Sennacherib (r. 705-681 BCE) was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire best known from the Bible and his siege of Jerusalem. He is also the Neo-Assyrian king who destroyed Babylon.

Why is Sennacherib famous?

Sennacherib is famously mentioned in the Bible (II Kings, II Chronicles, Isaiah) and is best-known for the account from II Kings 19 in which his army is defeated by divine intervention.

Why did Sennacherib destroy the city of Babylon?

Sennacherib destroyed Babylon because the city was too independent and constantly stirring up rebellion against his reign.

How did Sennacherib die?

Sennacherib was assassinated by his sons - possibly because he had passed over them and chosen his youngest son, by a secondary wife, as his successor - but the official reason given was that he was killed to avenge his destruction of Babylon.

Sennacherib Timeline

Definition

Sennacherib (r. 705-681 BCE) was the second king of the Sargonid Dynasty of Assyria (founded by his father Sargon II, r. 722-705 BCE). He is one of the most famous Assyrian kings owing to the part he plays in narratives in the biblical Old Testament (II Kings, II Chronicles, and Isaiah).

More about: Sennacherib

Timeline

c. 713 BCE
Zakutu is associated with the crown prince of Assyria Sennacherib.
705 BCE
Sennacherib moves capital from Dur-Sharrukin to Nineveh.
705 BCE - 681 BCE
Reign of king Sennacherib of Assyria.
701 BCE
King Sennacherib of Assyria sacks the city of Lachish in Judah but fails to take the capital Jerusalem.
700 BCE - c. 698 BCE
Restoration of Nineveh, Sennacherib builds parks and possibly Hanging Gardens.
c. 698 BCE - c. 694 BCE
War with Elam and Babylon.
c. 694 BCE
Probable date of death of crown prince Ashur-nadin-shumi, heir to the throne.
689 BCE
Sack of Babylon, city is destroyed.
683 BCE
Sennacherib chooses Zakutu's son, Esarhaddon, as his successor.
681 BCE
Sennacherib assassinated by two of his sons.

Sennacherib

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