Merodach-Baladan was the son of a monarch, who in the troublous times that preceded, or closely followed, the era of Nabonassar appears to have made himself master of the lower Babylonian territory—­the true Chaldaea—­and to have there founded a capital city, which he called after his own name, Bit-Yakin.  On the death of his father Merodach-Baladan inherited this dominion; and it is here that we first find him, when, during the reign of Nabonassar, the Assyrians under Tiglath-Pileser II. invade the country.  Forced to accept the position of Assyrian tributary under this monarch, to whom he probably looked for protection against the Babylonian king, Nabonassar, Merodach-Baladan patiently bided his time, remaining in comparative obscurity during the two reigns of Tiglath-Pileser and Shalmaneser his successor, and only emerging contemporaneously with the troubles which ushered in the dynasty of the Sargonids.  In B.C. 721—­the year in which Sargon made himself master of Nineveh—­Merodach-Baladan extended his authority over the upper country, and was recognized as king of Babylon.  Here he maintained himself for twelve years; and it was probably at some point of time within this space that he sent embassadors to Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with orders to inquire into the particulars of the curious astronomical marvel, or miracle, which had accompanied the sickness and recovery of that monarch.  It is not unlikely that the embassy, whereof this was the pretext, had a further political object.  Morodach-Baladan, aware of his inability to withstand singly the forces of Assyria, was probably anxious to form a powerful league against the conquering state, which threatened to absorb the whole of Western Asia into its dominion.  Hezekiah received his advances favorably, as appears by the fact that he exhibited to him all his treasures.  Egypt, we may presume, was cognizant of the proceedings, and gave them her support.  An alliance, defensive if not also offensive, was probably concluded between Egypt and Judaea on the one hand, Babylon, Susiana, and the Aramaean tribes of the middle Euphrates on the other.  The league would have been formidable but for one circumstance—­Assyria lay midway between the allied states, and could attack either moiety of the confederates separately at her pleasure.  And the Assyrian king was not slow to take advantage of his situation.  In two successive years Sargon marched his troops against Egypt and against Babylonia, and in both directions carried all before him.  In Egypt he forced Sabaco to sue for peace.  In Babylonia (B.C. 710) he gained a great victory over Merodach-Baladan and his allies, the Aramaeans and Susianians, took Bit-Yakin, into which the defeated monarch had thrown himself, and gained possession of his treasures and his person.  Upon this the whole country submitted; Merodach-Baladan was carried away captive into Assyria; and Sargon himself, mounting the throne, assumed the title-rarely taken by an Assyrian monarch of “King of Babylon.”