lly employed
in carrying out the schemes developed by his inventive mind, and no
sooner was one mighty enterprise completed, than another project was
brought forward. But the monarch's vast ambition was not to be satisfied
by the erection of massive walls and costly edifices. The fire of war and
the love of conquest were not yet quenched in his soul. He had a strong
passion for the din of battle.

Tyre was a strong and opulent city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria.
It was one of the most celebrated maritime cities of antiquity, and
remarkable for its power and grandeur. Hitherto, it had never been
subject to any foreign power. It was built by the Sidonians, two hundred
and forty years before the Temple of Jerusalem. For Sidon being taken by
the Philistines of Askelon, many of its inhabitants made their escape in
ships, and founded the city of Tyre; and for this reason we find it
called in Isaiah, the "Daughter of Sidon." But the daughter soon
surpassed the mother in grandeur, riches, and power.

Toward this proud city of Syria, the King of Babylon, in the twenty-first
year of his reign, led his conquering legions, with full confidence of a
speedy surrender. With a powerful army he encamped before the city, and
soon commenced his attack, which was vigorously repelled. It became
evident to the Chaldeans that the subduing of Tyre was not the work of a
few days, or even a few months. His troops suffered incredible hardships,
so that, according to the Prophet's expression, "every head was made
bald, and every shoulder was peeled." Not until after a protracted siege
of thirteen years was the city conquered, and even then Nebuchadnezzar
found nothing to recompense him for the suffering of his army and the
expense of the campaign.

Soon after the surrender of Tyre, the King of Babylon led his forces into
Egypt, where he was much more successful than on the shores of the
Mediterranean. A large number of provinces were brought to subjection,
and thousands of captives were carried to Chaldea and distributed along
the shores of the Euphrates.

The king of Babylon "was at rest in his own house, and flourishing in his
own palace." The thoughts of the past, present, and future deeply
occupied his mind. The past of his own history had been crowned with
unparalleled success. The present was all that his heart could wish. He
found himself surrounded with glory and magnificence that completely
eclipsed the splendor of all other nat