| Fall of the
northern kingdom. |
|
Assyria conquered the northern
kingdom
|
The northern kingdom
of Israel enjoyed some prosperity after becoming
an independent kingdom in 922 B.C., although there were ongoing tensions
with the kingdom of Judah to the south and times of internal instability.
The kingdom came to an end during a period of Assyrian
expansion. The Assyrians put the capital of Samaria
under siege, capturing it in 722 B.C. Many of the people were taken into
exile in Assyria and foreigners were brought in to colonize the northern
part of Palestine. The area became known as the region
of Samaria and its people were the Samaritans. |
