Ancient History - Part 28: The Madness of Marduk

After his prayer, Nebuchadrezzar stepped out of Great Temple of Marduk to be greeted by the overwhelming growth of fugitives, who had also retreated to Babylon, for sanctuary within the city's battlements. He made a grand speech, elevated in a declaration of calling upon the power of his god, that this was their final moment and battle for survival. The hero king rallied the populace, intent on facing the Elam's army once again.

Historical record tells us that this last march occured during the most sweltering of days, the temperature having reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This translated cuneiform tablet that described what transpired next gave this opening: 

"The axehead burnt like fire ... and the roads scorched like flame..." 

Yet still, Pashe's New Babylonia marched for over two hundred miles to meet the enemy, who as it was discovered, did not pursue chase following the previous engagement.

King Nebuchadrezzar and his chariot master, Ritti-Marduk, replenished their units' horses at the last waterhole, the river of Eulaeus, and then both the Pashe Babylonia and Elam met each other on the battlefield, thirsty and fatigued but no less eager. In that very moment, as if divine intervention had taken place, a dust-storm enveloped the area, blinding the two opposing sides. Those from Elam broke for retreat, perhaps the tormenting climate's final trick too much for the threshold of the cool mountain land natives.

While some might say that in perfect conditions, the battle's result might have remained the same, most tend to believe that king Nebuchadrezzar's forces were on their last legs, and the belief at that time was that Marduk himself truly had interfered on Babylonia's behalf, so the lands that rightfully belonged to his people could be reclaimed. And with Elam fully expelled from their lands, Babylonia reinforced the once occupied expanse of her country.

For his role, Ritti-Marduk was rewarded with kingly favors, and in a final counter-attack, claimed just a meagre portion of Elamite land at the border, a warning, chasing off any remaining enemies back into their mountains. The commander then turned back and noting off the newly extended boundaries, later recorded by kudurru (land marker), that no Elamite may pass without knowingly encroaching again.

Nebuchadrezzar and Ritti-Marduk provided the Near East with a valuable lesson: 

Strategy may win battles but morale wins war.

[LAND BOUNDARY MARKER (KUDURRU) DURING NEBUCHADREZZAR I'S REIGN]