ROYAL INSCRIPTIONS
Sargon of Agade
Naram-Sin
Gudea of Lagash
Zariku
Irishum
Shamshi-Adad
Adad-Nirari I
Shalmaneser I
Tukulti-Ninurta I
Tiglath-Pileser I
Adad-Nirari II
Tukulti-Ninurta II
Assur-Nair-Pal II
Shalmaneser III
Sargon II
Sargon of Agade
(Late Third Millennium BCE)
1. Sargon, king of Agade, overseer of Ishtar, king of Kish, anointed priest of Anu, king of the country, great ensi of Enlil speaks as follows:
Sargon defeated Uruk; he tore down its wall;
Lugalzaggisi, the king of Uruk, he captured in this battle; he brought him in a dog collar to the gate of Enlil at Nippur.
Sargon, king of Agade, was victorious over Ur; he tore down its wall.
He defeated E-Ninmar; he tore down its wall.
He defeated E-Ninmar's entire territory from Lagash as far as the sea.
He washed his weapons in the sea.
Enlil did not let anyone oppose Sargon, the king of the country.
Enlil gave Sargon the Upper Sea and the Lower Sea.
From the Lower Sea onwards men of Agade hold the governorships.
Mari (i.e. the Northwest) and Elam (i.e. the Southeast) stand obediently before Sargon, king of the country.
2. Sargon, king of Kish, was victorious in 34 campaigns and dismantled the cities as far as the shore of the sea.
At the wharf of Agade he caused ships from Meluhha, Magan and Dilmun to moor.
Sargon prostrated himself before the god Dagan in Tutul. Dagon gave him the Upper Region, that is, Mari, Iarmuti and Ebla, as far as the Cedar Forest and the Silver Mountain.
Enlil did not let anyone oppose Sargon, the king.
5,400 soldiers ate daily in his presence.
Sargon 1 & 2
"Inscription on a statue the pedestal of which is not inscribed"
Naram-Sin
(Late Third Millennium BCE)
1. Although since the creation of mankind no king has ever destroyed the towns of Arman and Ebla, now the god Nergal has opened up the path for mighty Naram-Sin, and given him Arman and Ebla.
Nergal also presented him with the Amanus, the Cedar Mountain, and the Upper Sea.
The mighty Naram-Sin slew Arman and Ebla with the weapon of the god Dagan who makes Sargon's kingdom great.
All the people with which Dagan had presented him, people who lived between the Euphrates frontier and Ulisum, Naram-Sin forced to take up and carry the corvee-basket for his god Amal.
And he overpowered the Amanus, the Cedar Mountain.
Late copy on clay tablet. (UET no 275)
Gudea of Lagash
(Late Third Millennium BCE)
Gudea, the ruler of Lagash, builds a temple for his god, Ningirsu, after being given
specific instructions in a dream by his master.
To build Ningirsu's house
The Elamite came to him from Elam,
the Susian came to him from Susa,
Magan and Meluhha in their mountains
loaded wood upon their shoulders for him
and gathered to Gudea in his city Girsu,
to build Ningirsu's house.
Ninzaga (chief deity of the island of Dilmun, modern Bahrain)
was given a commission,
and his copper
as if it were huge grain transports,
to Gudea, the man in charge of building the house,
he had conveyed.
Ninsikila ("Lady of Lustrations", the goddess of Dilmun) was given a commission,
and haluppu oaks, ebony,
and abba wood
to the ruler building the temple Eninnu
she had conveyed.
To the mountain of cedars,
not for man to enter,
did for Lord Ningirsu
Gudea bend his steps:
its cedars with great axes he cut down,
and into Sharur,
the right arm of Lagash,
his master's flood-storm weapon,
he made them.
Like giant serpents floating on the water,
Cedar rafts from the cedar foothills,
cypress rafts from the cypress foothills,
supalu rafts
from the supalu foothills,
great spruce trees, plane trees,
and eranum trees,
floating down in great rafts,
did at Kasurra's august quay
Gudea caused to moor
for his lord Ningiru.
To the mountain of mountain stone,
not for man to enter,
did for the lord Ningirsu
Gudea bend his steps,
cutting in slab form its great stones.
In hauna boats and nallua boats,
abal bitumen and IGIESIR bitumen and gypsum
from the foothills of Madga (near modern Kerkuk)
in cargoes, as if of grain boats
coming from the fields,
did Gudea cause to moor for the lord Ningirsu.
To the ruler building Eninnu
great things offered themselves:
From Kimash (near Kerkuk), a copper mountain
revealed itself to him,
and he mined its copper
from its pockets.
To the ruler, as man in charge of building
his master's house,
gold was brought
in dust form from the mountains;
to Gudea they brought down refined silver from the mountains,
carnelian they lavished upon him,
from Meluhha,
and from the alabaster mountains
they brought alabaster down to him.
Building with silver, the ruler
sat with silversmiths,
building Eninnu with precious stones,
he sat with jewelers,
building with copper and tin,
The goddess of craftsmen directed the
craftsmen and metal casters for him.
Zariku
The first datable Assyrian inscription is that of Zariku, who ruled Assur under Amar-Sin, the third king of the Third dynasty of Ur.
The temple of Belat-ekallim, his lady, for the sake of the life of Amar-Sin,
the mighty one, the king of Ur and the king of the four quarters, Zariku, viceroy of Assur, his servant, for the sake of his life, has built this temple.
Irishum
Irishum, son of Ilu-shuma, is frequently mentioned by the later Assyrians as an early temple-builder. Many brick inscriptions of his from Assur have been excavated.
Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ilu-shuma, viceroy of Assyria; for Assur his lord, for the sake of his own life and the life of his city, the whole enclosure of the temple of Assur, and the mushlala, the mighty abode of Assur, he built.
Irishum inscription on a door-socket;
Irishum, viceroy of Assur, son of Ilu-shuma, viceroy of the god Assur, the whole house and enclosure for Assur, his lord, for the sake of his own life and the life of his city, he built it.
When I built that house.....I made tablets of silver and gold, bronze and lead. In grain I laid them. On every wall I sprinkled butter (cream) and honey, and I poured them out one tipku deep.
Shamshi-Adad
Shamshi-Adad, (1726-1694) the great king of the eighteenth century was the first king to begin referring to the building activities of kings who came before him.
