmsn 163, 570 CBCOT, vb 570/69 Sdl 5-3 |
| 568 Jul 4 | ECLIPSE in 37th year of Nebuchadrezzar. | 568 July 4 doth |
| c.568/7 | In NEB-II's year 37, he campaigns in Levant. | 568 B76 11-988, Grim 363, Sdl 5-6, bk 568/7 B76 12-926, Jud 6-1090, 9-1355 567 IDB 3-530 |
| c.565 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, builds defensive wall north of Babylon (against Medes?). | 565 MCAW 86 |
| c.565 | NEBUCHADREZZAR-II king of Babylon 605-562, builds high DAM joining Tigris to Euphrates and creates a lake behind it. Dam is earth-filled and lined with baked brick using bitumen and sand for mortar. It creates a defensive moat on one side of Babylon. | 550 TTT |
| c.565 | NEBUCHADREZZAR's own inscriptions refer to a 4 year suspension of interest in state affairs. This may account for the reference to his insanity in Daniel 4:31 . |
no date: MCAW 84 |
| c.562 | Son of Nabopolassar, NEBUCHADREZZAR-II dies. King of Babylon from 605. Son AMEL-MARDUK succeeds to 560. | 562 B76 12-926, 17-947, BaCh 12, CAH 3.2, FLAP 185, IDB 3-529, ISBE 1-631, 3-507, Jud 12-912, MCAW 86, MNHK, MRDK, RAI2, RAI3, Sag, Sdl 1-415, SHWC 39, SOTS 237, Tmsn 166, TTPC, WPoT, bk, brKB, frM, hifi, stmaB, wikB 561 BCoC 182 |
| c.561 | JEHOIACHIN imprisoned in Babylon from 597, released by order of Amel-Marduk, thus preserving a hope that the Davidic line would not become extinct. Allowed to eat at king's table. Becomes 1st EXILARCH (ruler of exiled Jews) until 559. | Jer 52:31 562 SOTS 252 561 ISBE 3-508, SOTS 344, 364, trubi 560 Sdl 3-280, btl |
| c.560 | Son of Nebuchadrezzar-II, AMEL-MARDUK dies. King of Babylon from 562, murdered by bro-in-law NERGAL-SHAR-USUR (Neriglissar) who succeeds to 556. | 560 B76 11-988, BaCh 12, CAH 3.2, 4, FLAP 189, ISBE 1-631, MCAW 89, MNHK, RAI2 317, Sag, Sdl 5-7, SOTS 237, Tmsn 166, TTPC, WPoT, bk, brKB, frM, hifi, stmaB, wikB no date: MRDK, RAI3 |
| c.559 | JEHOIACHIN 1st EXILARCH from 561, dies. Stepson NERIAH (aka SHEALTIEL) succeeds until 545. | 559 hawa |
| 557 May 19 |
SOLAR ECLIPSE observed by Xenophon at siege of Larisa. "This city [Larisa] was besieged by the king of the Persians at the time when the Persians were seeking to wrest from the Medes their empire, but he could in no way capture it. A cloud, however, overspread the sun and hid it from sight until the inhabitants abandoned their city; and thus it was taken." (Anabasis 3-4-8) |
557 May 19 hbar, nasaS |
| c.557 | NERGAL-SHAR-USUR, king of Babylon 560-56, expecting attack by Astyages king of Media 585-50, goes to Syria, crosses Taurus Mts. into Cilicia, chases Appuasu beyond Lamos River. | 557 B76 11-988, MCAW 88, Sag1 144 yr 3 SOTS 238 |
| c.556 | NERGAL-SHAR-USUR, king of Babylon 560-56, seriously defeated in Cilicia by Astyages king of Media 585-50, returns to Babylon. | 556 Sag1 144, SOTS 238 |
