Fall+of+Babylon

Who: Cyrus (II) the Great of Persia When: 539 BC What: Cyrus marches up to Babylon. According to Cyrus Cylinder, was greeted and welcomed by the citizens who preferred him to Nabonidas. According to Herodotus, diverted Euphrates into a lake, allowing his army to march under the city wall and capture the city when the Babylonians were partying. Where: Babylon Why: Imperial expansion; Babylon one of the wealthiest states, provided 1/3 of the empire's tribute. Also is an excellent example of contradiction between two major historical texts.