Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III

Detailed outline on Shalmaneser III

Date of inscription

852 BC

Annal years

858-853 BC

Glyptic object

Akkadian inscription on limestone

Discovery

John George Taylor

 at Kurkh, 1861 AD

Current location

British Museum #118884

Bible names

Ahab the Israelite, Ben-Hadad II

Historic events

853 BC, Year 6: (Eponymy of Daiiān-Aššur) Battle of Qarqar with Ben-Hadad II and 12 kings.

Digging up Bible stories!

 “Moving on from the city Arganâ I approached the city Qarqar. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the city Qarqar, his royal city. An alliance had been formed of (lit. "he/it had taken as his allies") these twelve kings: 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, (and) 20,000 troops of Hadad-ezer (Adadidri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, (and) 10,000 troops of Irhulënu, the Hamatite; 2,000 chariots (and) 10,000 troops of Ahab (Ahabbu) the Israelite (Sir'alaia); 500 troops of Byblos; 1,000 troops of Egypt” (Kurkh Monument, Lines ii 89b-102, 852 BC)

"What we read in the book, we find in the ground"

  Detailed outline on Shalmaneser III

Date Regnal Year Nisan

Translated Text

Jan 858 BC

Year 0 intro

Assur, the great lord, king of all of the great gods; Anu, king of the Igigi and Anunnaki, the lord of the lands; Enlil, father of the gods, who decrees destiny, who establishes the bounds of heaven and earth; Ea, the wise, king of the Apsu, endowed with wisdom; the god Nanir, illuminator of heaven and earth; the hero god, Shamash, judge of the four regions of the world, who leads humanity in doing right; Ishtar, lady of conflict and battle, who delights in warfare, you great gods, who love my kingship, who have promoted my rule, power and authority, who have honored and dignified my name, far above all other lords!

Shalmaneser, king of all, prince, priest of Assur, mighty king, king of Assyria, king of all the four regions of the world, Sun of all peoples, ruler of all lands, king, sought out by the gods, favorite of Enlil, vigilant viceroy of Assur, honored prince who finds his way among the most difficult paths, who walks on the tops of mountains and highlands far and near, who receives the tribute and gifts of all regions, who opens up trails, north and south, who makes the regions of earth feel threatened at the prospect of fighting him, whose vigorous bravery shakes the lands to their foundations; mighty hero, who goes about, trusting in Assur and Shamash, his divine allies, who is without a rival among the princes of the four regions of earth; the king of lands, the heroic, who advances over difficult roads, traverses mountains and seas; son of Assur-nâsir-pal, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, whose priesthood pleased the gods, at whose feet all lands bowed in submission; glorious offspring of Tukulti-Urta, who killed all his enemies, and overwhelmed them like a flood. When the great lord Assur, determined in his heart, and his holy eyes, to designate me, called me to rule over Assyria, gave to me the mighty weapon that casts down the rebellious, crowned me with a noble crown, the rule of all lands—to rule and forcefully subject the enemies of Assur, he sent me out. (Column 1 lines 1–12)

858 BC,

Year 0 pre-Nisan

At that time, at the beginning of my kingship, in my first year of reign, when I solemnly took my place on the royal throne, I mustered my chariots and armies, and entered the passes of Simesi. When I came to Aridi, the royal city of Ninni, I stormed and captured it. I burned up their youths and their maidens in its fire. While I was in Aridi I received the tribute from the Hargeans, Harmaseans, Simeseans, Siresheans, and Ulmaneans—tamed horses, cattle, sheep, and wine. Then I left Aridi and encountered difficult roads, steep mountains, with summits pushing into the heavens like the blade of an iron dagger. I cut through with bronze and copper pickaxes, and lead chariots and troops over them. When I came to Hubuskia, with its 100 neighboring cities, I burned them up. Kakia, king of Nairîland got afraid of my terrible weapons and escaped with his armies into the high mountains. So I climbed the mountain after them, and fought a bloody battle there among the mountains. I completely defeated them and bought back chariots, troops, and tamed horses with me from the mountains. They were struck by the terrorizing fear of Assur, my lord, so they came down and prostrated at my feet. I imposed tribute and tax on them. Then I left Hubushkia and came to Sugunia, royal city of Arame, approaching the Armenians. I stormed the city and captured it, killing multitudes of their soldiers, and carrying off their booty. I built a pyramid of heads in front of their city. I set fire to the neighboring cities and left Sugunia, going down to the sea of Nairîland. I washed my weapons in the sea, offered sacrifices to my gods, and made a statue of myself (the glory of the great lord Assur, my lord) and inscribed the story of my great power; I set it up by the sea. Coming back, I received tribute from Asû the Guzanite—horses, cattle, sheep wine, two Bactrian camels; I brought them to my city of Assur. (Col 1, lines 12-29)

