From ChatGPT
Prompt – Provide a timeline of the conflicts and controls between Israel/Judea, Assyria, Egypt, and Cush when the Assyrian ruler, proceeded south along the Mediterranean coast to the Egyptian border at Gaza, where he defeated the Egyptian army. Include all sources.
The interactions among Israel (later Judah), Assyria, Egypt, and Cush (Kush) during the late 8th and early 7th centuries BCE were marked by a series of conflicts and shifts in control. Below is a timeline highlighting key events:
Late 8th Century BCE:
- Circa 722 BCE: The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, capturing its capital, Samaria. This led to the exile of many Israelites, an event often referred to as the beginning of the “Lost Tribes” of Israel.
- 701 BCE: Assyrian King Sennacherib launched a military campaign against the Kingdom of Judah. He besieged several cities, including Jerusalem. Egypt, under Kushite Pharaoh Taharqa, attempted to support Judah but was defeated by the Assyrians at the Battle of Eltekeh. Despite these victories, Sennacherib did not capture Jerusalem.
Early 7th Century BCE:
- Circa 673–663 BCE: The Assyrian conquest of Egypt occurred during this period. King Esarhaddon of Assyria invaded Egypt in 671 BCE, defeating the Kushite rulers and capturing the capital, Memphis. Pharaoh Taharqa retreated to Nubia. Esarhaddon installed local vassal rulers but faced continued resistance. His successor, Ashurbanipal, conducted further campaigns to maintain Assyrian dominance.
- Circa 667 BCE: Ashurbanipal reconquered Memphis after renewed resistance from Taharqa, who fled southward once again. Assyrian vassals were reappointed to govern Egypt.
- 663 BCE: Tantamani, successor of Taharqa, attempted to reclaim Egypt but was defeated by Ashurbanipal. The Assyrians sacked Thebes, leading to the end of the 25th (Kushite) Dynasty’s control over Egypt.
Mid 7th Century BCE:
- Circa 653 BCE: Egypt successfully expelled the Assyrians, leading to the establishment of the 26th Dynasty under native Egyptian rule.
These events illustrate the complex and often tumultuous relationships among these ancient Near Eastern powers, characterized by military campaigns, shifting alliances, and changes in territorial control.
Sources
The Assyrian Conquest and the Lost Tribes – In 721 B.C. LDS
UCL [PDF] Relations between Egypt, Kush and Assyria – In 701 B.C.E., the Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib (r. 704–681 B.C.E.) fought a battle against an anti-Assyrian coalition of Philistine city-states and their …
Wikipedia – Assyrian conquest of Egypt. June 16, 2020 — This paper is the result of a master’s dissertation written under the supervision of Dr. Karen Radner at the Department of History, University College London in 2009.
Ancient Near East Today – The Neo-Assyrian Empire and Egypt – Karlsson, M. 2022. “The Neo-Assyrian Empire and Egypt.” The Ancient Near East Today 10.8. Accessed at: https://anetoday.org/karlsson-neo-assyrian-egypt/.
Wikipedia – Sack of Thebes, July 5, 2018
World History Encyclopedia – Assyrian Warfare Timeline. World History Foundation
