The most illustrious of Babylonian kings, was the son of Nabopolassar, the general of the Babylonian garrison at the time the Assyrian empire fell to pieces after the death of Assur-bani-pal. The Babylonians then thre off the hated yoke of Assyria, and Nebopolassar was proclaimed king of Babylonia, in 625 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar succeeded him in 604, reigning 43 years, and was one of the greatest sovereigns who ever rules the ancient empire. - Beach, 1900