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Nebuchadnezzar Facts & Worksheets

Nebuchadnezzar II was an ancient Babylonian king who reigned from 605 to 562 BCE. He is one of the most famous and influential rulers of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

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Nebuchadnezzar II was an ancient Babylonian king who reigned from 605 to 562 BCE. He is one of the most famous and influential rulers of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Nebuchadnezzar is primarily known for his military campaigns and ambitious building projects, including the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

See the fact file below for more information on Nebuchadnezzar, or you can download our 28-page Nebuchadnezzar worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ARCHEOLOGICAL INFORMATION

  • Nebuchadnezzar was born around 634 BCE. He was the eldest child Nabopolassar, the creator of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Although nothing is known about his early years, it is thought that he attended a royal school and underwent military training.
  • Nebuchadnezzar received a thorough education and instruction in the finer points of leadership, military strategy, and the arts as a member of the royal family. This upbringing gave him the abilities and information required to succeed to the throne.
  • Nebuchadnezzar saw regional political unrest and shifting alliances while he was young. He grew up during a period when the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the ruling force of the time, was facing formidable obstacles. 
  • These conditions probably influenced his perception of political dynamics and spurred his desire to build Babylon into a powerful empire.
  • At the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar played a crucial role in helping the Neo-Babylonians and the Medes defeat the Assyrian Empire’s soldiers. 
  • The Assyrian hegemony over the area came to an end with this triumph, which also made Nebuchadnezzar the new king of Babylon.
  • During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, there were several military conquests, large-scale construction initiatives, and governmental and economic changes. 
  • Through effective wars, he created the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which included the conquest of Jerusalem and Judah in 586 BCE, which resulted in the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon.
  • Nebuchadnezzar was renowned for his outstanding construction endeavors as well. 
  • He built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a complex-tiered garden with rare flora and water elements that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • Throughout his reign, he also constructed a large number of palaces, temples, and defenses, including the well-known Ishtar Gate.
  • As a capable administrator, Nebuchadnezzar made changes to the government and economy of his realm. He enhanced Babylon’s infrastructure by building canals and irrigation systems, which boosted agricultural output and increased trade.
  • The Neo-Babylonian Empire prospered culturally and economically as a result of Nebuchadnezzar’s military victories and massive construction endeavors. During his rule, his kingdom reached its pinnacle and rose to become the dominating force in the area.

BIBLICAL INFORMATION

  • The Bible details Nebuchadnezzar’s life and accomplishments, especially in the Book of Daniel, where he is portrayed as a strong and able king. 
  • The Book of Daniel makes extensive use of Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled Babylon during the Babylonian exile. He seized control of Jerusalem and abducted several Israelites.
  • Nebuchadnezzar had important dreams and asked God’s servant Daniel, who was intelligent and skilled, for interpretations. 
  • Daniel provided him with an interpretation of one of his dreams involving a large picture that represented several civilizations. 
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s construction of a golden statue and order for everyone to worship it is another noteworthy occurrence. 
  • When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish men, refused to submit, they were cast into a raging fire but miraculously rescued by God.
  • Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a big tree being chopped down in another dream as a sign that he would soon be humbled.
  • Ambitions and grandiose displays typified Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which are regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was one of the exquisite constructions he built. His construction endeavors displayed Babylon’s affluence and strength.
  • However, Nebuchadnezzar’s haughtiness and conceit brought about significant events in his life. God punished him with a time of insanity in reaction to his pompous statements, forcing him to live like an animal in the woods. 
  • Nebuchadnezzar endured this humiliating situation for seven years before acknowledging God’s supremacy and control over all things.
  • Nebuchadnezzar delivered his personal experience after regaining his sanity, thanking and acknowledging the might and knowledge of the true God.
  • The narrative contained in the Bible of Nebuchadnezzar shows a transition from arrogance to humility and an acceptance of God’s authority. 
  • His encounters serve as a reminder of the negative effects of arrogance and the need of recognizing and honoring the true God.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR IN OTHER LITERATURE