Temples were built and rebuilt, always in need of repairs, owing to the materials used in their construction. Shamshi-Adad, however, makes no references to his own father or grandfather, an omission that in Assyrian history usually indicates a usurpation of the throne.
In his inscriptions we have the first references of contact with the West by an Assyrian monarch.
(Col. I) Shamshi-Adad, king of the universe, builder of the temple of Assur; who devotes his energies to the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates.
At the command of Assur who loves him, he whose name Anu and Enlil had named for great deeds among the kings that had gone before, the temple of Enlil, which Irishum, son of Ilu-shuma, had built, and whose structure had fallen to ruins - the temple of Enlil, my lord, a magnificent shrine, a spacious abode, the dwelling of Enlil, my lord, which had been planned according to the plan of wise architects, in my city Assur I roofed that temple with cedar; in the doors I placed door-leaves of cedar, covered with silver and gold. The walls of that temple, laid upon silver, gold, lapis lazuli and sandu -stone, - with cedar-oil, choice oil, honey and butter I sprinkled the mud walls. The temple of Enlil, my lord I enclosed with a wall and E- am- kur-kurra, "the Temple, the wild ox of the mountains", the temple of Enlil, my lord, in my city Assur, I called its name.
When I built the temple of my lord Enlil, the standard prices in my city Assur were as follows: For one shekel of silver, two gur of grain, for one shekel of silver, fifteen minas of wool, for one shekel of silver, twenty ka of oil, according to the standard prices of the my city Assur.
At that time I received in my city Assur the tribute of the kings of Tukrish and the tribute of the kings of the Upper Country. I erected an inscribed stele with my great name on it in the country of the Lebanon on the shore of the Great Sea. ((ANET 274-I)
When the temple shall have fallen into decay, whoever it may be among the kings, my descendants who shall restore the temple, let him anoint my foundation cylinder and my memorial stele with oil, let him pour out libations upon them and return them to their places. Whoever does not anoint my foundation cylinder and memorial stele with oil, does not pour libations upon them and does not restore them to their places, but rebuilds the temple and alters my memorial stele, blots out my name and inscribes his own name upon it. or covers it with earth, or throws it into the river: that king may Enlil overthrow, from the foe may his forces not escape. May Nergal in violence bring about his destruction and the destruction of his land. May Ishtar, goddess of battle, mistress of war, shatter his arms and the arms of his hosts. May Sin, who goes before me, be the evil one who lies in wait for him for all time to come.
Adad-Nirari I
Under Adad-nirari I, the Assyrian state made its first great strides towards becoming a world-power. The extent of Adad-nirari's activities, if not their chronological order can be inferred from the long introductions that precede many of his building inscriptions.
Adad-nirari, illustrious prince, honored by god, lord, viceroy of the gods, founder of the city, destroyer of the mighty hosts of Kassites, Kuti, Lulumi, and Shubarians; who destroys all foes from above and to below; who tramples down their lands from Lubdu and Rapiku to...the fortress of Sudi, the fortress of Harran, as far as Carchemish, which is on the bank of the Euphrates; who captures all peoples, enlarges boundary and frontier; the king to whose feet Anu, Assur, Shamash, Adad and Ishtar have brought in submission all kings and princes; the exalted priest of Enlil, son of Arik-den-ilu, viceroy of Enlil, priest of Assur, conqueror of the lands of Turuki and nigimhi in their totality, together with all their kings, mountains and highlands, the territory of the wide-spreading Kuti, conqueror of all its allies, the hordes of Ahlami and Suti, the Iauri and their lands, who enlarged boundary and frontier; grandson of Enlil-nirari, priest of Assur, who destroyed the armies of the Kassites, whose hand overcame all of his foes, who enlarged boundary and frontier; great-grandson of Assur-uballit, the mighty king whose priesthood in the great temple was glorious, the peace of whose reign was established to distant lands as firm as a mountain; who destroyed the armies of the wide spreading Shubari, who enlarged boundary and frontier.
Shalmaneser I
In a building inscription commemorating his construction of the great temple of Assur, E-hursag-kalamma, at Assur, Shalmaneser I (ca. 1280) gives us a description of what corresponds to a "first campaign" in later Assyrian annals. At the time of his accession to the throne the whole land of Urartu (modern Armenia) rose in rebellion against Shalmaneser. A vigorous campaign followed in which Shalmaneser tried to make good the Assyrian claim to the country.
The king's titles
Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, the holy one, viceroy of the gods, favorite prince of Ishtar, who purifies the cult and the offerings, who increases the blood sacrifices and the offerings for all the gods; founder of splendid cities, builder of Ehursagkalamma, the abode of the gods, the mountain of the lands; awe-inspiring king, chief priest, prefect of Anu and Enlil, shepherd of all peoples, whose deeds increase the good for Assur; strong warrior, mighty in battle, who burns up the enemy, who thunders like Adad among his foes, who bursts forth like a flame of fire, who is bold in battle, and the onslaught of whose arms is like the snare of certain death; the legitimate ruler, who goes about, trusting in Assur and the great gods, his lords; who has no rival, who seizes the territory of the enemy north and south; the lord to whose feet Assur and the great gods have brought all kings and rulers in submission.
Shalmaneser is invested with kingship
When the lord Assur chose me for his legitimate worshipper, and, for the ruling of the black-headed people, gave me scepter, sword and staff, he presented me the diadem of legitimate rulership.
Campaign against Urartu
At that time, at the beginning of my priesthood, the land of Urartu rebelled, became estranged from me and stirred up enmity. To Assur and the great gods, my lords I raised my hands in prayer; I mobilized my armies; I went up against their mighty mountain fastness. The lands of Himme, Uadkun, Bargun, Salua, Halila, Luha, Nilipahri, Zingun - eight countries with their forces - I conquered. Fifty-one of their cities I captured and burned. I seized their property as booty The whole land of Urartu, in three days' time, I brought into submission at the feet of Assur my lord.
Their young men I selected. I took them into my service. I chose them to be the ones to fear me. Heavy tribute for a mountainous region, for all time, I imposed upon them. The city of Arina was a strongly fortified mountain fortress, which had formerly revolted, despising the god Assur. With the help of Assur and the great gods, my lords, I took that city. I destroyed it and scattered kudime over its site. Its dust I gathered up and in the gate of my city Assur I poured it out as a witness for all the days to come.
At that time the whole land of Musri I brought into submission at the feet of Assur my lord.
