For the god Ashur, the father of the gods, his lord: Sennacherib, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, greatly embellished the frieze of the battlemented parapet of Esharra with baked bricks and stone.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, I: With baked bricks from a ritually pure kiln, I had the tikatu-house of the courtyard where the pedestals of the Igigu gods stand in rows made anew and I raised it as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, I: With baked bricks from a ritually pure kiln, I had the tikatu-house of the courtyard where the pedestals of the Igigu gods stand in rows, made anew and I raised it as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, I: ... the ... of Esharra, ... ... ... ... ...

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, I: With baked bricks from a ritually pure kiln, I had the Step Gate of the Palace in Baltil Ashur built anew.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods: With baked bricks from a ritually pure kiln, I built the Step Gate of the Palace in Baltil Ashur anew and I raised it as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods: With baked bricks from a ritually pure kiln, I had the Step Gate of the Palace in Baltil Ashur built anew and I raised it as high as a mountain.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, I: With baked bricks from a ritually pure kiln, I raised the Step Gate of the Palace in Baltil Ashur as high as a mountain.

Palace of Rest, an eternal dwelling, the firmly-founded family house of Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Palace of Sleep, a restful tomb, the eternal dwelling of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the one who fashioned images of the god Ashur and the great gods, I: I built a house for Ashur-nadin-shumi, my eldest son, and laid its foundations with limestone, stone from the mountains. I had it made with the craft of the god Kulla and I raised it as high as a mountain.

... of gold, two bull-shaped son-of-Shamash figures of ... I opened a new gate ... towards the east, and named it "The Royal Gate."

... I built anew the gate of ... and widened ... that gate of the cella had become dilapidated and ... of gold, a bull-shaped son-of-Shamash figure of gold, a scorpion-man figure of ..., ... I widened the gate of the cella and I named it "The Gate of the Path of the Enlil-Stars." Four bull-shaped son-of-Shamash figures of reddish bronze raise up in their hands a sun disk and hold up the roof above, while below, their feet are firmly planted in place on two bronze daises, one of a bronze fish man and one of a bronze carp man. On the right and left of the gate, ... two na'eru-figures of silver, two storm demon figures of silver, ....

I built anew its courtyard and ... with silver slabs. I paved ... for the processional way of the god Ashur, my lord. I named it "The Courtyard of the Row of Pedestals for the Igigu gods." Inside that courtyard, ... a portable bronze brazier ... At the lighting of the fire before the god Ashur, my lord, .... For the ritual bath of the god Ashur, I ....

I gave the gate that faces the rising sun, towards the river, the name "The Gate of the Firmament." I gave its entrance gate to the courtyard the name "The Entrance of the Igigu gods." I gave the gate that faces south the name "The Kamsu-Igigu Gate." I gave its entrance gate to the courtyard the name "The Gate of the Abundance of the Land." I gave the gate that faces north the name "The Gate of the Wagon Star." I gave its entrance gate to the courtyard the name "The Gate of the Dais of Destinies."

Its images ... in the gates ... the gate ...

Palace of Sennacherib, king of Assyria: papparminu-stone from the land/mountain .... Whoever places it in the service of a god or another person or erases my inscribed name, may the deities Ashur, Mullissu, ... make his name and his seed disappear.

The Seal of Destinies by which the god Ashur, king of the gods, seals the destinies of the Igigu and Anunnaku gods, the heavens, the netherworld, and mankind.

Whatever he seals cannot be changed. Whoever tries to change what he seals, may the god Ashur, king of the gods, and the goddess Mullissu, together with their children, kill him with their mighty weapons.

I am Sennacherib, king of Assyria, the ruler who reveres you.

Whoever erases my inscribed name or alters this Seal of Destinies belonging to you, erase his name and his seed from the land.

Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of Assyria, unrivalled king, true shepherd, favorite of the great gods, guardian of truth who loves justice, renders assistance, goes to the aid of the weak, and strives after good deeds, perfect man, virile warrior, foremost of all rulers, the bridle that controls the insubmissive, and the one who strikes enemies with lightning:

The god Ashur, the great mountain, granted to me unrivalled sovereignty and made my weapons greater than those of all who sit on royal daises.

At the beginning of my kingship, after I sat on the lordly throne and set to governing the people of Assyria in obedience and peace, Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan, king of Karduniash Babylonia, an evil foe, a rebel with a treacherous mind, an evildoer whose villainous acts are true, sought friendship with Shutur-Nahundu Shutur-Nahhunte II, an Elamite, by presenting him with gold, silver, and precious stones; then, he continuously requested reinforcements from him.

To the land of Sumer and Akkad, he Shutur-Nahundu sent to his Marduk-apla-iddina's assistance Imbappa, his field marshal, together with the massed body of his troops, Tannanu, his third man, ten unit commanders, including Nergal-nashir, a Sutian who marches before them, 80,000 archers and lancers, 850 wagons, and the 12,200 horses that were with them.

Moreover, he, the evil Chaldean, evildoer, and offspring of murder, gathered together Uruk, Larsa, Ur, Eridu, Kullaba, Kissik, and Nemed-Laguda, the lands of the Bit-Yakin, Bit-Amukkani, Bit-Ashillani Bit-Shillani, Bit-Sa'alli, and Bit-Dakkuri, all of the Chaldeans, as many as there were; on the banks of the Tigris River, the Tu'muna, Rihihu, Yadaqqu, Gibrê, and Malihu Malahu; on the banks of the Surappu River, the Gurumu, Ubulu, Damunu, Gambulu, Hindaru, Ru'u'a, and Puqudu; on the banks of the Euphrates River, the Hamranu, Hagaranu, Nabatu, and Li'ta'u — Arameans who did not know fear of death; 15 Nippur, Dilbat, Marad, Kish, Hursagkalamma, Babylon, Borsippa, and Cutha, all of Karduniash Babylonia and prepared them for battle.

When they reported his Marduk-apla-iddina's evil deeds to me, Sennacherib, the attentive man of the steppe, I raged up like a lion and ordered the march into Babylon to confront him. He Marduk-apla-iddina, the very image of an evil gallû-demon, heard about the advance of my expeditionary force, and then he reinforced their companies with horses and Elamite, Aramean, and Chaldean archers, together with Nergal-nashir and ten unit commanders of the king of the land Elam who did not know fear of death, and the countless forces who were with them. He brought their contingents together in Cutha and had them keep watch at outposts for the approach of my expeditionary force.

I put my yoked teams in order. On the twentieth day of the month Shabatu XI, like a powerful wild ox, I took the lead of my troops from Baltil Ashur, but I did not wait for the main force of my army, nor did I wait for the rear guard. 20 I sent my chief eunuch and my provincial governors to Kish ahead of me, saying: "Find out news of Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan, and do not be careless about putting a strong watch on him!"

He Marduk-apla-iddina saw my provincial governors, and then came out of the Zababa Gate with all of his troops and did battle with my magnates in the plain of Kish. The enemy prevailed over my magnates in the thick of battle and they my magnates were afraid to clash with his ... They sent their messenger to me in the plain of Cutha for help.

