Nabopolassar

References

Nabopolassar

king of Chaldea

Also known as: Nabu-apal-usur

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Nabopolassar was the king of the Chaldeans and the founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. He seized the throne of Babylon in 626 BCE, initiating a dynasty that ruled Southwest Asia until 539 BCE. Nabopolassar fought against the Assyrians and Egyptians, and he began restoring the canal network in Babylonia. His successes alternated with misfortunes, and he died in Babylon in 605 BCE. His son, Nebuchadnezzar II, succeeded him and became a prominent ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Nebuchadnezzar II
…eldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, founder of the Chaldean empire. He is known from cuneiform inscriptions, the Bible and later Jewish sources, and classical authors. His name, from the Akkadian Nabu-kudurri-uṣur, means “O Nabu, watch over my heir.”
Read More
…eldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, founder of the Chaldean empire. He is known from cuneiform inscriptions, the Bible and later Jewish sources, and classical authors. His name, from the Akkadian Nabu-kudurri-uṣur, means “O Nabu, watch over my heir.”
Read More

Battle of Nineveh
…bce, however, a new king, Nabopolassar, sensed that the hold of Assyria’s rulers was weakening.
Read More
…bce, however, a new king, Nabopolassar, sensed that the hold of Assyria’s rulers was weakening.
Read More

Mesopotamian art and architecture
Neo-Babylonian period
During the reigns of Nabopolassar (625–605 bce) and his son Nebuchadrezzar II (604–562 bce), there was widespread building activity. Temples and ziggurats were repaired or rebuilt in almost all the old dynastic cities, while Babylon itself was enormously enlarged and surrounded by a double enceinte, or line of fortification,…
Read More
During the reigns of Nabopolassar (625–605 bce) and his son Nebuchadrezzar II (604–562 bce), there was widespread building activity. Temples and ziggurats were repaired or rebuilt in almost all the old dynastic cities, while Babylon itself was enormously enlarged and surrounded by a double enceinte, or line of fortification,…
Read More

history of Mesopotamia
The Neo-Babylonian Empire
About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans. In 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. He took part in the wars aimed at the destruction of Assyria. At the same time, he began to restore the dilapidated network of…
Read More
About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans. In 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. He took part in the wars aimed at the destruction of Assyria. At the same time, he began to restore the dilapidated network of…
Read More

Sippar
…was later found by King Nabopolassar when he restored the temple in the late 7th century bc. The tablet is now in the British Museum.
Read More
…was later found by King Nabopolassar when he restored the temple in the late 7th century bc. The tablet is now in the British Museum.
Read More