The Chaldean prince who founded the neo-Babylonian Empire and father of the more famous Nebuchadnezzar II.
Nabopolassar laid the first stone of his empire when he attacked Babylon and captured it in 626 BC. Despite many attempts by the Assyrians to dislodge him, he grew from strength to strength. Ten years later he began to advance on the Assyrian homeland. At the same time the Medes were making their own attempts at independence from Assyrian suzerainty, and in 614, under the leadership of Cyaxares, they attacked and captured Asshur, the ancient Assyrian capital. Nabopolassar arrived too late to participate in the fighting, but made a formal treaty with Cyaxares. Their next joint campaign fell Nineveh, after a three-month siege, in 612. By 609 the Assyrians, holed up in Haran, were fighting, with Egyptian help, for their last chance at survival.
©ALBERITH