Shalmaneser III 014

(1) The god Aššur, the great lord, the king of all of the great gods; the god Anu, the king of the Igīgū and Anunnakū gods: the lord of the lands, the god Enlil, the exalted one, the father of the gods, the creator of (5) all; the god Ea, the king of the apsû, the one who decrees destinies; the god [Sîn, the wise one], the king of the lunar disk, the lofty luminary; the god Adad, the exceptionally strong one, the lord of abundance; the god Šamaš, the judge of heaven and netherworld, the commander of all; [the god Mardu]k, the sage of the gods, the lord of omens; the god Ninurta, the warrior of the (10) Igīgū and Anunnakū gods; the mighty god Nergal, the perfect one, the king of battle; the god Nusku, the bearer of the holy scepter, the circumspect god; the goddess Mullissu, the spouse of the god Enlil, the mother of the [great] gods; (and) the goddess Ištar, the foremost one in heaven and netherworld, the who is consummate in the canons of battle; the great gods who decree destinies (and) who aggrandize my kingship.

(15) Shalmaneser (III), king of all of the people, the ruler, vice-regent of (the god) Aššur, strong king, king of all four quarters (of the world), sun(god) of all of the people, ruler of all of the lands; son of Ashurnasirpal (II), exalted priest, whose priesthood was pleasing to the gods and (who) made all of the lands bow down at his feet, pure offspring of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), (20) who slew all of his enemies and annihilated (them) like a flood.

(22) At the beginning of my reign, after I sat on the throne of my royal majesty in a grandiose manner, I mustered my chariots (and) troops. I entered the pass of the land Simesi (and) captured the city Aridu, the fortified city of Ninni.

(26b) In my first regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River in flood (and) marched to the Sea of the Setting Sun. I washed my weapons in the sea (and) made sacrifices to my gods. I climbed up Mount Amanus (and) (30) cut down beams of cedar (and) juniper. I climbed up Mount Lallar (and) erected a statue of my royal majesty therein.

(32) In my second regnal year, I approached the city Tīl-Barsip (Barsaip), captured the cities of Aḫūnu of (Bīt-)Adini (lit. “son of Adīnu”) (and) confined him to his city. I crossed the Euphrates River in flood (and) captured the city Dabigu, a fortress of the land Ḫatti, together with cities in its environs.

(35b) In my third regnal year, Aḫūnu of (Bīt-)Adini (lit. “son of Adīnu”) became frightened in the face of my mighty weapons and abandoned the city Tīl-Barsip (Barsaip), his royal city. He crossed the Euphrates River. I took as my own the city Ana-Aššur-utēr-aṣbat, which is on the other side of the Euphrates River, by the Sagurri River, which the people of (40) Ḫatti call the city Pitru. On my return march, I entered the pass of the land Alzi (and) captured the lands Alzi, Suḫnu, Daiaeni, (and) Tumme, the city Arṣaškun, the royal city of Arrāmu of the land Urarṭu, the land Gilzānu, (and) the city Ḫubuškia.

(45) In the eponymy of Dayyān-Aššur, I moved out from Nineveh and crossed the Euphrates River in flood in pursuit of Aḫūnu of (Bīt-)Adini (lit. “son of Adīnu”). He had made as his stronghold Mount Šītamrat, a mountain peak on the bank of the Euphrates River. I besieged (and) captured th(at) mountain peak. I uprooted Aḫūnu, together with his gods, his chariots, his horses, his sons, his daughters, (and) his troops (and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur.

(50b) In that same year, I crossed Mount Kullar, went down to the interior of the land Zamua, (and) captured the cities of Nikdēra of the land Idu, and Nikdēme.

(52b) In my fifth regnal year, I ascended Mount Kāšiāru (and) captured fortified cities. I confined Anḫitti of the land Šubria to his city (and) received his rich payment.

(54b) In my sixth regnal year, I approached the cities on the banks of the Balīḫ River (55) (and) they killed Gē-ammu, their city ruler. I entered the city Tīl(-ša)-turāḫi. I crossed the Euphrates River in flood (and) received the payment of all of the kings of the land Ḫatti. At that time, Hadad-ezer (Adda-idrī) (60) of Damascus (and) Irḫulena of the land Hamath, together with the kings of Ḫatti and (other kings) on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. By the command of (the god) Aššur, the great lord, my lord, I fought with them (and) defeated them. (65) I captured from them their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment (and) struck down 20,500 of their fighting men with the sword.

(67) In my seventh regnal year, I marched to the cities of Ḫabīnu of the city Tīl-abnē. I captured the city Tīl-abnē, his fortified city, together with the cities in its environs. I marched to the source of the Tigris River, the place where the water comes out. (70) I washed the weapon of (the god) Aššur therein, made sacrifices to my gods, (and) put on a joyful banquet. I created a colossal statue of my royal majesty (and) wrote thereon praises of (the god) Aššur, my lord, (and) all my heroic deeds that I had accomplished in the lands. I erected (it) therein.

(73) In my eighth regnal year, (at the time of) Marduk-zākir-šumi (I), the king of Karduniaš (Babylonia), Marduk-bēl-usāti, his younger brother, rebelled against him (and) (75) they divided the land equally. I marched out to avenge Marduk-zākir-šumi (and) captured the city Mê-Turnat.

(77) In my ninth regnal year, I marched to the land Akkad for a second time. I surrounded the city Gannanāte. The fearful splendor of the gods Aššur (and) Marduk overwhelmed Marduk-bēl-usāti (and), to save his life, he ascended a mountain. I pursued him (and) struck down (80) Marduk-bēl-usāti with the sword, together with the treacherous soldiers who were with him. I marched to the great cities (and) made sacrifices in Babylon, Borsippa, (and) Cutha, (and) presented offerings to the great gods. I went down to Chaldea (and) captured their cities. I received the payment of the kings of Chaldea. Awe of my weapons overwhelmed (them) as far as the Bitter Sea.

