From the side of Egypt, if from no other quarter, Babylonia might expect to have trouble.

Here she inherited from her predecessor, Assyria, an old hereditary feud, which might at any time break out into active hostility.

Here was an ancient, powerful, and well-organized kingdom upon her borders, with claims upon that portion of her territory which it was most difficult for her to defend effectively.

By seas and by land equally the strip of Syrian coast lay open to the arms of Egypt, who was free to choose her time, and pour her hosts into the country when the attention of Babylon was directed to some other quarter.

The physical and political circumstances alike pointed to hostile transactions between Babylon and her south-western neighbor.