Marble Annal Tablets of Shalmaneser III

Detailed outline on Shalmaneser III

Date of inscription

838 BC

Annal years

858-839 BC

Glyptic object

Akkadian Inscription on marble tablet

Discovery

Outer wall of Assur (Kalat Sherkat), 1903 AD

Current location

Iraq Museum, #55644

Bible names

Jehu, Omri, Ben-Hadad II, Hazael, Tyre

Historic events

Five of the six battles between Israel (Ahab, Jehoram and Jehu) and Assyria: It highlights the ongoing battles between Shalmaneser III of Assyria and the coalition of 12 kings under the command of Ben-Hadad II:

1.      853 BC, year 6. The battle of Qarqar

2.      849 BC, Year 10: Battle of Carchemish

3.      848 BC, Year 11: Battle of Hamath

4.      845 BC, Year 14: Battle of Hamath

5.      841 BC, Year 18: Siege of Damascus

Clay Annal Tablets of Shalmaneser III

Note: The text of the twin monumental bulls (Twin Bulls) and clay tablet #54669 (see Marble and clay Tablets) are almost identical.

Detailed outline on Shalmaneser III

Date of inscription

842 BC

Annal years

858-843 BC

Glyptic object

Akkadian Inscription on clay tablet: no photo

Discovery

Outer wall of Assur (Kalat Sherkat), 1903 AD

Current location

Iraq Museum: IM #54669)

Photo at: G. G. Cameron, "The Annals of Shalmaneser III, King of Assyria: A New Text", Sumer 6, pp. 6-26 and plates I and II (IM #54669, photo,

edition) 1950 AD.

Bible names

Ben-Hadad II

Historic events

Four of the six battles between Israel (Ahab, Jehoram and Jehu) and Assyria: It highlights the ongoing battles between Shalmaneser III of Assyria and the coalition of 12 kings under the command of Ben-Hadad II:

1.      853 BC, year 6. The battle of Qarqar

2.      849 BC, Year 10: Battle of Carchemish

3.      848 BC, Year 11: Battle of Hamath

4.      845 BC, Year 14: Battle of Hamath

Digging up Bible stories!

 “In my eighteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Damascus, trusting in the might of his soldiers, carried out an extensive muster of his troops ... I put to the sword 16,020 of his fighting men … To save his life he ran away (but) I pursued him. I imprisoned him in Damascus, his royal city, cut down his gardens, (and) burned his shocks … I received tribute from Ba’ali-manzeri of Tyre (and) from Jehu (Iāu) of the house of Omri (Humri). (Column III, line 45b – Column IV, line 15a, Marble Annal tablet)

“What we read in the book, we find in the ground”

  Detailed outline on Shalmaneser III

Date Regnal Year Nisan

Marble Annals Tablet: See photo above

Iraq Museum #55644

Years 0-20

Clay Annals Tablet: No Photo

 Iraq Museum #54669, Size: 310 x 235 cm

Years 0-16

Jan 858 BC

Year 0 intro

Aššur, great lord; Anu, exalted god; god Enlil, perfectly magnificent; god Adad. canal-inspector of heaven and underworld; god Ninurta, foremost among the gods, lord of battle and strife; (Column I, Line 5) goddess Istar, foremost in heaven and underworld; god Ea, king of the apsû, lord of wisdom (and) understanding; god Sîn, king of the lunar disk, lord of brilliance; god Marduk, sage of the gods (and) lord of omens; great gods who decree destinies: (Column I, lines 1-9)

Shalmaneser, king of all people, prince, vice-regent of Aššur, strong king, king of all the four quarters, sun(god) of all people, ruler of all lands; son of Ashurnasirpal (II), exalted priest whose priesthood was pleasing to the gods and (who) subdued (Column I, line 15) all lands at his feet, pure offspring of Tukultï-Ninurta (II), who slew all his enemies and annihilated (them) like a flood: (Column I, lines 10-18)

God Aššur, great lord, king of all the great gods; god Anu, king of the Igigu and Anunnaku gods, lord of the lands; god Enlil, exalted one, father of the gods, creator of all; god Ea, king of the apsu, lord of wisdom and understanding; god Sîn, king of the lunar disk, lofty luminary; (Column 1, line 5) god Šamaš, lofty judge of heaven (and) underworld, lord of all; god Ninurta, strong and mighty one, splendidly preeminent of the gods; goddess Ištar, mistress of war and battle, whose game is fighting; great gods, who decree destinies, who aggrandize my sovereignty, who have made great my dominion, power, and leadership, (who) have richly established for me my honourable name (and) my lofty command over (all) lords; (Column 1, lines 1-10)

