Nabopolassar
/ˌnæboʊpəˈlæsər/noun
Nabopolassar was the Babylonian king who founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire and reigned from 626 to 605 BCE.
Did you know?Nabopolassar’s victory over Assyria helped create the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the civilization later associated with Babylon’s legendary walls and the biblical exile.
Etymological Timeline
1st Millennium BCE
Akkadian
Nabû-apla-uṣur
“A personal name meaning “Nabu, protect the heir” or “Nabu has protected the heir.””
Neo-Babylonian Period
Babylonian Akkadian
Nabû-apla-uṣur
“The royal name used by the Babylonian ruler who rebelled against Assyrian control.”
626 BCE
Babylonian
Nabû-apla-uṣur
“Nabopolassar became king of Babylon and established the Neo-Babylonian dynasty.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Nabopolassaros
“Greek writers adapted the Babylonian royal name into Nabopolassaros.”
Latin Antiquity
Latin
Nabopolassar
“Latin authors transmitted the Greek-derived form of the king’s name.”
Modern English
English
Nabopolassar
“The conventional English form of the Babylonian king’s name.”
Explore more surprising origins