25 Facts About Esarhaddon’s War Against Egypt

Esarhaddon's Background and Early Reign

Esarhaddon, the third king of the Sargonid dynasty, is best known for his conquest of Egypt. His reign, starting in 680 BC, was marked by numerous military campaigns that showcased his strategic brilliance.

1. Esarhaddon was born around 680 BC and ascended to the throne in 680 BC, succeeding his father Sennacherib. His reign was marked by significant military campaigns, including the conquest of Egypt, which became a defining moment in his legacy.

Initial Campaigns and Prophecy

Before turning his attention to Egypt, Esarhaddon had to deal with other threats and revolts. These early campaigns set the stage for his later success.

2. Before his Egyptian campaign, Esarhaddon engaged in various military operations. He attacked the Sealand, Cilicia, and the Cimmerians, and subdued a revolt led by Abdi-Milkûti, king of Sidon. This initial phase of his campaigns demonstrated his military prowess and strategic thinking.

3. In 671 BC, Esarhaddon received a prophecy at Harran that predicted his conquest of Egypt. The prophecy, spoken by an ecstatic woman (the oracle of Nusku), declared that kingship belonged to Sasî and that Esarhaddon's name and seed would be destroyed. This prophecy likely fueled Esarhaddon's determination to conquer Egypt.

The Conquest of Egypt

Esarhaddon's campaign against Egypt in 671 BC was a monumental event. His strategic planning and execution led to a swift and decisive victory.

4. Esarhaddon's second campaign against Egypt was his most significant military endeavor. He assembled a large army and marched at a slower speed to avoid the exhaustion that had plagued his previous attempt in 673 BC. The army passed through Harran, where the prophecy was revealed, and Esarhaddon was convinced of his success.

5. Three months after receiving the prophecy, Esarhaddon's forces were victorious in their first battle with the Egyptians. Despite this initial success, Esarhaddon remained cautious and performed the "substitute king" ritual to protect himself from potential danger.

6. In 671 BC, Esarhaddon laid siege to Memphis, the royal city of Pharaoh Taharqa. The siege was swift and decisive, with Esarhaddon capturing the city in half a day using mines, breaches, and assault ladders. He destroyed the city, tore down its walls, and burned it down.

Capturing the Royal Family and Reorganization

Esarhaddon's victory was not just about military success; it also involved capturing key figures and reorganizing the political landscape of Egypt.

7. During the siege, Esarhaddon captured numerous members of the royal family, including Pharaoh Taharqa's son and wife. These hostages were sent back to Assyria, further solidifying Assyrian control over Egypt.

8. Esarhaddon implemented his usual practice of deportation, removing Egyptians from their homeland. He deported Ethiopians, including Ushanahuru, Taharqa's heir apparent, and other members of the royal family. This move was intended to break the Egyptian spirit and assert Assyrian dominance.

9. Following his victory, Esarhaddon reorganized the political structure in Egypt. He appointed new local kings, governors, officers, harbor overseers, officials, and administration personnel to govern the newly conquered territories.

Ashurbanipal's Continued Campaigns

After Esarhaddon's death, his son Ashurbanipal took over and continued his father's policies, further solidifying Assyrian control over Egypt.

10. After Esarhaddon's death in 669 BC, his son Ashurbanipal succeeded him. Ashurbanipal continued his father's policies and further expanded Assyrian control over Egypt. He marched into Upper Egypt, pillaging Thebes and severely damaging Egyptian morale.

11. Despite Assyrian victories, Pharaoh Taharqa briefly reasserted Kushite hegemony over Egypt when the Assyrians were distracted by problems elsewhere. However, Ashurbanipal soon reasserted Assyrian control, sacking Thebes and solidifying his father's conquests.

12. The last pharaoh of the Kushite 25th dynasty, Tanwetamani, led his army to Egypt after Taharqa's death. He regained control of Memphis and defeated Nekau I of Sau in battle. However, Ashurbanipal eventually pursued Tanwetamani from Memphis to Thebes, sacking the city and ending Kushite resistance.

Division and Impact on Egypt

The aftermath of Esarhaddon's and Ashurbanipal's campaigns left Egypt divided and significantly impacted.

13. Following Ashurbanipal's withdrawal, Egypt was divided between the two powers: Ashurbanipal's Assyrian Empire and Psamtik I's Saite dynasty. This division marked the beginning of a new era in Egyptian history, with both powers vying for control.

14. The campaigns of Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal in Egypt provide fascinating insights into ancient siege warfare. A fragment of relief from Ashurbanipal’s palace at Nineveh depicts the Assyrian army laying siege to an Egyptian city, using tactics such as undermining walls and climbing ladders to the battlements.

