7th century BCE – 7th century BCE
Egyptian Delta and Upper Egypt within the wider Assyrian sphere
The Assyrian Empire intervened militarily in Egypt during the late seventh century BC, opposing Kushite attempts to control the Nile Valley. Its forces expelled Taharqa, defeated Tanwetamani, compelled Egyptian nome-chiefs to submit, and sacked Thebes in 663 BC. The extract associates part of its advantage with iron weaponry.
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The Story
Assyria was the dominant power in Syria when Egypt’s central authority weakened during the eighth century BC. The Kushite kings of Napata attempted to restore Egyptian power beyond the Nile Valley, but their advance into Syria encountered Assyria. Egypt consequently became a battlefield between Assyrian and Kushite forces.
In 671 BC, Assyrian armies drove Taharqa from the Delta and forced the Egyptian nome-chiefs to submit. Taharqa returned in 669 and occupied Lower Egypt, but Assyria expelled him again in 666. When Tanwetamani advanced into the Delta in 664 BC, Assyrian forces defeated him, pushed into Upper Egypt, and sacked Thebes in 663.
The extract proposes that Assyria’s repeated superiority was probably due in part to iron weaponry. Egypt and Kush were still using bronze, creating a technological asymmetry in the campaigns. Assyrian intervention decisively ended Kushite control over Egypt and helped create the conditions for Psamtek’s reunification of the country.
7th century BCE – 7th century BCE
Egyptian Delta and Upper Egypt within the wider Assyrian sphere
The Assyrian Empire intervened militarily in Egypt during the late seventh century BC, opposing Kushite attempts to control the Nile Valley. Its forces expelled Taharqa, defeated Tanwetamani, compelled Egyptian nome-chiefs to submit, and sacked Thebes in 663 BC. The extract associates part of its advantage with iron weaponry.
Continue exploring
The Story
Assyria was the dominant power in Syria when Egypt’s central authority weakened during the eighth century BC. The Kushite kings of Napata attempted to restore Egyptian power beyond the Nile Valley, but their advance into Syria encountered Assyria. Egypt consequently became a battlefield between Assyrian and Kushite forces.
In 671 BC, Assyrian armies drove Taharqa from the Delta and forced the Egyptian nome-chiefs to submit. Taharqa returned in 669 and occupied Lower Egypt, but Assyria expelled him again in 666. When Tanwetamani advanced into the Delta in 664 BC, Assyrian forces defeated him, pushed into Upper Egypt, and sacked Thebes in 663.
The extract proposes that Assyria’s repeated superiority was probably due in part to iron weaponry. Egypt and Kush were still using bronze, creating a technological asymmetry in the campaigns. Assyrian intervention decisively ended Kushite control over Egypt and helped create the conditions for Psamtek’s reunification of the country.
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