Esarhaddon, King of Assyria continues Josette Elayi's narrative journey
through the lives of the kings of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Using both
archaeological and textual evidence, Elayi examines the contentious
circumstances surrounding Esarhaddon's accession to the throne in 681
BCE, his rebuilding of Babylon, which had been destroyed by his father
Sennacherib, his successful campaigns in Media, the Arabian Peninsula,
Anatolia, the Caucasus, and the Levant, and his ultimate achievement,
the conquest of Egypt in 671 BCE. Throughout, Elayi presents a rich
portrait of this enigmatic figure, whose short but impactful reign was
plagued by chronic illness and a complex--and ultimately
fatal--relationship with his court officials. Yet, through it all,
Esarhaddon emerges as one of the most scholarly and most politically
successful kings of the empire.