In my rage, I unleashed a fierce assault on Cutha, and then I slaughtered the warriors surrounding its wall like sheep and took possession of the city. I brought out horses, the Elamite, Aramean, and Chaldean archers, the Elamite unit commanders, and Nergal-nashir, together with the guilty citizens, and I counted them as booty.

I raged up like a lion and became furious like the Deluge. With my merciless warriors, I set out for Kish against Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan. Moreover, he, that evildoer, saw the disturbance from afar and fear fell upon him. He abandoned all of his troops and fled to the land Guzummanu.

I defeated Tannanu, together with the Elamite, Chaldean, and Aramean troops who had stood by him and had come to his aid, and I scattered his forces. I captured alive Adinu, a nephew of Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan, together with Basqanu, a brother of Iati'e, queen of the Arabs, along with their troops. I seized the chariots, wagons, horses, mules, donkeys, camels, and Bactrian camels that he had abandoned during the battle.

With a rejoicing heart and a radiant face, I rushed to Babylon and entered the palace of Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan to plunder the possessions and property therein. I opened his treasury and brought out gold, silver, gold and silver utensils, precious stones, beds, armchairs, a processional carriage, royal paraphernalia of his with gold and silver mountings, all kinds of possessions and property, a substantial treasure, together with his wife, his palace women, female stewards, eunuchs, courtiers, attendants, male singers, female singers, palace servants who cheered up his princely mind, all of the craftsmen, as many as there were, and his palace attendants, and I counted them as booty.

I pursued him to the land Guzummanu and sent my warriors into the midst of swamps and marshes. For five days they sought him out, but his hiding place could not be found. I gathered all together the rest of his horses and troops, who were weary, and who had fled like deer instead of going with him, from the midst of the open country and plain.

In the course of my campaign, I surrounded, conquered, and plundered the cities Amatu, Hauae, Supapu, Bit-Sannabi, Qutayyin, Qidrina, Dur-Ladini, Bitati, Banitu, Guzummanu, Dur-Yanshuri, Dur-Abi-Yata', Dur-Rudumme, Bit-Rahê, Hapisha, Sadi-AN, Hurudu, Shahrina, Iltuk, Allallu, Sabhanu, Kar-Nergal, Apak, Bit-Dannaya, Bit-Abdaya, Bahir, Marirâ, Marad, Yaqimuna, Kupruna, Bit-Kudurri, Suqa-Marusi, altogether 34 fortified walled cities of the land of the Bit-Dakkuri, together with 250 smaller settlements in their environs;

the cities Dur-Appê, Dur-Tanê, Dur-Sama', Sarrabatu, Shalahatu, Dur-Abdaya, Sappi-himari, Shibtu-sha-Makka-mê, altogether 8 fortified walled cities of the land of the Bit-Sa'alli, together with 120 smaller settlements in their environs;

the cities Sapiya Shapiya, Sarrabanu, Larak, Parak-ma­ri, Bit-I­lu-ba­ni, A­hu­du, alu-sha-Ish­shur-A­dad, alu-sha­har­ra­tu, Manahhu, alu-sha-amelê, Dur-Aqqiya, Nagitu, Nur-abinu, Har-Shuarra, Dur-Rukbi, Danda-Hulla, Dur-Bir-Dada, Bit-re'ê, Dur-Ugurri, Gindaina Hindaina, Dur-Uayit, Bit-Taurâ, Saphuna, Buharru, 45 Harbat-Iddina, Harbat-Kalbi, Shaparrê, Bit-Bani-ilu'a, Suladu, Bit-Iltama-sama', Bit-Dini-ili, Daqalu, Hamisha, Bela, Tairu, Kip­ra­nu, Il­ta­ra­tu, Aq­qar-sha-Ki­na, Sa­ga­ba­tu-sha-Mar­du­ki­a, altogether 39 fortified walled cities of the land of the Bit-Amukkani, together with 350 smaller settlements in their environs;

and the cities Bit-Zabidaya, Larsa, Kullaba, Eridu, Kissik, Nemed-Laguda, and Dur-Yakin, including the city Kar-Nabû, which is on the shore of the Bitter Sea, altogether 8 fortified walled cities of the land of the Bit-Yakin, together with 100 smaller settlements in their environs;

the grand total is 88 fortified walled cities of Chaldea, together with 820 smaller settlements in their environs.

I let my troops eat the grain and dates in their gardens and their crops in the countryside. I destroyed them, devastated them, burned them with fire, and I turned them into forgotten ruin hills.

I brought out the auxiliary forces of the Arameans and Chaldeans who were in Uruk, Nippur, Kish, and Hursagkalamma, together with the guilty citizens, and I counted them as booty.

I let my army eat the grain and dates in their gardens, the fields they had labored in, and the crops in the countryside, which is their life's necessity.

I appointed over them Bel-ibni, a son of a rab banî and a scion of Shuanna Babylon, who had grown up like a young puppy in my palace, as king of the land of Sumer and Akkad.

On my return march, I defeated all together the Tu'muna, Rihihu, Ubudu, Gibrê, Malihu Malahu, Gurumu, Ubulu, Damunu, Gambulu, Hindaru, Ru'u'a, Puqudu, Hamranu, Hagaranu, Nabatu, and Li'ta'u, insubmissive Arameans, and I plundered them.

In the course of my campaign, I received a substantial payment from Nabû-bel-shumati, the official in charge of the city Hararatu Harutu: gold, silver, large musukkannu-trees, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep and goats.

I put to the sword the population of the city Hirimmu, a dangerous enemy who since time immemorial had not submitted to the kings, my ancestors, and I did not leave one alive. I reorganized that district and imposed for eternity one ox, ten sheep, ten homers of wine, and twenty homers of dates as his first-fruits offerings for the ginû-offerings to the gods of Assyria, my lords.

I carried off into Assyria a substantial booty consisting of 208,000 people, male and female, 7,200 horses and mules, 11,073 donkeys, 5,230 camels, 80,100 oxen, and 800,100 sheep and goats. This is apart from the people, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep and goats that all of my troops had carried away and appropriated for themselves.

Moreover, I struck with the sword the soldiers of the enemy, a recalcitrant force who had not submitted quickly to my yoke, and hung their corpses on poles.

At that time, Egallammes, the temple of the god Nergal that is inside the city Tarbishu, which Shalmaneser III, a former ruler, son of Ashurnasirpal II, and grandson of Tukulti-Ninurta II, had built, became dilapidated. I tore down that temple in its entirety and reached its foundation pit. I filled in a terrace in an area measuring 200 cubits along its longer side and 100 cubits along its shorter side, thus adding to the size of the former temple. I made Egallammes larger than before. I built and completed it from its foundations to its battlements through the craft of clever master builders. For the god Nergal, who lives in the city Tarbishu, my lord, I indeed did a splendid job, which surpassed previous work and was worthy of high praise.

