"Our courageous leader nebopolassar has led us to a great victory over our assyrian oppressors and has once again restored the babylonian people to their rightful place as the dominant people of the world. I now pronounce the beginning of the neo-babylonian empire, may it last for all the ages"
Rise of Neo-Babylonia
(The Neo-Babylonian Empire came about following the defeat of the Assyrians by Nabopolassar in 612 BCE. The period immediately preceding this was littered with revolts throughout the Assyrian Empire due to its highly unstable nature. This was especially true in the case of the Chaldeans who occupied the coastal area of Mesopotamia near the Persian Gulf. Nabopolassar, who was king of the Chaldeans, was able to band together these people, along with other peoples in the region in order to conquer the Assyrian Empire and establish the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
Following the death of Nabopolassar, his son Nebuchadnezzar II became King of Babylonia transformed it into a strong empire and the dominant power in the region. |
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Geographical Context
The Neo-Babylonian Empire was located in the Fertile Crescent which spans from the Persian Gulf across the Middle-East to northern Egypt. Babylonia was located in central and southern Mesopotamia and was bounded by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Other powers in the region included the Persian Empire, the Egyptians and the Hebrews. At the height of its' power, the Neo-Babylonian Empire had conquered Judah. The landscape of this region has a variety of important characteristics. The Fertile Crescent was the most fertile land on Earth.The land consists of deep, fertile soil which makes very ideal for growing crops and sustaining life. The region experienced a generally hot and dry summer period and a fairly cold winter. During spring, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers would flood, allowing for the irrigation of adjacent plains and greatly influencing crop production. |
Resources
Suggested Activities
- Explore the Mesopotamia area on Google Maps, identifying where these Neo-Babylonian Empire would exist in today's world.
- Label the key landmarks (such as rivers, cities etc) on a period map of the area.
References
Geography of Mesopotamia: The British Museum. (Unknown). Geography - Mesopotamia. Retrieved October 3, 2015, from The British Museum: http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/geography/home_set.html
Late Years of Napobalassar chronicles: ABC 4 (Late Years of Nabopolassar). (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2015. http://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-4-late-years-of-nabopolassar/
Neo Babylonian Video: Herrmann, E. (Director). (2004). Kings from Babylon to Baghdad [Motion picture]. History Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOP5mFlQyX0
Late Years of Napobalassar chronicles: ABC 4 (Late Years of Nabopolassar). (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2015. http://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-4-late-years-of-nabopolassar/
Neo Babylonian Video: Herrmann, E. (Director). (2004). Kings from Babylon to Baghdad [Motion picture]. History Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOP5mFlQyX0
Map:
http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/wps/media/objects/2426/2484749/chap_assets/maps/map5_15.jpg
http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/wps/media/objects/2426/2484749/chap_assets/maps/map5_15.jpg