Shalmaneser, king of all people, prince, vice-regent of Aššur, strong king, king of all the four quarters, sun(god) of all people, ruler of all lands, king, desired object of the gods, chosen of the god Enlil, trustworthy appointee of Aššur, attentive prince, (Column 1, line 15) who has seen remote and rugged regions, who has trodden upon the mountain peaks in all the highlands, receiver of booty and tax from all the (four) quarters, who opens paths above and below, at whose strong attack for combat the (four) quarters are distressed (and) (Column 1, line 20) cities convulsed, strong male who acts with the support of Aššur (and) the god Šamaš, the gods his allies, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, magnificent king of lands, who has kept progressing by difficult ways through mountains and seas; (Column 1, lines 11-23)

son of Ashurnasirpal (II), exalted prince, whose priesthood was pleasing to the gods and (who) subdued all lands at his feet, pure offspring of TukultT-Ninurta (II), who slew all his enemies and annihilated (them) like a flood: (Column 1, line 24-27)

858 BC,

Year 0 pre-Nisan

At the beginning of my reign, after I ascended the royal throne, I mustered my chariots (and) troops. I entered the pass of the land Simesi (and) captured the city Aridu, the fortified city of Ninnu. (Column I, lines 19-23a)

At that time, in my accession year, after I nobly ascended the royal throne, I mustered my chariots and troops. I entered the pass of the land Simesi (and) (Column 1, line 30) approached the city Aridu, the fortified city of Ninnu. I besieged the city, captured (it), massacred many of their (people), (and) carried off booty from them. Moving on from the city Aridu, I approached the city yubuškia. I burned the city Hubuskia together with 100 cities in its environs. Kāki, king of the city Hubuskia (Column 1, line 35), became frightened in the face of the flash of my mighty weapons and fortified himself on a mountain. I climbed up the mountain after him. I waged mighty war on the mountain (and) brought down from the mountain the remains of his property. Moving on from the city Hubuškia I marched to the sea of the land Nairi. I washed my weapons in the sea (and) made sacrifices to my gods. On my return from the sea I received tribute from Asû the Gilzanean (and) brought (it) to my city Aššur. (Column 1, lines 28-41)

858 BC

Year 1 Nisan

In my first regnal year I crossed the Euphrates (and) marched to the western sea. I washed my weapons in the sea (and) made sacrifices to my gods. I climbed up the Amanus range (and) cut beams of cedar (and) juniper. I climbed up Mount Lallar (and) erected therein my royal statue. (Column I, lines 23b-30a)

In my first regnal year I crossed the Euphrates in flood (and) marched to the western sea. I washed my weapons in the sea (and) made sacrifices to my gods. I climbed up the Amanus range (and) cut beams of cedar (and) juniper, (Column 1, line 45) I climbed up Mount Lallar (and) erected therein my royal statue. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the cities of the Patineans, of Afcunu, the man of Bit- Adini, of the Carchemishites, (and) of the Bit- (A)gūsi, which are on the other side of the Euphrates. (Column 1, lines 42-48)

857 BC

Year 2

In my second regnal year I approached the city Til-Barsip (Barsaip), captured the cities of Ahunu, the man of Bit-Adini, (and) confined him to his city. I crossed the Euphrates in flood (and) captured the city Dabigu, fortress of the land Hatti, together with cities in its environs, (Column I, lines 30b-36a)

In my second regnal year I moved out from Nineveh (and) approached the city Til-Barsip (Barsaip). I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the cities of Ahunu, the man of Bīt-Adini, (and) confined him to his city. I crossed the Euphrates in flood. On (this) my second campaign I captured, razed, destroyed, (and) burned the city Dabigu, fortress of the land Hatti, together with cities in its environs and the remaining cities of all their lands. I received (Column 1, line 55) tribute from all the kings on the other side of the Euphrates (and) accomplished everywhere my mighty victories over all the lands. (Column 1, lines 49-56)