I brought the god Nergal, the lord of exalted strength, almighty and perfect, the foremost warrior who has no rival, inside it and I graciously settled him in his august dwelling. I made splendid and pure offerings of plump bulls and fattened sheep before him, and I held festivities inside that temple. I had the victorious conquests that I achieved over all of my enemies with his great support written on my inscribed objects and I deposited them for posterity, for the kings, my descendants.

In the future, may a future ruler, when this temple becomes old and dilapidated, find my inscribed objects, anoint them with oil, make an offering, and securely place them with inscribed objects bearing his name. The god Nergal will then hear his prayers.

The line count of the inscription is 69 lines.

For the god Nergal, his lord: I, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, built Egallammes, which is in the city Tarbishu, from its foundations to its crenellations for my life, the well-being of my offspring, the overthrow of my enemies, the success of the harvest of Assyria, and the well-being of Assyria. I deposited my clay cones therein.

Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, had Egallammes, the temple of the god Nergal, which is in the city Tarbishu, built and I made it as bright as day.

For the god Nergal, his lord: Sennacherib, king of Assyria, built and completed Egallammes, which is in the city Tarbishu, from its foundations to its crenellations.

Sennacherib, great king, king of the world, king of Assyria, had the inner wall and the outer wall of the city Kilizu built anew and raised as high as mountains.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, had the outer wall of the city Kilizu built with baked bricks.

The deities Ashur, Sîn, Shamash, Adad, Ninurta, and Ishtar, the great gods who stand at the side of the king, their favorite, and make his weapons prevail over all enemies:

Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, the attentive prince who is your protégé, who by your firm 'yes' marched about and who made the insubmissive lands and disobedient people of the mountains bow down at his feet:

At that time, the cities Tumurrum, Sharum, Halbuda, Kipshu, Ezama, Qua, and Qana, which were on the border of the land Katmuhi, which were situated like the nests of eagles on the peaks of Mount Nipur, and which since time immemorial 20 were an obstinate force that did not known how to respect any authority during the reigns of the kings, my ancestors — during the reign of my lordship, their gods abandoned them and made them vulnerable.

No translation possible

I marched against them. I had my camp pitched at the foot of Mount Nipur and ... my crack combat troops. Mount Nipur to ... ... I surrounded. I ... ... the gorges, the outflows of the mountains. ... upon the high peaks, ... ... the stars of the heavens ... to ... ... in a chair ... ... ... their summits ....

Like a fierce wild bull, I took the lead of them the soldiers in my camp. Where it was too difficult for my chair, I leapt forward on my own two feet like a mountain goat. Where my knees became extremely tired, I sat down upon the mountain rock and drank cold water from a water skin to quench my thirst.

... I surrounded, conquered, and devastated those ... Their escapees ... upon the peaks of Mount Nipur .... I pursued their ... on the peaks of the mountains.

Then, ... I had a stele made and had written on it the mighty victories of the god Ashur, my lord. I erected it for ever after on the peak of Mount Nipur, where ....

As for the one who alters my inscription, may the god Ashur and the great gods glare at him angrily and overthrow him.

Deities Ashur, Anu, Enlil, Ea, Sîn, Shamash, Adad, Marduk, Nabû, Nergal, Ishtar, and the Sebetti, the great gods, who install the lord and name the ruler to lead the black-headed people all over the inhabited world:

Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters of the world, the prince who provides for them, by your firm 'yes' I marched about safely from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea, and then I made rulers of the four quarters of the world bow down at my feet and they now pull my yoke:

At that time, I greatly enlarged the site of Nineveh. I had its inner wall and its outer wall, which had never been constructed before, built anew and I raised them as high as mountains. Its fields, which had been turned into wastelands due to lack of water, were woven over with spider webs. Moreover, its people did not know artificial irrigation, but had their eyes turned for rain and showers from the sky.

I climbed high and I had eighteen canals dug from the cities Masiti, Banbarina, Shapparishu, Kar-Shamash-nashir, Kar-nuri, Talmusu, Hatâ, Dalayin, Resh-eni, Sulu, Dur-Ishtar, Shibaniba, Isparirra, Gingilinish, Nampagate, Tillu, Alum-riksi, and the water that is above the city Hadabiti and I directed their courses into the Husur River.

I had a canal dug from the border of the city Kisiri to Nineveh and I caused those waters to flow inside it. I named it Patti-Sennacherib. I directed the mass of those waters from Mount Tas, a rugged mountain near the land Urartu, to my land. Previously, that canal was called the ... canal.

Now, I, by the command of the god Ashur, the great lord, my lord, added to it the waters on the right and left of the mountain, which are beside it, and the waters of the cities Mesu, Kukkinu, and Piturra, cities in its environs.

I dug that canal with only seventy men and I named it Nar-Sennacherib. I added its water to the water from the wells and the canals that I had previously dug, and then I directed their courses to Nineveh, the exalted cult center, my royal residence, whose site the kings, my ancestors, since time immemorial had not made large enough, nor had they expertly carried out its artful execution.

Now I, Sennacherib — king of Assyria, foremost of all rulers, who marched about freely from east to west — thanks to the waters of the canals that I caused to be dug, I could plant around Nineveh gardens, vines, every type of fruit, ... ..., products of every mountain, fruit trees from all over the world, including spices and olive trees. Where water could not reach, I left waterless and ... a game preserve called ... all of the orchards, for entering the fields, above the city and below the city, from the city Tarbishu to the city alu-sha-Libbalayu Ashur, I provided irrigation annually for the cultivation of grain and sesame.

To a later ruler, one of the kings, my descendants, who deliberates the matter in his heart but is not able to believe it, and says "How did he have this canal dug out with only these few men?": I swear by the god Ashur, my great god, that I dug out this canal with only these men. Moreover, I completed the work on it within one year and three months; ... was completed and I finished digging its excavation.

In order to open that canal, I sent an exorcist and a lamentation singer and ... ... Carnelian, lapis lazuli, musharu-stone, hulalu-stone, pappardilû-stones, precious stones, turtles and tortoises whose likenesses are cast in silver and gold, aromatics, and fine oil, I gave as gifts to the god Ea, the lord of underground waters, cisterns, and ..., and to the god Enbilulu, the inspector of canals, and to the god En'e'imdu, the lord of dikes and canals. I prayed to the great gods; they heeded my supplications and made my handiwork prosper.

This sluice gate of the watercourse opened by itself without the help of spade or shovel and let an abundance of water flow through. Its sluice gate was not opened through the work of human hands. According to the heart's desire of the gods, I made it gurgle with water. After I inspected the canal and made sure its construction was performed correctly, I offered pure sacrifices of fattened oxen and an abundance of sheep to the great gods, who march at my side and who make my reign secure. I clothed those men who dug out this canal with linen garments and garments with multi-colored trim, and I placed gold rings and gold pectorals on them.

In this year with the flowing lit. "going" of this canal which I had dug, I drew up a battleline with Umman-menanu Humban-menanu, the king of the land Elam, and the king of Babylon, together with the numerous kings of the mountains and Sealand who were their allies, in the plain of the city Halulê. By the command of the god Ashur, the great lord, my lord, I charged into their midst like a fierce arrow, and I repelled their troops. I dispersed their assembled host and scattered their forces.

