History Summarized: The Fall of Babylon
The Fall of Babylon is a significant historical event that marks the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, taking place in 539 BCE when it was conquered by the Achaemenid Empire led by Cyrus the Great. Nabonidus, who was the king of Babylon at the time and had ascended to the throne in 556 BCE, saw his capital fall almost without resistance to the Persians. The historical narrative of Babylon's fall has been recounted through the ages, significantly impacting the course of civilization due to Babylon's status as one of the most influential cities of its time, known for its architectural marvels like the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate.
The historical account by Herodotus relates the fall of Babylon to the biblical prophecies in Jeremiah 50–51 and mentions that the city fell overnight during a festival, as indicated in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 5:30–31). This suggests that the event was not only pivotal militarily but also held religious and cultural significance, embedded in the historical and prophetic literature of the time.
In the following video, we will summarize the history of the fall of Babylon. Watch the video to find out more!