856 BC

Year 3

In my third regnal year Ahunu, the man of Bit-Adini, became frightened in the face of my mighty weapons and abandoned the city Til-Barsip (Barsaip), his royal city. He crossed the Euphrates. I took as my own (Column I, line 40) the city Ana-Aššur-utēr-asbat, which is on the other side of the Euphrates by the River Sagura, which the people of Hatti call the city Pitru. On my return (Column I, line 45) I entered the pass of Alzu (and) captured Alzu, the lands Suhme, Daiēnu, Turnrnu, the city Arsaskun, the land Gilzānu, (and) the city yubuškia. (Column I, lines 36b-48a)

In my third regnal year Ahunu, the man of Bit-Adini, became frightened in the face of my mighty weapons, abandoned the city Til-Barsip (Bursaip), his royal city, (and) crossed the Euphrates. Moving out from Nineveh I took as my own the cities Til-Barsip (Bursaip) (and) Pitiru (Column 1, line 60), (cities) which are on the other side of the Euphrates (and) which Tiglath-pileser (I), my ancestor, had established. On my return I entered the pass of Alzu. (I marched) from Alzu to the land Suhme, from the land Suhme to the land Daiēnu, from the land Daiēnu to the city Arsaskun, the royal city (Column 1, line 65) of Aramu the Urartian. Aramu trusted in the strength of his army and mustered his numerous cavalry to wage war and battle against me. I defeated him (and) deprived him of his cavalry (and) military equipment. To save his life he climbed up a rugged mountain (Column 1, line 70). They (his people) became frightened in the face of my mighty weapons, abandoned their cities, and took to a rugged mountain. I captured the city Arsaskun, his royal city, together with cities in its environs. I brought out his incalculable possessions and property (and) razed, destroyed, (and) burned the(se) cities, (Column II, line 1 ) I annihilated like a flood from the land Gilzānu to the city Hubuškia. From the pass of Mount Kirruru I emerged before the city Arbail. (Column 1, line 57 – Column II, line 2)

855 BC

Year 4

In my fourth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates in flood in pursuit of Ahunu, the man of Bīt-Adini. (ii 1) He had made as his stronghold Mount Sitamrat, a mountain peak on the bank of the Euphrates. I besieged (and) captured the mountain peak. Ahunu, together with his gods, his chariots, his horses, (and) 22,000 of his troops I uprooted (and) brought to my city, Aššur. (Column I, line 48b – Column II, line 6a)

In this same year I crossed Mount Kullar, went down to the interior of the land Zamua, (and) captured the cities of Nikdêra and Nikdeme. (Column II, lines 6b-9a)

In my fourth regnal year, on the thirteenth day of the month Iyyar, I moved out from Nineveh (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood in pursuit of Ahunu, the man of Bīt-Adini. He had made as his stronghold (Column II, line 5) Mount Šītamrat, a mountain peak on the bank of the Euphrates which is suspended from heaven like a cloud. I besieged (and) captured the mountain peak. Ahunu, together with his gods, his chariots, his horses, (and) 22,000 of his troops I uprooted (and) brought to my city, Assur. (Column II, lines 10-15) In this same year I moved out from Inner City (Assur), crossed Mount Kullar, went down to the interior of the land Zamua, (and) captured the cities of Nikdêra, the Idean. The remnant of their army boarded boats of papyrus and escaped by sea. I boarded boats of inflated skins (and) pursued them. I defeated them in the midst of the sea (and) plundered them. (Column II, lines 3-9)

854 BC

Year 5

In my fifth regnal year I ascended Mount Kasiiari (and) captured eleven fortified cities. I confined Anhitti, the Subraean, to his city (and) received his tribute. (Column II, lines 9b-12)

In my fifth regnal year I moved out from Nineveh and ascended Mount Kašiiari. I captured eleven fortified cities (and) confined Anhitti the Šubraean to his city (and) received his tribute. Column II, lines 16-18)

853 BC

Year 6

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

Eponymy of Daiiān-Aššur

In my sixth regnal year I approached the cities on the banks of the River Balih. They killed Giammu, their city ruler. I entered the city Til-turahi. I crossed the Euphrates in flood (and) received tribute from the kings of the land Hatti. Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, (Column II, line 20) trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them (and) defeated them. I captured from them their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment (and) put to the sword 25,000 of their fighting men. (Column II, lines 13-25)