858 BC

Year 1 Nisan

On the 13th of Airu, I left Nineveh, crossed the Tigris, and came through the lands of Hasamu and Dihnunu to the city of La’la’ti, ruled by Ahûni, son of Adini. Overwhelmed by the terrorizing fear of my lord Assur, they fled into the mountains. I destroyed, devastated and set fire to the city, left La’la’ti and came to Kika, Ahûni’s royal city. He trusted in the size of his army, and came out to fight me. But I trusted in Assur and my lords, the great gods, so I defeated him, trapping him in his city. Then I left and came to Burmar’ana, one of his cities, which I stormed and captured, killing 300 of their soldiers. I build a pyramid of their heads in front of the city. I accepted tribute from the Hapini the Til-abnite, from Ga’uni the Sallite, and from Giri-Adad the …ite—silver, gold, cattle sheep, and wine. Leaving Burnar’ana I crossed the Euphrates using goat-skin rafts. There I accepted tribute from Katazilu of Commagene—silver,gold, cattle, sheep, and wine. I approached Pakarruhbuni and Ahûni’s cities on the other side of the Euphrates. I overthrew the whole land turning his cities into ruins. I filled the wide plain with his fallen soldiers, killing 1,300 of them. I left Pakarruhbuni and arrived at the cities ruled by Mutalli the Gurgumean. Mutalli gave me silver, gold, cattle, wine, and his daughter (with her expensive dowry). So I left Gurgum and came against Lutibu, the royal city of Haianu the Sam’alite. Haianu, with Sapalulme the Hattinite, Ahûni son of Adini, and Sangara of Carchemish (they trusted in each other’s help), prepared for battle and came out to resist me. I fought and defeated them, using the mighty power of Nergal, who goes before me, and the terrible weapons which the lord Assur gave me, I killed their soldiers. Like Adad, I rained destruction upon them; and piled them up in the moat and filled the wide plain with the bodies of their soldiers. I dyed the mountains like red wool with their blood, and took many chariots and tamed horses. I build a pyramid of heads in front of his city, and destroyed, devastated, and set fire to his other cities.

At that time I humbly acknowledged the greatness of the great gods; and extolled the heroic might of Assur and Shamash for all time to come. Then I made a heroic image of my royal self, and inscribed my own heroic deeds and brave actions on it. I set it up at the sources of the Saluara River, which is at the foot of Mount Amanus. I left Mount Amanus [Nur Mountains in south-central Syria] and crossed the Orontes River coming to Alimush, the stronghold of Sapalulme the Hattinite. Sapalulme, to save his life, called on Ahûni, Sagara, and Haianu, as well as Kate the Kuean, Pihirisi the Hilukite, Buranate the Iasbukite, and Ada… Assur, (Col. II)… I shattered their forces. I stormed and captured the city.....I carried off . . . his many chariots, tamed horses, …… I killed….. In the middle of that battle, I captured Buranate. Next, I approached the fortress of the Hattineans in the area of the Upper Sea of Amurri, and the Mediterranean [lit: Sea of the setting sun], and overthrew them so that they were like the ruins left by a flood. I accepted the tribute from the kings of the sea­coast. I marched along the shore of the wide sea, vindicated and triumphant and I made an image of my royal self, as witness of my name for all time to come, and set it up by the sea. Then I climbed Mount Amanus and cut timbers of cedar and cypress. I marched to the mountain of .... to Mount Atalur, where the image of Anhirbi had been set up, and erected my statue alongside of his. I went down to the sea where I captured the cities of Taiâ, Hazazu, Nulia, and Butâmu, which belonged to the Hattinean. I killed 2,800(?) of his soldiers, and captured another 14,600 of them as booty. I accepted the tribute from Ararne, son of Gûzi,—silver, gold, cattle, sheep, wine, and a couch of gold and silver. (Column 1, Lines 29– Column 2, line 13)

