Shalmaneser III 016

(1) Shalmaneser (III), strong (and) wise ruler, chosen [of the gods Enlil and Ninurta], ..., expert, [...], faithful shepherd, king of the four (quarters of the world), worshipper of the [great] gods, [...]; son of Ashurnasirpal (II), exalted priest, who [always achieved] the defeat of those insubmissive [to him], pure offspring of Tukultī-Ninurta (II), who slew his enemies [and annihilated (them) like a flood]:

(6) 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.

(8b) 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) [cut down] beams of [cedar (and) juniper]. I climbed up Mount Lallar (and) [erected] a statue of my royal majesty therein.

(11b) [In my second regnal year], I crossed [the Tigris River] (and) 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.

(14b) 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-Bar[sip, 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 the land Ḫatti [call] the city Pi[tru]. On my return march, I entered the pass of the land Alzi (and) captured the lands Alzi, S[uḫnu], Daiaeni, (and) Tummi, [the city Arṣaš]kun, the royal city of Arrāmu of the land Urarṭu, [the lands Gilzānu (and)] Ḫubuškia.

(20b) In my fourth regnal year, I [crossed] the Euphrates River in flood (and) marched in pursuit of Ahunu of (Bīt-)Adini (lit. “son of Adīnu”). He had made as his stronghold 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) 22,000 of his troops (and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur.

(24b) In this 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 the other Nikdēra.

(26b) In my fifth regnal year, I ascended Mount Kāšiāru (and) captured eleven fortified cities. I confined Anḫitti of the land Šubria to his city (and) received his payment.

(28) In my sixth regnal year, I approached the cities on the banks of the Balīḫ River (and) they killed Gē-ammu, their city ruler. I entered the city Tīl(-ša)-turāḫi. I carried off his numerous possessions, (30) together with his palace women (and) took the city as my own. 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) of Damascus (and) Irḫulena of the land Hamatt, together with the kings of the land Ḫatti and 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, (and) the god Ninurta, who love (35) my priesthood, I fought with them (and) defeated them. I captured from them their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment, (and) struck down 29,000 of their [fighting] men with the sword. I threw the remnant of their troops, who had [fled] in the face of my weapons, into the Orontes River.

(38b) 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] (40) in its environs. [I marched] to the source of the Tigris River. 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)] my heroic [deeds] that I had accomplished in the lands. I erected (it) therein.

(44b) In my eighth regnal year, Nabû-apla-iddina, the king of [Karduniaš (Babylonia)], (45) passed away (and) Marduk-zākir-šumi, his son, took the throne. [Marduk-bēl-usāti], his younger brother, [rebelled] against him (and) they divided [the land equally. Marduk-zākir]-šumi [sent his messenger (with a plea for help)] to [Shalmaneser (III). Shalmaneser (III)], the vigorous hero [whose support is the god Ninurta], took [the road (and) ordered the march] to the land Akkad. I captured the [city Mê]-Turnat [...].

(50b) [In my ninth regnal year, for a second] time, [I marched] to the land Ak[kad ... I marched to Babylon], (60´) Borsippa, (and) Cutha (and) [made sacrifices in Babylon], Borsippa, (and) Cutha (and) [presented] offerings to [the great gods. I established] protection for the people [at a banquet and] dressed them in garments. 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 sea, which is called the Bitter Sea.

(66') In my tenth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River [for the eighth time]. I captured the cities of Sangara of the city Carchemish. Moving on from the cities of the Carchemishite, I approached the cities of A(b)-rāmu (Abi-rāmu) (and) captured Arnê, his royal city, together with 100 cities [in] its [environs]. I destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire (those cities).

(71'b) In my eleventh regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the ninth time. I captured ninety-seven cities of Sangara. I captured, destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire 100 (cities) of A(b)-rāmu (Abi-rāmu). I took to the slopes of Mount Amanus, crossed Mount Yaraqu, (and) descended to the cities (75´) of the people of Hamath. I captured, destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire the city Aštammaku (Abtammaku), together with eighty-nine (other) cities. At that time [Hadad]-ezer (Adda-idrī) of Damascus (and) Irḫulena of the land Hamath, together with twelve kings of the land Hatti on the shore of the sea, (80´) trusted in their united forces (and) I fought with them (and) defeated them. I struck down their fighting men with the sword.

(82') In my twelfth regnal year, I crossed the Euphrates River for the tenth time (and) marched to the city Paqarḫubuni. The people took to a rugged mountain. I massacred them (and) brought plunder (and) possessions of theirs down from th(at) mountain.

