Egypt, we may presume, was cognizant of the proceedings, and gave them her support.

An alliance, defensive if not also offensive, was probably concluded between Egypt and Judaea on the one hand, Babylon, Susiana, and the Aramaean tribes of the middle Euphrates on the other.

The league would have been formidable but for one circumstance--Assyria lay midway between the allied states, and could attack either moiety of the confederates separately at her pleasure.

And the Assyrian king was not slow to take advantage of his situation.

In two successive years Sargon marched his troops against Egypt and against Babylonia, and in both directions carried all before him.