Nebuchadnezzar: Builder of Babylon

The kingdom of Babylon, founded by Nabopolassar and established securely by his son, Nebuchadnezzar, became the dominating empire of the sixth century B.C. The capitol city, Babylon, was strategically located on the Euphrates River, which gave the city control of trade routes as well as river traffic. The heart of the city lay on the east bank. A city expansion of major proportions took place early in Nebuchadnezzar's reign when he annexed the west bank. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that Babylon "was adorned in manner surpassing any city we are acquainted with." The kingdom of Babylon was the first of four kingdoms described in succession in the book of Daniel.

The claim made by Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:30 of building Babylon was questioned during the 19th century. Babylon had existed for hundreds of years before his reign. How could he made such a bold claim? In 1899, excavations began at the ancient city of Babylon under the direction of Robert Koldeway, revealing thousands of clay bricks were inscribed with the monarch's name.