I captured alive in the midst of battle the magnates of the king of the land Elam, including Nabû-shuma-ishkun, a son of Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan, king of the land Karduniash Babylonia.

Terror of doing serious battle with me overwhelmed the king of the land Elam and the king of Babylon and they released their excrement inside their chariots. In order to save their lives, they fled to their own lands and did not return ever again saying: "Perhaps Sennacherib, king of Assyria, is so angry that he will return to the land Elam."

Fear and terror fell upon all of the Elamites and they abandoned their land, and then, in order to save their lives, they betook themselves to a rugged mountain like eagles and their hearts throbbed like those of pursued birds. Until they died, they did not make their way back lit. "they did not open a path" and they no longer made war.

On my second campaign, I marched quickly to Babylon, which I planned to conquer, and then I blew like the onset of a storm and enveloped it like a dense fog. I besieged the city; then, by means of sapping and ladders, I captured it and plundered the city. Its people, young and old, I did not spare, and I filled the city squares with their corpses. I carried off alive to my land Shuzubu Mushezib-Marduk, the king of Babylon, together with his family and his ...s.

I handed the property of that city — silver, gold, choice stones, possessions and property — over to my people and they kept it for themselves. My people seized and smashed the gods living inside it, and then they took their possessions and property. The god Adad and the goddess Shala, gods of the city Ekallatum whom Marduk-nadin-ahhe, king of Akkad, had taken and brought to Babylon during the reign of Tiglath-pileser I, king of Assyria — I had them brought out of Babylon after 418 years and I returned them to the city Ekallatum, their proper place.

I destroyed, devastated, and burned with fire the city, and its buildings, from its foundations to its crenellations. I removed the bricks and earth, as much as there was, from the inner wall and outer wall, the temples, and the ziggurrat, and I threw it into the Arahtu river. I dug canals into the center of that city and thus leveled their site with water. I destroyed the outline of its foundations and thereby made its destruction surpass that of the Deluge. So that in the future, the site of that city and its temples will be unrecognizable, I dissolved it Babylon in water and annihilated it, making it like a meadow.

At the "mouth" of the canal that I caused to be dug into the mountain, I made six steles and I fashioned images of the great gods, my lords, upon them. Moreover, I had a royal image of myself expressing humility lit. "one who strokes the nose" placed before them. I had all of my handiwork that I had undertaken in Nineveh inscribed upon them and I left them for ever after for the kings, my descendants.

At any time in the future, a future ruler, one of the kings, my descendants, who desecrates the work that I have done, dismantles the canal system that I have constructed, or diverts the flow of the waters of these canals from the plain of Nineveh: May the great gods, as many as are named in this stele, by their holy decree, which cannot be altered, curse him with a harsh curse and overthrow his dynasty.

The palace of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

The palace of Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria: Over a long distance, I had the water of the two Hazur Rivers, the water of the Pulpullia River, the water of the city Hanusa, the water of the city Gammagara, 5 and water from mountain springs on the right and left sides of it added to it and thereby I had a canal dug to the plain of Nineveh. I had an aqueduct constructed by packing down white limestone over deep wadis and thereby enabled those waters to flow over it.

Sennacherib ...: I had a canal dug over a long distance, from the Husur River ... I had an aqueduct constructed by packing down limestone over deep wadis and thereby ... waters ....

At that time ... I marched quickly to Babylon and ..., the king of Karduniash Babylonia, who ...

... captured ... ... ... he, Mar­duk-ap­la-iddina II Merodach-baladan ... heard about the advance of my expeditionary force and fear and terror fell upon him ...

... his city gates ... Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan ... I brought out ... from that ... and I counted them as booty.

I brought out ... precious stones, utensils of ... ... attendants, male singers, ... and I counted them as booty. ...

... his ...s, his chariots ..., the utensils of his palace, ... inside Babylon ...

On my second campaign, the god Ashur, my lord, encouraged me and I marched to the land of the Kassites and the land of the Yasubigallians, who since time immemorial had not submitted to the kings, my ancestors.

I brought out from them ... damdamu-mules, donkeys, oxen, and sheep and goats, and I counted them as booty. Moreover, I destroyed, devastated, and turned into ruins their smaller settlements, which were without number.

I ... all of his wide land and overwhelmed it like a fog. I surrounded, conquered, destroyed, devastated, and burned with fire the cities Marubishtu, Akkuddu, and Bit-Barrû, which lie behind the mountains, cities of his royal house, together with thirty-four smaller settlements in their environs.

Until I ... ... ... the city Elenziash ... I took hold of and the wall ...

... arrow ... in a pitched battle ... and they took the direct road ...

... the exorcist, the physician, the auger, ..., the carpenter, the silversmith, the smith, the ... the work of the weaving craft, the expert ...

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria: As for the three watercourses which flow from Mount Hani, a mountain above the city Arbela, I dug out the springs which are on the right and left banks of those watercourses and thus added the springs' water to them. I dug a subterranean watercourse and directed all of their courses inside the city Arbela, the dwelling of the goddess Ishtar, the exalted lady.

The deities Ashur — great lord, the father of the gods — Anu, Enlil, and Ea, Sîn, Shamash, Adad, Marduk, Nabû, Nergal, Ishtar, and the Sebetti, the great gods who stand at the side of the king who reveres them and make his weapons prevail over all enemies:

Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters of the world, the king who was chosen by you, guardian of truth who loves justice, renders assistance, goes to the aid of the weak, and strives after good deeds, perfect man, virile warrior, foremost of all rulers, the bridle that controls the insubmissive, and the one who strikes enemies with lightning:

The god Ashur, the great mountain, granted to me unrivalled sovereignty and made my weapons greater than those of all who sit on royal daises. He made all of the rulers of the four quarters of the world from the Upper Sea of the Setting Sun to the Lower Sea of the Rising Sun bow down at my feet and they now pull my yoke. On four of my campaigns during which I went down to Chaldea and marched to the city Kar-Nabû, which is on the shore of the Bitter Sea, I conquered their cities, and then plundered them, destroyed them, devastated them, 10 and burned them with fire; and on three of my campaigns during which I marched to Elam, I destroyed its settlements.

On my eighth campaign, I ordered the march to Babylon. As for the Babylonians who heard about the approach of my expeditionary force, terror and fear fell upon them. They opened the treasury of Esagil and took out the gold, silver, and choice stones of the god Bel Marduk and the goddess Zarpanitu in abundance. They sent it to Umman-menanu Humban-menanu, the king of the land Elam. They wrote to him as follows: "Come to Babylon to our aid and align yourself with us! Let us put our trust in you!"

He, the king of the land Elam, was a rash fellow who does not have sense or insight. On the first occasion, in the time of Hallushu-Inshushinak I, his father, I went down to his district and captured the cities Nagitu and Nagitu-di'bina, and the lands Hilmu, Pillatu, and Hupapanu, districts of his that are on the other side of Bitter Sea, and plundered them, destroyed them, devastated them, and burned them with fire.

