Babylonia, in a constant state of revolt…

Babylonia, in a constant state of revolt during the reign of Sennacherib of Assyria, is suppressed only by the complete destruction of its capital in 689 BCE.

Babylon's walls, temples and palaces are razed, and the rubble is thrown into the Arakhtu, or "river of Babylon," bordering the earlier city on the south.

This act shocks the religious conscience of Mesopotamia; the subsequent murder of Sennacherib is held to be in expiation of it, and his successor Esarhaddon hastens to rebuild the old city, to receive here his crown, and make it his residence during part of the year.