When, at the behest of the great gods, I advanced against the land of Hanigalbat with the mighty hosts of my lord Assur, I forced my way over difficult roads and narrow passes. Shattuara, king of Hanigalbat, and the army of Hittites and Arameans with him, I surrounded. He cut off the passes and my water supply. In spite of thirst and fatigue my army bravely advanced into the masses of the enemy troops. I fought a battle. I defeated them. I killed countless numbers of them. Against the king himself, at spear-point, unto the setting of the sun I waged battle.
I cut down their hordes; 14,400 of them I overthrew and took as living captives. Nine of his strongholds and his capital city I captured. One hundred and eighty of his cities I turned into tells and ruins. The army of the Hittites and Arameans, his allies, I slaughtered like sheep.
At that time, from the city of Taidi to the city of Irridi, the whole Kashiari mountain region, to the city of Eluhat, the stronghold of Sudi, the stronghold of Harran as far as Carchemish, which is on the bank of the Euphrates, I captured their cities. Their lands I brought under my sway, and the rest of their cities I burned with fire.
Thereupon, the land of Kuti, whose numbers are countless as the stars of heaven, who know how to plunder, came down upon me and fought with me, and stirred up enmity. To Assur and the great gods, my lords, I raised my hand in prayer, saying: "They faithfully promised me their good faith." I left the camp of my army behind, took the choicest third of my chariots, rushed into the midst of battle with them. From the border of the land of Urartu to the land of Kutmuhi, remote regions, a land of far-reaching stretches, the bodies of their wide spreading hosts I poured out like water. With the corpses of their warriors I filled the wide plain. His booty, his cattle, his family and his property I carried away to my city Assur.
The shepherd, duly appointed, whose name Anu and Enlil named for the days to come, am I; of an ancient line, one who knows the gods, son of Adad-nirari, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, grandson of Arik-den-ilu, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur.
At that time I tore down the temple in its totality; I cleared away the earth from it, went down to its foundation, built its foundation walls of mighty stones, like the structure of the mountains. An illustrious temple, a lofty dwelling place, a noble shrine, a magnificent abode, whose front was higher than its that of the earlier temple, cleverly constructed, displaying glory, befitting the dignity of the god's exalted divinity, worthy of his sovereignty, all this I went to great trouble to restore for Assur, my lord. I placed tablets of stone, silver, gold, iron, bronze, lead together with herbs over against its foundation. I laid its walls in oil, choice oil, resin, the blood of the cedar, honey, and cream. From its foundation to its top I rebuilt it. I set up my memorial tablet. I established its feasts.
When the lord Assur enters that temple and makes his joyful home in its noble shrine, may he look upon the splendid works which I performed here upon this temple; may he rejoice; may he hear my prayers and listen to my supplications. May he decree with a mighty decree peace for my priesthood, that my own descendants may continue to hold the office of priesthood here; may he decree joy for my reign by his exalted word for all the days to come.
The memorial tablets of former kings I anointed with oil. I poured libations upon them, and returned them to their places.
In days to come when this temple becomes old and falls into ruins may some future prince, recall the pious deeds of my hands; may he proclaim the glory of my prowess. Just as I returned the memorial tablets of former princes to their places in the foundations so may that future prince anoint my stele with oil, pour libations upon it and return it to its place. Then, Assur and the lady of the temple will hear his prayers.
But, whoever disturbs my stele and blots out the writing of my name, him may Assur, the mighty god who dwells in E-hursag-kalamma , the Igigi of heaven and the Anunaki of the earth, all of them look with disfavor upon him and with a terrible curse may they curse him in their anger. May they blot out his name and his progeny from this land. May some hostile king seize his throne and give his land away to anyone who pleases him.
Tukulti-Ninurta I
(ca. 1250 BC)
The event of Tukulti-Ninurta's reign that made the greatest impression upon his contemporaries was undoubtedly his capture of Babylonia. He forced its Kassite king to give battle, roundly defeated him and dragged the captive before Assur, the god of Tukulti-Ninurta and his conquering armies.
Trusting in Assur, Enlil and Shamash, the great gods, my lords, and with the help of Ishtar, queen of heaven and earth who went at the head of my army I forced Kashtilash, king of Karduniash, to give battle. I brought about the defeat of his armies. I overthrew his warriors. In the midst of that battle I captured Kashtilash, the Kassite king with my own hands. I trod upon his royal neck with my feel. I stripped and bound him and brought him before my lord, Assur. Sumer and Akkad I brought under my sway. On the lower sea of the rising sun I established the frontier of my land.
At that time, in the temple area of my city Assur, on the north side, I cleared away great quantities of earth from wide areas. Below I built its foundations. Like the solid mountains I made its foundation walls strong. I built E-lugal-u-kur-kurra, my royal dwelling which I love. From its foundations to its top I completed it; I set up my memorial stele there.
E-lugal-u-kur-kurra, my royal abode, the place of the assembly of the gods who have made great my kingship.
In days to come let some future prince when that palace becomes old and falls into decay, restore its ruins, anoint my memorial stele with oil, offer sacrifices and return that building to its place. Then Assur and Adad will hear his prayers. But, he who blots out my inscribed name and writes his own name there instead, who destroys my memorial stele or puts it in some hidden place, may Assur and Adad, the gods of heaven and earth, ruin his kingdom, destroy his name and his seed from all the land.
Or, if some future king prevents the gods who dwell in Assur from entering into my palace at the feasts, or directs them to another place, causing them to leave that palace and to desert it, may the gods Assur and Adad, the gods or heaven and earth, ruin his kingdom, destroy his name and his seed from the land. May an enemy king deprive him of his throne May his land be given to strangers. May Ishtar, the lady, lover of the years of my rule, bring about the over throw of his land. May he not be able to stand upright in the face of his foes. May Ishtar give him over into the hand of his enemy.
Tukulti-Ninurta, to whose scepter the gods of heaven and earth give the command to rule over the four quarters of the earth, the mighty king. favorite of the great gods, of royal lineage, whose priesthood in the temple and rule over all peoples, Enlil made great from ancient days am I. The son of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria, the grandson of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of Assyria.
Tiglath-Pileser I
The records of the military, hunting and building activities of the first five years of the reign of Tiglath-pileser I (ca. 1100 BC.) were inscribed upon four clay prisms which were deposited at the corners of the temple of Anu and Adad at Assur.
