In 701 B.C. the Assyrian empire was in its ascendancy. It had already vanquished the kingdom of Israel to the north including the capital at Samaria. It then prepared an assault on Judah and its capital at Jerusalem.
But in one of those significant events that changes the course of world history, Assyria was repelled. Jerusalem was saved until 586 B.C. when the Babylonians sacked the city, forcing its leadership class into exile.
Henry Aubin, in a major feat of scholarship, determines that Jerusalem was aided by a Kushite army from Africa which had marched northeast from the Nile valley. While the Bible attributes the Assyrian retreat to an angel and secular commentators cite pestilence, Aubin, in a meticulously documented work, demonstrates that an alliance with the African nation of Kush bolstered Jerusalem’s defences.
Kush, also known as Nubia, was located in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. A monarchy that existed for more than 1000 years, from 900 B.C. to A.D. 350, Kushites held sway over Egypt from 712 B.C. to about 660 B.C. Of Egypt’s 31 dynasties, this, the 25th Dynasty, is the only one that all scholars agree, was black.
The commander of the Kushite expeditionary force was Taharqa (or as the Bible calls him Tirhakah). This Kushite prince, who had his own interests in halting Assyrian expansion, likely caught the aggressors by surprise as they prepared their siege of Jerusalem.
Aubin offers a thrilling military history and a stirring political analysis of the ancient world. He also sees the event as influential over the centuries.
The Kushite rescue of the Hebrew kingdom of Judah enabled the fragile, war-ravaged state to endure, to nurse itself back to economic and demographic health, and allowed the Hebrew religion, Yahwism, to evolve within the next several centuries into Judaism. Thus emerged the monotheistic trunk supporting Christianity and Islam.
Stephen Tesher is a playwright whose work has been performed in Toronto and New York. He earned an MFA in play writing from The New School and an MA in Education from City College of New York. He teaches 7th grade English in Nyack, New York.
Manuscript Available
Losing It
A dark tragic-comedy of floundering, reckless youth.
David Fisher, 17 is a typical child of privilege with the means to act out. He and his buddies Lewis and Simon have access to fancy cars, big houses and palatial vacation properties. They also have too much testosterone, too much booze and too many drugs.
Perched on the dangerous knife-edge of maturity, with a deficit of self-control, they almost lose it.
David’s trajectory is altered when he loses his burdensome virginity to Kris a girl several years older who transfers to his high school. Bravely Kris attempts to rewrite her childhood script of abuse and depravation. Too wise for her years, she is clear eyed about her relationship with David, who is in love with her.
On a winter weekend David takes her to the family cottage near Huntsville, a place of serene lakes and rough locals. Unknown to him it is Kris’ hometown. The romantic weekend turns ugly when David gets into a brawl with and intruder and Kris is raped.
With misplaced gallantry, David and his two friends head north to avenge Kris. But her past is more freighted than David could guess. The confrontation is savage and the conclusion is sobering.
Stephen has a talent for dialogue, a quick wit and the gift of insight.
