Do You Know ❓ Fall of Babylonian Empire (October 539 BC) - about 2562 years ago)–HISTORY
Do You Know ❓
Fall of Babylonian Empire (October 539 BC) - about 2562 years ago).
The Babylonian Empire was one of the most significant and notable empires that ever existed. At its peak, it was the most powerful empire in the world.
Most of us are already familiar with the word Babylon probably must have learned about it from the Christian Bible where it was mentioned that the Babylonian Empire conquered many kingdoms during that time including the city of Jerusalem and was responsible for the destruction of the first temple.
While reaching and becoming the most powerful empire in the world is not a day's work, it's fall and destruction was more quicker and ironic compare to other empires in history.
The Babylonian Empire came to an abrupt end after it's army was destroyed and it's last king killed at the battle of Opis between Persia and the Babylonian Empire.
On 12 October 539 BCE the Babylonian King Nabonidus fought against the Persians commanded by Cyrus the Great at Opis, an ancient city 76 kilometers from the city of Babylon.
The larger Persian army completely destroyed the Babylonian army in the battle after which they marched into the capital Babylon unopposed. With the death of it's King and the fall of the capital, the rest of the Babylonian captured territories were transferred to the Persians Empire.
What is ironic about the destruction of the Babylonian army was the fact that the battle didn't take place on the walls of Babylon but on an open field where victory is easily decided by size and experience which the Persians didn't lack.
According to Greek Historian Herodotus who visited the Babylonian Empire during it's peak, he said the walls of Babylon was 90 kilometers long, 97 meters high and 24 meters thick! He said the walls are so thick that chariot races were held on top of the walls.
The Persians knowing how deadly attacking the walls of Babylon head on must have tricked the Babylonian King to fight on an open field.
Today, only the ruins of the city of Babylon remains which is located in 50 miles south of Baghdad in Iraq.
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