He then returned to Babylon and set about building it into the greatest capital city he could imagine.[5] He might have built the famed Ishtar Gate at this time.[6][8] The image at the right shows lions, which Nebuchadnezzar had adopted as his symbol.
But at about this time he dreamed of the tree destined to be cut down, and then suffered his seven-years of lycanthropy (see below) before finally being restored to his throne toward the end of his life.[12]
He died in 562 BC (possibly in October[7]), after reigning forty-five years altogether, including his two-year viceroyship under his father.[1][2][5][7] This date is universally accepted and attested, and remains the sole reliable benchmark for the synchrony of Biblical and secular chronology. His son succeeded by::Evil-Merodach reigned in his stead.[1][2][7]