Assur, the great lord, ruler of all of the gods, the one who bestows the scepter and crown of kingship and who himself established sovereignty: (217)
Enlil, the lord, the king of all the Anunnaki, the father of the gods, the lord of all the lands; (217)
Sin, the wise, the lord of the lunar disk, exalted on in your splendor; (217)
Shamash, the judge of heaven and earth, who spies out the evil designs of the enemy, who exposes the wicked; (217)
Adad, the mighty, who overwhelms the lands and houses of the foe; (217)
Ninurta, the hero, who destroys the wicked and the enemy, who causes every man to attain to all that the heart desires; (217)
Ishtar, first among the gods, the lady of confusion, who makes battles terrible; (217)
Ye great gods, ye rulers of heaven and earth, you whose onward rush is battle and destruction, who have enlarged the kingdom of Tiglath-pileser, the beloved prince, the king who is the desire of your hearts, the exalted shepherd, the king whom you gods in your lofty hearts have chosen, the one whom you have crowned with a lofty diadem, the one whom you have appointed to be king over all the land of Enlil; to that king you have granted majesty, glory, and power. You have decreed that his rule shall be mighty and that his priestly seed should have a place in E-hursag-kalamma forever. (217)
Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, king of the universe, who is without rival, king of the four quarters of the universe, king of all princes, lord of lords, shepherd, king of kings, exalted priest, on whom a shining scepter was bestowed at the command of Shamash; by this scepter Tiglath-pileser has come to rule the nations, the subjects of Enlil, all of them; the true shepherd whose name has been proclaimed above all princes; the exalted leader whom Assur has caused to brandish his weapons and whose name he has proclaimed forever in order that that king may be shepherd of the four quarters of the world, the fiery tempest whose splendor overwhelms the four quarters of the world; glowing flame which, like the rush of a storm overpowers the enemy's land; who through the command of Enlil has no rival, and has overthrown the enemies of Assur. (218)
Assur and the great gods, who have made my kingdom great, and who have bestowed might and power as a gift upon me, they commanded that I should extend the boundary of their land, and they entrusted into my hand their mighty weapons, the storm of battle. Lands, mountains, cities and princes, the enemies of Assur, I have brought under my sway. (219)
At the beginning of my reign I marched against the land of Kutmuhi, which was disloyal and which withheld tribute and tax from Assur, my lord....I crossed the Tigris and conquered the city of Shereshe, their stronghold. I also beat down the forces of Kurte like a gust of wind. Kili-Teshub, the son of Kali-Teshub, whom men also called Irrupi, my hand captured in the midst of battle. His wives, sons whole household as well as one hundred eighty vessels of bronze, five bowls of copper, together with their gods, gold and silver, the choicest of their possessions, I carried away. (222)
The terror and fear of the brilliant splendor of Assur, my lord overwhelmed the people of Urratinash, a stronghold which lies on Mount Panari. To save their lives they carried off their gods, and fled like birds to the tops of the high mountains. (223)
I, Tiglath-pileser, took my chariots and my troops and I crossed the Tigris. I took the sons of Shadi-Teshub as hostages. Sixty vessels of bronze, bowls of copper, great cauldrons of copper, together with one hundred and twenty slaves, plus herds and flocks he brought me as tribute and toll. I received all these things from Shadi-Teshub, pardoned him and spared his life. The heavy yoke of my rule I laid upon him for future days. I conquered his land in its entirety. At that time I offered unto Assur, my lord, one caldron of copper and one bowl of copper from the spoil and tribute of the land of Kutmuhi; sixty vessels of bronze together with their gods I dedicated to Adad who loves me. (223)
I also conquered the land of Sugi. I brought out twenty-five of their gods, their spoil their goods, and their possessions. (233)
At that time I presented the twenty-five gods of those lands, which I had captured with my hand and had taken away, as gifts to the temple of Ninlil, the mighty consort, the beloved of Assur, my lord, and to the temples of Anu and Adad and the Assyrian Ishtar, - the sanctuaries of my city Assur and the goddesses of my land. (234)
I imposed tribute of twelve hundred horses and two thousand head of cattle upon the lands of Nairi. I sent their troops back to their own lands. (236)
One homer of magnesium ore for offerings I imposed as annual tribute. (237)
Paeans of praise
Tiglath-pileser, the burning flame, the terrible one, the storm of battle. (238)
Tiglath-pileser, who tramples down the proud, who subdues the disobedient, who humbles the mighty.(240)
Campaign against the lands of Nairi
At that time, in the exalted might of Assur, my lord, through the sure mercy of Shamash the hero and with the help of the great gods, I who have ruled in righteousness in the four quarters of the world and who have not had a conqueror in battle, nor a rival in any fight, I marched over difficult roads and through steep passes whose interior no king had ever known. Into the lands of the distant kings who are on the shore of the Upper Sea, and had never before been subjugated I marched. I traversed sixteen mighty mountains, in my chariot where the country was good. Where it was difficult I hewed my way through with pickaxes of bronze. Urumi- trees of the mountain I cut down, made strong the bridges for the advance of my troops with them and crossed the Euphrates.
