Sykes' History of Persia - Heritage Institute

Early Lydian Coin.
CHAPTER XI
MEDIA, BABYLONIA, AND LYDIA
There Babylon, the wonder of all tongues,
As ancient, but rebuilt by him who twice
Judah and all thy father David's house
Led Captive, and Jerusalem laid waste,
Till Cyrus set them free.
Milton, Paradise Regained.
The State of the Ancient World after the Fall of Nineveh.
—Whenever a great empire falls a readjustment takes
place in the relations of the neighbouring states both to
one another and also to the possessions of the fallen power.
Consequently, the fall of Nineveh affords a suitable occasion
for surveying the state of the ancient world.
The Position of Media.—The most virile and formidable
power was undoubtedly Media, the conqueror of the
Scythians and the leading
confederate in the attack on
Assyria. The alliance between Media and Babylonia was
cemented by the marriage of the daughter of Cyaxares
with Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar and heir to
the throne of Babylon. The terms of this alliance were
adhered to throughout the life of Cyaxares and his successor,
although at times the wealth of Babylon must have
sorely tempted the Medes.
The New Kingdom of Babylonia.— If the downfall of
Assyria was an immense benefit to Media, the gain to
Babylon was still greater. Indeed, it was owing
to the
annihilation of Assyria that the new kingdom of Babylon
was formed and speedily showed an amazing vitality suf-
ficient in itself to claim our notice. But its interest for us
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