Ramesses XI vs Taharqa

A period of severe famine and social unrest occurred during Ramesses XI's reign, recorded in the Turin Papyrus as 'The Year of the Hyenas.' The scarcity of food led to widespread suffering and contributed to the breakdown of central authority in Egypt.

The priest Wenamun was sent to Byblos to procure cedar wood for the temple of Amun. The account of his journey, recorded in the Papyrus Moscow 120, describes the weakened state of Egyptian influence in the Levant, where Wenamun was treated with disrespect by local rulers.

Ramesses XI's death marked the end of the New Kingdom and the beginning of the Third Intermediate Period. During his reign, the power of the pharaoh declined significantly, with the High Priest of Amun at Thebes and the Viceroy of Kush exercising de facto control over Upper Egypt.

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.