Neo-Babylonian Theocracy under Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 605–562 BCE)

1. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt at Carchemish

   Jun 1, 605 BCELabels: Nebuchadnezzar, Battle of, Babylonian army

   • Britannica
   • Carchemish

2. Nebuchadnezzar II becomes king of Babylon

   Aug 15, 605 BCELabels: Nebuchadnezzar, King of, Neo-Babylonian state

   • Nebuchadnezzar
   • Livius ABC5

3. Nebuchadnezzar II is formally crowned

   Sep 7, 605 BCELabels: Nebuchadnezzar, Coronation, Marduk cult

   • Nebuchadnezzar

4. First Babylonian capture of Jerusalem

   Mar 16, 597 BCELabels: Jerusalem, Jehoiachin, Babylonian Chronicle

   • Livius ABC5
   • Chronicle

5. Zedekiah installed as Babylonian vassal king

   Mar 17, 597 BCELabels: Zedekiah, Vassal king, Babylonian administration

   • Chronicle
   • Zedekiah

6. Major rebuilding at Esagila emphasizes Marduk’s cult

   Jan 1, 595 BCELabels: Esagila, Marduk, Nebuchadnezzar

   • Britannica
   • Esagila

7. Processional Way enhanced for state cult festivals

   Jan 1, 590 BCELabels: Processional Way, New Year, Babylon

   • Britannica Kids
   • Processional Way

8. Second siege of Jerusalem begins

   Jan 1, 589 BCELabels: Siege of, Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar

   • Jerusalem 587
   • Zedekiah

9. Jerusalem falls; First Temple destroyed (date debated)

   Jul 1, 587 BCELabels: Jerusalem fall, First Temple, Deportations

   • Jerusalem 587
   • Zedekiah

10. Long siege of Tyre under Nebuchadnezzar II

    Jan 1, 586 BCELabels: Siege of, Tyre, Babylonian navy

    • Tyre siege

11. Ishtar Gate erected within Babylon’s ceremonial complex

    Jan 1, 580 BCELabels: Ishtar Gate, Babylon, Ishtar

    • Ishtar Gate
    • Met Museum

12. Etemenanki ziggurat rebuilt in Neo-Babylonian period

    Jan 1, 575 BCELabels: Etemenanki, Ziggurat, Esagila

    • Etemenanki
    • Britannica

13. Death of Nebuchadnezzar II

    Oct 7, 562 BCELabels: Nebuchadnezzar, Death 562, Neo-Babylonian state

    • Nebuchadnezzar