On the second occasion, in the time of Kudurru Kudur-Nahhunte, his brother, I went to the land Elam and, in the course of my campaign, I surrounded, conquered, and plundered the cities Bit-Ha'iri and Rasha, cities on the border of Assyria that the king of the land Elam had taken away by force in the time of my ancestors. I had archers and shield bearers stationed inside them. I brought those cities back inside the border of Assyria and placed them under the authority of the garrison commander of Der.

The cities Bit-Arrabi, alum-qashti, Bubê, Dunni-Shamash, Ekal-shalla, Burutu, Bit-Ri­si­ya, Dur-Dan­nu-Ner­gal, Bit-Ahlamê, 25 alum-sha-Be­let-bi­ti, Ib­rat, Kushurtayin, Duru, Dannat-Sulaya, Shilibtu, Bit-Ashusi, Kar-Zera-iqisha, Bit-Gishshi, Bit-Katpalani, Dimtu-sha-Sulaya, Dimtu-sha-Mar-biti-etir, Harri-ashlakê, Rabbaya, Rasu, Til-Uhuri, Hamranu, Til-Humba, Dimtu-sha-Dumeli, Bit-Ubiya, Balti-lishir, Taqab-lishir, Alu-sha-naqidate, Sar­hu-De­ri, Bit-Ahhe-iddina, Ilteuba, 30 Mu­hu­she­..., Dam­tê, Dim­tu-sha-Be­let-bi­ti, Ak­ka­ba­ri­na, Bit-Im­bi­ya, Mas­su­tu, Bit-Unzaya, Bit-Qisiya, Dimtu-sha-Shullume, ..., Dimtu-sha-Nabû-sharhi-ilani, Apdinu, Til-Raqu, alum-sharri, ..., the walled fortresses of the land Rashi, and the smaller cities in their environs, which were without number, the cities Hamanu and Natitu, as far as the pass of the land Bit-Bunakku — I conquered, and plundered them, 35 destroyed them, devastated them, burned them with fire, and turned them into a heap of ruins.

When he, the king of the land Elam, ... heard about the conquest of his cities, terror and fear fell upon him. He brought the rest of the people of his land into fortresses. He abandoned the city Madaktu, his royal city, and set out for the city Haydala Hidalu, which is in the mountains, far away.

I ordered the march to the city Madaktu, his royal city. In the month Tebetu X, bitter cold set in and continuous rain fell, and then wind, rain, and snow came in equal force. I was afraid of the gorges, the outflows of the mountains, so I turned around and took the road to Assyria.

After my departure, he, the king of the land Elam, roused ... Then, he brought down ... the rest of the people of his land, who ... from ... to the land ... and settled them on the alluvium. ... to the land ... ... ... not having sense or insight ... ... ... ... ... ... he received ... ... ... He did not order their work, but gathered his army and forces ... ... ....

... ... ... the land Bit-Adini, ... ... ... the Ubulu, Malahu, Rapiqu, ...

In their multitude, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Like a spring invasion of a swarm of locusts, ... to do battle ... ... ... The dust of their feet covered the wide heavens like a heavy cloud in the deep of winter.

I myself prayed to the deities Ashur, Sîn, Shamash, Bel, Nabû, Nergal, Ishtar of Nineveh, and Ishtar of Arbela, the gods who support me, for victory over my strong enemy and they immediately heeded my prayers and came to my aid.

... I raged up like a ferocious ..., and then put on armor and placed a helmet suitable for combat on my head. In my anger, I rode quickly in my exalted battle chariot, which lays enemies low. I took in my hands the mighty bow that the god Ashur had granted to me ... ... my chariot on their flanks and front lines ....

... I roared loudly like a storm and thundered like the god Adad. By the command of the god Ashur, the great lord, my lord, I blew like the onset of a severe storm against the enemy. With the weapon of the god Ashur, my lord, and my fierce battle array, I turned them back and made them retreat. The massed body of troops ... ... upon them. Humban-undasha ...

No translation possible

his sons ... they burned ... ... ... the god Ashur, my lord ...

I quickly slaughtered and defeated his magnates, who wear gold decorated belt-daggers and have reddish gold sling straps fastened to their forearms, like fattened bulls restrained with fetters.

I slit their throats like sheep and thus cut off their precious lives like thread. Like a flood in full spate after a seasonal rainstorm ..., I made their blood flow over the broad earth. The swift thoroughbreds harnessed to my chariot plunged into floods of their blood just like a river. The wheels of my war chariot, which lays criminals and villains low, were bathed in blood and gore. I filled the plain with the corpses of their warriors like grass. When the second double-hour of the night had passed, I stopped their slaughter. I cut off their lips and thus destroyed their pride. I cut off their hands like the stems of cucumbers in season.

I received gold and shining silver sling straps from their wrists and slashed off their belts with sharp swords. I took away gold and silver decorated belt-daggers from their waists.

As for him, Umman-menanu Humban-menanu, along with the king of Babylon, terror of doing battle with me overwhelmed them like alû-demons. Their hearts throbbed like the pursued young of pigeons, they passed their urine hotly and they released their excrement inside their chariots. In order to save their lives, they trampled the corpses of their troops as they pushed on.

To the midst of the wagons .... At my feet, they beseeched my lordship, saying: "Let us live ... so that we might proclaim your fame." After I myself had seen that they had released their excrement inside their chariots, I left them alone, sparing their lives.

As for the rest of the magnates of the land Elam, including Nabû-shuma-ishkun, a son of Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan, descendant of Yakin, who were standing in silver decorated chariots, ... ..., who had raised their arms because they were terrified of doing serious battle with me, ... ... with the sword and I captured the living in the thick of battle.

I brought back all together ... the wagons along with their mules and the chariots along with with their horses, whose drivers I had killed in the thick of that mighty battle and which had themselves been released so that they galloped about on their own. I took away from them their camps and their royal tents. They, like runaways, returned empty-handed to their own lands.

So that no one will ever forget the might of the god Ashur, my lord, and that all humanity might magnify the praise of his heroism, on the very spot where I defeated the king of Babylon and Umman-menanu Humban-menanu, the king of the land Elam, all of their lands, together with the lands Parsuash, Anzan, Pashiru, Ellipi, all of Chaldea, as many as there were, and all of the Arameans, I reaped their skulls like withered grain and piled them up like pyramids.

I had a stele made, had all the victorious conquests that I achieved over my enemies with the support of the great gods, my lords, written on it, and I erected it on the plain of the city Halulê.

At that time, the city Sur-marrati, which is on the bank of the Tigris River and which had been abandoned from distant days and had gone to ruin — after I myself had arranged a march to the lands Elam and Chaldea, because I had spent the night inside it in the course of my campaign, the repopulating of that city came to my attention at that time and I put my mind to it, and then I greatly enlarged the site of the city, had its wall built anew, and raised it as high as a mountain. Beside the wall, I dug a moat around its entire circumference. I planted palm groves and grape vines in the meadow.

I had an inscribed object made and had inscribed on it all the mighty victories that I achieved over my enemies with the support of the god Ashur, my lord, and then I placed it inside the wall.

