The Battle Of Opis

The Battle of Opis, which took place in September 539 BC during the Persian conquest of Mesopotamia, was the last significant military conflict between the Achaemenid Persian Empire and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. A significant conflict erupted between Persia and Babylon at the Battle of Opis. Cyrus the Great was in charge of the Persian army, and Nabonidus was the ruler of Babylon. The largest nation in Western Asia at the time that was not ruled by Persia was Babylonia. The battle was fought in a key area close to the River Opis. King Nabonidus marched with his troops in the hope of fortifying the empire's frontiers and pacifying the populace because he had come to power as the consequence of a revolt. His ways of governance had not been well received by the populace. He was a poor leader and showed no respect for their religion. The Battle of Opis did not last long because the formerly mighty empire had already fallen.

Within a few days, Babylonia submitted, and the Persian army advanced unopposed as the people of Babylon hailed them as liberators. The Persians were now facing only a small force that had previously resisted them. King Nabonidus's whereabouts are unknown, however it's possible that he was banished to Carmania. Later, Babylonia and its ruled provinces were annexed by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great, terminating their independence and merging the entire defunct Neo-Babylonian Empire into the larger Achaemenid Empire. This is also the last most important event in ancient Babylonia we want to mention.