Taharqa
Taharqa was a significant figure in ancient history, serving as the pharaoh of Egypt during the Twenty-fifth Dynasty from 690 to 664 BCE. Originating from Napata in southern Kush (modern-day Nubia), he was the nephew of Shabaka, the dynasty's founder. Taharqa's reign was marked by military ambitions, particularly his efforts to reunite Egypt and Nubia to bolster defenses against Assyrian forces. He initially formed an alliance with Baal, the king of Tyre, to resist Assyrian occupation, but despite some early successes, he faced defeats that forced him to retreat to Nubia.
Taharqa's rule was characterized by cultural and architectural achievements, including the construction of numerous temples across Egypt, blending traditional Egyptian artistry with Kushite influences. His reign ended in isolation after a series of military setbacks, and upon his death, he was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Tanutamun. Despite the turmoil during his time, Taharqa's leadership prompted a shift in Assyrian diplomatic strategies and has left a lasting legacy in both Egyptian and Kushite history.
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Subject Terms
Taharqa
Related civilizations: Assyria, Kush
Major role/position: King of Egypt’s Twenty-fifth Dynasty
Life
Taharqa (tuh-HAHR-kuh) ascended the throne of Egypt from Napata in southern Kush (Nubia). Nephew of Shabaka, the founder of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty, Taharqa served as coregent with his cousin Shebitku (Shabitku) until his cousin’s murder in 690 b.c.e., possibly at the hand of Taharqa.
Taharqa attempted to reunite Egypt with the Nubian state to strengthen the Egyptian forces and establish a military presence equal to Assyrian control of the northern delta. In 671 b.c.e., Taharqa formed an alliance with Baal, king of Tyre, and revolted against Assyrian occupation of Egypt. The alliance failed against Esarhaddon’s army, and Taharqa was forced to flee to Napata. Treaty negotiations with Taharqa failed, and subsequent conspiracy plots among the delta rulers convinced Esarhaddon to invade Egypt. On his return to Egypt in 669 b.c.e., Esarhaddon died. Taharqa quickly reoccupied Thebes and then marched on to Memphis.
In 667 b.c.e., Ashurbanipal (son of Esarhaddon) led the Assyrian army against Egypt and defeated Taharqa in the eastern delta at Karbaniti. Again, Taharqa retreated south to Napata. Ashurbanipal pursued Taharqa and sailed south with the Assyrian army to Thebes. Within forty days, Ashurbanipal reaffirmed the pledge of Mentumehet and other Esarhaddon appointees in Thebes. Inscribed monuments in Thebes reveal Mentumehet’s allegiance to Taharqa despite his submission to Ashurbanipal. Soon after Ashurbanipal’s return to Nineveh, Taharqa returned to Thebes.
Delta governors left by Ashurbanipal plotted to divide rule of Egypt with Taharqa. Once the scheme was discovered, the Assyrians responded with severity. The sack of Thebes was depicted in relief at Nineveh and shows the bodies of conspirators impaled on city walls along with their flayed skins. To obtain Egyptian loyalty, Ashurbanipal’s policy toward Egypt became conciliatory. Niku of Sais, sent in chains to Nineveh as a conspirator, was honored and returned to Memphis to rule. His son, Psamtik I, founder of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, was made an Assyrian prince. Taharqa was left to spend the remainder of his rule isolated in Napata. At his death, Taharqa was succeeded by his brother-in-law Tanutamun, a son of Shabaka.
Influence
Taharqa’s reign (r. 690-664 b.c.e.) left Egypt in disorder but served to change Assyrian military policy to a negotiated diplomacy. In the arts, Taharqa created numerous temples throughout Egypt, from Memphis to Philae. At Kawa, Taharqa reconstructed a vast temple to Amun abandoned by Amenhotep III during the New Kingdom (1550-1069 b.c.e.). The art of the dynasty is conservative and imitated earlier Old Kingdom models but includes traditional Kushite elements. Taharqa’s tomb is located in Nun rather than the family cemetery at el-Kurru. Smaller temples by Taharqa are found at Buhen, Gebel Barkal, Qasr Ibrim, and Semna. At Karnak, a single papyriform column erected by Taharqa remains in the Temple of Amun.
Bibliography
Baines, J., and J. Malek. Atlas of Ancient Egypt. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1982.
Burstein, Stanley M., ed. Ancient African Civilizations: Kush and Axum. Princeton, N.J.: Markus Wiener, 1998.
Smith, W. S. The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt. Rev. ed. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books, 1981.