Sargon II (r. 722-705 BCE) was one of the most important kings of the Neo-Assyrian Empire as founder of the Sargonid Dynasty which would rule the empire for the next century until its fall. He was a great military leader, tactician, patron of the arts and culture, and a prolific builder of monuments, temples, and even a city.
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Definition
Timeline
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722 BCESargon II takes the throne from Shalmaneser V in a coup.
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722 BCE - 705 BCEReign of King Sargon II of Assyria.
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722 BCE - 705 BCEPeak of the Assyrian empire under the reign of Sargon II.
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720 BCESargon II's Syrian Campaigns.
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719 BCE - 717 BCEBorder wars between Assyria and the Kingdom of Urartu.
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c. 718 BCESargon II defeated at Babylon by Elamites.
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717 BCESargon II decrees the construction of his new capital city, Dur-Sharrukin.
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714 BCESargon II's Urartu Campaign, Urartu defeated.
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713 BCE - 710 BCESargon II personally oversees the construction of Dur-Sharrukin.
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710 BCESargon II conquers Babylon and the southern territories.
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710 BCE - 707 BCESargon II resides at Babylon, rules Assyria from Babylonian court.
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706 BCESargon II returns from Babylon and moves into palace in Dur-Sharrukin.
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705 BCESargon II killed in battle with the Tabal people.
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705 BCESennacherib succeeds Sargon II, moves capital to Nineveh; Dur-Sharrukin is abandoned.