[3] According to the Greek historian Herodotus, pharaoh Psamtik I besieged Ashdod for 29 years.

[4] Prior to the death of King Ashurbanipal sometime in 627 BC, the Assyrian Empire was engaged in almost constant warfare on multiple fronts, with nomadic tribesmen from the south, Chaldeans initiating uprisings, Elamites supporting such rebellions and Egyptians inciting further rebellion in the Levant.

In an effort to increase Assyria's standing in the East, Ashurbanipal abandoned Egypt and concentrated on Elam.

[6] Indeed, as late as 605 BC, the Egyptians were actively aiding the Assyrians in an attempt to help them survive.

The capture of Ashdod may have effectively reflected part of the transfer of power from the crumbling Assyrian Empire to the new Egyptian 26th Dynasty.