Episode: In this second of our “Second Temple Series,” Mary Buck discusses the Neo-Babylonian period. Of particular interest is the impact of the Babylonian Empire on the Kingdom of Judah.

Babylonian Period. This short-lived "flash-in-the-pan" empire has an outsized impact on history. Learn how and why in this episode!

Key BCE dates discussed:

627 - Nabopolassar (rebels against Assyria)

612 - Nineveh falls, capital moves to Haran

606 - Nebuchadnezzar II (famous from Daniel, etc.). Egyptians and Assyrians unite against Babylon. Battle of Carchemish - Nebuchadnezzar II defeats the Assyrian-Egyptian coalition.

605 - Nebuchadnezzar II pursues Egyptian army back to the brook of Egypt. (but don't take territory there)

599-597 - Jehoiakim rebels against Babylon (dies in 597), then Jehoiakin exiled to Babylon. Finally, Zedekiah appointed as vassal king.

588 - Judah relies on Egypt to resist Babylon

587/6 - Nebuchadnezzar II returns to Jerusalem a final time, laying siege to the city. Jerusalem falls, partial deportation.

586-573 - 13yr. siege of Tyre.

549 - Cyrus the Great comes to power in Elam

538 - Fall of Babylon (without battle?)

Other references: 

• Al-Yahudu tablets - over 100 cuneiform tablets about the lives of Judean exiles, in the Bible Lands Museum (Israel)


• Ration texts related to Jehoiakin and his five sons

Host: Mary Buck is hosting this series!! Listen to the Assyrian episode HERE.

Image Attribution: By Robert Koldewey (10 September 1855 – 4 February 1925) - Die Tempel von Babylon und Borsippa : nach den Ausgrabungen durch die Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft, 1911, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87505819

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