Often we pronounce this or that catch phrase, without thinking why we say so. Many phraseological units have an interesting origin story. The expression "Belshazzar's feast" takes us back to the depths of centuries, to the kingdom of Babylon.
Historical facts
According to the historical data of Nabonidus, the last king of the great Babylonia (the territory of modern Iraq) was the father of Belshazzar. Nabonidus made his son regent and empowered him to protect Babylon. In 539 BC. e. while defending the city from the Persians, Belshazzar died. The following works are written about the feast of Belshazzar on the eve of the fatal night and the prophecy of his death:
- "The Comedy about Daniel" - a work of the German playwright and poet of the 16th century G. Sachs;
- "Mystical and True Babylon" - a book by the playwright of the "golden age", Spaniard Pedro Calderone de la Barca;
- "The Tale of Belshazzar of Babylon" is an ancient Russian work by an unknown author.
Biblical parable
A chapter of the Bible, namely the Book of the Prophet Daniel, is devoted to this story. The phraseologism "Belshazzar's feast" is associated with this biblical parable.
The Book of Daniel says that Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar II and became the last king of Babylon. While the Persian army was standing at the gates of Babylon, Belshazzar made a sumptuous feast for the nobles and their wives. The drinkers drank wine from holy silver and gold vessels brought by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem. At the same time, precious vessels were taken in the House of God.
In the midst of the orgy, on the walls of the royal chambers, an invisible hand drew an inscription that the sages could not interpret. And only the captive Jewish sage Daniel explained to the king its meaning. This is how the Bible says about it: “This is the meaning of the words:
mene - God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it;
tekel - you are weighed on a scale and found very light;
peres - your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
On the same night, the prophecy came true - King Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Medes took over the kingdom of Babylon.
Thanks to the biblical legend, the name "Belshazzar" has become synonymous with carelessness, sacrilege, pride, intemperance, and the expression "Belshazzar's feast" has become a household word and literally means riotous, unrestrained fun on the eve of danger, trouble, catastrophe. In a figurative sense, phraseological units are used when they talk about the licentiousness and atheism of the "sons of men."
