Assyrian downfall through Isaiah’s eyes (2 Kings 15–23): the historiography of representation In this article I will investigate the interpretation of the Assyrian collapse in 2 Kgs 15–23. Comparing Assyrian expansion as presented in the Bible with that presented in the Assyrian sources, I will point out the problems in the biblical presentation of historical events. Combining these problems with the results of source-criticism I will argue that the “distortion” of the historical events as well as the combination of textual sources dated to different historical periods was intentional. The writers probably did it to offer their interpretation of the collapse of the Assyrian Empire. Such a presentation and organization of the events can be explained in terms of the historiography of representation. By applying this historiographical concept to chapters 2 Kgs 15–23 it is possible to elucidate several textual and historical problems. I. The territorial expansion of Assyria in 2 Kgs The first passage in 2 Kgs mentioning Assyria describes the campaign of Pul (Tiglath-pileser III). The text reports that Menahem, the king of Israel, paid 1,000 talents of silver to Assyria “so that he (Pul) might help him (Menahem) confirm his hold on the royal power” (2 Kgs 15,19). We also learn that Menahem raised this money by taxing all the wealthy (2 Kgs 15,20). The second passage mentioning Assyria describes Tiglath-pileser’s invasion (2 Kgs 15,29). This invasion affected, according to the Bible, mainly northern Israel and it resulted in the destruction of several cities as well as in the first deportation. The third passage describes the same invasion of Tiglath-pileser (III) but from the southern point of view (2 Kgs 16,7-10). Achaz, exposed to the raids from Israel and Syria, asked Tiglath-pileser for help, and he, according to the Bible, came to Judah’s aid. The Assyrian invasion had disastrous consequences for the rebels: Damascus was destroyed, its king Resin was executed and its inhabitants were deported. Judah paid a djv, bribe (1), to Tiglath-pileser, but its territory and inhabitants were not affected by this invasion. (1) M. COGAN and H. TADMOR, II Kings. A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (AB 11; Garden City, N.Y. 1988) 188.