Nabopolassar (Akkadian:Nabû-apal-usur) (c.658 - 605 BC) was the first king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. He ruled over Babylon for 20 years (625 - 605 BC). Rise to Power He rose in revolt against the Assyrian Empire (which had ruled Babylon for the previous 200 years) in 627 BC, after the last significant Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal(ASH-ur-BA-Nee-paal), died in 626 BC. In 625 BC, the Assyrian Empire's grasp on Babylon was now almost nonexistent, so he became its first king that year. Destru… (More on Nabopolassar)