857 BC

Year 2

In the year named after me, on the 13th of Airu, I left from [Nineveh]. I crossed the Tigris, marched across the lands of Hasamu and Dihnunu, and approached Til-bursip, the fortress of Ahûni, son of Adini. He, trusted in the size of his army, and came out to fight me; I accomplished his overthrow. I trapped him in [his city]. From there I departed, and crossed the Euphrates in goat-skin rafts at flood-time. I stormed and captured the cities of …gâ, Tagi……Sûrunu, Paripa, Tilbasherê, and Dabigu—six of Ahûni’s strong cities and killed many of his soldiers, carrying off their spoil. I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to 200 nearby cities, then moved on from Dabigu to Sazabê, the fortress of Sangara of Carchemish. I stormed and captured the city, killed many of his soldiers, carried off their spoil, and destroyed, devastated, and set fire to the nearby cities. All the kings of the land of Amurru grew terrified at the approach of my mighty, awe-inspiring weapons, and my grim warfare, and they prostrated themselves at my feet. From of the Hattinites, I received three talents of gold, 100 talents of silver, 300 talents of copper, 300 talents of iron, 1,000 copper vessels, 1,000 brightly colored wool and linen garments, his daughter with her expensive dowry, 20 talents of purple wool, 500 cattle, and 5,000 sheep. I imposed one talent of silver, two talents of purple wool, and 200 cedar logs, upon him as his tribute. I received annually it in my city Assur. I received from Haiânu son of Gabbari, who lived at the foot of Mount Amanus.—10 talents of silver, 90 talents of copper, 30 talents of iron, 300 brightly colored wool and linen garments, 300 cattle, 3,000 sheep, 200 cedar logs, two homers of cedar resin, and his daughter with her rich dowry. I laid upon him as his tribute 10 minas of silver, 100 cedar logs, a homer of cedar resin, which I received annually. I accepted from Aramu, son of Agûsi,—10 minas of gold, 6 talents of silver, 500 cattle, 5,000 sheep. From Sangara, of Carchemish I received,—three talents of gold, 70 talents of silver, 30 talents of copper, 100 talents of iron, 20 talents of purple wool, 500 weapons, his daughter, with dowry, along with 100 of his nobles’ daughters, 500 cattle, and 5,000 sheep. I imposed on him as tribute—one mina of gold, one talent of silver, two talents of purple wool, received annually. I accepted an annual tribute from Katazilu of Kummuhu,—20 minas of silver, and 300 cedar logs. (Column 2, Lines 13–30)

856 BC

Year 3

In the year named after Assur-bêl-kain, on the 13th of Duzu, I left Nineveh, crossed the Tigris, went through the lands of Hasarnu and Dihnunu to Til-bursip, the fortress of Ahûni, son of Adini. Ahûni, terrified by my terrible, awe-inspiring weapons and my grim warfare, crossed over the Euphrates to save his life, and made his way to other lands. At the command of my lord Assur, the great lord, I annexed Til-bursip, Aligu, [Nappigi], Rugulit as royal cities. I settled Assyrians there, built Palaces in them for my royal residence. I renamed Til-bursip’s as Kâr-Shalmaneser, Nappigi as Lita-Assur, Alligu as Asbat-lakunu, and Ruguliti as Kibit–.

At that time I restored the city of Ana-Assur-uter-asbat on the Sagur River (across the Euphrates), which the Hatti people called Pitru, and the city of Mutktnu (on this side of the Euphrates), which Tiglath-pileser, my ancestor before me, had settled, and which in the reign of king Assur-rabi of Assyria, the king of Arumu had seized; I settled Assyrians there. While I was staying in Kâr-Shalmaneser, I received the tribute from the kings of the seacoast and the kings along the banks of the Euphrates—silver, gold, lead, copper, copper vessels, cattle, sheep, and brightly colored woolen and linen garments.

I left Kar-Shalmaneser, and going through the land of Sumu(?), descended upon the land of Bit-Zamani. On leaving Blt-Zamani I went through the lands of Namdanu and Merhisu, following difficult roads and steep mountains, with summits pushing into the heavens like the blade of a dagger. I cut through with bronze pickaxes; and led chariots and troops over them. Against came down on the land of Enzite in Ishua. I completely conquered Enzite; I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to their cities and carried off vast amounts of their booty, property and goods. I made a heroic statue of my royal self. The glory of my lord Assur the great lord, and inscribed my powerful deeds on it. I set it up in Saluria, under an empty…., and left Enzite. I crossed the river Arsania to the land of Suhme, capturing Uashtal, its fortress. I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to the land of Suhme in its entirety, seizing Sûa, their governor. I left the land of Suhme and descend on the land of Daiaeni, where I captured the city of Daiaeni in its totality, destroying, devastating, and burning their cities, and seizing vast amounts of their booty, goods, and possessions. Then I left Daiaeni.

