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Nebuchadnezzar moved on and solidified his hold over the eastern Mediterranean lands, so that never again would Pharaoh Necho venture out of Egypt.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=7}}</ref><ref name=WebBible/> In this year, on 8 Av ([[August 15]], 605 BC by the [[Julian calendar]]<ref name=Nisbett/>), Nabopolassar died.<ref name=keyway/><ref name=ColumbiaH/> Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon as swiftly as he could, to solidify his rule. With him he brought back a great many captives from Judah, Syria, Lebanon ([[Phoenicia]]), and Egypt. He left behind a token garrison in the region.<ref name=Nisbett/>

Nebuchadnezzar moved on and solidified his hold over the eastern Mediterranean lands, so that never again would Pharaoh Necho venture out of Egypt.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=7}}</ref><ref name=WebBible/> In this year, on 8 Av ([[August 15]], 605 BC by the [[Julian calendar]]<ref name=Nisbett/>), Nabopolassar died.<ref name=keyway/><ref name=ColumbiaH/> Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon as swiftly as he could, to solidify his rule. With him he brought back a great many captives from Judah, Syria, Lebanon ([[Phoenicia]]), and Egypt. He left behind a token garrison in the region.<ref name=Nisbett/>

On 1 Elul ([[September 7]], [[605 BC]]) he laid undisputed claim to his throne.<ref name=Nisbett/><ref name=Lexicorient/> He was anywhere from twenty-five to thirty years old at this time, and he might at this time have ceremonially consummated his marriage to Amyitis, who now would carry the title of "queen." Persistent legend credits him with building a magnificent garden, called the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to this day,<ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Gill/><ref name=Lexicorient/><ref name=Nystrom/> but this legend has no archaeological warrant nor even any contemporary record.<ref name=Lexicorient/> The Hanging Gardens were supposed to be a present to Amyitis, who would at least have something to remind her of her girlhood in the hill country of the Medes.

On 1 Elul ([[September 7]], [[605 BC]]) he laid undisputed claim to his throne.<ref name=Nisbett/><ref name=Lexicorient/> He was anywhere from twenty-five to thirty years old at this time, and he might at this time have ceremonially consummated his marriage to Amyitis, who now would carry the title of "queen." Persistent legend credits him with building a magnificent garden, called the [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon]] to this day,<ref name=ColumbiaH/><ref name=Gill/><ref name=Lexicorient/><ref name=Nystrom/> but this legend has no archaeological warrant nor even any contemporary record.<ref name=Lexicorient/> The Hanging Gardens were supposed to be a present to Amyitis, who would at least have something to remind her of her girlhood in the hill country of the Medes.

In any event, Nebuchadnezzar could confidently ignore his northern frontier, because Amyitis' grandfather [[Cyaxeres I]] would prove not only a faithful ally but also a powerful one. Ussher says that Cyaxeres had hundreds of Scythians slaughtered at a banquet, an act that sent the rest of them fleeing northward and, apparently, not attempting another invasion of the Middle East. Centuries would pass before their apparent descendants the [[Russia|Russians]] would attempt to hold any sway at all in the region.

In any event, Nebuchadnezzar could confidently ignore his northern frontier, because Amyitis' grandfather [[Cyaxeres I]] would prove not only a faithful ally but also a powerful one. Ussher says that Cyaxeres had hundreds of Scythians slaughtered at a banquet, an act that sent the rest of them fleeing northward and, apparently, not attempting another invasion of the Middle East. Centuries would pass before their apparent descendants the [[Russia|Russians]] would attempt to hold any sway at all in the region.