70 years before Babylonia revolted against the Assyrians making an alliance with the Median king Cyaxares ruler of the Medes, Persians, Sagartians and Parthians. The alliance destroyed the mighty Assyrian empire razing Nimrud, Ashur and Nineveh. The Assyrians were made like they never existed.
Inscription on the Nabonidus cylinder:
"[i.1-7] I, Nabonidus, the great king, the strong king, the king of the universe, the king of Babylon, the king of the four corners, the caretaker of Esagila and Ezida, for whom Sin and Ningal in his mother's womb decreed a royal fate as his destiny, the son of Nabû-balâssi-iqbi, the wise prince, the worshiper of the great gods, I:
[i.8-ii.25] Ehulhul, the temple of Sin in Harran, where since days of yore Sin, the great lord, had established his favorite residence - his great heart became angry against that city and temple and he aroused the Mede, destroyed the temple and turned it into ruin - in my legitimate reign Bel and the great lord,[1] for the love of my kingship, became reconciled with that city and temple and showed compassion.
In the beginning of my everlasting reign they sent me a dream. Marduk, the great lord, and Sin, the luminary of heaven and the netherworld, stood together. Marduk spoke with me: 'Nabonidus, king of Babylon, carry bricks on your riding horse, rebuild Ehulhul and cause Sin, the great lord, to establish his residence in its midst.'
Reverently, I spoke to the Enlil of the gods, Marduk: 'That temple which you ordered me to build, the Mede surrounds it and his might is excessive.'
But Marduk spoke with me: 'The Mede whom you mentioned, he, his country and the kings who march at his side will be no more.'"
1. Nabonidus Chronicle:
In the 6th year of the rule of Nabonidus:
The Persian Cyrus II has declared war on his grand father Astyages, claiming Astyages wanted to attack him. Marduk make my dream vision true, the Medes will fall.
Many people are set to spread the good word of Sîn, which some call Nanna, through cultural activities.
"I mustered my numerous troops, from the country of Gaza on the border of Egypt, near the Upper Sea [the Mediterranean] on the other side of the Euphrates, to the Lower Sea [the Persian Gulf], the kings, princes, governors and my numerous troops which Sin, Šamaš and Ištar -my lords- had entrusted to me."
I force marched my army west to Acadia to make war on the desertic tribes who has held un-rightfully for so long. I will Leading my army up along the desert boarder taking Palmyra and southern Syria. Sossius is commanded to lead the chariots having a very aggressive temper than Hoseos who otherwise would be good in conserving rations.(1)
The lands are depopulated and its infrastructure is wasted, I started many buildings of farms and road.
Many slaves where sent to Abilene to remove rocky outcrops hindering farming.
7th year of the rule of Nabonidus:
The royal treasury Balbeck is sent to Babylon to shore up the economy.
The march out of Babylon was not fast enough to reach Lakhmides, the battle in Acadia must have taken too long, I will continue north west toward the upper sea.
The slaves sent to Abilene succeeded but the hunter lodge in Orontes doesn't seem to be able to fight the fearsome beasts and wolfs infesting the area.
The battle shows we need more skirmishers, hopefully the Phoenicians will join the army swiftly.
Created a new province in Characenia.
Still more people are making poems to Sîn.
8th year of the rule of Nabonidus:
We crushed the barbarians in Lakhmides and added it to Babylon.
People are slandering Babylon and we have dropped out of the most respected nations, need to make more people make poems.
The Persian king Cyrus is hesitating in front of Ecbatana, is he failing?
The gold from Balbeck is filling the depleted royal treasure.
Waiting for more recruits to expand the army.
9th year of the rule of Nabonidus:
The Persians finally enters Ecbatana.
A new harbour is build on the upper sea at Orontes.
The Province of Palmyra is created.
Marching on to Palmyra itself to take it on the march.
10th year of the rule of Nabonidus:
The Persians are nearing Assyria, it looks like the Medes are singing on the last vers.
Finally the hunters (or the archery) in Orontes deals with the wolfs, and now have a source of furs now if just someone wanted furs in this hot climate ...
Taking Palmyra by storm we march on to the oasis of Syria
The unrest in Tyre is being ordered to stop, the influx of slaves is making trouble and they are ordered to be dispersed.
Some north eastern troops are ordered to take Cilicia.
- Cylinder.JPG (7.8 KiB) Viewed 2889 times
Balanced.
The problems are
- military expertise 0.39
- will go up when we build more military building
- need more palisades to stop rampaging Persians, Egyptians and barbarians. - low loyalty
- ehh meh will build a few loyalty buildings. - status age is 50 ...
- need to conquer an objective soon or reform government. - Nabonidus is hated and bad military an awesome combi!!! (the hated path might be later Persian propaganda).
- No way to make the king go away, live with it ...
(1) Nabonidus is not a commander, but all inscriptions mention him leading the army in several campagns.