At any time in the future, may one of the kings, my descendants, whom the god Ashur names for shepherding the land and people, renovate its dilapidated sections when that wall becomes old and dilapidated. May he find an inscribed object bearing my name, anoint it with oil, make an offering, and return it to its place with his own inscription. The god Ashur will then hear his prayers.

Arahsamna VIII, the twenty-fifth day, eponymy of Nabû-kenu-ushur, governor of the city Samaria, fourteenth year of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Palace of Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters of the world, favorite of the great gods, wise prince, circumspect ruler, shepherd of the people, and leader of a widespread population, I:

The god Ashur, father of the gods, looked steadfastly upon me among all of the rulers and made my weapons greater than those of all who sit on royal daises. He gave me a just scepter that widens borders and he put in my hand a merciless rod to fell enemies.

In a pitched battle, I overwhelmed like the Deluge Marduk-apla-iddina II Merodach-baladan, the king of Karduniash Babylonia, all of the Chaldeans and Arameans, together with the troops of the land Elam, his allies. He Marduk-apla-iddina II fled alone to the Sealand, and then he dug up the gods of the full extent of his land, together with the bones of his forefathers from their tombs, ... ... ...

I had inscribed on it all the mighty victories that I achieved over my enemies with the support of the god Ashur, my lord, and I deposited it in its foundations for ever after.

At any time in the future, may one of the kings, my descendants, whom the god Ashur names for shepherding the land and people, renovate its dilapidated sections when that ... becomes old and dilapidated. May he find an inscribed object bearing my name, anoint it with oil, make an offering, and return it to its place. The god Ashur will then hear his prayers.

Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, gave this object to Esarhaddon, his senior-ranking son.

... Sennacherib, king of Assyria ....

... Sennacherib ....

... Sennacherib ... my kingship ... ... ....

... Sennacherib ....

... from him ... their names and their seed, as well as those of his advisors, ....

... Sennacherib, king of Assyria ....

... Sennacherib, king of Assyria ....

... Sennacherib, king ....

... Sennacherib ....

may they make ... disappear.

... Shamash, ...

... the god Ashur, my lord, encouraged me and I marched to the land Judah. In the course of my campaign, I received a payment from the kings of ... With the strength of the god Ashur, my lord, I ... the district of ...-Yau Hezekiah of the land Judah like ... 5' ... the city Azaqâ, a place upon which he relied, which is situated between my ... and the land Judah, ... is situated upon a mountain peak. Like the blades of daggers, without number, they rise up high into the heavens ... were well fortified and rival high mountains. Looking upon them, like ... from the heavens ...

... by having ramps trodden down, mighty battering rams brought up, and the assault of foot soldiers, my warriors ... When they saw the ... of my horses and heard the clangor of the vast troops of the god Ashur, they became frightened ... I surrounded, conquered, plundered, destroyed, devastated, and burned with fire.

... a royal city of the land Philistia that ...-Yau Hezekiah had taken away and fortified, and then ... ... like a bush ... it was surrounded by tall towers and was exceedingly difficult ... the palace was secured before them like a mountain and rose ... was dark, the sun did not illuminate it. Its waters were forever in darkness and its outflow ... its mouth had been hacked out with axes, the moat adjacent to it was deep, and ... ....

... he had his battle-seasoned troops garrisoned inside it. He girt his weapons in order to .... I made all the troops of the land Amurru carry earth and ... against them. On the seventh try, ... its great walls I smashed like a like a potter's vessel. ... I brought out of it ... oxen, and sheep and goats, and I counted them as booty. ... ... ...

... ... ... ... ... I cut free and ... of my lord ... grass ... herds of horses and donkeys ... I made dwell as safely as on a meadow and ... ... prospered ... pastures, ... he was deeply cutting ... onagers and gazelles ... their mountain ... turtles ... laid eggs ... my palatial halls ... I divided ... ... ... I made stand there, and then they grew very thick and tall.

... ... two bull colossi of white limestone ... the gate of that watercourse, I had erected. ... the strong wave and wild tide that rise up and ... canals, dikes, and irrigation ditches eroded their banks and ... when there was breach, harvests were submerged ... I had magnificent ...s of iron made and ... the outflow of water ... ... ... ... when its flood was in full spate ... ... ... ... ...

... ... ... of my mouth which is to be feared and obeyed ... ... ... and a desert, a region ... Zab River and the Tigris River

No translation possible

... the land Elam ... Akkad

No translation possible

The foot path ... onagers and gazelles ... roamed about and ... among the kings who came before me ... region ... Sennacherib, king of Assyria, ... that ... ...

... ... ... the great gods ... of my lordship I had inscribed upon them ... I erected and ... ...

... the kings, my descendants, ... the people ... ... the great gods ...

... ... ... of my lordship ... ... they seized him ... inside Uruk ... ... Kudur-Nahundu Kudur-Nahhunte, the Elamite, ... the gods Nabû, Marduk, ... he/they had taken ... before me ... he changed/reported and brought back ... they brought back and thus pacified ... to fight ... ... ... ...

... ... ... Sennacherib ... ...

... and ... payment ... his ...

... ...

... upon him .... Moreover, he, ... the very image of a gallû-demon, ... ... troops ...

The god Ashur, the father of the gods, the one who ..., the bridle that controls ...; the god Anu, the powerful, ... whose ... cannot be altered, ...; the god Ea, the wise, the lord ... who casts ... down on grassland, ...; the god Enlil, the greatest lord, the foremost of ...; the god Sîn, the pure god, the lord of the crown, the one who ... the one who widens ...; the god Shamash, the exalted judge, ... ...; the god Adad, the canal inspector of heaven and earth, the one who gives ... to the people ... ... ... ... ... ...

... Marduk-... ... in the territory of ... ... inside ... obedience and peace ... ... ... ... the god Sîn ... ... as far as the city ... whom I/he entrusted ... ... ...

... before ... ... ... ... ... bank ... ... over the plain of ... ... have ... were woven over with spider webs. ... ... ... ... ...

... ... ... all of them ... spider webs. ... ... ... ... ...

Image of Ra'imâ, the mother of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria.

Property of Tashmetu-sharrat, palace woman of Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Palace of Tiglath-pileser III, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria.

To Tiglath-pileser, ... magnificent king of the lands, ...:

Kiditê, provincial governor of ... and of the city Arrapha ..., protégé of Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, ... ... for the palace of joy ... ... ... dedicated/built.

Antiochus, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Babylon, king of the lands, provider for Esagil and Ezida, foremost heir of Seleucus, king of the Macedonians, king of Babylon, am I.

When I decided to rebuild Esagil and Ezida, I molded the bricks of Esagil and Ezida in the land of Hatti Syria-Palestine with my pure hands, using the finest oil, and for the laying of the foundations of Esagil and Ezida I brought them.

In the month of Addaru, on the twentieth day, in year 43 27 March 268 BC, I laid the foundations of Ezida, the true house, the temple of Nabû which is in Borsippa.

Nabû, supreme heir, wisest of the gods, the proud one, who is worthy of praise, firstborn son of Marduk, offspring of Erua, the queen who forms living creatures, look favorably upon me.