Then I came to Arzashku, the royal city of Arramu, the Annenian. Arramu grew frightened of my mighty, awe-inspiring weapons, and my grim warfare, and escaped from his city. He went up into Mount Adduci, so I climbed the mountain after him, and fought a terrible battle in the midst of the mountains; I killed 3,400 of his soldiers. I rained destruction upon them like Adad. I dyed the mountain like red wool with their blood. I took his camp from him, bringing out of the mountain large quantities of chariots, cavalry, horses, mules, colts(?), goods, spoil, and property. Arramu, to save his life, climbed a steep mountain. In my virile vigor I trampled down his land like a wild bull. His cities I turned to wastes, destroying, devastating, and burning Arzashku, along with its nearby cities. I built four(?) pyramids of heads in front of its gate, and fastened some of his people alive onto these pyramids, while others I hung up on stakes around the pyramids. Then I left Arzashku.

I climbed up Mount Eritia and made a heroic statue of my royal self. I inscribed on it the glory of my lord Assur, and my great power; which I had displayed in the land of Armenia and set it up on Mount Eritia. When I left Mount Eritia, I came to the city of Aramalê; I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to its cities. From there I went to Zanziuna; he was afraid, and prostrated at my feet. I accepted tamed horses, cattle, and sheep from him. I had mercy on him. . . . . . . . . In the course of my march, I went down to Lake Van where I washed the terrible weapons of Assur in the sea. I offered sacrifices and made a statue of my royal self on which I inscribed the glory of my lord Assur, the great lord, my deeds of heroism, and my brave acts. Then I left the seashore.

I approached the land of Gilzânu. King Asâu of Gilzânu, together with his brothers, and his sons, came out to meet me. [I accepted from him tribute and gifts for my royal self— tamed horses, cattle, sheep, wines, and seven Bactrian camels. I made a heroic statue of my royal self and inscribed on it the glory of my lord Assur, the great lord, and the great power which I had displayed in the land of Nairî. I set it up in his temple in the middle of the city. I left Gilzanu, coming to Shilaia, the fortress of Kâki, king of Hubushkia. I stormed and captured the city, killing many of his soldiers, and carrying off 3,000 of them as captives, along with their cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and numerous colts(?), bringing them to my city Assur. I went into the pass in the land of Enzite, and came out through the pass in the land of Kirruri, north of Arbela. (Column 2, Lines 30–66)

A brief recounting of battles with Ahuni before the chronicle continues to the fourth year:

Ahûni, son of Adini, had boldly and violently acted against my ancestor kings. At the beginning of my reign, in the year named after me, I left Nineveh and stormed his fortress Til-bursip. I surrounded it with my . . . . soldiers, and fought a battle in the middle of it. I cut down its parks and showered them with a fiery rain of spears. He grew afraid of my awe-inspiring weapons and my lordly splendor, left his city, and crossed the Euphrates to save his life. (Column 2, Lines 66–69)

855 BC

Year 4

The next year, the year named after Assur­bânaia-usur, I pursued him. He had made Mount Shîtamrat, a mountain peak on the bank of the Euphrates, which is like a cloud hanging from the heavens, into his fortress. At the command of my lord Assur, the great lord, and Nergal, who goes before me, I approached Mount Shîtamrat, into which none of my ancestors, had come. In three days the hero conquered the mountain, his stout heart bent on battle,—on his own feet he climbed up, and overcame the mountain. Ahûni trusted in his widely spread army and came out against me. He drew up the battle line. I hurled the weapons of my lord Assur among them, bringing on their defeat. I cut off his soldier’s heads. I dyed the mountain with the blood of his soldiers. Large numbers of his men hurled themselves off the cliffs of the mountain. I fought a terrible battle in the middle of his city. The awe-inspiring splendor of my lord Assur overwhelmed them, they came down; they prostrated themselves at my feet. Ahûni with his armies, chariots, cavalry, and the lavish and immeasurable wealth of his palace, came before me. I had the booty taken across the Tigris, brought to my city Assur, and distributed it among the peoples of my land. In the same year I marched against the land of Mazamua, entered the pass into the land of Bunagish, and approached the cities of Nikdime and Nikdiera. They were afraid of my mighty, awe-inspiring weapons and my grim warfare, and tried to escape on the sea in wicker(?) boats. I followed after them in goat-skin boats, fought a great battle on the sea, and defeated them. I dyed the sea with their blood like wool. (Column 2, Lines 69–78)

