Detail from a granite funerary statuette representing Taharqa, from his tomb at Nuri, Sudan

Taharqa was one of Piankhy’s sons and probably Shebitqo’s brother. Shebitqo asked Taharqa to lead the army when he was only 20 years old. Taharqa was a great warrior and fought many battles against the Assyrians. When Shebitqo died, Taharqa became king and was crowned in Egypt. Taharqa had not seen his mother since he was very young, but he made sure she could come to the ceremony. Archaeologists have learned a lot about Taharqa from stone inscriptions found in Egypt and Sudan. His enemies, the Assyrians, also wrote about Taharqa. He is mentioned twice in the Bible, which calls him "Tirhaka."

About 684 BC the Nile rose in a great flood the likes of which had never before been seen. This brought an exceptional harvest that year, and Taharqa's kingdom grew rich. He ordered many construction projects, and built or renewed many fine temples. The early years of his reign were very prosperous, but the last were disastrous. About 671 BCE, the Assyrians began attacking Egypt yearly. At first, Taharqa’s armies won the battles, but soon the Assyrians overwhelmed the Egyptian and Kushite forces. The Assyrians took over Memphis and captured Taharqa’s wife and son. Taharqa escaped to Napata. Taharqa died in 664 BCE. He was buried in a new cemetery that he started in Nuri. His pyramid was over 150 feet high. It was the largest pyramid ever built in the Sudan and its construction may have continued for many years after he died.