BALTHASAR. Belshazzar, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, ruled Babylon (Daniel 1-4). As the king entertained at a feast, fingers of a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall of the room. Daniel interpreted the message, which said that the king had been weighed in the balances and found wanting, signifying his fall. That night, Darius the Mede invaded the kingdom and ended Belshazzar's reign. The historical Bel-shar-usur was the oldest son of Nabu-na'id and seems to have acted as regent, 556-539 B.C. Belshazzar is called "son of Nebuchadnezzar," Daniel 5: 2.18. Machaut tells the story in Confort d'Ami 661-954.
The Monk's story of Balthasar illustrates the instability of power and the fickleness of Fortune, MkT 2183-2246. [Daniel: Darius1: Nabugodonosor]
The form, a variant of Latin Balthazar, occurs medially, MkT 2205, and in final rhyming position, MkT 2183.