A 2,550-year-old cuneiform inscription bearing the name Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, has been discovered carved on basalt stone in northern Saudi Arabia, as recently announced by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
At the top of the inscription, there is an image of King Nabonidus holding a scepter along with four other symbols, including a snake, a flower, and a depiction of the moon. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage noted that these symbols may have religious significance.
Cuneiform inscription depicting the last king of Babylon.
These inscriptions are followed by approximately 26 lines of cuneiform text that experts from the commission are currently deciphering. This is the longest cuneiform inscription ever found in Saudi Arabia.
The inscription was discovered in Al Hait, located in the Hail region of northern Saudi Arabia. Known as Fadak in ancient times, Al Hait is home to numerous ancient relics, including the ruins of a fortress, rock art, and underwater installations. It holds significant historical importance from the first millennium BCE to the early Islamic era.
Who was King Nabonidus?
King Nabonidus reigned from 555 to 539 BCE. The Babylonian Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, and at the beginning of Nabonidus’ reign, he conquered the territory that is now Saudi Arabia and eventually chose to live in Tayma, a city that is currently part of Saudi Arabia.
The reasons behind Nabonidus’ long stay in what is now Saudi Arabia are a matter of debate among historians. Some experts suggest that conflicts between Nabonidus and the priests and officials of Babylon may have played a role.
At the end of Nabonidus’ reign, the Babylonian Empire was attacked by the Persian Empire, led by King Cyrus the Great. Babylon itself was captured by the Persians in 539 BCE, leading to the fall of the Babylonian Empire. The fate of Nabonidus after the collapse remains unclear.
