Neo-Babylonian Empire

State · 600–531 BCE · at its largest around 600 BCE

Babylonian empire founded by Nabopolassar that inherited much of Assyria's realm; under Nebuchadnezzar II it destroyed Jerusalem, and it fell to Cyrus in 539 BCE.

On its lands while it lasted

Eridu (c. 5,400–600 BCE): Regarded by the Sumerians as the first city; its temple to the god Enki was rebuilt many times from the Ubaid period onward.
Uruk (c. 5,000 BCE – c. 700 CE): Sumerian city on the Euphrates that by about 3100 BCE was probably the largest city in the world, centre of the first urban civilization.
Tyre (2,750–501 BCE): Capital of Phoenicia (1150 BCE–501 BCE).
Babylon (2,201 BCE – 1 CE): Capital of Babylonia (1800 BCE–601 BCE), Neo-Babylonian Empire (600 BCE–539 BCE), Achaemenid Empire (550 BCE–330 BCE).
Sidon (c. 1,150–501 BCE): Capital of Phoenicia (1150 BCE–501 BCE).
Tushpa (c. 800–590 BCE): Capital of Kingdom of Urartu (800 BCE–590 BCE).
Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 642 BCE – 562 BCE): King of Babylon (r. 605–562 BCE) who rebuilt Babylon on a grand scale and conquered Jerusalem, deporting many of its inhabitants.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon (c. 600 BCE): Terraced gardens said to have been built in Babylon, perhaps by Nebuchadnezzar II; one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one whose site has never been found.
Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (c. 587 BCE): Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple and deported much of Judah's elite, beginning the Babylonian captivity.
Ishtar Gate (c. 575 BCE): A monumental gateway of blue glazed bricks decorated with dragons and aurochs, built by Nebuchadnezzar II; a reconstruction stands in Berlin's Pergamon Museum.
Ecbatana (c. 550 BCE – c. 1800 CE): Capital of Achaemenid Empire (550 BCE–330 BCE).
Fall of Babylon (539 BCE): Cyrus the Great's Persian army took Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire; Cyrus later allowed deported peoples, including the Judeans, to return home.
Cyrus Cylinder (c. 539 BCE): A clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian in Cyrus's name after he took Babylon, describing his restoration of temples and return of displaced peoples.