One more effort was, however, made by the southern power.  On the death of Rut-Ammon, Mi-Ammon-Nut, probably a son of Tirhakah’s, became king of Ethiopia, and resolved on a renewal of the war.  Egyptian disaffection might always be counted on, whichever of the two great powers held temporary possession of the country; and Mi-Ammon-Nut further courted the favour of the Egyptian princes, priests, and people, by an ostentatious display of zeal for their religion.  Assyria had allowed the temples to fall into decay; the statues of the gods had in some instances been cast down, the temple revenues confiscated, the priests restrained in their conduct of the religious worship.  Mi-Ammon-Nut proclaimed himself the chosen of Ammon, and the champion of the gods of Egypt.  On entering each Egyptian town he was careful to visit its chief temple, to offer sacrifices and gifts, to honour the images and lead them in procession, and to pay all due respect to the college of priests.  This prudent policy met with complete success.  As he advanced down the Nile valley, he was everywhere received with acclamations.  “Go onward in the peace of thy name,” they shouted, “go onward in the peace of thy name.  Dispense life throughout all the land—­that the temples may be restored which are hastening to ruin; that the statues of the gods may be set up after their manner; that their revenues may be given back to the gods and goddesses, and the offerings of the dead to the deceased; that the priest may be established in his place, and all things be fulfilled according to the Holy Ritual.”  In many places where it had been intended to oppose his advance in arms, the news of his pious acts produced a complete revulsion of feeling, and “those whose intention it had been to fight were moved with joy.”  No one opposed him until he had nearly reached the northern capital, Memphis, which was doubtless held in force by the Assyrians, to whom the princes of Lower Egypt were still faithful.  A battle, accordingly, was fought before the walls, and in this Mi-Ammon-Nut was victorious; the Egyptians probably did not fight with much zeal, and the Assyrians, distrusting their subject allies, may well have been dispirited.  After the victory, Memphis opened her gates, and soon afterwards the princes of the Delta thought it best to make their submission—­the Assyrians, we must suppose, retired—­Mi-Ammon-Nut’s authority was acknowledged, and the princes, having transferred their allegiance to him, were allowed to retain their governments.

The consequences of this last Ethiopian invasion of Egypt appear to have been transient.  Mi-Ammon-Nut did not live very long to enjoy his conquest, and in Egypt he had no successor.  He was not even recognized by the Egyptians among their legitimate kings.  Egypt at his death reverted to her previous position of dependence upon Assyria, feeling herself still too weak to stand alone, and perhaps not greatly caring, so that she had peace, which of the two great