kingdom of Judah survived for another 125 years, until Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonian Empire, defeated the Assyrians and sought to secure his rule over all their former holdings. This brought him into Judah. In 597 BCE Jerusalem surrendered; its royal family and many of its noble families were resettled in Babylon and its environs. Zedekiah, the uncle of the former Judean king, was appointed regent. Once Nebuchadnezzar had left the region, however, Zedekiah attempted to throw off the yoke