Behind | Assyrian Invasion

Two major events consumed Syria-Palestine during the Iron Age: 1) the rise and fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, 2) the rise and fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. 

Assyrian’s goal was Egypt, the breadbasket of the ancient Near East. To conquer Egypt, however, was not easy. It took waves of military action across the northern portions of the Fertile Crescent, then through Syria, and further south to Israel and Judah.

The following map focuses on three key locations for Assyria’s quest to control the region: Samaria, Lachish and Jerusalem. As we shall see, each location represented important choke points in Assyria’s invasion of Egypt. 

Assyria is prominent in a number of prophetic books in the Old Testament. Many of the biblical prophets ministered with impending invasion looming on the horizon. From the viewpoint of the prophets, the Assyrian invasion was the instrument of God’s judgment on His unfaithful people.