against Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who is on his way north to aid the rump Assyrian state of Ashur-uballit II. 609 BC: The Babylonians defeat the Assyrian army of Ashur-uballit II and capture Harran. Ashur-uballit, the last Assyrian king, disappears from history. 609 BC: Jehoahaz succeeds his father Josiah as King of Judah, but is quickly deposed by Necho, who installs Jehoahaz's brother Jehoiakim in his place. 607 BC: Death of King Kuang of Zhou, King of the Zhou Dynasty of China. 606 BC: King Ding of Zhou becomes King of the Zhou Dynasty of China. 605 BC: Battle of Carchemish: Crown Prince Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats the army of Necho II of Egypt, securing the Babylonian conquest of Assyria. The Babylonians pursue the Egyptians through Syria and Palestine. 605 BC: Nebuchadnezzar II succeeds his father Nabopolassar as King of Babylon. 601 BC: An alliance of Medes (from western Iran) and Scythians (who originated from the Eurasian Steppe) invade the northern and eastern parts of Assyria. 600 BC: Foundation of Capua. 600 BC: India—Age of the Mahajanapadas—16 polities rule India—Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji (or Vṛji), Malla, Chedi, Vatsa (or Vamsa), Kuru, Panchala, Matsya (or Maccha), Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara, Kamboja 600 BC: Foundation of Milan by Celts (approximate date). 600 BC: Foundation of Marseille by Phoceans (traditional date). 600 BC: Smyrna sacked and destroyed. 600 BC: Nebuchadnezzar builds the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Inventions, discoveries, introductions First metal coins used by the Lydians of western Anatolia. Until c. 525 BC, coins bore an image on one side only. Greeks adopt coins from Asia Minor. Iron allegedly discovered in China. 7th century BC – 4th century BC – Etruscan cemetery of La Banditaccia, Cerveteri is made. Sovereign states See: List of sovereign states in the 7th century BC. Notes -3 -93