Twenty three kings of the lands of Nairi, gathered their chariots and their hosts from out of their lands and advanced to wage war and combat. With the fury of my terrible weapons I attacked them. I brought about the destruction of their wide spreading forces like a flood of Adad. (236)
120 armored chariots I captured. Sixty kings I pursued at spear-point as far as the Upper Sea. I captured their great cities. I destroyed them and turned them into heaps of ruins. (236)
I led away great herds of horses, mules, grazing cattle and the flocks of their pastures in countless numbers. I captured all the kings of the lands of Nairi with my own hands. I had mercy on those kings and spared their lives. When they were brought captive and bound into the presence of Shamash, my lord, I set them free and I caused them to swear an oath of submission to my great gods for future days and forever. Their sons, their royal offspring I took as hostages; twelve hundred horses, and two thousand head of cattle I laid as tribute upon them and I sent them back to their own lands. (236)
Against the Aramean tribes round-about Carchemish
With the help of Assur, my lord, I led forth my chariots and warriors into the desert. Into the midst of the Arameans, the enemies of Assur, my lord, I marched. The country from Suhi to the city of Carchemish, in the land of Hatti, I raided in one day. I slew their troops; their spoil, their goods and their possessions in countless numbers, I carried off. The rest of their forces, which had fled from before the terrible weapons of Assur, my lord, and had crossed over to the other side of the Euphrates I pursued. I crossed the Euphrates myself in vessels made of animal skins. Six of their cities that lay at the foot of the mountain Beshri I captured. All their goods and possessions I carried away to my city Assur.(239)
Tiglath-pileser erects a broadside
Assur also sent me to conquer the land of Musri. I marched between the mountains of Elamuni, Tala and Harusa. I conquered the land of Musri. The troops of the land of Kumani came to help my enemies. I fought against twenty thousand Kumanians and defeated them. Hanusa, their stronghold, I overthrew so that it became like a tell after a flood....I fashioned a bronze lightning-bolt, and I inscribed upon it the story of the spoliation of the land that I conquered through the aid of my god, my lord. I also had inscribed upon that bronze lightning bolt the decree that the city should not again be inhabited, and that its wall should not be rebuilt. I built a temple of burnt-brick in that place and set up the bronze lightning-bolt in it.(243)
Hunting expeditions
The gods Ninurta and Nergal have given their terrible weapons and their majestic bow into my lordly hands. At the bidding of Nin-urta, who loves me, four wild bulls, which were mighty and of monstrous size, in the desert, in the country of Mitani, and near to the city of Araziki, which is over against the land of Hatti, with my mighty bow, with my iron spear, and with my sharp darts, I killed. Their hides and their horns I brought into my city Assur. I also slew ten mighty bull elephants in the country of Harran, and in the district of the Habur River. I caught four elephants alive. Their hides, their tusks together with the live elephants I brought into my city Assur. (247)
At the bidding of Nin-urta, who loves me, I have slain one hundred and twenty lions with my bold courage and my strong attack, on foot; eight hundred lions I have laid low from my chariot with javelins. I have brought down all kinds of beasts of the field and birds of the air that fly, among my hunting spoils. (248)
Rebuilding the temples and palaces
After I had brought all the enemies of Assur under my rule, I completely rebuilt the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, my lady, the temple of Amurru, the temple of Bel-labiru, the divine temples, the temples of the gods of my city Assur, which had fallen into ruins. The portals of their temples I set up, and caused the great gods, my lords, to dwell therein. I delighted the hearts of the great gods. (249)
Divine command to built the Temple
At the beginning of my reign, Anu and Adad, the great gods, my lords, who love my priesthood, commanded that I should rebuild their dwelling. I made bricks; I cleared the ground; I dug down to its foundation and laid its new foundation walls upon the firm bed of the mighty mountain. The whole of that place I filled up with brickwork as if it were an oven. To a depth of fifty layers of brick I dug down, and there I laid the limestone foundation of the temple of Anu and Adad. From its foundation unto its top I rebuilt it, and I made it larger than it was before. (260)
Adornment of the Temple
I built two mighty temple towers, which were worthy of their great divinities. The holy temple, the lordly structure, their joyful habitation, the dwelling of their delight, which shone as a star in the heavens, richly adorned by the skill of my craftsmen, all this I planned with care; built it and completed the building. The interior of the temple I made shine like the heart of heaven; I made its walls beautiful like the brightness of the rising stars. ...Anu and Adad, the great gods, I caused to dwell in this lofty habitation, and made glad the hearts of their great divinities. (260)
Sources of building materials
At that time I brought ka-stone and halta-stone and shadanu-stone from the mountains of the land of Nairi, which I had conquered with he aid of Assur, my lord and I have them placed forever in the treasure house of Adad, my lord. (262)
To Mount Lebanon I went. Logs of cedar for the temple of Anu and Adad, the great gods, my lords, I cut down and brought away. Amurru (the Western country) in its entirety I conquered. The tribute of Byblos, Sidon and Arvad I received. In ships of Arvad which is on the seashore, I crossed over to Samuri in the land of Amurru, a journey of 3 double hours by land. I killed a nahiru, which they call a sea-horse, in the midst of the sea. (302)
At the command of Anu and Adad, the great gods, my lords, I went and cut logs of cedar for the temple of Anu and Adad, the great gods, my lords. I brought them to Assyria. Once again I returned to Amurru and conquered it. I received tribute from Arvad and the seacoast. I brought the land of Hatti entirely under my control. I imposed tribute in the form of a levy of logs of cedar upon Ili-Teshub, king of great Hatti.(306)
I marched against Karduniash. Dur-Kurigalzu, Sippar that belongs to the god Shamash, Sippar that belongs to the goddess Anunitum, Babylon, and Opis, on the far side of the Tigris. These cities together with their fortresses I captured. I killed multitudes of them. I carried off booty without limit.
I captured the palaces of Babylon that belonged to Marduk-nadin-ahhe, king of Karduniash. I burned the palaces to the ground with fire. I carried off all the possessions from the palaces. For a second time I drew up the line of battle chariots against Marduk-nadin-ahhe, king of Karduniash and smote him. (309)
I marched against Suhi. I cut down their orchards. I carried off their many gods and their goods to my city Assur.(310)
Results of temple building for the people of the land
Inasmuch as I planned the holy temple, and neither tarried nor delayed in the building of it but speedily brought it to completion and so made the hearts of the great gods glad, may Anu and Adad graciously turn toward me; may they take pleasure in the lifting of my hand; may they give ear to my fervent supplications. Copious rains and years of abundance and plenty during my reign may they grant. May they bring me back in safety from battle and combat. ...May they establish my priesthood before Assur forevermore, firm as a mountain. (263)
Battle records as votive offerings
The record of the triumphs of my valor, of the victories of my arms, of the subjugation of the enemy, the foe of Assur, which Anu and Adad have granted unto me as a gift, I inscribed all these deeds upon stones memorial tablets and clay prisms and set them up in the temple of Anu and Adad, the great gods forever. Furthermore, I anointed with oil and offered sacrifices over the memorial tablets of my father, Shamshi-Adad. I restored his tablets to their place. 264)
Improvements in the country
The palaces, the royal dwellings, in the great cities of the provinces of my land, which had been deserted from the time of my fathers down through the course of many years, and had decayed and had fallen into ruins, I rebuilt completely. (250)
I strengthened the walls of the cities of my land which were in ruins. (251)
I put the plows to work throughout the whole of Assyria and heaped up grain in greater quantities than my fathers. (252)
Stocking the land with wild and domestic animals
Herds of horses, cattle, and asses which I seized with the help of Assur, my lord, in the lands which I brought under my control, I gathered together as spoil. Herds of deer, stags, ibex, and wild goats, which Assur and Nin-urta, the gods who love me, have given me for the hunt, I have taken in the midst of the lofty hills. Herds of them I gathered together and counted them as though they were a flock of sheep. Every year I offered to Assur my lord, those of the young wild creatures which were born from them together with my pure lambs as sacrifices. (253)
Parks and gardens
I brought cedars, boxwood, and allakanish-trees from the countries which I subdued, trees the like of which none of the kings, my ancient fathers, had ever planted. I planted them in the gardens of my land. I took rare garden plants, which were not found in my own land, and caused them to flourish in the gardens of Assyria. (254)
King's final Benefits to the land
I increased the numbers of chariots built along with their teams to greater numbers than there were in former days. This strengthened my land. (254)
To the land of Assyria I added land, to her peoples I added peoples. (254)
I have kept in good condition my people and caused them to dwell in peaceful habitations. (254)
Adad-Nirari II
(ca.911-891)
This text is from a broken obelisk now in the British Museum. It was found at Nineveh. It is written in the third person. Therefore, it sounds quite different from the usual inscription which is written in the first person. This obelisk probably was inscribed with the annals (that is the military exploits) and hunting exploits of Adad-nirari II The inscription, however, has gaps and was probably never finished.