In my sixth regnal year I moved out from Nineveh and approached the cities on the banks of the River Balih (Palih). They became frightened in the face of my mighty weapons and killed Giammu, their city ruler. I entered the city Til-turahi (and) claimed the city as my own. Moving on from the banks of the River Balih (Palih) I crossed the Euphrates in flood. I received tribute from the kings of the land Hatti. (Column II, line 25) Moving on from the land Hatti I approached the city Aleppo (Halman) (and) made sacrifices before the god Adad of Aleppo. Moving on from Aleppo (Halman) I approached the city Qarqar. Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, (Column II, line 30) attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them. I put to the sword 25,000 of their fighting men (and) captured from them their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment. To save their lives they ran away. I boarded boats (and) went out upon the sea. (Column II, lines 19-33)

852 BC

Year 7

In my seventh regnal year I marched to the cities of gabinu, the Til-abnīan. I captured Til-abni, his fortified city, together with the cities in its environs. I marched to the source of the Tigris, the place where the water comes out. (Column II, lines 26-30)

In my seventh regnal year I marched to the cities of Habinu, the Til-abnlan. I captured (and) burned Til-abni, his fortified city, together with the cities in its environs. Moving on from Til-abni I marched to the source of the Tigris, the place where the water comes out, (and) made sacrifices. I put to the sword (the inhabitants of) cities insubmissive to Aššur (and) received tribute from the land Nairi. (Column II, lines 34-40)

851 BC

Year 8

In my eighth regnal year (at the time of) Marduk-zäkir-sumi (I), king of Kardunias, Marduk-bel-usàte, his brother, rebelled against him. I marched out for vengeance (and) captured the cities Mê-turnat (and) Lahiru. (Column II, lines 31-34)

In my eighth regnal year, at the time of Marduk-zākir-šumi (I), king of Kardunias, Marduk-bel-usāte, his brother, rebelled against him. I marched out for vengeance (and) captured the cities Me-turnat and Lahiru. (Column II, lines 41-44)

850 BC

Year 9

In my ninth regnal year, in my second campaign (to Babylonia), I captured the city Gannanāte. To save his life Marduk-bël-usâte ascended a mountain. I pursued him (and) (Column II, line 40) put to the sword Marduk-bël-usâte, together with the treacherous soldiers who were with him. I made sacrifices in Babylon, Borsippa, (and) Cuthah. I went down to Chaldaea (and) captured their cities. I received tribute from the kings of Chaldaea in Babylon. (Column II, lines 35-44 )

In my ninth regnal year, in my second campaign (to Babylonia), I captured the city Gannanäte. To save his life Marduk-bel-usāte went up to the city Halman. I pursued him (and) put to the sword Marduk-bel-usāte together with the treacherous soldiers who were with him. (Then) I marched to Babylon (and) (Column II, line 50) made sacrifices in Babylon, Borsippa, (and) Cuthah. I went down to Chaldaea (and) captured their cities. I marched to the sea called the Marratu ("Bitter") River (and) received tribute in Babylon from Adinu, the man of Bīt-Dakkuri, (and) from Musallim-Marduk, the man of Bīt-Amukkāni (Ukānu): silver, gold, ebony, (and) elephant ivory. (Column II, lines 45-54)

849 BC

Year 10

Battle of Carchemish with Ben-Hadad II and 12 kings

In my tenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the eighth time. <I captured> the cities of Sangara, the Carchemishite. Moving on from the cities of the Carchemishite I approached the cities of Aramu (and) captured Arnê, his royal city, together with one hundred cities in its environs. (Column II, lines 45-50)

In my tenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the eighth time. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the cities of Sangara, the Carchemishite. Moving on from the cities of the Carchemishite I approached the cities of Aramu (and) captured the city Arnê, his royal city. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned (it) together with one hundred cities in its environs, (Column II, line 60) I massacred them (and) plundered them. At that time, Hadadezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulenu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them (and) (Column II, line 65) defeated them, I took from them their chariotry, cavalry, and military equipment. To save their lives they ran away. (Column II, lines 55-67)

