Nebuchadnezzar II

Nebuchadnezzar II (c.630–562 bc) Second and greatest king of the Chaldaean (New Babylonian) Empire (r.605–562 bc) who changed the political map of the ancient Middle East. He subjugated Syria and Palestine but was himself defeated by Egyptian forces in 601 bc. He occupied Judah, capturing Jerusalem in 597 bc, and installing the puppet king Zedekiah on the throne of Judah. Following Zedekiah's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city and temple of Jerusalem and deported its population into exile in Babylon. A brilliant military leader, Nebuchadnezzar continued to follow an expansionist strategy. He was responsible for many buildings in Babylon, and (according to legend) built for his Median wife the famous Hanging Gardens, which became one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Biblical accounts of Nebuchadnezzar's involvement with Judah and the Jews appear principally in II Kings, Jeremiah and Daniel.