  • The life and reign of Nebuchadnezzar are well-understood through the use of historical documents and archaeological findings in addition to the biblical information. 
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s military operations, including the capture of Jerusalem and the demolition of the Temple, are described in the Babylonian Chronicles, which are ancient cuneiform tablets. 
  • The Nabonidus Chronicle, which was discovered in Babylon, emphasizes Nebuchadnezzar’s construction and rebuilding of temples and structures. 
  • Monumental inscriptions, such as those on the Ishtar Gate, credit Nebuchadnezzar with carrying out massive construction works in Babylon. 
  • His reign is related to artifacts and buildings that have been uncovered during archaeological digs, including royal residences and maybe even the ruins of Babylon’s Hanging Gardens.
  • Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, provides further information on Nebuchadnezzar’s military campaigns and building accomplishments in his works. 
  • In addition, Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in inscriptions found on monuments and buildings in Babylon and other Neo-Babylonian Empire sites, which also emphasize his status as a notable builder and patron of the arts. 
  • In his works “Antiquities of the Jews” and “The Jewish War,” Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who lived in the first century CE, wrote extensively about Nebuchadnezzar; he adds more information about his conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the Israelites to Babylon.
  • Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned by a number of classical authors, including Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and Strabo. These writers were not Nebuchadnezzar’s contemporaries, but their works add to our understanding of his reign and the splendor of Babylon at that time.
  • In literature from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Nebuchadnezzar is frequently portrayed in dramatic and allegorical settings. Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in a passage that describes the fall of Jerusalem in William Shakespeare’s play “Henry VI,” for instance.
  • Berossus, a Babylonian priest and historian from the 3rd century BCE wrote a historical work called the “Babylonian History.”
  • While the original writings are lost, fragments and references to his work survive in the writings of later authors. The reign of Nebuchadnezzar, his military exploits, and his construction endeavors in Babylon are all included in Berossus’ writings.
  • Although these sources add to the biblical narrative, it’s crucial to remember that the Bible is still the best place to learn about Nebuchadnezzar’s life and achievements in detail.

Nebuchadnezzar Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Nebuchadnezzar across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar is primarily known for his military campaigns and ambitious building projects, including the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Nebuchadnezzar Facts
  2. The King of Babylon
  3. Capturing Jerusalem
  4. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
  5. The Fiery Furnace
  6. The Humbling of Nebuchadnezzar
  7. Hanging Gardens
  8. Ancient Wonders
  9. Building Legacies
  10. The Leading Qualities
  11. Word Building Challenge

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Nebuchadnezzar?

Nebuchadnezzar II was a prominent Babylonian king who ruled from 605 BC to 562 BC. He is best known for his conquest of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people. He is also known for his grand architectural projects, including the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

What is the significance of Nebuchadnezzar in history?

Nebuchadnezzar’s reign marked a pivotal period in ancient history. He established the Neo-Babylonian Empire as a major power in the region by capturing and conquering various territories, including Judah. His siege of Jerusalem in 586 BC resulted in the destruction of the city and the Temple, leading to the Babylonian Captivity, during which many Jews were exiled to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar’s military successes, as well as his architectural achievements, left a lasting impact on the historical and cultural landscape of Mesopotamia.

What were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon attributed to Nebuchadnezzar?

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are often attributed to Nebuchadnezzar II, although there is some historical debate about their existence and the exact king responsible for their construction. These gardens were said to be an engineering marvel—a series of terraced gardens with trees, plants, and shrubs built on a large ziggurat-like structure in the city of Babylon (in present-day Iraq). They were considered a symbol of wealth and power, designed to please Nebuchadnezzar’s queen, Amytis of Media, who missed the green landscapes of her homeland.

How did Nebuchadnezzar contribute to the fall of Jerusalem?

Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem in 586 BC was a pivotal event in the fall of the Kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian forces, under Nebuchadnezzar’s command, captured and sacked the city, leading to the destruction of the Temple of Solomon and much of the city itself. This event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity, during which many Jewish inhabitants were forcibly taken to Babylon. The exile lasted for several decades until the Persians conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland.

What is Nebuchadnezzar’s legacy?

Nebuchadnezzar II is remembered as one of the most powerful and significant rulers of the ancient Near East. His military campaigns expanded the Babylonian Empire’s influence and control over a vast territory. His architectural projects, particularly the Hanging Gardens, are emblematic of his grandeur and engineering achievements. Nebuchadnezzar’s reign also played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the Jewish people through the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile. His legacy continues to be studied by historians, archaeologists, and scholars interested in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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