Labinetus

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Labinetus, also written Labynetus in Greek, is the Greek version of Nabû-naʾid, a name used for Babylonian kings of the Chaldean dynasty (about 626–539 BCE). The form Labynetus appears mainly in Herodotus’ writings. In his Histories, Labynetus of Babylon and Syennesis I of Cilicia helped broker a peace between Lydia (led by Alyattes) and Media (led by Cyaxares) after five years of war. Their treaty included a marriage alliance: Alyattes’ daughter Aryenis would marry Astyages, Cyaxares’ son, to strengthen the peace.

Labynetus is commonly thought to be Nabonidus, who reigned in Babylon from 556 to 539 BCE, though some scholars have suggested Nebuchadnezzar II. There are different dates given for the Battle of the Halys (also called the eclipse event): one date ties it to May 28, 585 BCE, while another chronology places the battle in 610 BCE. If the latter is correct, Labynetus might be Nabopolassar.