What is a Kingdom worth?

Nebuchadnezzar dreams a dream, a great and frightening statue resembling a human figure. Daniel's interpretation tells that each part represents a kingdom, starting from head to toe.  The first and most splendid of these - the head made of gold - is revealed to be Nebuchadnezzar himself, his kingdom and reign.  The statue's arms and breast made of silver represents a forthcoming empire that is inferior to King Nebuchadnezzar's.  Then comes belly and thighs made of brass, followed by iron legs, and finally iron mixed with clay which are the feet & toes.  As we progress from head to toe, the statue's part is made out of more common material; therefore the kingdoms succeeding one another worth less and less.  By what measure?  Certainly not by land area, or population, since each one devours the previous one and extends itself even further.  

During Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Babylon was beautified by all sorts of architectural wonders.  A flourishing city's need of a great river, such as the Nile was for Egypt, is mimicked here by Euphrates; providing a busy trade route, water for agriculture, and even a defensive element for its grandeur entrance gate.  Wisdom triumphed through those who kept God's law, such as Daniel, even at times of facing death. Perhaps the citizens of the whole kingdom experienced greater quality of life compared to those that followed, and is suggested by the harsher materials of the statue's part, even an iron rule, revealed towards the end of the vision.

Although, God's judgment is eventually poured out on Babylon because of wickedness, its splendor remains yet to be forgotten...