Ancient history

Who was taharqa?

Taharqa (or Taharka, c. 690 – 664 BC) was a pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt who ruled for 26 years. He was a Nubian ruler and the ninth king of the Napatan royal line, which had begun with Alara in the 8th century BC.

During Taharqa's reign, Egypt reached the height of its power during the Late Period. He successfully campaigned in Nubia, Libya, and the Levant and expanded Egyptian influence into Syria and Palestine. He also had some success against the Assyrians, who were the main rivals of Egypt in the Middle East.

Taharqa was a patron of the arts and architecture and built several monuments in Egypt, including the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. He was also responsible for the construction of the Avenue of Sphinxes, which connected the Temple of Karnak with the Temple of Luxor.

Taharqa was eventually defeated by the Assyrians, who invaded Egypt in 671 BC. He fled to Nubia, where he continued to rule for the remainder of his life. His death in 664 BC marked the end of the Napatan dynasty in Egypt.