The Battle of Pharaoh Tantamani

The Battle of Pharaoh Tantamani

In his struggle to maintain control over Egypt Tantamani, son of Shabaka was sometimes speculated to be the son of Shebitku. Assyrian records indicate that Tantamani's mother Kalahata was the sister of Taharka. Tanu'amani also known as Tanve'amani was the ruler of the Kingdom of Kush located in the fertile northern Sudan and the last pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt. His reign was marked by conflicts between the Assyrian Empire's conquest of territory and the sack of Thebes as well as the Kushite culture's political connections with Egypt. This combined force posed a formidable threat to Tantamani.

Painting in the ancient Nubian tombs at El-Kurru near Karima Sudan

The Assyrian king Ashurbanipal launched a counteroffensive to reclaim control of Egypt in 663 BC. This challenged the Nubian pharaoh Tantamani of the powerful Kushite dynasty which had expanded its influence into Egypt through conquests linked to key dynastic figures. During the reign of King Taharka XXV this included Piye the founder of the Kushite kingdom that ruled Egypt. And as the Assyrians invaded Egypt establishing control of parts of the Nile Delta the Assyrian-backed Egyptian leader Necho I was appointed vassal of Lower Egypt. And a new conflict with Ashurbanipal broke out in 663 BC.

Rassam Prism of Ashurbanipal, 10-sided prism, Nineveh, 643 BCE British Museum, London

The Assyrians led by Ashurbanipal ruled the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 669 BC. The two most important gods in Mesopotamian religion Ash-shur and Ishtar were the supreme gods of the Assyrian people and the deities of the city of Ash-shur fertility and war. They were associated in many ways both as the main gods of Assyria. The leader of the army returned to Egypt with his troops and joined the army of Psamtik I which included Carian mercenaries. They fought in the battles north of Memphis.

The Dream Tablet of Pharaoh Tantamun. Ritual offerings to ancient Egyptian gods. Paintings of Tantamun in Thebes. Egyptian gods include a statue of the god Amun dedicated to Tantamun. Amun was combined with Ra as the god of air sun and Khnum. The ram's head crown represents the various aspects of rebirth and resurrection.

Pyramid K.1. of the 4th century BC at El-Kurru, south of Jebel Barkal, North Sudan.

The conflict between the Kushite and Assyrian pharaohs began and the Nubian pharaoh Tantamani ruled Kush-Nubia until Taharga's son Atlanersa succeeded him. Tantamani's devotion to Egyptian gods and Assyrian records indicate Tantamani's power and defense of the land against the Assyrians. Tantamani regained the dynastic throne marched his army down the Nile from Nubia and conquered all of Egypt. After the Nubian pharaoh's battle Tantamani left the city for Kipkipi the location of which is uncertain but may have been Kom Ombo, about 200 kilometers south of Thebes.

Tantamani ushabtis / image : ushabtis.com

The entrance to the royal tomb at El-Qur'u and the beautifully decorated interior with frescoes reflecting the greatness of the Kushite dynasty. The Nubian pharaoh Tantamani was buried in the royal tomb at El-Qur'u. His tomb was originally beneath a pyramid. The Nubian pharaoh's campaigns are recorded with Tantamani's name on the Russam Cylinder. The Ashurbanipal Army Inscription details nine campaigns of conquest. Silver precious stones gold fine cloth precious linen from the Achaeans. Assistance from Ash-shur and Ishtar. Important gods in Mesopotamian religion. Ash-shur was the supreme god of the Assyrians and the deity of the city of Ash-hu fertility and war. They are associated in many ways both as the principal gods of Assyria.