Final answer:
Joshua defeated the kings west of the Jordan River, conquering Canaanite cities as depicted in the Hebrew Bible. This region's history of conquest also includes later periods, such as the Arab-Muslim armies' successes and the Theban kings' campaigns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joshua is the one who defeated the kings west of the Jordan River. This is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where it details that Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, and with the Lord's approval, he conquered and utterly destroyed the populations of multiple Canaanite cities. Specific passages, such as JS 10:34-40, describe Joshua's campaigns in places like Eglon, Hebron, and Debir where he left no one remaining and destroyed all that breathed, as commanded by the Lord God of Israel.
Related Historical Events
Throughout history, the region has seen numerous conquerors. Notable examples include the Arab-Muslim armies who, after their victory in Syria at the Battle of Yarmuk, captured territories west of the Jordan, including Greater Syria and Egypt, following their defeat of the Byzantine and Persian forces in the 7th century. Later, during the Second Intermediate Period around 1550 BCE, the Theban kings received notoriety for pushing back the Hyksos and asserting control over Lower Egypt and territories to the east.