Changes

'''Belshazzar''', (Greek: Βαλτάζαρ, Baltázar, from Akkadian: 𒂗𒈗𒋀, Bēl-šar-uṣur, meaning "[[Bel]] protect the king"), oldest son of [[Nabonidus]], presumably reigned more or less as co-regent from his father's usurpation in 556 to 539 BC. He was the last effective king / co-regent of the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]] ending with his death<ref>Daniel 5:30</ref><ref>Xenophon, Cyropaedia, {{citation needed}}</ref> on the night of [[Babylon|Babylon's]] capture (3rd of Arahsamna/Oct-Nov.)<ref>Nabonidas Chronicle, Column iii.18, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/</ref><ref>Babylonian Calendar, https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/calendar-babylonian/</ref> by the forces of [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus]].

'''Belshazzar''', (Greek: Βαλτασάρ, Baltasár, Aramaic בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר, from Akkadian: 𒂗𒈗𒋀, Bēl-šar-uṣur, meaning "[[Bel]] protect the king"), oldest son of [[Nabonidus]], was named as co-regent by his father Nabonidus (556-539 BC) in Nabonidus's third year, 553 BC.<ref>James Pritchard, ed., ''Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament'' (Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1969), 313b.</ref> He reigned in Babylon while his father spent his time in the Arabian desert worwhipping the moon-god Sin, and/or possibly subjugating the Arab tribes. Belshazzar's reign, and his life, came to an end when he was killed on the night that Babylon fell to the combined armies of the Medes and Persians and their allies under the command of [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus]].<ref>Daniel 5:30</ref><ref>Xenophon, ''Cyropaedia'' 7.5.30.</ref> The Nabonidus Chronicle dates his death, and thus the end of the [[Neo-Bablyonian Empire]], to the 16th of Tashritu/Tishri, i.e. October 12, 539 BC.<ref>Pritchard,''Ancient Near Eastern Texts'', p. 306b.</ref>  

If the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]]<ref>Nabonidus Chronicle, 7th year to 17th year, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/</ref> is to be believed, [[Nabonidus]] seems to have ruled remotely through [[Belshazzar]] for as many as 10 years, while he dwelt at the Arabian oasis of [[Tayma]] (possibly in an effort to control lucrative Arabian trade routes).  This means that the people, government and army officials saw [[Belshazzar]] more than the official king.  Likewise the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]] states that [[Nabonidus]] returned in December 540 (possibly January 539); for which it is commonly held due to the rising threat [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus']] forces.

If the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]]<ref>Nabonidus Chronicle, 7th year to 17th year, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/</ref> is to be believed, [[Nabonidus]] seems to have ruled remotely through [[Belshazzar]] for as many as 10 years, while he dwelt at the Arabian oasis of Tema (possibly in an effort to control lucrative Arabian trade routes).  This means that the people, government and army officials saw [[Belshazzar]] more than the official king.  Likewise the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]] states that [[Nabonidus]] fled from the area of Babylon before the city fell to [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus']] forces.

Some note as evidence of Belshazzar's subordinate role in his co-regency, that Belshazzar offered the prophet Daniel to be third ruler in the kingdom<ref>Daniel 5:7</ref> because he didn't have authority to promote Daniel any higher.

Some note as evidence of Belshazzar's subordinate role in his co-regency, that Belshazzar offered the prophet Daniel to be third ruler in the kingdom<ref>Daniel 5:7</ref> because he didn't have authority to promote Daniel any higher.

=== Historical Identification ===

=== Historical Identification ===

For centuries the identity of Belshazzar lay lost to history, preserved only in the [[Book of Daniel]], consequentially used by many as a challenge to the historical accuracy of said volume.<ref>Becher, Dave, ''The Tripartite Helmet of Hope and Salvation'', https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Hd9BDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT198&dq=%22there+was+a+further+secular+controversy+for+many+centuries+over+the+existence+of+Belshazzar%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik5oLZ6oLpAhW87XMBHeL0AuQQ6AEIKzAA#v=onepage&q=%22there%20was%20a%20further%20secular%20controversy%20for%20many%20centuries%20over%20the%20existence%20of%20Belshazzar%22&f=false</ref>

For centuries the identity of Belshazzar lay lost to history, preserved only in the [[Book of Daniel]], consequentially used by many as a challenge to the historical accuracy of said volume.<ref>Becher, Dave, ''The Tripartite Helmet of Hope and Salvation'', https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Hd9BDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT198&dq=%22there+was+a+further+secular+controversy+for+many+centuries+over+the+existence+of+Belshazzar%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik5oLZ6oLpAhW87XMBHeL0AuQQ6AEIKzAA#v=onepage&q=%22there%20was%20a%20further%20secular%20controversy%20for%20many%20centuries%20over%20the%20existence%20of%20Belshazzar%22&f=false</ref>

Modern scholarship having discovered the Nabonidas cylinders notes thereby that ''Belshazzar'' was the oldest son of [[Nabonidas]] who as he left of Tema (or Tayma) left Belshazzar in charge.

Modern scholarship having discovered the Nabonidus cylinders notes thereby that ''Belshazzar'' was the oldest son of [[Nabonidus]] who left Belshazzar in charge in Babylon while he lived in Tema (or Tayma).

 

=== Debated Points ===

=== Debated Points ===

Some suggest that scenes recorded in the [[Book of Daniel]]'s lavish party as a coronation festival as Belshazzar seized the throne.<ref>Beacher, Dave, ''The Tripartite Helmet of Hope and Salvation, https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Hd9BDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT199&dq=%22there+is+scholarly+speculation+that+after+Cyrus+had+defeated+Nabonidas%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiroYWB74LpAhXkjeYKHbLRDgoQ6AEIKjAA#v=onepage&q=%22there%20is%20scholarly%20speculation%20that%20after%20Cyrus%20had%20defeated%20Nabonidas%22&f=false </ref>  This point is negated by some claiming that the festival was the annual drunken and debauched fertility festival celebrating the union of Nimrod & Semarimis (the forerunner of the modern Easter).{{citation needed}}  Meanwhile others {{citation needed}} working from the ancient custom of 'apprentice kings' (thus creating a clear line of succession), note that Belshazzar offers the Prophet Daniel to be third in the kingdom: as [[Nabonidas]] was the first, ''Belshazzar'' was the second and Daniel was made the third ruler in the kingdom.<ref>Daniel 5:7</ref>

Some suggest that scenes recorded in the [[Book of Daniel]]'s lavish party as a coronation festival as Belshazzar seized the throne.<ref>Beacher, Dave, ''The Tripartite Helmet of Hope and Salvation, https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Hd9BDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT199&dq=%22there+is+scholarly+speculation+that+after+Cyrus+had+defeated+Nabonidas%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiroYWB74LpAhXkjeYKHbLRDgoQ6AEIKjAA#v=onepage&q=%22there%20is%20scholarly%20speculation%20that%20after%20Cyrus%20had%20defeated%20Nabonidas%22&f=false </ref>  This point is negated by some claiming that the festival was the annual drunken and debauched fertility festival celebrating the union of Nimrod & Semarimis. Meanwhile others{{citation needed}} working from the ancient custom of 'apprentice kings' (thus creating a clear line of succession), note that Belshazzar offers the Prophet Daniel to be third in the kingdom: as [[Nabonidus]] was the first, ''Belshazzar'' was the second and Daniel was made the third ruler in the kingdom.<ref>Daniel 5:7</ref>

== References ==

== References ==