grandeur of the seat of his empire. Thousands were continually 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.