The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians. The heyday of a mighty city

Babylon was one of the most grandiose cities in the ancient world, and also was the center of the civilization of Mesopotamia. It was a state ruled by Alexander the Great. Now the ruins of Babylon, which has long lost its greatness, are the hills, located near El Hill, a city in Iraq.

History of Babylon

Babylon existed for about two millennia. Its origin is attributed to the third millennium BC. A thousand years after the founding, the city was taken over by the Amorites, who began to found their dynasty. During the reign of Hammurabi, Babylon becomes a political center in the country. This situation he retained for another 1000 years. The city personified the "abode of royalty," and even his god Marduk received an honorary place in the pantheon of the patrons of all of Mesopotamia. From the second millennium BC. Here there was a noticeable upsurge - there was a development of trade and crafts, the population increased sharply. Blossomed and the external appearance of Babylon - the areas were built, reinforced, streets were built.

The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians

The middle of the 6th century BC. Became a time of significant change. King Cyrus II led his Persian troops to the city in order to conquer Babylon. His army was equal to the Assyrian army - excellent archers and cavalry were picked up. Assistance from Egypt did not come, and Babylon had to meet on his own cruel and determined-minded conquerors.

The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians - 539 BC. The troops of Cyrus besieged the city. Residents who were once forced to move from their lands did not want to protect Babylon. Their intentions were transparent - if the old authority falls, then perhaps the Persians will not hold them, and they will be able to return to their native lands. Thus, the conduct of the aggressive policy affected the aggressive attitude of the city's residents. Even among the Babylonian nobility, there were talks that Cyrus II could become the best king. The priests opened the gates of the army in the hope of gaining a more significant status before the people and the new government. So the Persian kingdom had a new capital - Babylon.

The Last Babylonian King

The conquest of Babylon by the Persians did not take the capital by surprise. During the attack, the city had a large food stock and could still hold the siege for a long time. King Belshazzar (about the authenticity of his name, historians have many doubts) arranged feasts to show that he was not afraid of Cyrus. The tables were set with precious vessels that served as drinking bowls. They were selected from the conquered peoples. There were among them the vessels from the temple in Jerusalem. The rulers praised the Babylonian gods, who trusted their fate, because they believed that their luck would not leave this time, in spite of the efforts of Cyrus and his accomplices in the city.

The fate of Belshazzar

During one of the celebrations, where there were a lot of nobles and nobles, according to legend, a man's hand appeared in the air and began to slowly deduce words. The king was dumbstruck with horror at the sight of this picture. The sages were assembled, but this language was unknown to them. Then the queen advised to call Daniel - an elderly prophet, who even with Nebuchadnezzar was known as a wise adviser. He translated the phrase from Aramaic. Literally, it read: "You are counted (the end of your kingdom), weighed and given to the Persians." The same night the Chaldean ruler overtook death.

How Babylon was taken - versions

Different sources describe various variants of conquest. The year of the capture of the city of Babylon by the Persians conceals many ambiguities. The biblical story says (more is assumed) that the capital after the siege was taken by assault (or with the help of cunning). According to this version, King Belshazzar died during a skirmish with enemies at night. Herodotus tells in detail about the military cunning shown by Cyrus.

The clinical record tells of another - the Persian troops defeated the Babylonians during the battle in the open field. Then Cyrus entered the city unhindered. However, in this story there is ambiguity. It can also be understood as follows - the city lasted 4 months, and then the Persians entered into it.

The Government of Cyrus

The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians showed that the new king began to restore order. In the city were returned images of the deities, which were removed during the previous boards. The restoration of the Jerusalem temple, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, began. Jewish exiles were able to return to their homeland. Cyrus planned a struggle with Egypt and strengthened the borders of his possessions. Under his rule, Jerusalem became a self-governing temple city, like Babylon, Nippur and others. Some time to guide the new king helped Cambyses - his son. Cyrus took the king's titles of Babylonia. Thus, he showed that he intended to continue the established policy. Cyrus became the "king of countries and kings", which speaks volumes about the state itself.

The year of the capture of Babylon by the Persians brought many changes. After the city was conquered, the western countries to the borders with Egypt had no choice but to submit to the new powerful ruler - Cyrus.

Reunification in one large state was profitable for trade groups and merchants who previously feared attacks on roads. Now the entire intermediary market between East and West was in their hands. The history of Babylon speaks of the new capital of the great power and the associated countries as "Babylon and Zarechie".

The city became stronger and reborn, became a very important political center of the new state. Cyrus not only thought about the expansion of the territories of his kingdom in Egypt, but also closely watched that the boundaries of his power remained unapproachable, for example, for nomadic Scythians.