Ashur-nadin-shumi, the eldest son of King Sennacherib, was appointed as the heir apparent to the throne of Assyria. However, he was abducted by the Elamites while serving as the king of Babylon and eventually killed after his father's failed campaign to rescue him.
After suffering a defeat against the Elamites, Sennacherib returned to his capital, Nineveh, and focused on construction projects and managing his empire. It took him some time to choose a new heir, eventually selecting Esarhaddon, who was later replaced by his younger brother Ashurbanipal due to influence from their Aramean mother Zakutu.
Sennacherib's other sons were not pleased with the choice of Esarhaddon as heir, leading to family conflict. Esarhaddon had to go into hiding under the protection of the Mitanni in a region previously controlled by them.
In 689 BCE, Sennacherib was assassinated by two of his sons, likely motivated by their desire for the throne. They used the destruction of Babylon and the desecration of Marduk's sanctity as justification for their actions. Esarhaddon was summoned from exile and fought against his brothers for the throne, eventually emerging victorious and executing his brother's families and supporters.
Esarhaddon expanded the Assyrian Empire significantly, making it one of the largest empires of the ancient world.
Esarhaddon's reign marked a period of stability and expansion for the Assyrian Empire. He conducted military campaigns to conquer and subjugate various regions, extending Assyrian control over vast territories in the Near East.
One of Esarhaddon's notable achievements was the successful conquest of Egypt in 671 BCE. He defeated the Egyptian Pharaoh Taharqa and established Assyrian rule over the region, incorporating it into the empire as a province.
Esarhaddon implemented administrative reforms to strengthen centralized control over the empire. He reorganized the administrative structure, appointed loyal governors, and implemented policies to ensure efficient taxation and resource management.
Additionally, Esarhaddon initiated extensive building projects throughout the empire, including the reconstruction of Babylon, which had been previously destroyed by his father. He also constructed grand palaces, temples, and infrastructure projects in various cities to showcase Assyrian power and wealth.
Esarhaddon's reign is also notable for his efforts to promote religious tolerance and syncretism within the empire. He respected the diverse religious beliefs of the conquered peoples and incorporated their deities into the Assyrian pantheon, fostering a sense of unity and stability.
Esarhaddon's sudden death in 669 BCE led to a brief period of instability and succession struggles within the empire. However, his son Ashurbanipal eventually ascended to the throne and continued his father's policies, further expanding and consolidating the Assyrian Empire.
Overall, Esarhaddon's reign represents a significant phase in the history of the Assyrian Empire, characterized by military conquests, administrative reforms, cultural achievements, and territorial expansion.
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