Pharaoh Taharqa (r. 690 to 664 BC): Son of Pharaoh Piye and Queen Abar

Pharaoh Taharqa (r. 690 to 664 BC) was the son of Pharaoh Piye (r. 744–714 BC) and Queen Abar.

Pharaoh Piye was an ancient Cushite king and founder of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt. He created an empire that stretched from the 6th cataract to the Mediterranean Sea.

Piye, the son of Kashta and Pebatjma, is known to have had three or four wives.

Queen Abar was the mother of his successor Taharqa. Pharaoh Taharqa would take the throne after his brothers Shebitku and Shabaka.

For 26 years he ruled Egypt starting with the death of Shabaka.

In 701 BC, King Hezekiah of Judah agreed to pay 300 talents of silver and 30 talents of gold as tribute to Assyria to avoid a siege of Jerusalem, ruled by King Sennacherib. Despite, Assyria responded by sending an army to reassert its control over Judah. Pharaoh Shebitku then sent his brother, Taharqa, to intercept the Assyrian army that besieged Jerusalem, the capital, and threatened to annihilate Judah. Taharqa’s army defeated the Assyrians at the Battle of Eltekeh, freeing the Kingdom of Judah and much of the Levant from Assyrian control.

King Sennacherib broke camp and returned to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there.

Subsequent kings of the Cushite Dynasty, including Tanutamun, continued to consolidate their power and assert their authority over Egypt.

Tanutamun was succeeded by Pharaoh Taharqa’s son, Atlanersa. Other children include Ushankhuru, Nesishutefnut, and a daughter, Amenirdis II.

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About the Author: Lawrence Jean-Louis is the founder of eBrand Me, a digital marketing agency offering marketing & consultative services to CPAs and tax professionals. She aspires to start a money management firm by 2030.