Which empire followed Babylon in Daniel 2's image?
The empire that followed Babylon in Daniel’s image was the Medes and the Persians. Babylon was the first great Gentile empire, represented by the head of gold. After Babylon, the next empire arose and held sway over Israel, fulfilling the prophetic sequence shown in the image.
Les explains that the great image in Daniel 2 was a preview of the coming great Gentile empires in ancient times, empires that had a direct relationship with the nation of Israel. Babylon was the first, destroying Jerusalem and taking the Jews captive. While Daniel and Ezekiel served the Babylonian government, the next empire came up: the Medes and the Persians. They held sway for a long period and were also over Israel, which is why they are in prophecy.