Editing Nebuchadnezzar II (section)

=== Accession to the throne ===
[[File:Cylinder of Nabopolassar from Babylon, Mesopotamia..JPG|thumb|alt=A Babylonian clay cylinder|A clay cylinder of [[Nabopolassar]], Nebuchadnezzar's father and predecessor, from [[Babylon]]]]
[[File:Nebuchadnezzar King of Justice. Once in power, Nebuchadnezzar was presented as a typical Babylonian monarch; wise, pious, just, and strong. Texts such as this clay tablet, extol his greatness as a man and ruler. From Babylon, Iraq.jpg|thumb|"Nebuchadnezzar, King of Justice". Once in power, Nebuchadnezzar was presented as a typical Babylonian monarch, wise, pious, just, and strong. Texts such as this clay tablet, extol his greatness as a man and ruler. From Babylon, Iraq.]]
Nabopolassar died just a few weeks after Nebuchadnezzar's victory at Carchemish.{{Sfn|Ephʿal|2003|p=179}} At this point in time, Nebuchadnezzar was still away on his campaign against the Egyptians,{{Sfn|Wiseman|1991|p=230}} having chased the retreating Egyptian forces to the region around the city of [[Hama]]th.{{Sfn|Ephʿal|2003|p=180}} The news of Nabopolassar's death reached Nebuchadnezzar's camp on 8 [[Babylonian calendar|Abu]] (late July),{{Sfn|Ephʿal|2003|p=180}}{{Sfn|Parker|Dubberstein|1942|p=9}} and Nebuchadnezzar quickly arranged affairs with the Egyptians and rushed back to Babylon,{{Sfn|Wiseman|1991|p=230}} where he was proclaimed king on 1 Ulūlu (mid-August).{{Sfn|Ephʿal|2003|p=180}} 

The speed in which Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon might be due to the threat that one of his brothers (two are known by name: [[Nabu-shum-lishir]]{{Sfn|Olmstead|1925|p=35}}{{Sfn|Wiseman|1983|p=7}} and Nabu-zer-ushabshi){{sfn|Wiseman|1983|p=8}} could claim the throne in his absence. Though Nebuchadnezzar had been recognised as the eldest son and heir by Nabopolassar, Nabu-shum-lishir,{{Sfn|Olmstead|1925|p=35}} Nabopolassar's second-born son,{{Sfn|Wiseman|1983|p=7}} had been recognised as "his equal brother", a dangerously vague title.{{Sfn|Olmstead|1925|p=35}}{{Efn|The word translated as 'equal brother', ''talīmu'', has also been alternatively translated as 'chosen brother', 'close brother' or 'beloved brother'. Regardless of the correct interpretation, the epithet clearly illustrates Nabopolassar's great affection for his second son. Such public affection bestowed upon the brother of the heir to the throne many times led to later conflicts and usurpations.{{Sfn|Ayali-Darshan|2012|pp=26–27}}}} Despite these possible fears, there were no attempts made at usurping his throne at this time.{{Sfn|Olmstead|1925|p=35}}

One of Nebuchadnezzar's first acts as king was to bury his father. Nabopolassar was laid in a huge coffin, adorned with ornamented gold plates and fine dresses with golden beads, which was then placed within a small palace he had constructed in Babylon.{{Sfn|Olmstead|1925|p=35}} Shortly thereafter, before the end of the month in which he had been crowned, Nebuchadnezzar returned to Syria to resume his campaign. The Babylonian Chronicle records that "he marched about victoriously", meaning that he faced little to no resistance, returning to Babylon after several months of campaigning.{{Sfn|Ephʿal|2003|p=180}} The Syrian campaign, though it resulted in a certain amount of plunder, was not a complete success in that it did not ensure Nebuchadnezzar's grasp on the region. He had seemingly failed to inspire fear, given that none of the westernmost states in the Levant swore fealty to him and paid tribute.{{Sfn|Elayi|2018|p=190}}