At your supreme command, whose command is unalterable, may the downfall of the land of my foe, the achievement of my successes, triumphant victory over my enemies, a just rule, a prosperous reign, years of happiness and the full enjoyment of great old age, be a gift for the kingship of Antiochus and king Seleucus, his son, forever.

Son of the prince, Nabû, heir of Esagil, firstborn son of Marduk, offspring of Erua the queen, when with rejoicing and jubilation you enter Ezida, the true house, the house of your supreme divinity, at your true command, which cannot be annulled, may my days be long, my years many; may my throne be secure, my reign lengthy, on your exalted tablet which preserves the boundary of heaven and earth.

In your pure mouth may my good fortune be constantly established.

May I conquer the lands from the rising to the setting of the sun; may my hands inventory their tribute and may I bring it to perfect Esagil and Ezida.

Nabû, supreme heir, upon your entry to Ezida, the true house, may the good fortune of Antiochus, king of the lands, king Seleucus, his son, and Stratonike, his consort, the queen, be established in your mouth.

910 BC Adad-nerari II, king.

909 BC She'i-Ashur.

908 BC Ashur-da''inanni.

907 BC Ashur-deni-amur.

906 BC Barmu.

905 BC Abu-... or Abi-....

904 BC Ashur-taklak.

903 BC Qurdi-illima?.

902 BC ...inanni.

901 BC Dur-mati-Ashur.

900 BC Ilu-emuqaya.

899 BC Ninuayu.

898 BC Likberu.

897 BC Adad-ahu-iddina.

896 BC Adad-dan.

895 BC Ina-iliya-allak.

894 BC Shamash-abu'a.

893 BC Shamash-belu-ushur?.3

892 BC Nergal-sharme*.

891 BC Tab-kar-Ashur.

890 BC Ashur-la-kenu-ubasha.

889 BC Tukulti-Ninurta4 II, king.

888 BC Taklak-ana-beliya.

887 BC Abu-ilaya.

886 BC Il-milki.

885 BC Na'id-ilu.

884 BC Yarî.

883 BC Ashur-shezibanni.

882 BC Ashur-nashir-apli Ashurnasirpal II, king.

881 BC Ashur-iddin.

880 BC Miqtu-adur.

879 BC Sha-ilimma-damqa.

878 BC Dagan-belu-ushur.

877 BC Ninurta-piya-ushur.

876 BC Ninurta-belu-ushur.

875 BC Ishak-Ashur-lilbur.

874 BC Shamash-upahhir.

873 BC Nergal-apil-kumu'a.

872 BC Qurdi-Ashur.

871 BC Ashur-le'i.

870 BC Ashur-natkil.

869 BC Bel-mudammiq.

868 BC Dayan-Ninurta.

867 BC Ishtar-emuqaya.

866 BC Shamash-nuri.

865 BC Mannu-dan-ana-ili.

864 BC Shamash-belu-ushur.

863 BC Ninurta-ilaya.

862 BC Ninurta-etiranni.

861 BC Nergal-ilaya.

860 BC Nergal-nirka-da''in.

859 BC Tab-bel.

858 BC Sharru-balti-nishi.

Twenty-four years of Ashurnasirpal II 883-859 BC.

857 BC Salmanu-ashared Shalmaneser III, king.

856 BC Ashur-belu-ka''in.

855 BC Ashur-bunaya-ushur.

854 BC Abu-ina-ekalli-lilbur.

853 BC Dayyan-Ashur.

852 BC Shamash-abu'a.

851 BC Shamash-belu-ushur.

850 BC Bel-bunaya.

849 BC Hadi-libbushu.

848 BC Nergal-alik-pani.

847 BC Bur-Ramman.

846 BC Ninurta-mukin-nishi.

845 BC Ninurta-nadin-shumi.

844 BC Ashur-bunaya.

843 BC Tab-Ninurta.

842 BC Taklak-ana-sharri.

841 BC Adad-remanni.

840 BC Shamash/Bel-abua.

839 BC Shulmu-beli-lamur.

838 BC Ninurta-kibsi-ushur.

837 BC Ninurta-ilaya.

836 BC Qurdi-Ashur.

835 BC Shep-sharri.

834 BC Nergal-mudammiq.

833 BC Iahalu.

832 BC Ululayu.

831 BC Sharru-hattu-ipella.

830 BC Nergal-ilaya.

829 BC Hubayu.

828 BC Ilu-kenu-ushur.

827 BC Salmanu-ashared king Shalmaneser III.

826 BC Dayyan-Ashur.

825 BC Ashur-bunaya-ushur.

824 BC Iahalu.

824 BC Bel-bunaya.

822 BC Shamshi-Adad V, king.

821 BC Iahalu.

820 BC Bel-dan.

819 BC Ninurta-ubla.

818 BC Shamash-ilaya.

817 BC Nergal-ilaya.

816 BC Ashur-bunaya-ushur.

815 BC Sharru-hattu-ipella.

814 BC Belu-lu-balat.

813 BC Musheknish.

812 BC Ninurta-ashared.

811 BC Shamash-kumua.

810 BC Bel-qate-shabat.

809 BC Adad-nerari III.

808 BC Nergal-ilaya.

807 BC Bel-dan.

806 BC Shil-Bel.

805 BC Ashur-taklak.

804 BC Ilu-ittiya.

803 BC Palil-eresh.

802 BC Ashur-balti-ekurri.

801 BC Ninurta-ilaya.

800 BC Shep-Ishtar.

799 BC Marduk-shimanni.

798 BC Mutakkil-Marduk.

797 BC Bel-tarshi-iluma.

796 BC Ashur-belu-ushur.

795 BC Marduk-shaddûni.

794 BC Kenu-abua.

793 BC Mannu-ki-Ashur.

792 BC Mushallim-Ninurta.

791 BC Bel-iqishanni.

790 BC Shep-Shamash.

789 BC Ninurta-kenu-ushur.

788 BC Adad-mushammer.

787 BC Shil-Ishtar.

786 BC Nabû-sharru-ushur.

785 BC Adad-uballit.

784 BC Marduk-sharru-ushur.

783 BC Ninurta-nashir.

782 BC Ilumma-le'i.

Twenty-eight years of Adad-nerari III 810-783 BC.

781 BC Salmanu-ashared Shalmaneser IV, king.

780 BC Shamshi-ilu.

779 BC Marduk-remanni.

778 BC Bel-lesher.

777 BC Nabû-ishdeya-ka''in.

776 BC Pan-Ashur-lamur.

775 BC Palil-eresh 17.

774 BC Ishtar-duri.

773 BC Mannu-ki-Adad.

772 BC Ashur-belu-ushur.

771 BC Ashur-dan III, king.

770 BC Shamshi-ilu.

769 BC Bel-ilaya.

768 BC Aplaya.

767 BC Qurdi-Ashur.

766 BC Mushallim-Ninurta.

765 BC Ninurta-mukin-nishi.

764 BC Shidqi-ilu.

763 BC Bur-Sagalê. *18

762 BC Tab-bel.

761 BC Nabû-kenu-ushur.19

760 BC La-qepu.

759 BC Pan-Ashur-lamur.

758 BC Ana-beli-taklak.

757 BC Ninurta-iddin.

756 BC Bel-shadûa.

755 BC Iqisu.

754 BC Ninurta-shezibanni.

753 BC Ashur-nerari V, king.

752 BC Shamshi-ilu.

751 BC Marduk-shallimanni.

750 BC Bel-dan.

749 BC Shamash-kenu-dugul.

748 BC Adad-belu-ka''in.

747 BC Sîn-shallimanni.

746 BC Nergal-nashir.

745 BC Nabû-belu-ushur.

744 BC Bel-dan.

Ten years of Ashur-nerari V 754-745 BC.