(85') In my thirteenth regnal year, I entered the pass of (the city) Ištarāte, marched to (the city) Matiātu, (and) captured (the city) Matiātu in its entirety. I plundered their holdings (and) possessions.

(87'b) In my fourteenth regnal year, I mustered (the troops of my) extensive land in countless numbers (and) [crossed the Euphrates River in flood] with 1[20,000 troops ...]. (91´) They trusted [in their united forces] and [...] garments [... I fought with them] (and) defeated them. [I destroyed their chariotry (and) cavalry (and) took away] their military equipment. [In order to save their (own) lives], they ran away.

(96') [In my fifteenth regnal year, ...].

(102') [In my sixteenth regnal year, ...] Ianzû [of (Bīt-)Ḫamban (lit. “son of Ḫamban”), ...].

(116') In my seventeenth regnal year, [I crossed the Euphrates River] (and) received [the payment of the kings] of the land Ḫatti. [I ascended Mount Amanus], cut down [beams of] cedar, [(and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur. On] my return march [from Mount Amanus, ...].

(122'b) [In] my eighteenth regnal year, [I crossed the Euphrates River for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Damascus, trusting in the] might of [his] soldiers, carried out an [extensive] muster of his troops. He fortified [Mount Saniru], a mountain peak (125´) [that is before Mount Leban]on. [...] ... [I struck down 16,020 of] his fighting men [with the sword and took away from him] 1,1[21 of his chariots (and) 4]70 of his cavalry [with his military camp. In order to] save his (own) life, he ran away, [(but) I pursued him]. I imprisoned him [in Damascus], his royal [city, (130´) cut down his gardens, (and)] burned [his shocks. I marched] to Mount [Ḫaurānu] (and) destroyed, demolished, [burned with fire, (and) plundered cities] without number. I marched to Mount [Baʾali-raʾasi, which is a cape (jutting out into) the sea] before Tyre, (and) [erected a statue of my royal majesty there]. I received the payment of Baʾal-manzē(r) (135´) [of Tyre (and) Jehu (Iāūa) of (Bīt-)Ḫum]rî (Israel; lit. “[son of Om]ri”). [I ascended] Mount Lebanon (and) [erected a statue of my royal majesty with a statue of] Tiglath-pileser (I), a [ruler who came before me].

(137'b) [In my nineteenth regnal year, I crossed] the Euphrates River for the seventeenth time (and) received [the payment of the kings of the land Ḫatti]. I [ascended] Mount Amanus, cut down [beams of cedar and] juniper, [(and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur. On my return march from Mount Amanus], I slew [ten perfect specimens of strong, horned, wild bulls (and) two calves by the city Zuqarri, which is on the opposite bank of the Euphrates River].

(143'b) In my twentieth regnal year, [I crossed the Euphrates River for the twentieth time] (and) mustered with my (forces) [all of the kings] of the land Ḫatti. (145´) [I crossed] Mount Amanus (and) went down [to the cities] of Katî of the land Que (Qau). I captured the cities Lusanda, [Abarnāni], (and) Kisuatni, fortified cities, together with [innumerable] cities, from the nearest of his cities to the farthest of his cities. [I massacred (and)] plundered them. I created two statues of my royal majesty, inscribed [thereon my] mighty [praises (and)] erected one in the nearest (150´) of his [cities] (and) the second in the [farthest of his cities] on a cape (jutting) into the sea. I prevailed over the land (text “city”) Que (Qau) with might and main.

(152') [In] my [twenty-first regnal year], I [crossed] the Euphrates River for the twenty-first time (and) received the payment all of the kings [of the land Ḫat]ti. Moving on from [the land Ḫatti], I took to the slopes of Mount Lebanon. I crossed Mount Saniru (and) went down to the cities (155´) [of] Hazael of Damascus. [All] of the cities became frightened (and) took to the mountain for their protection. I conquered the cities Ya...[..., ...], Danabu, (and) Malaḫu, fortified cities, by means of [tunnels], battering-rams, (and) siege towers. I massacred (and) plundered them. I destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire th(ose) [cities]. Baʾal (160´) of [the land ...]ra grasped by feet (and) I received payment from him. I erected a statue of my royal majesty in the temple of the city Laruba, his fortified city. Now, I received the tribute of the people of Tyre, Sidon, (and) Byblos. I marched as far as the land Muṣurūna.