NABONADIUS, who is called also LAnvicvms, and who is the same with BELSHAZZAR mentioned in sa cred scripture. He was the son of Evil-Merodach, by his queen Nitocris ; and was the grandson of the great Nebuchadnezzar. His mother Nitocris, who was a woman of extraordinary talents, took upon herself the management of public affairs ; and while her son was pursuing his pleasures, she made every exertion to preserve the tottering empire. She com pleted many of the works which Nebuchadnezzar had begun ; and, when Cyrus renewed his attacks upon the frontier towns, she employed the utmost activity in constructing new fortifications for the de fence of the capital. Belshazzar at length, in the fifth year of his reign, repaired in person to the court of Crcesus king of Lydia, carrying with him an im mense treasure ; and with the aid of that prince, as well as by the influence of his wealth, framed a very formidable confederacy against Cyrus. Having hired
a numerous army of Egyptians, Greeks, and other nations in Lesser Asia, he appointed Crcesus to the command, and directed him to make an incursion into Media. These auxiliaries having been completely routed, Crcesus taken and dethroned, and Cyrus again advancing to Babylon, Belshazzar attempted to make head against him in the field, but was soon put to flight, and closely blockaded in his capital. After a siege of two years, the city was taken, as has been related in the preceding article ; Belshazzar was slain in the assault upon his palace ; and with him terminated the empire of the Babylonians, about 538 years before Christ. See Rollin's Anc. Hist. vol. ii. p. 34, &c. Prideaux's Connections, vol. i. p. 51, &c. Anc. Univer. Hist. vol. iv. p. 394, &c. Gillies' Hist. of the World, vol i. p. 130, &c. (q)