Taharqa: Nubian Egyptian Pharaoh

​In 690 BC Taharqa was born in Nubia as a member of the Royal family of the kingdom of Kush. He was the fifth ruler of the 25th Dynasty which was an African lead dynasty. Taharqa is regarded as the last pharaoh to unite the lands of Nubia; he is also regarded as the pharaoh to lose the lands to the Assyrians. Taharqa was the son of Pharaoh Piankhi and Abar the Queen of The Sudan. For twenty six years he ruled Egypt. His reign started in 668 BC after the death of his brother Shabakta. After becoming Pharaoh he spent a considerable amount of time rebuilding Egypt and venerating the God Amon. He then moved his throne to the Delta of Tanis; this move helped him keep an eye on his Asian neighbors. As the new Pharaoh, Taharqa faced a well-oiled machine in the Assyrian Army, led by Esarhaddon at the Sinai Desert, and was defeated in 671 BC. Taharqa lost control of Memphis and Lower Egypt; the Pharaoh fled to Upper Egypt with what was left of his army. In 673 BC Taharqa returned to Lower Egypt with a rebuilt army and defeated Esarhaddon, regaining control of the Delta area. Shortly after Esarhaddon’s successor faced Taharqa and defeated his army, which never again tried to regain Lower Egypt.

Taharqa, as the second to last male Pharaoh of Egypt’s 25th Dynasty helped Egypt maintain its rich African culture for nearly 1,000 years. Taharqa built a plethora of temples in Cush, along with monuments at Karnak, Thebes, and Tanis. For at least eight of his twenty six year reign as Pharaoh, Taharqa fought off the oppression of the Assyrians, and promoted the beauty of the culture of his people. Egypt flourished under his reign, he is very important because of his ability to maintain Egypt’s culture. Their culture was able to be passed on to his nephew and lastly Cleopatra. The 25th Dynasty is the last of the African ruled dynasties. Taharqa helped black Egypt survive and became a formidable foe to the Assyrians. He is also famous because of his mention in the Holy Bible; Kings 19:9 and Isaiah 37:9. Taharqa fought hard for freedom of his people. He loved his people and their land dearly. Pharaoh Taharqa, we proudly stand on your shoulders.

J.A. Ward.