Nebuchadrezzar II: A Force To Be Reckoned With

      Nebuchadrezzar II (also known as Nebuchadnezzar), King of Babylon from 605 to 562 BCE, was a formidable leader. his reign was chronicled by ancient writers in several Books of the Old Testament, in the historical works of the Roman-Jewish writer Josephus, and in the text known as the Apocrypha, as well as by modern scholars.
      Some ancient texts portray Nebuchadrezzar as mad, and this characterization has been used in several later works of art and literature about him. It is possible that the taint of madness came from Nebuchadrezzar's immense capacity for both wanton destruction and brilliant rebuilding. Following in his father's footsteps, Nebuchadrezzar pursued a military policy of expansion. His aim was to have no opposition from "horizon to sky," and so his army was always on the move, taking over an ever-widening circle of states through Syria, Palestine, Arabia, Judah, and even Egypt. He was always a force to be reckoned with.
      Nebuchadrezzar captured Jerusalem twice. The first time was 597 BCE. Typically, when Nebuchadrezzar invaded an area, the siege was quite complete: physical destruction was extensive, anything of value (property, wealth, and people) was deported out of the area to Babylon. Someone loyal to Babylon was then left in charge of the decimated region. Unfortunately for Jerusalem, the man left in charge, Zedebiah, did not remain loyal to Nebuchadrezza, so the second invasion, in 587-586 BCE, was even more horrible than the first.
      In II Kings 25: 8-12 of the Old Testament, it is reported that virtually nothing was left standing in Jerusalem. Even the sacred and beloved Temple of Solomon was burned to the ground. All the people fled or were deported. This ended the days of the First Temple and began the Jewish Diaspora, the dispersion of the Jewish people from their homeland, which would go on for centuries.
     While he was a ruthless military strategist, Nebuchadrezzar was also known for his skillful diplomacy (despite the destruction in Jerusalem, he is not portrayed as totally bad in Jewish tradition) and his numerous building projects. Many temples were constructed during his reign, along with canals and fortifications. Nebuchadrezzar will always be remembered for directing the largest zigguarat project of them all -- the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world.

Writing: ECHOES from the past published by McGraw-Hill Ryderson Ltd.