| c.556 | NERGAL-SHAR-USUR dies. King of Babylon from 560. Son LABASHI-MARDUK succeeds and ends 3 months later. Chaldean officer related to Neb-II, NABONIDUS usurps throne to 539. Nabonidus disdains Babylonian god Marduk in favor of Akkadian god Sin. |
558 CAH 4-6, ISBE 1-631 556 B76 VII-158, 9-833, 11-988, BaCh 12-13, CAH 3.2, 3.3, FLAP 42, 189, ISBE 1-631, ISBE 3-468, MCAW 86, MNHK, MRDK, RAI2, Sag, Sdl 5-7, SOTS 237-8, Tmsn 166, WPoT, bk, brKB, frM, hifi, stmaB, wikB no date: RAI3 |
| c.556 | HARAN, under Scythians from 610, taken by Astyages, king of Media until 554. | 556 MCAW 88 |
| c.555 | NABONIDUS, king of Babylon 556-39, besieges Medes in Haran. | 555 B76 11-988, MCAW 88 |
| c.554 | HARAN, under Medes from 556, taken by Nabonidus, king of Babylon 556-39. Temple of Sin, destroyed from 610, is restored. Haran comes under Babylonia until 539 | 554 MCAW 89 553 bk no date: SOTS 238 |
| c.554 | NABONIDUS, king of Babylon 556-39, based at Haran, campaigns against Amor, Adummu, Hamath, Lebanon. | 554 MCAW 88 |
| c.553 | NABONIDUS, king of Babylon 556-39, makes son BELSHAZZAR co-king, puts him in charge of Babylon. | 554 MCAW 88 |
| c.552 | DANIEL dreams about 4 beasts coming out of the sea. | Belshaz yr 1: Dan 7:1 |
| c.552 | NABONIDUS, king of Babylon 556-39, fails to see danger of Cyrus-II, leaves son Belshazzar in charge of Babylon, goes south into Arabia until 540. TEMA, large oasis in west Arabia, taken by Nabonidus, who plans to retire there. | 552 B76 11-989, OCD 91 550 MCAW 88 549 RAI2 322 by 548 SOTS 239 no date: MCAW 88 |
| c.550 | ASTYAGES, king of Media from 585, troops mutiny, delivered to Cyrus-II, taken to Susa, treated well until death. | 560 SHWC 39 559 DGRBM 1-921 550 B76 I-609, VII-891, 5-410, 9-833, BHoE 593, CMoG3 214, HCC, IDB 1-304, 754, Jud 4-34, LEWH 53, MRDK, OCD 4, SOTS 240, WPOT 315, 593, abasP, bk, hifi, KoP, taP, wapP 549 CAH 4-2 |
| Kingdom of MEDIA, independent from 700, comes under PERSIA. |
| c.550 | GORDYENE (Karkha), region between Armenia and Mesopotamia, under Medes from 609, comes under Persia until 331. | 550 rcM |
| c. 550 | 
NABONIDUS CYLINDER from Sippar: In Akkadian cuneiform. Records reconstruction of temples to Moon god Sin at Harran and sun god and the goddess Anunitum at Sippar. Describes Belshazzar (Balthazar) as Nabonidus' eldest son."Nabonidus, the great king, the strong king, the king of the universe, the king of Babylon, the king of the four corners, the caretaker of Esagila and Ezida, for whom Sin and Ningal in his mother's womb decreed a royal fate as his destiny, the son of Nabu-balassi-iqbi, the wise prince, the worshiper of the great gods,..." |
photo Jona Lendering 550 wikLABA |
| c. 550 | 
NABONIDUS CYLINDER: Terracotta in Akkadian cuneiform. Describes repairs on the temple of moon-god Sin at Ur by Nabonidus, with a prayer for his son Belshazzar.