15. The Assyrians employed a systematic practice of deportation, resettling Egyptian physicians, diviners, singers, bakers, clerks, and scribes in the Assyrian heartland. This practice aimed to break the cultural and spiritual ties of the Egyptian people to their homeland.

Historical Records and Legacy

Esarhaddon's campaigns have been well-documented, providing valuable insights into his reign and the broader historical context.

16. The Esarhaddon Chronicle, one of the historiographical texts about ancient Assyria, provides detailed accounts of Esarhaddon’s wars and the accessions of his sons. This chronicle is preserved on a tablet and offers valuable insights into the military campaigns of Esarhaddon.

17. Esarhaddon's conquest of Egypt marked the peak of the Neo-Assyrian Empire's expansion. His military campaigns and strategic decisions cemented his place in history as one of the most successful Assyrian kings. Despite his significant achievements, Esarhaddon faced internal conspiracies and challenges that threatened his rule.

18. Esarhaddon's reliance on prophecies and his subsequent paranoia led him to perform the "substitute king" ritual twice during his reign. This ritual was intended to protect the king from imminent danger but also reflects the complex religious and political dynamics of the Assyrian Empire.

19. Following his victory in Egypt, news spread throughout the empire of a new prophecy at Harran. This prophecy declared that kingship belonged to Sasî and that Esarhaddon's name and seed would be destroyed. The oracles of Harran were seen as trustworthy after Esarhaddon’s conquest of Egypt, which fueled a conspiracy against him. Sasî managed to rally significant support throughout the empire, potentially even rallying Esarhaddon’s chief eunuch Ashur-nasir to his side.

Military Strategy and Propaganda

Esarhaddon's military strategy and use of propaganda played crucial roles in his success and legacy.

20. Esarhaddon’s military strategy was characterized by careful planning and execution. He assembled a large army for his second Egyptian campaign and marched at a slower speed to avoid exhaustion. This approach allowed him to achieve a decisive victory in the first battle with the Egyptians.

21. Esarhaddon used propaganda to justify his conquests. The Zenjirli Stela pictures him standing victorious over two figures, likely the king of Tyre (Egypt’s ally) and Tirhakah’s son prince Ushankhuru kneeling with a rope tied around his neck. This visual representation reinforced his dominance over Egypt and its allies.

Esarhaddon's Impact on Egypt

The conquest of Egypt had lasting effects on the region, reshaping its political and cultural landscape.

22. Esarhaddon’s conquest of Egypt had a profound impact on the region. He destroyed Memphis, tore down its walls, and burned it down. This destruction marked the end of Kushite rule in Egypt and paved the way for the Saite dynasty under Psamtik I. The Assyrian presence in Egypt also led to the deportation of Egyptians, which disrupted the cultural and social fabric of the region.

23. Ashurbanipal continued his father’s policies in Egypt, marching into Upper Egypt and pillaging Thebes. This campaign severely damaged Egyptian morale and solidified Assyrian control over the region. Despite this, Tanwetamani briefly reasserted Kushite hegemony before Ashurbanipal reasserted Assyrian dominance.

24. Tanwetamani, the last pharaoh of the Kushite 25th dynasty, led his army to Egypt after Taharqa’s death. He regained control of Memphis and defeated Nekau I of Sau in battle. However, Ashurbanipal eventually pursued Tanwetamani from Memphis to Thebes, sacking the city and ending Kushite resistance.

25. Esarhaddon’s war against Egypt remains a significant chapter in ancient history. His military campaigns and strategic decisions have been extensively documented in various historical records, including the Esarhaddon Chronicle. His legacy continues to fascinate historians and scholars, offering insights into the complexities of ancient warfare and imperial expansion.

Esarhaddon's Legacy in Egypt

Esarhaddon's war against Egypt was a game-changer for the Neo-Assyrian Empire. His strategic brilliance and military might led to the swift capture of Memphis and the deportation of key Egyptian figures. This conquest not only expanded Assyrian territory but also disrupted Egypt's political landscape, paving the way for the Saite dynasty. Esarhaddon's son, Ashurbanipal, continued his father's legacy, further solidifying Assyrian control. Despite internal conspiracies and prophecies predicting his downfall, Esarhaddon's reign marked the peak of Assyrian power. His campaigns and the subsequent reorganization of Egyptian politics left a lasting impact on the region. The detailed records of his conquests, like the Esarhaddon Chronicle, offer invaluable insights into ancient warfare and imperial strategy. Esarhaddon's legacy remains a fascinating chapter in history, showcasing the complexities and ambitions of one of the ancient world's most formidable empires.