Taharqa

Taharqa is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (2 Kings 19:9, Isaiah 37:9) as 'Tirhakah, king of Cush,' who marched against the Assyrian king Sennacherib during the siege of Jerusalem. This reference confirms his historical significance in the Levant.

Taharqa became pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty, succeeding his brother Shebitku. He inherited a kingdom facing Assyrian expansion under Sennacherib and later Esarhaddon.

Taharqa commissioned a large temple to the god Amun at Kawa in Nubia, along with other building projects at Karnak and Jebel Barkal. These constructions reinforced Kushite religious legitimacy.

The Assyrian king Esarhaddon invaded Egypt, defeating Taharqa's forces at the Battle of Ishupri. Esarhaddon captured Memphis, forcing Taharqa to flee south to Nubia, and installed Assyrian vassal rulers.

After Esarhaddon's death, Taharqa returned from Nubia and recaptured Memphis from the Assyrian garrison. This brief reconquest restored Kushite control over Lower Egypt for a short period.

The Assyrian king Ashurbanipal launched a second invasion of Egypt, defeating Taharqa's forces and sacking Thebes. Taharqa fled to Nubia, where he died later that year, ending effective Kushite rule over Egypt.