Near Lachish in Lakhish Regional Council, Southern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)

Assault by Sennacherib's Army

The Siege Ramp

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

1. Assault by Sennacherib's Army Marker

Inscription. The Assyrian army built a huge stone ramp against the city walls. This ramp allowed the attackers to bring up battering rams to breach the wall. The base of the ramp you see here is about 70 meters wide and 16 meters high.

As in other places in the city, here too, at the upper part of the ramp, concentrations of arrowheads were found that had been fired by the Assyrian army. Excavations at the foot of the wall uncovered pieces of objects that had been thrown from the top of the wall at the Assyrians by the city's defenders, such as olive oil press weights and an iron chain.

This is the most ancient siege ramp in the world, and the only Assyrian siege ramp known to date in the Near East.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 31° 33.809′ N, 34° 50.858′ E. Marker is near Lachish, Southern District, in Lakhish Regional Council. Marker can be reached from Southern District Route 3415, 2.3 kilometers south of Southern District Route 35, on the right when traveling south. Unfortunately, Google maps does not provide any names for two of the key roads that one will need to use to get to this marker. So from the intersection

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of Route 35 and Route 3415, go south on Route 3415 for 2.3 kilometers and turn right on an un-named road. Proceed south on the un-named road for 750 meters and the first road that you come to on your left, turn left onto another un-named road. Travel 400 meters over this second un-named road and you will arrive at the parking lot for the Israeli National Park that features the ruins of ancient Lachish, where this marker is located, at the base of the Assyrian siege ramp. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tel Lachish National Park (here, next to this marker); Artist's Rendering of the City Gate (a few steps from this marker); Testimony to Approaching Disaster - the Lachish Letters (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Might and Authority - the Royal Palace (about 120 meters away); Welcome to the City Gate (about 120 meters away); Confronting Enemy Threats - the City’s Fortifications (about 120 meters away); Tel Azekah (approx. 17.4 kilometers away in Jerusalem District).

More about this marker. Regarding the marker itself, there is a vertical timeline on the left side of the marker that runs from 1029 BCE to 586 BCE. The timeline identifies the years 1029 to 928 BCE as being the era of the Kingdoms of Saul, David and Solomon. Then, the years 928 to 720 BCE as being the era of the

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

2. Assault by Sennacherib's Army Marker

A close of view, of the illustration that appears on this marker. The caption for the illustration reads, "Illustration based on reliefs from Sennacherib's palace in Nineveh, depicting the conquest of Lachish."

Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And then, the years 720 to 586 as being the era of the Kingdom of Judah, with the notation that the destruction of the First Temple takes place in 586 BCE. This timeline also includes a short highlighted parallel timeline that identifies the years 727 to 698 BCE as being the time of the Kingdom of Hezekiah, with the notation that the year 701 BCE was the year of Sennacherib's conquest of Lachish.

Regarding the marker location, in 2019, because I traveled to Israel as part of a tour group, taking pictures of historical markers and recording location information for each marker that I photographed was a difficult assignment. Then too, having two bad knees and walking with a cane made keeping up with my tour group, much less recording location information as well, even more difficult. So I am using my Google Map skills, from at home, to provide the needed location information and map coordinates. Anyone that visits these markers is welcomed, and encouraged, to improve on the provided information.

Also see . . .
1. Tel Lachish - BibleWalks.com. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

2. Lachish (BiblePlaces.com). This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

3. Assault by Sennacherib's Army Marker

View of the marker at the base of Assyrian siege ramp. The park art work, that is just behind and to the right of the marker is very similar to the illustration that appears on the marker, showing an Assyrian siege machine.

3. Siege of Lachish - Wikipedia. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

4. Lachish - Jewish Virtual Library. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

5. Why Lachish Matters · The BAS Library. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

4. Assault by Sennacherib's Army Marker

View of the marker looking up along the Assyrian siege ramp with a view of several park art pieces at the top of the ramp, that are based on the reliefs from Sennacherib's palace in Nineveh.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

5. Assault by Sennacherib's Army Marker

View of a tour group that is clustered a short distance in front the marker (the marker is behind the camera) at the base of the Assyrian siege ramp.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

6. Assault by Sennacherib's Army Marker

The marker is situated just off camera to the right, with the Assyrian siege ramp on the right of the picture, and the Lachish access ramp that leads up to the city gates on the left of the picture.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 22, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.