848 BC

Year 11

War with Ben-Hadad II and 12 kings

In my eleventh regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the ninth time. I captured ninety-seven cities of Sangara (and) one hundred cities of Aramu. I took to the slopes of the Amanus range, (Column II, line 55) crossed Mount Iaraqu, (and) descended to the cities of the people of Hamath. I captured the city Abšimaku (Aštammaku?), together with eighty-nine cities. At that time (Column III, line 1) Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, (attacked me) and I fought with them (and) defeated them. I put to the sword [10] ,000 of their fighting men. (Column II, line 51 – column III, line 5)

In my eleventh regnal year I moved out from Nineveh (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood for the ninth time. I captured ninety-seven cities of Sangara. (Column II, line 70) I captured, razed, destroyed, (and) burned one hundred cities of Aramu. I took to the slopes of the Amanus range, crossed Mount laraqu, (and) (Column III, line 1) descended to the cities of the people of hamath. I captured the city Astammaku, together with eighty-nine (other) cities. I massacred their (inhaBitants) (and) plundered them. At that time Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings (Column III, line 5) on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them (and) defeated them. I put to the sword 10,000 of their fighting men. (Column III, line 10) I took from them their chariotry, cavalry, and military equipment. On my return I captured Aparāzu, the fortified city of Aramu. At that time I received tribute from Qalparunda: silver, gold, tin, horses, donkeys, oxen, sheep, blue-dyed wool, (and) linen garments. I went (back) up the Amanus range (and) cut beams of cedar. (Column II, line 68 – Column III, line 15)

847 BC

Year 12

In my twelfth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the tenth time (and) marched to the city Paqarahubunu. The people took to a rugged mountain. I massacred them (and) brought plunder (and) possessions of theirs down from the mountain, (Column III, lines 6-10a)

In my twelfth regnal year I moved out from Nineveh (and) crossed the Euphrates for the tenth time. I marched to the land Paqarahubunu, (where) the people became frightened (and) took to a rugged mountain. I besieged (and) captured the mountain peak. I massacred them (and) (Column III, line 20) brought plunder and possessions of theirs down from the mountain. (Column III, lines 16-20)

846 BC

Year 13

In my thirteenth regnal year I entered the Pass of the Goddesses, marched to Matiātu, captured all of Matiātu, (and) plundered it. (Column III, lines 10b-13).

In my thirteenth regnal year I entered the Pass of the Goddesses, marched to Matiātu, (and) captured all of Matiātu. I slaughtered their (inhabitants) (and) took countless plunder from them. (Column III, lines 21-23)

845 BC

Year 14

Melqart Stele.

War with Ben-Hadad II and 12 kings Aram, Samaria

In my fourteenth regnal year I mustered (the troops of my) extensive land in countless numbers (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood with 120,000 of my troops. At that time Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, (Column III, line 20) above and below, mustered their troops, which were too numerous to be counted. They attacked me, I fought with them, (and) defeated them. I took away their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment. To save their lives they ran away. (Column III, lines 14-25)

In my fourteenth regnal year I mustered (the troops of my) extensive land in countless numbers (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood with 120,000 troops. At that time Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulēnu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, above and below (Column III, line 30), mustered their troops, which were too numerous to be counted. They attacked me, I fought with them, (and) defeated them. I destroyed their chariotry (and) cavalry (and) took away their military equipment. To save their lives they ran away. (Column III, lines 24-33)

844 BC

Year 15

In my fifteenth regnal year I marched to the land Nairi. I erected my royal statue at the source of the Tigris on a mountain cliff, (Column III, line 30) I entered the pass of Mount Tubunu (and) captured the cities of Aramu, the Urartian, as far as the source of the Tigris (and) as far as the source of the Euphrates. (Column III, lines 26-33a)

In my fifteenth regnal year I marched to the land Nairi. I created at the source of the Tigris, on a mountain cliff where its water comes out, my royal statue. I wrote thereon praises of my power (and) my heroic deeds. (Then) I entered the pass of Mount Tunibunu (and) (Column III, line 40) razed, destroyed, (and) burned the cities of Aramu, the Urartian, as far as the source of the Euphrates. (Thus) I marched to the source of the Euphrates, made sacrifices to my gods, (and) washed the weapons of Aššur therein. Asia, king of the land Daiēnu, submitted to me (and) I received from him tax and tribute of horses. I fashioned my royal statue (and) erected (it) inside his city. (Column III, lines 34-45)

