700 [C] 690. Manasseh. (Jud.) [F] 680-668--Esar-haddon, King. 674--Egypt invaded by Assyrians. Empire of Assyria at its culmination. [E] 674--Invasion of Egypt by Esar-haddon, King of Assyria. [F] 668-626--Assur-bani-pal, King. Decline of Assyrian Empire begins. [E] 665--Destruction of Thebes by the Assyrians. [H] 660--Japanese History begins with Jimmu Tenno whose descendants have reigned since without intermission. [H] 658--Byzantium founded by Byzas. 640--Media independent of Assyria. [D] 647--Manasseh a captive at Babylon; but released later. [C] 639. Josiah. (Jud.) [D] 628--Prophet Jeremiah begins Ministry. [G] 626-536--CHALDEAN EMPIRE [F] 625-604--Nabopolassar, King of Babylon, founder of Chaldean Empire. [D] 621--Josiah begins great reforms. Finding of the Book of the Law. [H] 621--Laws of Draco in Athens. [F] 609--FALL OF ASSYRIAN EMPIRE. Nineveh destroyed by the Medes. [C] 608. Jehoiakim. (Jud.) [D] 608--Death of Josiah in battle at Megiddo. Necho of Egypt invades Judah. Jehoiakim, King of Judah. [F] 608--Victory of Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar, over Necho, King of Egypt, at Carchemish. CHALDEAN EMPIRE begins (606-536). [D] 606--First visit of Nebuchadnezzar to Judah; first group of Captives to Babylon. [E] 606--Necho, King of Egypt, defeated at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar. [F] 604-562--Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. 600 [D] 598--Chaldeans invade Judah a second time. [C] 597. Zedekiah. [D] 592--Prophet Ezekiel in Chaldea. [A] 587 B.C.-(?) A.D.--PERIOD OF THE JEWISH PROVINCE [B] 587-536--CHALDEAN RULE [D] 586--Fall of Jerusalem; end of Kingdom of Judah; Jews taken to Babylon. [F] 586--Jerusalem taken and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. [F] 585-573--Siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. [H] 583--Laws of Solon in Athens. [H] 578--Money coined in Rome. [E] 567--Egypt invaded by Nebuchadnezzar, but not held. [F] 562--Rapid decline of Chaldean power after death of Nebuchadnezzar. [H] 560--Pisistratus usurps rule at Athens. [F] 558-536--Nabonidus, last king of Babylon. He associates his son Belshazzar in the government. [H] 557--Buddha born in India. [F] 553--Cyrus, the Persian, conquers the Medes. Beginning of Persian power. [H] 550--Confucius born. Laocius and Mencius, the other Chinese sages, lived in same century. 546--Cyrus overthrows empire of Croesus. [C] 536. Zerubbabel, Prince. [D] 536--Decree of Cyrus, King of Persia, permitting return of Exiled Jews. [F] 536--Babylon taken by Cyrus. End of Chaldean Empire. [D] 535--Rebuilding of Temple begun. 522--Discontinued. [G] 530-330--THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. [F] 529-521--Cambyses, King of Persia. Egypt conquered. [E] 525--Egypt conquered by Persians under Cambyses and annexed to the Persian empire.