The king hunts
The gods Nin-urta and Nergal, who love his priesthood, granted him the skill to hunt in the field and he embarked upon ship belonging to the people of Arvad. He slew a dolphin (nahiru) in the midst of the Great Sea. He slew mighty wild bulls near the city of Araziki, which lies opposite the land of Hatti, and at the foot of Mount Lebanon. Her captured calves and collected herds of them. He brought down elephants with his bow; he captured elephants alive and brought them to the city of Assur.
120 lions with his brave heart and his courageous attack, he slew from his hunting chariot. On foot with the javelin he brought down [.......] lions. The gods in the high mountains commanded him to hunt them.
In the days of cold and frost and snow, in the days when Sirius in ascendant and glowed like copper, in the mountains of Ebih, Urshe, Azameri, Ankurna, Pizitta, Paarsagish and Kashiari, all mountains of the land of Assyria, in Mount Hand on the border of the land of Lulumme, and in the mountains of Nairi, ibexes, mountains goats, hinds and stags the king captured in nets, and large herds of them he collected. He caused them to bring forth their young Like flocks of sheep he counted them. (392)
Annals of Adad-nirari II from Assur
Hunting
The gods Ninurta and Nergal, who love my priesthood, gave me the animals of the field. They commanded me to follow the chase. 360 lions I slew from my chariot, by my strong attack. On my swift feet with the javelin I slew them. 240 wild oxen I slew. Seven mighty wild bulls, charging, I caught alive. Six elephants I killed as they rushed at me. I cast them into pits. Four live elephants I captured. Five ashkippu I captured. Lions, wild oxen, elephants, deer, wild goats, wild asses, gazelles, MAL-SHIR birds in herds I gathered.(375)
Campaign against Hanigalbat
I marched against Hanigalbat for the fourth time. In the wisdom of my heart I overthrew the cities around it. In order to level the city I dug a ditch around it. The local ruler's possessions, valuable mountain stone, chariots, horses, wives, sons and daughters, an enormous booty, he collected in front of me. On him and his brothers - with bonds of copper I had them bound, and I brought them to my city Assur. The mighty power of Assur, my lord, I established over Hanigalbat. (366)
I proceeded against Hanigalbat for the sixth time. A moat such as had never existed before I cut around it into the solid rock. I made it 9 cubits wide. Below, I made its bottom reach down as far as the water table. The city wall I leveled into that ditch as a flame would level it. They cried over it - a mighty roar as of a fierce, leveling storm. (368)
At the command of Assur, the great god, my lord, out of his city I took, his gold, his possessions, precious mountain-stone, his gods, his chariots and teams of horses... the staff he used in battle, golden chairs, dishes of shining gold, inlaid objects, costly inlaid weapons, a golden tent befitting his royalty whose weight I could not lift. All the wealth of his spacious palace I carried off. (368)
Building activities
Palace of cedar- wood, a palace of boxwood, a palace of pistachio-wood, a palace of tamarisk-wood, in my city Assur I built. Two dolphin (nahiru) four burhish and four lions of AT-BAR-stone, and two bull-colossi of alabaster, and two burhish of white limestone I fashioned and in the gates of the palace I set them up.(394)
Tukulti-Ninurta II
(ca. 890-884)
The annals of Tukulti-ninurta were found inscribed upon a large tablet probably from Assur. The first five campaigns are given in brief form and the sixth is given in great detail. It catalogues the standard circuit of the Assyrian kings on the march - down the Tigris, across to the Euphrates by way of Dur-Kurigalzu and Sippar, then up the Euphrates via Hit and Anah, to the Habur River; up the Habur valley to Nisibis. From Nisibis a raid is made against the Mushki. The king then returns to Assur.
Division of spoils
In the month of Simanu I departed from Nineveh. I crossed Mount Kashiari. Two cities in its neighborhood I destroyed. The people of this land I carried off into captivity. Copper, lead, iron, wood, horses, mules, I took for my own. I had Ammi-bali, son of Zamani swear an oath of Assur.
"You, if you furnish horses to my bodyguards, Adad, the merciful god, will....." At that time I Tukulti-Ninurta, set it up in the wall of the great court of Enlil in the gate of Mashupi. Silver from the Nairi lands which my arms had captured, I divided up, two parts went to the god and one part I placed in my palace. (405)
Sources of natural resources
In front of Hit, by the springs of bitumen, the place of ushmeta-stones through which the gods speak, I spent the night. (409)
To the city of Hidanu I drew near. 10 minas of liktu-gold, 10 minas of silver, 23 talents of lead, 1 talent of myrrh, 60 copper BAD, 10 minas of zadidu, 8 minas of shimzida-stone, 30 camels, 50 head of cattle, 30 asses, 14 large birds, 200 lambs, food and drink, straw and fodder, I received as the gift of Amme-alaba of Hidanu. Hidanu lies on the other side of the Euphrates. (410)
Hunting
Ninurta and Nergal who love my priesthood, gave me the beasts of the plain. They commanded me to follow the chase. Mighty lions in my hunting chariot, with my brave heart, and by my courageous onset, I slew with the javelin.
