Belshazzar's co-regency with Nabonidus over the Babylonian empire ended with his defeat by Cyrus.
Details
Primary person: Belshazzar
*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES:
- The Nabonidus Chronicle, a Babylonian cuneiform text, documents the reign of Nabonidus, Belshazzar’s father, from 556 to 539 BC. It notes that Nabonidus entrusted the kingship to Belshazzar in his third year (ca. 553 BC) while Nabonidus was in Tema (Arabia). This suggests Belshazzar acted as co-regent or ruler in Babylon from around 553 BC until the fall of Babylon in 539 BC, implying a period of about 14 years. The chronicle does not explicitly state the duration but provides key chronological markers.
- The Verse Account of Nabonidus (Cuneiform Text, 6th Century BC), a propagandistic cuneiform text, likely composed after the Persian conquest, describes Nabonidus’ absence from Babylon and his delegation of authority to his son (presumably Belshazzar). It aligns with the Nabonidus Chronicle, indicating Belshazzar’s rule began around Nabonidus’ third year (553 BC) and continued until 539 BC, supporting a roughly 14-year period of influence.
- Numerous cuneiform tablets from Babylon, dated to the reign of Nabonidus, mention Belshazzar in roles of authority, such as overseeing transactions or military matters. These tablets span from around 553 BC (Nabonidus’ third year) to 539 BC, suggesting Belshazzar’s active rule or co-regency during this period. While they do not explicitly state a reign length, the consistent references over these years imply about 14 years of prominence.
- Herodotus, in his Histories (Book 1), does not directly name Belshazzar but refers to a Babylonian king (possibly Belshazzar or Nabonidus) during the fall of Babylon in 539 BC. He does not provide a reign length, but his account aligns with the timeline of Babylonian rule ending in 539 BC, consistent with Belshazzar’s final year as co-regent.
- In his Cyropaedia, Xenophon describes the fall of Babylon and mentions a young king ruling at the time, likely Belshazzar. While he does not specify the length of the reign, his narrative supports the timeline of 539 BC as the end of Belshazzar’s rule, corroborating other sources that place Belshazzar in power during Nabonidus’ later years.
- Berossus, as cited by later authors like Josephus, describes the final years of Babylonian rule and mentions Belshazzar (under the name "Nabonnedus’ son") as ruling when Babylon fell to Cyrus in 539 BC. While Berossus does not explicitly state the duration of Belshazzar’s rule, his account implies a shorter period of authority under Nabonidus, consistent with the co-regency starting around 553 BC.
[Shulman date p143]
[Ussher date p116]