The rivals met at the river Tigris, which the Babylonians held with a naval force, while their army was posted on the right bank, ready to dispute the passage.

Darius, however, crossed the river in their dispute, and, defeating the troops of his antagonist, pressed forward against the capital.

He had nearly reached it, when the pretender gave him battle for the second time at a small town on the banks of the Euphrates.
Fortune again declared in favor of the Persians, who drove the host of their enemy into the water and destroyed great numbers.

The soi-disant Nebuchadnezzar escaped with a few horsemen and threw himself into Babylon; but the city was ill prepared for a siege, and was soon taken, the pretender falling into the hands of his enemy, who caused him to be executed.
Meanwhile, in Susiana, Atrines, the original leader of the rebellion, had been made prisoner by the troops sent against him, and, being brought to Darius while he was on his march against Babylon, was put to death.

But this severity had little effect.