180 Serge Frolov about his internal or foreign policies because almost all references to him in extant contemporary documents are in dates using his regnal years (16). In fact, the change of Jehoiachin’s status is the only act of Evil-Merodach reported by a source that may be chronologically proximate to his reign. The history of Babylon prepared by Berossus in the third century BCE only says that Evil-Merodach “governed public affairs in an illegal and improper manner” (17); sometimes extensive and colorful comments on Evil-Merodach found in much later Jewish and Christian writings are midrashic amplifications of 2 Kgs 25,27-30 meant to fill (perceived) gaps in it (18). What is more, it is quite possible that even the most well-informed and pedantic historian would have found it impossible to compose a substantial account of Evil- Merodach’s reign, for the simple reason that it lasted less than two years. Between May and August 560 BCE, he was replaced (according to Berossus – overthrown and killed) by Neriglissar, a veteran military commander and, according to Berossus, his brother-in-law (19). In sum, Evil-Merodach was one of the most obscure, insignificant, and ephemeral rulers Babylon and the ancient Near East in general have ever known. With no military campaigns or important building projects to his credit and, apart from Jehoiachin’s release and exaltation, no substantial policy shifts associated with his name, he left no legacy to speak of. The transitional, and transient, character of Evil- Merodach’s reign was further augmented by the fact that his removal ushered in an era of exponentially increasing political discontinuity in Babylon. While his reign was most likely a direct extension of that of his father, Nebuchadnezzar (especially if it was preceded by a period of co-regency), Evil-Merodach’s successor, Neriglissar, was not his son, but somebody who was married into the royal family and may have assumed power through a coup d’état. Four years later, in 556 BCE, another coup d’état led by Nabonidus, “a usurper with no hereditary claim to the throne”, put a violent end to the dynasty founded by Evil-Merodach’s grandfather Nabopolassar (20). Moreover, (16) Sack conveniently includes plates, transliterations, and translations of all known texts mentioning Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk, 43-119, plates). (17) Ibid., 6. (18) Ibid., 12-23. (19) Ibid., 31-32; R.H. SACK, Neriglissar — King of Babylon (AOAT 236; Kevelaer – Neukirchen-Vluyn 1994) 25-27. (20) B.T. ARNOLD, Who Were the Babylonians? (SBL Archaeology and Biblical Studies 10; Atlanta 2004) 100.