Belshazzar
Belshazzar, oldest son of Nabonidas, last king of Babylon.
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.[1] 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.
Debated Points
Some suggest that scenes recorded in the Book of Daniel's lavish party as a coronation festival as Belshazzar seized the throne.[2] 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.[3]
References
- â 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
- â 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
- â Daniel 5:7