The Rise of Babylon at Carchemish

One battle ended two empires and birthed a new superpower. In 605 BC, the Battle of Carchemish

was the final nail in the coffin for the once-mighty Assyrian Empire and the checkmate

for Egyptian ambition in the Near East. The rising Babylonians, led by the brilliant Crown Prince Nebuchadnezzar

II, ambushed the combined forces of Egypt (under Pharaoh Necho II) and the last

Assyrian remnants. Nebuchadnezzar crossed the Euphrates River to strike unexpectedly, resulting in a total

rout. Egypt was chased back to its borders, Assyria disappeared from history,

and Babylon emerged as the undisputed master of the ancient world.