854 BC

Year 5

(Skips year 5- No entries)

853 BC

Year 6

Battle of Qarqar with Ben-Hadad II and 12 kings.

Eponymy of Daiiān-Aššur

On the fourteenth day of the month Iyyar, in the eponymy of Daiiān-Aššur, I moved out from Nineveh, crossed the Tigris, (and) approached the cities of Giammu on the River Balih. They were frightened of my lordly fearfulness (and) the flash of my fierce weapons and with their own weapons they killed Giammu, their master. I entered the cities Sahlala and Tīl-ša-turahi. I took my gods into his palaces and celebrated in his palaces. I opened his storage area (and) saw his treasure. I carried off his possessions (and) property (and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur. (Lines ii 78b-81a)

Moving on from the city Sahlala I approached the city Kār-Shalmaneser. I crossed the Euphrates, which was in flood, for a second time in rafts (made of inflated) goatskins. In the city Ana- Aššur-utēr-asbat, which is by the opposite bank of the Euphrates on the River Sagura (and) which the people of the land Hatti call the city Pitru, in (this city) I received tribute from kings on the opposite bank of the Euphrates, from Sangara the Carchemishite, from Kundašpu the Kummuhite, from Aramu, the man of Bīt-Agūsi, from Lalla the Melidite, from Haiiänu the man of Bït-Gabbari, from Qalparuda the Patinean, (and) from Qalparuda the Gurgumite: silver, gold, tin, bronze, (and) bronze casseroles. (Lines ii 81b-86a)

ii 86b-89a) Moving on from the Euphrates I approached Aleppo (Halman). They were afraid to do battle with me (and) submitted to me. I received their t r i b u t e of s i l v e r (and) gold (and) made sacrifices before the god Adad of Aleppo (galman). Moving on from Aleppo (Halman) I approached cities of Irhulënu, the Hamatite. I captured the cities Adennu, Pargâ, (and) Arganâ, his royal cities. I brought forth his captives, property, (and) palace possessions, (and) burned his palaces,

Moving on from the city Arganâ I approached the city Qarqar. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the city Qarqar, his royal city. An alliance had been formed of (lit. "he/it had taken as his allies") these twelve kings: 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, (and) 20,000 troops of Hadad-ezer (Adadidri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, (and) 10,000 troops of Irhulënu, the Hamatite; 2,000 chariots (and) 10,000 troops of Ahab (Ahabbu) the Israelite (Sir'alaia); 500 troops of Byblos; 1,000 troops of Egypt; 10 chariots (and) 10,000 troops of the land Irqanatu; 200 troops of Matinu-ba’al of the city Arvad; 200 troops of the land Usanätu; 30 chariots (and) [N],000 troops of Adunu-ba'al of the land Sianu; 1,000 camels of Gindibu of the Arabs; [N] hundred troops (Line ii 95) of Ba’asa, the man of Bit-Ruhubi, the Ammonite. They attacked to [wage] war and battle against me. With the supreme forces which Aššur, my lord, had given to me (and) with the mighty weapons which the divine standard, which goes before me, had granted me I fought with them. I defeated them from the city Qarqar as far as the city Gilzau. I felled with the sword 14,000 troops, their fighting men, (and) rained down upon them destruction (lit. "flood") as the god Adad would. I filled the plain with their spread out (lit. "I spread out") corpses (and) <felled> their extensive troops with the sword. I made their blood flow in the wad is. (Line ii 100) The plain was too small to lay the (incredible number of) their bodies (lit. "lives") flat; the extensive area was not sufficient (lit. "vanished") to accommodate burying (all of) them. I dammed up the Orontes River with their bodies like a bridge. In the midst of this battle I took away from them chariots, cavalry, (and) teams of horses. (Lines ii 89b-102)