wn
relatives, conspiring against him, put an end to his existence; and so
died Evil-Merodach, unwept by the nation, and Nerriglisser, one of the
chief conspirators, reigned in his stead.

The three brothers, since the death of Nebuchadnezzar, had seen best to
retire from public life. In Babylon they were greatly beloved, and
considered as the peculiarly favored of the gods, and over whom no mortal
had control.

Nerriglisser, immediately on his accession to the throne, made great
preparations for war against the Medes, which preparations lasted for
three years. Cyaxeres, king of the Medes, seeing the hostile attitude of
the Babylonians, sent to Persia, imploring the help of his young nephew,
Cyrus, the son of Cambyses, king of Persia, who had married his sister
Mandana. Now Cyrus was beautiful in person, and still more lovely in the
qualities of his mind; was of sweet disposition, full of good nature and
humanity, and always had a great desire to learn and a noble ardor for
glory. He was never afraid of danger nor discouraged by any hardship or
difficulty. He was brought up according to the laws and customs of the
Persians, which were excellent in those days with respect to education.
With the consent of his father, he readily complied with the wish of his
uncle, and, at the head of 30,000 well-trained Persians, he marched into
Media and thence to Assyria, to meet the forces of Nerriglisser, king of
Babylon, and the forces of Croesus, king of the Lydians. The armies met.
The Chaldeans were routed. Croesus fled, and Nerriglisser, the king of
Babylon, was slain in the action. His son, Loboros-barchod, succeeded to
the throne.

This was a very wicked prince. Being naturally of the most vicious
inclinations, he now indulged them without restraint, as if he had been
invested with sovereign power only to have the privilege of committing
with impunity the most infamous and barbarous actions. He reigned but
five months; his own subjects, conspiring against him, put him to death,
and Belshazzar, the son of Evil-Merodach, reigned in his place.

Since the death of Evil-Merodach, and during the reign of his two
successors, Daniel had retired to private life, and was but little spoken
of at public places. This king, following in the footsteps of his
predecessors, led a life of dissipation and profligacy.

In the meantime, the fame of the Persian prince was spreading far and
wide. His armies proved victorious on every shore; and,