Ancient Babylonia - The Babylonian Chronicles
During this time the Babylonian chronicles were written, a recording of events in Babylonia for the remainder of her history. A portion of this has been discovered.
This clay tablet is a Babylonian chronicle recording events from 605-594 BC. It was first translated in 1956 and is now in the British Museum. The
cuneiform text on this clay tablet tells, among other things, 3 main events:
- The Battle of Carchemish (famous battle for world supremacy where
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated Pharoah Necho of Egypt, 605 BC.),
- The Accession to the Throne of Nebuchadnezzar II, the Chaldean, and
- The Capture of Jerusalem on the 16th of March, 598 BC.
Regarding the capture of Jerusalem the clay tablet reads:
"In the seventh month (of Nebuchadnezzar-599 BC.) in the month Chislev
(Nov/Dec) the king of Babylon assembled his army, and after he had invaded the land of
Hatti (Syria/Palestine) he laid siege to the city of Judah. On the second day
of the month of Adara (16th of March) he conquered the city and took the king
(Jehoiachin) prisoner. He installed in his place a king (Zedekiah) of his own
choice, and after he had received rich tribute, he sent (them) forth to Babylon."
Ancient Babylonia
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