Belshazzar is a historical adventure novel written in 1902 by William Stearns Davis.
The year is 538 BC, and Babylon is at the height of its power and prestige. Princess Atossa of Susa is sailing downriver to meet her betrothed- Belshazzar, the king of Babylon- and prepare for the marriage that will enrich her people. Her only regret is that she cannot marry Darius, her lover and companion on this journey.
On the same day, Belshazzar attempts to force Ruth, a young Hebrew maiden, to become his concubine. He is thwarted by two people: Darius, who threatens to inform Susa's king of this insult, and Daniel, who is his civil minister and Ruth's father. Belshazzar outwardly relents, but orders his soldiers to kidnap Ruth once the commotion has died down. Anticipating this, Daniel warns his protégé, the firebrand Isaiah, that the city is no longer safe.
This begins the series of events that lead to Babylon's fall.
This novel includes the following tropes:
- Adaptational Villainy: Belshazzar's rewarding of Daniel in the source material is interpreted as mocking and fake here.
- Gilded Cage: Atossa is held captive in the Hanging Gardens, with all the luxury due to someone of her stature. However, since she is going to be raped, and Darius could be dead for all she knows, she's pretty eager to escape.
- Light Feminine and Dark Feminine: Although they don't share a love interest, Atossa (composed, regal princess) and Ruth (timid girl who's kin with slaves) are often contrasted.
- You ALL Share My Story: Not only do all the people who will later become key players in La Résistance meet, but most of them do so on the same day. It's suggested in-universe that God arranged things that way.
