Nebuchadnezzar II
Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 630-562 BC). King of Babylon from 605 BC. He widely extended Babylonian power, especially in Palestine and Syria, and his total destruction of Judah led to the deportation of many Jews to Babylon. During his reign Nebuchadnezzar had the city and temples of Babylon magnificently rebuilt, including the famous Hanging Gardens. The biblical story of his madness is probably not based on historical fact.