On my return from the source of the Euphrates I marched to the land Suhni I captured five fortified cities together with the cities in their environs, massacred their (inhabitants) (and) plundered them, (Column III, line 50) Moving on from the land Suhni I approached the land Enzi. I captured two fortified cities together with the cities in their environs, massacred their (inhabitants), (and) plundered them. Moving on from the land Enzi (Column III, line 55) I approached the Euphrates before the land Melid. I received tribute from Lalla, the Melidite: silver, gold, tin, (and) bronze. I fashioned my royal statue (and) erected (it) by the Euphrates. Column III, lines 46-57)

843 BC

Year 16

eponymy of Taklāk-ana-šarri

In my sixteenth regnal year I crossed Mount Kullar (and) conquered the lands Munna, Allabria, Parsua, Abdadānu, IJaban, Namri, (and) Tuglias. (Column III, lines 33b-37a)

In my sixteenth regnal year I moved out from Arbail, crossed Mount Kullar, (and) (Column III, line 60) established a fortress in the interior of the land Zamua. I conquered from the interior of the land Zamua to the land Munna (and) from the land Munna to the land Allabria (and) the city Paddira, the fortified city of Ianziburias (Column IV, line 1), the Allabriaean. I took booty from him: a door of gold, his palace women, (and) the extensive property of his palace. I set ablaze (the regions stretching) from the city Allabria to the city Parsua, from the city Parsua to the city Abdadānu, (and) (Column IV, line 5) from the city Abdadānu to the city Haban, I overwhelmed them with my lordly brilliance. (Column III, line 58 – Column IV, line 6)

Marduk-mudammiq, king of the land Namri, trusting in the might of his troops, (Column IV, line 10) mustered his numerous cavalry to wage war and battle against me. He drew up a battle line opposite to me at the River Namritu. I defeated him and took from him his cavalry. Marduk-mudammiq, king of the land Namri, took fright in the face of my mighty weapons and abandoned the cities Šumurza, Bīt- Nergal, (and) (Column IV, line 15) Niqqu of the land Tuglias, his fortified cities (and) garrisons. To save his life he fled (and) I plundered his palaces. I took as plunder his gods, his possessions (and) property, his palace women, (and) (Column IV, line 20) his harness-trained horses without number. I received tribute from Barû, the Ellipean, in the pass of the land Tuglias. (Column IV, line  25) I overwhelmed the land Namri with awe of my weapons (and) my lordly brilliance. (Column IV, lines 7-25)

Conqueror from the upper and lower seas to the land Nairi and the great sea of the west as far as the Amanus range: I gained dominion over the entire land 0atti. (Column IV, line 30) I (lit. "he") conquered from the source of the Tigris to the source of the Euphrates. I annihilated like a flood from the land Enzi to the land Suhni (Su>unu), from the land Suhni to the land Melid, from the land Melid to the land Daiënu, from the land Daiēnu to the city Arsaskun, from the city Arsaskun (Column IV, line 35) to the land Gilzanu, (and) from the land Gilzānu to the city Hubuškia. (Column IV, lines 26-36)

In the lands and mountains over which I gained dominion I appointed governors everywhere and imposed upon them tax, tribute, (and) corvée. (Column IV, lines 37 - 39)

The gods Ninurta and Nergal, who love my priesthood, gave to me the wild beasts and commanded me to hunt. I killed from my ... chariot 373 wild bulls (and) 399 lions with my valorous assault. I drove twenty-nine elephants into ambush. (Column IV, lines 40-44)

I hitched up plows in the (various) districts of my land (and thereby) piled up more grain and straw than ever before. Column IV, lines 45-46)

I hitched up teams of horses to 2,002 chariots (and equipped) 5,542 cavalry for the forces of my land. (Column IV, lines 47-48)

The month Tashrit, the twenty-second day, eponymy of Taklāk-ana-šarri, governor of the city Nēmed-Ištar. Column IV, lines 49-51)

842 BC

Year 17

In my seventeenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates (and) received tribute from the kings of the land Hatti. I ascended the Amanus range, (Column III, line 40) cut down cedar timbers, (and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur. On my return from the Amanus range I slew sixty-three perfect specimens of strong, horned, wild bulls by the city Zuqarru, on the opposite bank of the Euphrates, (and) captured four alive. (Column III, lines 37b-45a)

