660s BC facts for kids
The 660s BC were a time of big changes in ancient kingdoms. Powerful empires like Assyria and Egypt saw new leaders rise. Important cities were founded, and some of the earliest recorded battles took place.
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Kings and Empires
During the 660s BC, the mighty Assyrian Empire was very strong. Its kings ruled over a vast area.
New Rulers in Assyria and Babylon
In 669 BC, a new king took the throne in Assyria. His name was Ashurbanipal. He became king after his father, Esarhaddon, passed away. Ashurbanipal was a very important ruler in Assyrian history.
Just one year later, in 668 BC, Ashurbanipal's brother also became a king. Shamash-shum-ukin, another son of Esarhaddon, became the King of Babylon. This shows how powerful the family was, with brothers ruling different parts of the empire.
Egypt Fights for Freedom
The land of Egypt was often under the control of the Assyrians. But in 668 BC, Egypt decided to fight back. They started a revolt against Assyrian rule. They wanted to be free again.
Later, in 664 BC, the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal showed his power. He attacked and took over the important Egyptian city of Thebes, Egypt. His army looted the city, taking many valuable things.
However, Egypt kept fighting for its independence. In 660 BC, an Egyptian king named Psammetichus I managed to push the Assyrians out of Egypt. This was a big victory for the Egyptians, helping them regain control of their own land.
Changes in Egyptian Leadership
While Egypt was fighting Assyria, there were also changes in its own leadership. In 664 BC, Psammetichus I became the new king of Lower Egypt. He took over from King Necho I.
Around the same time, in Upper Egypt, King Taharqa chose his nephew, Tantamani, to be the next ruler. These changes show how different parts of Egypt had their own leaders, even while facing outside threats.
Important Beginnings
The 660s BC also saw the start of new cities and new ways of writing.
Founding of Byzantium
In 667 BC, a very important city was founded. It was called Byzantium. People from a Greek city called Megara sailed to a new location. They started this new settlement under the leadership of a man named Byzas. This city would later become Constantinople and is now known as Istanbul.
The year 664 BC also saw the first recorded naval battle in Greek history. A naval battle is a fight between ships at sea. This battle happened between the cities of Corinth and Corcyra. It was a significant event, showing how ancient Greek cities were developing their navies.
New Ways to Write
In 660 BC, people started using a new way of writing in Egypt. It was called the demotic script. This was a simpler form of writing compared to the older hieroglyphs. It made writing easier for everyday use.
Japan's First Emperor
The year 660 BC is also very important in the history of Japan. According to tradition, this is when the legendary Emperor Jimmu began his reign. He is considered the first monarch of the Yamato dynasty. This marks the traditional beginning of the Japanese imperial line.
See also
In Spanish: Años 660 a. C. para niños
