The Assyrian Exile of the Northern Kingdom
The northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, and its 10 tribes were scattered across the empire. We've stood on the mound of Samaria, the capital that Shalmaneser V besieged, and traced the likely routes of the exiles to cities like Halah, Habor, and the river of Gozan (2 Kings 17:6). This map shows the Assyrian policy of resettling conquered peoples, which led to the mixing of populations and the loss of the 10 tribes' distinct identity. For travelers in Iraq and Syria, this map connects the biblical account to the archaeological layers of ancient Assyrian cities, where the Israelites may have lived in exile.
Download High Resolution 300 DPI File Captivity of the 10 Tribes Map