"As for me, Nabonidus, king of Babylon, save me from sinning against your great godhead and grant me as a present a life of long days, and as for Belshazzar, the eldest son my offspring, instill reverence for your great godhead (in) his heart and may he not commit any cultic mistake, may he be sated with a life of plenitude." |
photo Jastrow 555-39 wikNCl no date: frjnk |
| c.550 |  NABONIDUS RELIEF: showing him praying to the moon, sun and Venus. |
photo Jona Lendering 556-39 wikNbn |
| c.550 | ECONOMY: Prices increase 50% from 560 because of Nabonidus' building activities. But a male slave costing 40 shekels in 600 now costs 50 shekels. | 550 RAI2 337, Sag1 147-8 |
| c.550 | Anti-Persian policy among Sparta, Lydia, Babylonia, Egypt, & others. | 550 CAH 3 |
| c.550 | NAKHCHIVAN, a city between Armenia and Iran, under Media from 612, comes under Persia until 330. | 550 rcCau |
| c.550 | GODIN TEPE in west Mesopotamia, occupied from 750, uabandoned. | 550 wikGT |
| c.550 | SOAP: Babylonian recipe of uhulu [ashes], cypress [oil] and sesame [seed oil] "for washing the stones for the servant girls". (See Celts 750, Phoenicia 600) | reign of Nab: wikSop |
| c.547 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, active in north Mesopotamia. | 547 CAH 4-8 |
| c.547 | CYRUS-II, king of king of Medo-Persia 550-30, marches west, bypasses Babylonia, proceeds along Tigris, into Syria. | 547 SOTS 242 |
| c.547 | Anti-Medo-Persian alliance formed by Sparta, Lydia, Babylonia, Egypt, & others. | 547 BHoE 593, CAH 4-9 |
| c.547 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, marches west, bypasses Babylonia, proceeds along Tigris, crosses Euphrates into Cappadocia. | 547 SOTS 242 |
| c.546 | CYRUS-II, king of king of Medo-Persia 550-30, returning from Anatolia, takes part of eastern Assyria from Babylonia, returns to Susa. | 547 Sag1 150 546 SOTS 239, 242 |
| c.546 | NABONIDUS king of Babylon 556-39, goes to Tema, Arabia until 540. | 546 Tmsn 169 |
| c.545 | UGBARU (Gobryas) appointed governor of Gutium (north of Tigris between Lower Zab and Diyala Rivers) by Nabonidus until 539. | 545 CAH 3 |
| c.545 | NERIAH (aka SHEALTIEL) 2nd EXILARCH from 559, dies. Son ZERUBABEL succeeds until 510. | 545 hawa |
| c.541 | SYRIA, under Babylon from 605, acquired by CYRUS-II by bribery and propaganda. Under Medo-Persia until ?. | 541 MCAW 90 |
| c.540 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, begins Babylonian campaign, attacks Babylonian vassals northwest of Babylon. | 540 B76 9-833, CAH 4-11 |
| c.540 | 2ND ISAIAH begins work in Babylon. He is responsible for chapters 40-55 , in which Cyrus is mentioned by name (44:28), and is therefore not likely the same Isaiah who died c.680. | 600-500 wikBI 546 WBH 21 540 TAWH 17, bk 539 CMoG3 215 538 B76 2-917 |
| c.540 | NABONIDUS king of Babylon 556-39, leaves Tema in Arabia, returns to Babylon, sets up defense at wall on north side of Babylon. | 545 RAI2 322 542 B76 11-989 540 MCAW 92 539 B76 VII-158, ISBE 1-846 |
| c.539 | NABONIDUS king of Babylon 556-39, celebrates new years festival. Brings in idols from surrounding towns to Babylon in hopes of appeasing all gods. Priests of Marduk and Nebo are not apprecative. | 539 DOTT 83, SOTS 240 |
