NEBUCHADNEZZAR II., called also LABYNETUS, occupied himself, during the first years of his reign, in enlarging and embellishing his capital; and during this period occurred those events which are related in the book of Daniel, chap. ii. His tranquillity was interrupted by the revolt of Jehoiakim in Jirdea, who was soon reduced by the Babylonian generals ; but Jechonias his son, having also attempted to shake off the Assyrian yoke, Nebuchadnezzar went in person to the siege of Jerusalem ; and having made himself master of the city, he carried to Babylon all its trea sures and sacred utensils, leaving the government to Zedekiah the uncle of Jechonias. Recalled in a short time to Judea by the revolt of Zedekiah, he defeated the Egyptians, who had come to the assistance of the Jews, took Jerusalem by storm, after a twelvemonth's siege, gave it up to pillage and slaughter, put out the eyes of the king, and carried him away captive.
Upon his return to Babylon he erected a golden sta tue in the plain of Dura, sixty cubits in height, and commanded all his subjects to worship it as a divinity. (Dan. chap. iii.) About three years after this event, he again led his forces against the western nations, made himself master of Tyre after a siege of 13 years, overran the whole country of Egypt, returned to adorn his capital with the booty which he had acquired ; and, having suffered the punishment of his pride, as related in Daniel, chap. iv. he died in the 44th year of his reign.
EVIL-MERODACIr, who succeeded his father Ne buchadnezzar, is described as a weak and licentious prince, and was murdered by his own relatives, after having reigned little more than two years.