Peaceful Achievements
I constructed palaces throughout my land, I heaped up piles of grain for the sustenance of my land and increased their number when compared to former days. To Assyria I added land, to its peoples I added peoples.
Assur-Nair-Pal II
(ca. 883-858)
The final version of Assur-nasir-pal's annals was inscribed upon the pavement slabs of the entrance of the Nin-urta Temple at Nimrud. The great campaigns of the first six years are dated by limmus. Then there follows what must have been minor raids until the 18th year when the events of another serious campaign, probably the last, are recorded.
Summary of the king's conquests through the fifth year and announcement of the removal of the capital to Nimrud.
Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; grand-son of Adad-nirari etc. etc.
The king who from beyond the Tigris even as far as Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has brought into submission at his feet the whole land of Lake, the land of Suhi, as far as the city of Rapiku, and whose hand has conquered the territory from the source of the river Subnat even to the pass which lies thereby.
The region from the pass of Kirruri, to the land of Gilzani, from beyond the lower Zab to the city of Tilbare which is above the land of Zaban and from the city of Til-sga-Abtani to the city of Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities of Hirimu and Harutu, fortresses of the land of Karduniash (Babylonia). These I have added to the borders of my land.
The broad lands of Nairi in their length and breadth I have brought under my sway.
The city of Nimrud I have taken anew as a dwelling; the ancient mounds I destroyed. I dug down to the water-table. The temple of Ninurta, my lord, I founded therein. (467)
Temple Images
When, as my heart directed me, I had fashioned the statue of Ninurta, of whom there had never been en image before; when I had fashioned it as the protecting image of his great godliness; when I had fashioned it with the choicest stone from the mountain and with ruddy gold, I accounted that statue my great god in the city of Nimrud. I established feasts in his honor in the months of Shabatu and Ululu. The temple I constructed of burnt brick and the shrine of Ninurta, my lord, I made glorious therein. (468)
Campaign against Bit-Adini - regnal year not given
On the twentieth day of the month of Simanu I departed from the city of Calah. I crossed the Tigris, and I marched to the land of Bit-Adini. To the city of Kaprabi, their stronghold, I crew nigh. The city was exceeding strong, and it hung down like a cloud from heaven. The inhabitants put all their trust in the number of men in their army. They did not come down and embrace my feet.
By the command of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and Nergal, who goes before me, I stormed the city. With mines and battering-rams and siege engines, I took it and I slew many of the inhabitants. 800 of their fighting men I slaughtered, their spoil and their possessions I carried off. 2,400 of their troops I transported, and I settled them in the city of Calah (Nimrud). I established the terrifying splendor of Assur over the land of Bit-Adini.(AR.......)
Expedition to Carchemish and the Lebanon
I departed from the country of Bit-Adini and crossed the Euphrates at the peak of its flood on rafts made buoyant with inflated goatskin bottles. I advanced toward Carchemish. There I received tribute from Sangara, the king of the Hittites; 20 talents of silver, a sa'aru object of gold, a ring of gold, golden daggers, 100 talents of copper, 250 talents of iron, images of wild bulls made of copper, basin and ewer sets for washing, made of copper ,a copper brazier. All this was the king's own furniture It was not weighed separately. Furthermore, I took as tribute beds made of boxwood, all inlaid with ivory, 200 young women dressed in linen clothing decorated with multi-colored trimmings made of dark and reddish purple wool. I also took alabaster, elephant's tusks, a shining chariot and a golden nimattu-chair with panels, all the king's own royal insignia.
I took over the chariot corps and cavalry and the infantry of Carchemish. The kings of all the surrounding countries came to me and embraced my feet. I took hostages from them and they marched with me toward the Lebanon, forming my vanguard. (475-479, ANET, 275,3)
I advanced toward the town Kunulua, the royal residence of Lubarna from Hattina. Afraid of the terrible weapons of my ferocious army he embraced my feet to save his life. Twenty talents of silver, the equivalent of one talent of gold, 100 talents of tin, 100 talents of iron, 1000 head of cattle, 10,000 sheep, 1000 linen garments with multicolored trimmings easy chairs of boxwood with insets and mountains, beds of boxwood, beds provided with insets, tables with ivory inlay on boxwood - all the king's own furniture... I received from him as tribute. I pardoned him. I took over his chariots corps and cavalry and the infantry of Hattina. I took hostages from him. (ANET 276, 3)
Tribute from the land of Phoenicia
I departed from the royal residence of Lubarna in Hattina. I crossed the Orontes River and passed the night on the banks of the Orontes. I left the banks of the Orontes and took the road through the mountains. I passed over the mountains and passed the night on the banks of the river Sangura. I entered Aribua, the fortress of Lubarna from Hattina and seized it as my own town. I harvested the grain as well as the straw of the Luhuti country and stored them in the fortress. I his own palace I myself performed the tasiltu festival Then I settled natives of Assyria in that town. While I stayed in that town I conquered the other town of Luhuti. At that time I seized the entire extent of the Lebanon mountain and reached the Great Sea of Amurru country. I cleaned my weapons in the deep sea an performed sheep-offerings to all the gods. The tribute of the seacoast - from the inhabitants of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Mahallata, Maiza, Kaiza, Amurru and Arvad which is an island in the sea - tribute made up of gold, silver, tin, copper, copper containers, linen garments with multi-colored trimmings, large and small monkeys, ebony, boxwood ivory from walrus tusk, a product of the sea- all this tribute I received and the kings of these town embraced my feet. (ANET 276, 3)
Ascent of the Amanus
I climbed the mountains of the Amanus and there I cut down logs of cedars, stone-pines, cypresses and pines. There I also performed sheep-offerings to my gods. I had a sculptured stele commemorating my heroic achievements made and erected it there. The cedar beams of the Amanus mountain I sent to the temple Esarra for the construction of the iasamaku-sanctuary, a building for festivals serving the temples of Sin and Shamash, the gods who give light.
Shalmaneser III
(ca. 858-824)
On a black alabaster monument, now in the British Museum, are what are probably the final editions of the annals of Shalmaneser III. The famous black obelisk comes from the central building at Nimrud (Calhu) and is inscribed on all four sides with the record of the king's military achievements from the year of his accession to the thirty-first year. In addition to this inscription there are twenty small l reliefs, with annotations, depicting the payment of tribute of five conquered regions. Among those who prostrate themselves before the great king is Jehu, king of Israel.