841 BC

Year 18

War with Hazael

In my eighteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Damascus, trusting in the might of his soldiers, carried out an extensive muster of his troops, (Column III, line 50) He fortified Mount Saniru, the mountain peak, which is before Mount Lebanon. I put to the sword 16,020 of his fighting men (and) took away from him 1,121 of his chariots (and) 470 of his cavalry with his military camp, (Column IV, line 1) To save his life he ran away (but) I pursued him. I imprisoned him in Damascus, his royal city, cut down his gardens, (and) burned his shocks, (Column IV, line 5) I marched to Mount Haurānu (and) razed, destroyed, burned, (and) plundered cities without number. I marched to Mount Ba’lira’asi, which is a cape (jutting out into) the sea before the land of Tyre, (and) (Column IV, line 10) erected my royal statue there. I received tribute from Ba’ali-manzeri of Tyre (and) from Jehu (Iāu) of the house of Omri (Humri). On my return I ascended Mount Lebanon (and) erected my royal statue with the statue of Tiglathpileser, a strong king who preceded me. (Column III, line 45b – Column IV, line 15a)

840 BC

Year 19

In my nineteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the seventeenth time (and) received tribute from the kings of the land Hatti. I ascended the Amanus range, cut down cedar and juniper timbers, (and) brought (them) to my city Aššur. On my return (Column IV, line 20) from the Amanus range I slew ten perfect specimens of strong, horned, wild bulls (and) two calves by the city Zuqarru, on the opposite bank of the Euphrates. (Column IV, lines 15b-22a)

839 BC

Year 20

In my twentieth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the twentieth time (and) mustered with my (forces) all the kings of the land Hatti. I crossed the Amanus range (and) went down (Column IV, line 25) to the cities of Katê, the Quean (Qau). I captured the cities Lusanda, Abarnānu, Kisuatnu, fortified cities together with innumerable cities from the nearest of his cities to the farthest of his cities, (Column IV, line 30) I massacred (and) plundered them. I fashioned two royal statues of myself, inscribed thereon my mighty praises (and) erected one in the nearest of his cities (and) the second in the farthest of his cities on a cape (jutting) into the sea. (Thus) I prevailed over the land (lit. "city") Que (Qau) with might and main. Column IV, lines 22b-34a)

The booty from the beginning of my sovereignty to my twentieth regnal year: 110,610 prisoners, 82,600 killed, 9,920 horses (and) mules, 35,565 oxen, 19,690 donkeys, (and) 184,755 sheep. (Column IV, lines 34b-40a)

At that time the ancient wall of my city, Aššur, of New City, which had been built previously by Puzur-Aššur (III), son of Aššur-nārāri (I), Adad-nārārī (I), son of Arik-dīn-ili, Tukulti-Ninurta (I), son of Shalmaneser (I), (and) Tiglath-pileser (I), (Column IV, line 45) son of Aššur-rēša-iši (I), kings who preceded me: this wall had become dilapidated and I removed its damaged (portions), digging down to its foundation in bedrock. I completely rebuilt it from top to bottom (and) (Column IV, line 50) decorated (it) more splendidly than before. I made it <N> layers of brick high and thirteen bricks wide, using the large brick mould (as standard). I mixed its clay with honey, fine oil, cedar resin, beer, (and) wine. I made its bricks with trowels (and) moulds of cedar. I deposited in its foundation silver, gold, (Column IV, line 40b - Lower edge, line 3a) lapis lazuli, pappardilû-stone, carnelian, shells, aromatics, all kinds of things. I used baked bricks of ... on its towers. I deposited my monumental and clay inscriptions therein. (Lower edge 1) May a later prince restore its weakened portions (and) return my inscriptions together with the inscriptions of the kings my fathers (Lower edge 3b -Left edge 1a) to their places. (Then) Assur, the god Adad, (and) the great gods will listen to his prayers. (Left edge 1) (Assyrian) month Ša-kīnāte, (Babylonian) month Tishri, first day, eponymy of my twentieth regnal year. (Left edge lb-2a) I recruited for the armed forces of my land 2,001 chariots (and) 5,242 cavalry. (Left edge 2b)

9 Inscriptions of Shalmaneser III

Kurkh Monolith

Basalt Statue

Black Obelisk

Twin Bulls

Marble Tablets

Alabaster Statue

Bronze Gates

Basalt Throne

Clay Brick

Detailed outline on Shalmaneser III