Ancient Babylon was located along the Euphrates River in southern Mesopotamia. The Babylon Empire existed between 606-536 BC and was a major power in the region, rivaling the Assyrians. In 587 BC, the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the Israelites to Babylon. The Israelites remained captives in Babylon for 70 years, as prophesied, until the Persians conquered Babylonia in 538 BC and the Israelites were allowed to return home.