Nebuchadnezzar III

Nebuchadnezzar III ruled over Babylon (c. 522 BC). He claimed to be the second son of Nabonidus.

He led a short-lived rebellion against Darius I of Persia, who routed his army in battle at the Tigris on December 13, 522 BC, and then at the Euphrates near Zazannu.^[1] Nebuchadnezzar III fled back to his capital with his remaining cavalry.^[2]

Darius subsequently besieged the high-walled city of Babylon, succeeding in taking the capital, and Nebuchadnezzar III was put to death.^[2]

His exact identity is uncertain. According to the Behistun Inscription, Darius claimed that he was an impostor called Nidinta-Bel, but some historians consider that he probably did have some connection with the previous Babylonian royal family.

He should not be confused with Nebuchadnezzar IV, who led a similar revolt against the Persians around a year later.

References

1. Harvard University; G. P. Goold (1 January 1972). Harvard Studies in Classical Philology. Harvard University Press. pp. 112–. ISBN 978-0-674-37922-0. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
2. Tom Holland (12 June 2007). Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West. Random House Digital, Inc. pp. 46–. ISBN 978-0-307-27948-4. Retrieved 19 March 2012.