Nabonidus
/ˌnæb.əˈnaɪ.dəs/noun
Nabonidus was the last native king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, ruling from 556 to 539 BCE.
Did you know?Nabonidus was unusually devoted to the moon god Sîn and promoted ancient temple traditions, making him one of antiquity’s most archaeologically minded rulers.
Etymological Timeline
2nd–1st Millennium BCE
Akkadian
Nabû-naʾid
“A Babylonian personal name interpreted as “Nabu is exalted” or “Nabu is praised”; Nabû was the god of writing and scholarship.”
6th Century BCE
Neo-Babylonian
Nabû-naʾid
“The royal name used by the last native king of Babylon.”
6th Century BCE
Aramaic
Nabu-na'id
“A contemporary Aramaic rendering of the king’s name.”
4th–1st Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Nabonidōs
“Greek form of the Babylonian king’s name.”
1st Century BCE–4th Century CE
Latin
Nabonidus
“Latin form preserved by classical and Christian historians.”
Modern English
English
Nabonidus
“The standard English name for the Neo-Babylonian king who ruled until Babylon fell to Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE.”
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