In the first year of my reign I crossed the Euphrates at its flood. I washed my weapons in the sea; I offered sacrifices to my gods. I climbed Mount Amanus; i cut cedar and cypress timbers. I climbed Mount Lallar and there I set up my royal image. (558)
Campaign against Ahuni and Til-Barsip
In my second year I drew near to Til-Barsip. The cities of Ahuni, son of Adini, I captured. I shut him up in his city. I crossed the Euphrates at its flood; I captured Dabigu, a fortified city of Hatti, together with all the cities in the neighborhood. (559)
Campaign against Ahuni and return to Assyria
In the third year of my reign, Ahuni, son of Adini, took fright before my mighty weapons and forsook Til-Barsip, his royal city. I crossed the Euphrates. The city of Ana-Assur-utir-asbat, that lies on the other side of the Euphrates, on the Sagur River, which the Hittite people call Pitru, I seized for myself. (560)
Defeat and Capture of Ahuni
At that time I departed from Nineveh, crossed the Euphrates at its flood, pursued Ahuni, the son of Adini. He made Shitamrat, a mountain peak which is on the west bank of the Euphrates ,his stronghold. The mountain peak I stormed and captured. Ahuni, together with his gods, his chariots, his horses, his sons, his daughters, his troops I carried off and brought them to my city Assur. (561)
March to the source of the Tigris
I advanced to the source of the Tigris, where the waters gush forth. The weapon of Assur, my lord, I washed in those waters. I offered sacrifices to my gods. I spread a gladsome banquet. I fashioned a heroic image of myself. The glory of Assur, my lo;rd, every one of my brave deeds which I performed in different lands, I wrote upon that stele and I set it up there. (564)
Campaign against Carchemnish
In the tenth year of my reign I crossed the Euphrates for the eighth time. The cities of Sangars of Carchemish I captured. I drew near the cities of Arame. (567)
To Mount Amanus
In the seventeenth year of my reign I crossed the Euphrates. I went up to Mount Amanus; I cut cedar timbers. (574)
In my nineteenth year I crossed the Euphrates for the eighteenth time. I went up to Mount Amanus. I cut cedar timbers. (576)
To Mount Taurus
In my twenty-second year i crossed the Euphrates for the twenty-second time. I advanced to Mount Taurus, the silver mountain and Mount Muli, the marble mountain. (580)
Campaign against Urartu
In my twenty-seventh year I sent my turtan, Daian-Assur to campaign against Urartu once again. (584)
Year 31, The Great Revolt Begins
Daian-Assur iat the head of the Assyrian army is sent all about the empire to collect tribute and taxes from the king's vassals probably because the king is too old and weak to go himself. Urartians Persians, men of the Mediterranean coast are mentioned as defeated and paying tribute. Under the engravings on the black obelish in the British Museum are the following captions: The reference to Jehu is the first reference in Assyrian texts to a known biblical king.
Tribute of Sua, the Gilzanite; Silver, gold, lead, copper vessels, staves for the hand of the king, horses, camels whose backs have two humps I received from him. (588)
Tribute from Jehu, son of Omri. Silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden beaker, golden goblets, pitchers of gold, lead, staves for the hand of the king, javeling, I received from him. (589)
Sargon II
THE TEXTS FROM KHORSABAD
The inscriptions of Sargon of Assyria (724-705 B.C.) found at Khorsabad in 1849 and 1850 represent the events of his reign as edited by the royal scribes and used to adorn the walls, pavement slabs, etc. of the great palace that Sargon built late in his reign. The palace was dedicated in the year 706, less than a year before the king's death in battle.
Campaign against Carchemish:
In the fifth year of my reign, Pisiri of Carchemish sinned against the oath by the great gods and sent messages that were hostile to Assyria to Mita in the land of Muski. I lifted up my hand to Assur, my lord, and brought him and his family out of his city in chains. I carried off gold, silver and all the property of his palace plus the rebellious people of Carchemish who were with him. I brought them to Assyria. Fifty chariots, 200 horses and cavalry-men, 300 foot soldiers, I selected from among them and added them to my royal army. I settled people of Assyria in Carchemish and placed the yoke of Assur upon them. (II, 8)
Campaign against Urartu:
In my eighth year I went against the lands of the Manneans and the Medes. The royal cities I burned with fire.
I defeated Ursa, the Armenian. I killed countless numbers of his people. 260 of his royal children who made up his cavalry I captured with my own hands.
Ursa fled to his mountain on his mare in order to save his life. I pursued him from mountain to mountain. I took the Mannean mountain district away from him and gave it to Ullusuni of the Manneans.
The city of Ushkaia, the fortress at the pass to the province of Zaranda, strongly built in Mount Mallau, the cypress mountain, together with 115 of its cities I captured. 21 strong cities together with 140 cities of their neighborhood, I captured, and burned with fire. (II 20)
Urzana of the city of Musasir, who had transgressed against the oath taken by Assur and Marduk and who sent encouraging words to Ursa of Armenia: - Assur my lord gave me courage and with one of my chariots and 1,000 of my "rough riders" and foot soldiers, who are mighty in battle, over the mountains, all very steep, where the terrain was favorable I advanced on horseback and where it was bad I advanced on foot.
When Urzana heard of my approach he fled like a bird, climbing the steep mountain. I besieged the great mountain Musasir, the home of the gods.
The wife or Urzana and his sons, his daughters, 6,170 people, 690 mules and asses, 920 cattle, 100,225 sheep, I brought out from there.
34 talents, 18 minas of gold, 160 talents 2 and 1/2 minas of silver, white bronze, lead, precious stones in large numbers, colored woolen garments and linens in countless numbers, together with many talents and minas of gold and silver together with a bronze bull, a bronze cow, a bronze calf. all these treasures I carried off to Assur.
In the wide land of Armenia and in all the mountains I caused mourning among the people. For Ursa their king, gashing him with a knife, a razor, I established wailing for him for the rest of his life.
I brought that province within the border of Assyria proper. I put it under the rule of my official, the lord chamberlain. Ursa of Urartu, the splendor of my lord Assur overwhelmed him and with his own iron dagger he stabbed himself through the heart, like a pig, and ended his life. (II,22)