Page "Cyrus the Great in the Bible" Paragraph 7

A chronicle drawn up just after the conquest of Babylonia by Cyrus, gives the history of the reign of Nabonidus (' Nabuna ' id '), the last king of Babylon, and of the fall of the Babylonian empire.

In 538 BC there was a revolt in Southern Babylonia, while the army of Cyrus entered the country from the north.

In June the Babylonian army was completely defeated at Opis, and immediately afterwards Sippara opened its gates to the conqueror.

Gobryas ( Ugbaru ), the governor of Media, was then sent to Babylon, which surrendered " without fighting ," and the daily services in the temples continued without a break.

In October, Cyrus himself arrived, and proclaimed a general amnesty, which was communicated by Gobryas to " all the province of Babylon ," of which he had been made governor.

Meanwhile, Nabonidus, who had concealed himself, was captured, but treated honourably ; and when his wife died, Cambyses II, the son of Cyrus, conducted the funeral.

Cyrus now assumed the title of " king of Babylon ," claimed to be the descendant of the ancient kings, and made rich offerings to the temples.

At the same time he allowed the foreign populations who had been deported to Babylonia to return to their old homes, carrying with them the images of their gods.

Among these populations were the Jews, who, as they had no images, took with them the sacred vessels of the temple.