The Rabshakeh before the Walls of Jerusalem, 701 BC (litho)

The Rabshakeh before the Walls of Jerusalem, 701 BC. After the Assyrian invasion in 722 BC, when Samaria was destroyed Judah paid tribute to Sargon, but Hezekiah, in spite of Isaiah's warnings, rebelled on the accession of Sennacherib. The Assyrians laid Judah waste, and demanded by the Rabshakeh (an Assyrian officer) the surrender of Jerusalem, but were forced to retreat by reason of plague or disturbances at home before the city was taken. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.