| c.539 | MARI, under Babylon from 609, comes under Medo-Persia until 332. | 539 rcS |
| c.539 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, invades northern Babylonia. | 539 B76 11-989, CAH 4, RAI2 322 |
| c.539 | BELSHAZZAR sent by father Nabonidus to counter Cyrus-II. Ugbaru, governor of Gutium is on his left flank. | 539 RAI2 322-3 |
| c.539 | UGBARU (Gobryas) Babylonian governor of Gutium, defects to Cyrus-II. | 539 RAI2 323 |
| c.539 | RESEN on southeast Tigris comes under Persia until 331. | 539 rcM |
| c.539 Oct | CYRUS-II, king of Anshan 580-30, Media 550-30, captures Opis on Tigris north of Babylon, securing north Babylonia, divides army, puts some under recent defector Ugbaru. | 539 B76 9-833, CAH 4-11, ISBE 1-846, RAI2 322, Sdl 5-13 |
| c.539 | BABYLON: Revolt breaks out. | 539 MCAW 92 |
| c.539 | EUPHRATES partially diverted by Medo-Persians. | 539 MCAW 92 |
| c.539 Oct 10 | SIPPAR 30 miles north of Babylon, falls to Medo-Persians without a battle. | 539 CAH 4, DHJ 331, DOTT 82, ISBE 1-846, RAI2 323, SOTS 240, WPOT 318 |
| c.539 Oct | NABONIDUS, king of Babylon 556-39, flees from Babylon. | 539 DOTT 82 |
| c.539 Oct 12 | UGBARU (Gobryas) general under Cyrus-II, marches into Babylon unopposed, holds it for Cyrus. | 539 B76 11-989, CAH 4, ISBE 1-846, RAI2 323, Sdl 5-13 |
| c.539 Oct 12 | BELSHAZZAR son of Nabonidus is killed. | 539 ISBE 1-846, RAI2 323, Sdl 5-75, SOTS 240 |
| c.539 Oct 12 | BABYLON is taken by Medo-Persia. | 539 BI+N 99, Tmsn 161 |
| c.539 Oct 29 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, enters Babylon, greeted as liberator, shows respect for Marduk, becomes king of Babylon with consent of population. | 539 B76 5-410, 9-833, 17-946, BI+N 99, CAH 4, ISBE 1-847, RAH, RAI2 310, 323, Sdl 5-13, Tmsn 183, WBH 21, bk 538 CAH 4-2, DGRBM 1-922, Jud 4-34 |
| c.539 | UGBARU appointed viceroy of Babylon by Cyrus-II until 525. Possibly identical to Biblical DARIUS the Mede. | 539 CAH 4-14 |
| c.539 | NABONIDUS, king of Babylon 556-39, returns to Babylon, captured by Medo-Persians, exiled. | 539 B76 VII-158 |
| c.539 | NABONIDUS, former king of Babylon, ends. | 539 B76 VII-158, 9-833, BaCh 13, CAH 3.2, 3.3, FLAP 189, ISBE 1-631, 3-468, MNHK, MRDK, RAI2, RAI3, Sag, Sdl 5-7, Tmsn 166, WPOT, bk, brKB, frM, hifi, stmaB, wikB |
| c.539 | NEO-BABYLONIAN EMPIRE and CHALDEAN DYNASTY end. Began 626. Conquered by CYRUS-II. |
539 CAH 3.2, FLAP 190, OCD 157, RAH, RAI3 372, WPOT 181 |
| c. 539/8 | 
Cyrus Cylinder Baked clay 22.5cm x 10cm (maximum) written in Akkadian cuneiform in Babylon. Cites Cyrus' kingly lineage compared to Nabonidus' low class pedigree. Says Babylonians welcomed him as liberator. Appeals to Marduk to help Cyrus and son Cambyses. Corroborates of Cyrus' repatriation of the Jews (Ezra 1:1-4; 6:3-4) following their Babylonian captivity. |
photo Mike Peel 538 wikCC 530 wikLABA |
| c.538 | Λ Priestly "P" V version of Pentateuch begins in Babylon. | no date: ISBE 1-487 |
| c.538 | Λ BABYLONIAN CALENDAR V becomes standard thruout Persian Empire. | 538 B76 3-605 |
| c.538 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, sends detachment to occupy Jerusalem. | 538 MCAW 92 |
