The Battles of Megiddo (609 BC) and Carchemish (605 BC): Egypt's Struggle Against Babylon and the Decline of Egyptian Influence The late 7th century BC was a time of immense geopolitical upheaval in the Near East. Two critical battles, the Battle of Megiddo in 609 BC and the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC—played defining roles in shaping the balance of power in the region. Both battles were fought by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt as part of his attempt to restore Egyptian influence in the Near East by siding with the Assyrian Empire against the rising Babylonian Empire. Despite his efforts, these battles marked the end of Egyptian ambitions in the Levant and the rise of Babylon as the dominant power in the ancient world. This article explores the events leading up to these battles, why Egypt allied with the Assyrians, the significance of each battle, and the broader implications for the Near East. The Rise of the Babylonian Empire and the Collapse of Assyria By the late 7th century BC, the mighty Assyrian Empire, which had ruled over much of the Near East for centuries, was in a state of rapid decline. A combination of internal strife, military defeats, and rebellions had weakened the once-dominant power. Meanwhile, the Babylonian Empire under King Nabopolassar was on the rise, seizing the opportunity to overthrow Assyrian rule. The Babylonians formed an alliance with the Medes, a powerful group from what is now Iran, and together they launched successful campaigns against Assyrian strongholds, including the capital city of Nineveh, which fell in 612 BC. The remaining Assyrian forces retreated westward to Harran, but the combined might of the Babylonians and Medes continued to press them. Why Did Egypt Side with the Assyrians? The fall of Assyria posed a significant threat to the geopolitical ambitions of Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. Egypt had long viewed the Levant as a strategic buffer zone and a vital region for trade and military influence. If Babylon succeeded in overthrowing Assyria and controlling the Levant, Egypt's influence in the region would be severely diminished. Necho II saw an opportunity to reassert Egyptian dominance by supporting the struggling Assyrians against the Babylonians, hoping that a victory would ensure a friendly Assyrian government in Mesopotamia. Moreover, the rise of Babylon posed a direct challenge to Egyptian power. Egypt’s interests aligned with those of Assyria, which had previously helped maintain a balance of power in the region. By allying with the Assyrians, Egypt hoped to prevent Babylon from becoming the next great empire and to safeguard its northern borders. The Battle of Megiddo (609 BC) In 609 BC, Necho II led his forces through the Levant to support the Assyrians in their struggle against the Babylonians. His route took him through the territory of the Kingdom of Judah, which was ruled by King Josiah. Judah, a vassal state of Assyria, had been in decline and had a complicated relationship with its powerful neighbors. Josiah, attempting to block Necho II’s advance, met the Egyptian army at Megiddo, a strategically important site in northern Israel. Significance: The Battle of Megiddo was a significant event in the region’s history, not only because of Egypt’s involvement in Assyria’s defense but also because of the impact on the Kingdom of Judah. Josiah’s forces were no match for Necho II’s experienced army, and King Josiah was killed in battle. This marked a turning point for Judah, which would soon fall under Babylonian control. For Egypt, the battle demonstrated its ambition to extend influence into the Levant by supporting the Assyrian cause. Impact on Egypt: Necho II’s victory at Megiddo allowed him to continue his march toward Assyrian territory, but it came at a cost. The death of King Josiah destabilized the Kingdom of Judah, which weakened the overall stability of the region. Necho II’s success at Megiddo was short-lived, as it became clear that the Babylonians were not easily defeated. Nevertheless, the battle demonstrated Egypt’s determination to play a major role in Near Eastern affairs and its willingness to engage in military conflicts far from its borders. The Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) Four years after Megiddo, the stage was set for a much larger and more decisive confrontation: the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. The remnants of the Assyrian army had retreated to Carchemish, a city on the Euphrates River. There, they hoped to regroup and fend off the Babylonians with the support of Necho II’s Egyptian forces. This battle was one of the last major efforts by the Assyrian-Egyptian alliance to stop the Babylonian advance. Nebuchadnezzar II, the son of King Nabopolassar, led the Babylonian forces in this decisive battle. Nebuchadnezzar was determined to crush both the Assyrians and their Egyptian allies and to assert Babylon’s dominance over the region. Significance: The Battle of Carchemish...
