90 CHAPTER W. The golden Image. When Nebuchadnezzar'had conquered Judah, and brought the people of the neighbouring countries into subjection to his authority, he returned to Babylon, carrying with him great quantities of gold and silver, which he had taken from the temple, and city of Jerusalem, and perhaps from other places. Wishing to do honour to his gods, or perhaps only to display his own wealth and power, he ordered an immense image, ninety feet high, to be made of solid gold. This image was probably intended to represent Bel, which was the chief idol of the Babylonians. When it was finished, he commanded that it should be set up in a large plain, not far from Babylon, called the plain of Dura. Messengers were then sent to every part of the empire of Babylon, commanding all who held offices, either civil or military, under king Nebuchadnezzar, to meet on a certain day at the plain of bara The day came. w The golden image, raised high in the midst of the plain, was sparkling in, the