| c.538 | CAMBYSES, son of Cyrus-II, appointed king of Babylon by Cyrus, but possibly removed at end of same year, and Ugbaru reinstated. | 539 CAH 4 538 Jud 5-70, RAI3 406 537 BI+N 99 |
| c.538 | Cyrus Decree allows Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Judah and rebuild the temple. He wants good relations in Palestine to help him invade Egypt. | 539 Tmsn 180 538 B76 17-947, CHJ 2-371, DHJ 331, ISBE 1-848, Jud 5-1185, MCAW 92, Sdl 3-285, 5-38, SOTS 159, WBH 21 |
| c.538 | Jews: SHESHBAZZAR, ZERUBABEL, and JOSHUA lead first group of returnees to Jerusalem. | Ezr 2:2, Neh 7:7, 1Esd 5:8 538 CAH 3-409, CBCOT, IDB 3-534, 4-325, ISBE 4-1193, Sdl 5-41, WBH 21, bihi, btl, htc, rcHL, trubi 538/7 bihi 537 DHJ 335 536 GHH, TToH |
| c.538 | ZERUBABEL 3rd EXILARCH 545-510, leaves son MESHULLAM in charge of the exiles in Babylon until he returns in 513. Leaves for Jerusalem. | 520 WBH 20 no date: hawa |
| c.538 | JUDAISM in Babylonia is probably exposed to ZOROASTRIANISM. They are compatible as long as God is not named. Cyrus refers to Yahweh as "the Great God," and "the God of Heaven". | no date: DBANE 79 |
| c.530 | CYRUS-II, king of Medo-Persia 550-30, makes son Cambyses regent in Babylon, marches to north frontier, attacks west of Caspian Sea beyond Araxes River, wounded in battle. | 538 ISBE 1-849 530 B76 II-478, OCD 198, SOTS 243 |
| c.530 | CYRUS-II dies. King of Medo-Persia 550-30, marches east of Caspian, killed fighting Massagetae near Aral Sea. Son CAMBYSES-II succeeds 529-22. | 530 BaCh 14, BI+N 101, CAH 4, FLAP 192, GRG 329, HCC, ISBE 1-582, 845, 849, Jud 5-70, MCAW 99, MNHK, OCD 4, 198, RAI2, RAI3, Sdl 5-47, SHWC 30, SOTS 243, Tmsn 183, TToH, WPOT 320, hifiE, hifiP, wapP 529 B76 9-833, CAH 4-414, DGRBM 1-922, IDB 1-769, ISBE 3-778, RAH 113, abasP, KoP, taP |
| c.528 | The MAGI sow dissent following their loss of influence. Therefore Cambyses-II curtails their power. | no date: wikZr |
| c.525 | CAMBYSES-II from Persia goes thru Mesopotamia to Levant. | - |
| 523 July 16 | ECLIPSE seen in Babylon in 7th year of Cambyses-II. | July 16, 523: doth |
| c.522 | GAUMATA, a Magian backed by the Magi, claims to be Cambyses-II's dead bro SMERDIS (aka Bardiya). Siezes control of Medo-Persia while Cambyses is in Egypt. | 522 B76 IX-283, CMoG3 219, Jud 5-71, WPOT 321 |
| c.522 | Business accounts in Babylon are already being dated in reign of SMERDIS (aka Bardiya). | 522 Apr Sdl 5-102 |
| c. 522 | Son of Cyrus-II, CAMBYSES-II dies. King of Medo-Persia from 529, after confessing the murder of his bro Smerdis, dies. Of unknown causes at Damascus, according to Herodotus. Accidentally stabs himself while leaping onto his horse at Haran, according to Behistun Inscription. General Darius Hystaspes hurries to Media. DARIUS-I HYSTASPES succeeds until 486. |
522 B76 II-478, 5-491, 9-833, 11-989, 17-947, BaCh 14, CAH 4-173, CMoG3 219, FLAP 195, MCAW 99, MNHK, OCD 198, RAI2, RAI3, Sdl 5-48, 63, Shaw 374, SOTS 244, TToH, WPOT 321, slkrd |
| c.522 | Babylonian NIDINTU-BEL, son of Ainaira, claims to be a son of Nabonidus, siezes throne of Babylon as NEBUCHADREZZAR-III until December. | 522 BaCh 15, ISBE 3-507, RAI2 341, Sdl 5-63-4, WPOT 322 |
