Siege of Babylon

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The Siege of Babylon took place after Sennacherib's victory over the Elamites at the Battle of River Diyala. Although the Assyrians had suffered heavy casualties at the river, they had beaten the Elamites such that the Babylonians now stood alone.

Assault

Sennacherib had lost his eldest son in the revolt and had also suffered heavy losses. Prior to this, most Assyrian attempts at punishing Babylon were lenient, due to a strong pro-Babylon presence in Assyrian governmental ranks. However, Sennacherib, now an old man with nothing to lose found no pity in his heart and utterly wasted Babylon. The city would remain a ruin for the rest of his reign.

Legacy

Babylon would not revolt against Assyria until the reign of Assurbanipal. Whilst the rebuilding by Esarhaddon may have quelled rebellion with appeasement, there is no doubt that Sennacherib's brutal sacking must have left a permanent mark of fear and hatred against the Assyrians on the Babylonians one that would have far-reaching consequences upon the death of Assurbaniapl.

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