Taharka

Taharka

(təhär`kə) or

Tirhakah

(tēr`əkə, tērhä`kə), d. 663 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, last ruler of the XXV dynasty; son of PiankhiPiankhi
, king of ancient Nubia (c.741–c.715 B.C.). After subduing Upper Egypt, he defeated (c.721 B.C.) Tefnakhte, lord of Saïs, who had just completed the conquest of Lower Egypt. Piankhi was also victorious at Memphis. He returned (c.718 B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. . Before he was king, he led the Egyptians against SennacheribSennacherib
or Senherib,
d. 681 B.C., king of Assyria (705–681 B.C.). The son of Sargon, Sennacherib spent most of his reign fighting to maintain the empire established by his father.
..... Click the link for more information. , who disastrously defeated him. Seizing (688 B.C.) the throne by force, Taharka established a residence at Tanis. In 671 he lost Memphis and Lower Egypt to the Assyrians under Esar-HaddonEsar-Haddon
, king of ancient Assyria (681–668 B.C.), son of Sennacherib. Immediately upon ascending the throne he had to put down serious revolts and defeat the Chaldaeans. He was successful in both enterprises.
..... Click the link for more information. . On the withdrawal of the Assyrians, Taharka again entered Lower Egypt, only to be expelled (667) by AssurbanipalAssurbanipal
or Ashurbanipal
, d. 626? B.C., king of ancient Assyria (669–633 B.C.), son and successor of Esar-Haddon. The last of the great kings of Assyria, he drove Taharka out of Egypt and firmly established Necho in power there only to have Necho's son
..... Click the link for more information. . He restored the temples at Napata.