| c.522 | NIDINTU-BEL (aka NEBUCHADREZZAR-III) routed on Tigris and Euphrates by Darius-I, then nearly annihilated at Zazannu, chased back to Babylon, captured, executed. | 522 BaCh 15, ISBE 3-507, RAI2 341, Sdl 5-63-4, WPOT 322 520 MCAW 100 |
| c.521 | MEDO-PERSIAN EMPIRE reaches from Nile to Indus Rivers. | 521 TAWH 17 |
| c.521 | ARKHA, son of Haldita, also claims to be Nebuchadrezzar son of Nabonidus, rules Babylon as NEBUCHADREZZAR-IV until November. | 521 BaCh 16, ISBE 3-507, RAI2 341, Sdl 5-63, WPOT 322 |
| c.521 | Rebellion in Media under Fravartis (Hsatria). | 521 Sdl 5-63 |
| c.521 | DARIUS-I king of Medo-Persia 522-486, goes to Media to deal with Fravartis rebellion. | 521 Sdl 5-63 |
| c.521 | FRAVARTIS (Hsatria) rebel in Media decisively defeated by Darius-I at Kurundni, captured, sent to Ecbatana, tortured, impaled. | 521 Sdl 5-63, 103-4 |
| c.521 | DARIUS-I king of Medo-Persia 522-486, fighting in Media and Persia, sends general Vindafarna to deal with Nebuchadrezzar-IV. | 521 RAI2 341 |
| c.521 | General VINDAFARNA marches into Babylon. | 521 Nov 27 Sdl 5-97 |
| c.521 | ARKHA (aka NEBUCHADREZZAR-IV) defeated by general Vindafarna, impaled. | 521 BaCh 15, RAI2 341, Sdl 5-64, 104, WPOT 322 |
| c.521 | DARIUS-I king of Medo-Persia 522-486, recognized as king of Babylon. | 521 CAH 4, Sdl 5-64, WPOT 322 |
| c.521 | DARIUS-I king of Medo-Persia 522-486, Babylon 521-486, claims to be king of the whole Earth as viceregent of god Ahura Mazda. | no date: B76 8-309 |
| c.521 | Daniel 10:4 says Daniel is by the Tigris and receives a vision now. Ch 11 predicts Medo-Persian kings, Then a Greek kingconquers Medo-Persia. | May 7, 521 Sdl 5-61 |
| c.520 | Λ MATH: ZERO is given a unique symbol. (See China 800, Pythagoras 520) | late 6th cen. IDB 3-562 |
| c.520 | ZERUBABEL, governor of Judah 538-13, leads 2nd group of returnees from Babylonia to Jerusalem: 42,360 men, 7,337 servants, 245 singers, 49,942 total. | Ezr 2:55-70, Neh 7:60-66, 1Esd 5:8 520 Sdl 5-41, WBH 21 |
 Provinces of Medo-Persian Empire at its peak c.520. History of Persia |
| c.519 | DARIUS-I locates Cyrus' 538 decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem, confirms it, orders his satrap of Samaria, Tattenai, to help the Jews. | 520 ISBE 1-848, 519 GHH 519/8 HCC |
| c.519 | SUSIANA (formerly Elam): a third Babylonian uprising is put down. | 519 B76 5-491, MCAW 100 |
| c.518 | Behistun Inscription , commissioned by Darius-I, written in Old Persian, Akkadian, and Elamite on the side of a cliff. | 520-18 about 516 anprs 515 crst |
| c.518 | DARIUS-I king of Medo-Persia 522-486, Babylon 521-486, sets out for Egypt with army. | 519 SOTS 243, WPOT 323 518 B76 5-491 |
| c.516 | Syro-Palestine and Babylonia, until now one Medo-Persian satrapy, are divided at the Euphrates into two satrapies by Darius-I. | 516 CDCC 116 |
| c.510 | ZERUBABEL 3rd EXILARCH from 545, former governor of Judah 538-13, executed. Son HANANIAH succeeds until 490. | 510 hawa, rcHL |
| c.510 | DARIUS-I king of Medo-Persia 522-486, Babylon 521-486, adjusts weights to include fractions, changes imprinted image on coins from celestial lion and ox to the king at war. Gives his name to a gold piece. | 510 OCD 260 |
| 502 Nov 19 | ECLIPSE seen in 20th year of Darius-I. | 502 Nov 19 doth |
Mesopotamia 500-301
V