Daniel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The captivity of Jerusalem started in 605BC. At this time 605BC King Jehoiakam was made Nebuchadnezzar's vassal for three years. On his first onslaught, Nebuchadnezzar carried away the elite young men to Babylon. Daniel and his friends were among this group, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Daniel was considered to have been of royal blood.