Ancient Babylonia - Sennacherib
Sennacherib or Senherib, 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. It is difficult to determine the exact sequence of his conquests,
but his first campaign seems to have been waged against Babylonia. Later he
marched against an uprising of the western nations (Phoenicia, Palestine, and
Philistia), who were supported by Egypt. He defeated the Egyptians at Eltekeh (701
B.C.) and prepared to take Jerusalem. Isaiah had warned Hezekiah not to join
the uprising against Assyria, but the king had refused the advice. Thus,
Sennacherib destroyed many Judaean cities and besieged Jerusalem, forcing the king to
pay a heavy tribute. Hezekiah built the famous Siloam Tunnel when the water
supply was threatened by the approach of the Assyrian forces. Disturbances in
Babylonia called the king to that area, and he waged a naval campaign against the
Chaldaeans. He laid Elam waste and finally fought both the Chaldaeans and the
Elamites at the battle of Halulina (Khaluli) (c.691 B.C.). The exact outcome of
the battle is uncertain. Two years later Sennacherib captured and destroyed
Babylon. He constructed canals and aqueducts and built a magnificent palace at
Nineveh. Two of his sons, jealous of their brother Esar-haddon, murdered
Sennacherib. Esar-haddon succeeded to the throne.
Ancient Babylonia
Return to Bible History Online