Begun in or around the year 720 B.C., a rebellion against the Assyrian Empire broke out, participated in by ancient Syria and the Philistines (descendants of the 'Sea Peoples') from Mycenaean Greece, and also with Egyptian encouragement. Sargon II, who had ascended to the throne of Assyria, probably after Shalmaneser V's victory over Samaria, reacted quickly, campaigning against the ancient Philistines, and captured the ancient cities of Gaza and Raphia. Sargon inflicted defeat upon a relief force sent by Egypt to Gaza, and exacted tribute from the Egyptians, and even from the Arabians. Further, later rebellions in the area resulted in the swift extinction of the Philistines as a separate people, and in the conquest of Egypt by Assyria. Samaria had also been involved in this general rebell