(85) In my tenth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the eighth time. I captured the cities of Sangara of the city Carchemish. I approached the cities of A(b)-rāmu (Abi-rāmu) (and) captured Arnê, his royal city, together with 100 cities (in its environs).

(87) In my eleventh regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the ninth time. I captured cities without number (and) descended to the cities of the people of the land Hamath. I captured eighty-nine cities. Hadad-ezer (Adda-idrī) of Damascus (and) twelve kings of the land Ḫatti stood together in united strength, (but) I defeated them.

(89b) In my twelfth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the tenth time, marched to the land Paqarḫubuni, and plundered them (the people).

(90b) In my thirteenth regnal year, I went up to (the city) Matiātu (and) plundered it.

(91b) In my fourteenth regnal year, I mustered (the troops of my) land (and) crossed the Euphrates River. Twelve kings attacked me, I fought <with them>, (and) defeated them.

(92b) In my fifteenth regnal year, I marched to the source of the Tigris River (and) Euphrates River (and) erected a statue of my royal majesty on mountain cliffs there.

(93b) In my sixteenth regnal year, I crossed the (Lower) Zab (and) marched to the land Namri. Marduk-mudammiq, the king of the land Namri, ran away in order to save his (own) life. I brought back to Assyria his property, troops, (and) gods. I appointed Ianzû of (Bīt-)Ḫamban (lit. “son of Ḫamban”) a king over them.

(96) In my seventeenth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River (and) ascended Mount Amanus. I cut down beams of cedar.

(97b) In my eighteenth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Damascus attacked to do battle. I captured from him 1,121 of his chariots (and) 470 of his cavalry, together with his camp.

(99b) In my nineteenth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the eighteenth time (and) ascended Mount Amanus. I cut down beams of cedar.

(100b) In my twentieth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the twentieth time (and) went down to the land Que (Qau). I captured their cities (and) plundered them.

(102b) In my twenty-first regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the twenty-first time (and) marched to the cities of Hazael of Damascus. I captured four cities (and) received the payment of the people of Tyre, Sidon, (and) Byblos.

(104b) In my twenty-second regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the twenty-second time (and) went down to the land Tabal. At that time, I received gifts from twenty-four kings of the land Tabal. I marched to Mount Tunni, the mountain of silver, (and) Mount Mulî, the mountain of alabaster.

(107b) In my twenty-third regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River (and) captured the city Uetaš, the fortified city of Lalla of the land Melid. The kings of the land Tabal came to me (and) I received their payment.

(110b) In my twenty-fourth regnal year, I crossed the Lower Zab, crossed Mount Ḫašimur, (and) went down to the land Namri. Ianzû, the king of the land Namri, took fright in the face of my mighty weapons and ran away in order to save his (own) life. I captured the cities Siḫišalaḫ, Bīt-Tamul, Bīt-šakki, (115) (and) Bīt-šēdi, his fortified cities. I massacred them, plundered them, destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire (those) cities. The survivors fled up a mountain. I laid siege to th(at) mountain peak, captured (it), slaughtered them, plundered them, (and) brought their property down. Moving on from the land Namri, (120) I received the payment of twenty-seven kings of the land Parsua. Moving on from the land Parsua, I went down to the lands Missi, Media (Amadāyu), Araziaš, (and) Ḫarḫār, (and) captured the cities Kuakinda, Ḫazzanabi, Esamul, (and) Kinablila, together with the cities in their environs. I massacred them, plundered them, (and) destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire (those) cities. (125) I erected a statue of my royal majesty in the city Ḫarḫār. I uprooted Ianzû of (Bīt-)Ḫamban (lit. “son of Ḫamban”), together with his rich property, his gods, his sons, his daughters, (and) his numerous soldiers, (and) brought (them) to Assyria.

(126b) In my twenty-fifth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River in flood (and) received the payment of all of the kings of the land Ḫatti. I crossed Mount Amanus (and) went down to the cities of Katî of the land Que (Qau). I besieged (and) captured the city Timur, his fortified city. I massacred them (its inhabitants), plundered them, (and) destroyed, demolished (and) burned with fire cities without number. (130) Upon my return march, I took over as a fortress for myself the city Mūru, the fortified city of A(b)-rāmu (Abi-rāmu) of (Bīt)-Agūsi (lit. “son of Agūsu”). I (re)built its gateways (and) founded a palace for the abode of my royal majesty therein.

(132) In my twenty-sixth regnal year, I crossed Mount Amanus for the seventh time (and) I marched to the cities of Katî of the land Que (Qau) for a fourth time. I surrounded the city Tanakun, the fortified city of Tullu. Overwhelmed by fear of the radiance of (the god) Aššur, my lord, he came out (and) grasped my feet. I took hostages from him (and) (135) received from him a payment of silver, gold, iron, oxen, (and) sheep. Moving on from the city Tanakun, I marched to Mount Lamena. The people became frightened (and) took to a rugged mountain. I laid siege to th(at) mountain peak (and) captured (it). I massacred them (and) brought down from th(at) mountain plunder consisting of their oxen (and) sheep. I destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire their cities. I marched to the city Tarzu (Tarsus). They (the people) grasped my feet (and) I received from them a payment of silver (and) gold. I appointed Kirrî, the brother of Katî, as king over them. Upon my return march, I ascended Mount Amanus, cut down beams of cedar, (and) carried them back to my city, Aššur.