ABC 5 (Jerusalem Chronicle)

The Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar II (ABC 5) is one of the historiographical texts from ancient Babylonia. It deals with several subjects, but the reference to the capture of Jerusalem in 597 BCE has attracted most attention, which explains the name "Jerusalem Chronicle".

ABC 05 Jerusalem Chronicle — ABC 5 ("Jerusalem Chronicle")

Although the Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar II (ABC 5) is best known for its reference to the capture of Jerusalem in 597 BCE, it contains more interesting information, especially about Nebuchadnezzar's accession to the throne, his campaigns against the Egyptian king Necho II, an Elamite intervention, and a revolt in Babylonia itself.

The story starts where ABC 4 ends: during the wars after the sack of Nineveh in 612 and the collapse of the Assyria Empire. The Egyptian king Necho II tried to conquer Assyria's western provinces, which are sometimes called "Hatti" in this chronicle. Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar claimed those lands for themselves. During these campaigns, Jerusalem was attacked and its king, Jehoiachin, deported. The date, Addaru in the seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar, is our February/March 597. It also mentioned in Jeremiah 52.28 and it contradicts the date in 2 Kings 24.12 (the eighth year).

Jerusalem would, of course, be captured again ten years later, an event that was certainly mentioned in the lost sequel of this chronicle, which must also have contained a series of references to the protracted siege of Tyre.

For a very brief introduction to the literary genre of chronicles, go here. The translation on this webpage was adapted from A.K. Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles (1975) and Jean-Jacques Glassner, Mesopotamian Chronicles (Atlanta, 2004).

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[Rev] [Several lines missing]

[Rev.1'] In the third year [602/601] the king of Akkad left and

[Rev.2'] in the month of [...] on the thirteenth day, [the king's brother] Nabû-šuma-lišir [...]

[Rev.3'] The king of Akkad mustered his troops and marched to the Hatti-land.

[Rev.4'] and brought back much spoils from the Hatti-land into Akkad.

[Rev.5'] In the fourth year [601/600] the king of Akkad mustered his army and marched to the Hatti-land. In the Hatti-land they marched unopposed.

[Rev.6'] In the month of Kislîmu^note[End 601.] he took the lead of his army and marched to Egypt. The king of Egypt heard it and mustered his army.

[Rev.7'] In open battle they smote the breast of each other and inflicted great havoc on each other. The king of Akkad turned back with his troops and returned to Babylon.^note

[Rev.8'] In the fifth year [600/599] the king of Akkad stayed in his own land and gathered together his chariots and horses in great numbers.

[Rev.9'] In the sixth year [599/598] in the month of Kislîmu^note[End 599.] the king of Akkad mustered his army and marched to the Hatti-land. From the Hatti-land he sent out his companies,

[Rev.10'] and scouring the desert they took much plunder from the Arabs,^note their possessions, animals and gods. In the month of Addaru^note[Spring 598.] the king returned to his own land.

[Rev.11'] In the seventh year [598/597], the month of Kislîmu, the king of Akkad mustered his troops, marched to the Hatti-land,

[Rev.12'] and besieged the city of Judah and on the second day of the month of Addaru^note[February/March 597.] he seized the city and captured the king.^note

[Rev.13'] He appointed there a king of his own choice,^note received its heavy tribute and sent to Babylon.

[Rev.14'] In the eight year [597/596], the month of Tebetu^note[Winter 597/596.] the king of Akkad marched to the Hatti-land as far as Karchemiš [...

[Rev.15'] ...] in the month of Šabatu^note[january/February 596.] the king returned to his own land.^note

[Rev.16'] In the ninth year [596/595], the month of [...] the king of Akkad and his troops marched along the bank of the Tigris [...]

[Rev.17'] the king of Elam [...]

[Rev.18'] the king of Akkad [...]^note[The name of a city name is presumed.]

[Rev.19'] which is on the bank of the Tigris he pitched his camp. While there was still a distance of one day's march between them,

[Rev.20'] the king of Elam was afraid and, panic falling on him, he returned to his own land.

[Rev.21'] In the tenth year [595/594] the king of Akkad was in his own land; from the month of Kislîmu to the month of Tebetu there was rebellion in Akkad.^note

[Rev.22'] With arms he slew many of his own army. His own hand captured his enemy.

[Rev.23'] In the month of [...],^note[Šabatu or Addaru, Spring 594.] he marched to the Hatti-land, where kings and [...]-officials

[Rev.24'] came before him and he received their heavy tribute and then returned to Babylon.

[Rev.25'] In the eleventh year [594/593] in the month of Kislîmu,^note[End 594.] the king of Akkad mustered his troops and marched to the Hatti-land.