Bobzammel

There's a story in the bible of how Senaacharib(sp?)'s army was apparentally defeated by "an angel of God" who slaughtered his army. It's found in 2 Kings
Assyrian records, on the other hand, depict at least a partial conquest, and Hezekiah forced to pay a form of tribute. However most of the account leaves out details.
Herodotus, however, states that the Assyrian army's equipment was apparentally damaged by mice and apparentally that forced their retreat.

At the moment I can't cite the exact verses(In a hurry!), but feel free to add or comment on the historical significance of this...

lpetrich

Notice that the Assyrian account brags about how King Hezekiah had been like a "caged bird". This is contrary to the usual purpose of a siege, which is to conquer a town. So the Assyrian chronicler of this siege was conceding failure in Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahaf fashion.

The Biblical account, however, suggests that the Assyrian troops had suffered some plague. This would then be exaggerated into instantaneous death.

However, the Assyrian army could have gotten bored with an inconclusive siege and simply left.

As to Herodotus and mice, that seems a bit far-fetched.

Gurdur

I'm none too sure Herodatus is so far-fetched --- plagues of mice and consequent damaging of leather&wood siege equipment is not unknown from more recent times (I'm thinking of a Mongolian siege).

An interesting collary with such a plague of mice (which happens) would be destruction of much stored grain, consequent starvation or short rations, and far greater degree of epidemics (mice been carriers for many, and where the mice are, would the rats be far behind ?)