743 BC Tukulti-apil-Esharra Tiglath-pileser III, king.

742 BC Nabû-da''inanni.

741 BC Bel-Harran-belu-ushur.

740 BC Nabû-etiranni.

739 BC Sîn-taklak.

738 BC Adad-belu-ka''in.

737 BC Bel-emuranni.

736 BC Ninurta-ilaya.

735 BC Ashur-shallimanni.

734 BC Bel-dan.

733 BC Ashur-da''inanni.

732 BC Nabû-belu-ushur.

731 BC Nergal-uballit.

730 BC Bel-lu-dari.

729 BC Liphur-ilu.

728 BC Dur-Ashur.

727 BC Bel-Harran-belu-ushur.

726 BC Marduk-belu-ushur.

725 BC Mahdê21.

724 BC Ashur-shimanni.

x years of Tiglath-pileser III 744-727 BC

723 BC Salmanu-ashared Shalmaneser V, king.

722 BC Ninurta-ilaya.

721 BC Nabû-tarish.

720 BC Ashur-nirka-da''in.

x years of Shalmaneser V 726-722 BC

719 BC Sharru-ukin Sargon II

king of Assyria.

718 BC Zeru-ibni

governor of Rashappa.

717 BC Tab-shar-Ashur

treasurer.

716 BC Tab-shil-Esharra

governor of the Inner City of Ashur.

715 BC Taklak-ana-Bel

" = governor of Nashibina.

714 BC Ishtar-duri

" Arrapha.

713 BC Ashur-bani

" Kalhu Nimrud x.

712 BC Sharru-emuranni

" Mazamua.

711 BC Ninurta-alik-pani

" Si'imme.

710 BC Shamash-belu-ushur

" Arzuhina.

709 BC Mannu-ki-Ashur-le'i

" Tillê.

708 BC Shamash-upahhir

" Habrruri.

707 BC Sha-Ashur-dubbu

" Tushhan ....

706 BC Mutakkil-Ashur

" Guzana.

Sennacherib, king.24

705 BC Nashir-bel

" Amedi x-x x x x

704 BC Nabû-deni-epush

" Nineveh.

703 BC Nuhshaya

" Kilizi.

702 BC Nabû-le'i

" Arbail.

701 BC Hanana

" Til-Barsip.

701 BC Mitunu

" Isana.

699 BC Bel-sharrani

" Kurbail.

698 BC Shulmu-sharri

governor of x x x

697 BC Nabû-duru-ushur

" Tamnuna

696 BC Shulmu-beli

" of Talmusi

695 BC Ashur-belu-ushur

" Shahuppa

694 BC Ilu-ittiya

" Damascus

693 BC Iddin-ahhe

" Shimirra25

692 BC Zazaya

" Arpadda

691 BC Bel-emuranni

" Carchemish.

690 BC Nabû-kenu-ushur

" Samaria.

689 BC Gihilu

" Hatarikka.

688 BC Iddin-ahhe

" Shimirra.

x years of Sennacherib? II 704-681 BC26

687 BC Sin-ahhe-eriba Sennacherib

king of Assyria.

686 BC Bel-emuranni

commander in chief of the right.

685 BC Ashur-da''inanni

governor of Quê.

684 BC Manzernê

" = governor of Kullania.

683 BC Mannu-ki-Adad

" Shupite.

682 BC Nabû-sharru-ushur

" Marqasi.

681 BC Nabû-ahhe-eresh

" Sam'al.

Esarhaddon took the throne27

680 BC Dananu

" Manshuate.

679 BC Itti-Adad-anenu

" Megiddo.

678 BC Nergal-sharru-ushur

chief cupbearer.

677 BC Abi-ramu

grand vizier.

676 BC Banbâ

grand vizier.

675 BC Nabû-ahhe-iddina

chief treasurer.

674 BC Sharru-nuri / goveronr of Barhalzi.

673 BC Atar-ili / goveronr of Lahiru.

672 BC Nabû-belu-ushur / goveronr of Dur-Sharrukên.

671 BC Kanunayu / chief judge.

670 BC Shulmu-beli-lashme / governor of Der.

669 BC Shamash-kashid-ayabi / governor of Ashdod.

668 BC Mar-larim / commander in chief.

667 BC Gabbaru / governor of Dur-Sennacherib??.

666 BC Kanunayu / governor of the New Palace.

665 BC Mannu-ki-sharri / palace herald.

664 BC Sharru-lu-dari / governor of Dur-Sharrukên.

663 BC Bel-na'di / commander in chief.

662 BC Tab-shar-Sîn / governor of Rashappa.

661 BC Arbailayu.

660 BC Gir-shapunu.

659 BC Silim-Ashur.

658 BC Sha-Nabû-shû.

657 BC La-abâshi.

656 BC Milki-ramu.

655 BC Awianu.

654 BC Ashur-nashir.

653 BC Ashur-ilaya.

652 BC Ashur-duru-ushur.

651 BC Sagabbu.

650 BC Bel-Harran-shaddû'a.

649 BC Ahu-ilaya.

To the god Ninurta, the strong, the almighty, the exalted, foremost among the gods, the splendid and perfect warrior whose attack in battle is unequalled, the eldest son who commands battle skills, offspring of the god Nudimmud, warrior of the Igigu gods, the capable, prince of the gods, offspring of Ekur, the one who holds the bond of heaven and underworld, the one who opens springs, the one who walks the wide underworld, the god without whom no decisions are taken in heaven and underworld, the swift, the ferocious, the one whose command is unalterable, foremost in the four quarters, the one who gives scepter and powers of decision to all cities, the stern canal-inspector

whose utterance cannot be altered, extensively capable, sage of the gods, the noble, the god Utulu, lord of lords, into whose hands is entrusted the circumference of heaven and underworld, king of battle, the hero who rejoices in battles, the triumphant, the perfect, lord of springs and seas, the angry and merciless whose attack is a deluge, the one who overwhelms enemy lands and fells the wicked, the splendid god who never once changes, light of heaven and underworld who illuminates the interior of the apsû, annihilator of the evil, subduer of the insubmissive, destroyer of enemies, the one whose command none of the gods in the divine assembly can alter, bestower of life, the compassionate god to whom it is good to pray, the one who dwells in the city Kalhu, great lord, my lord:

I, Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of the world, unrivalled king, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, the pious, beloved of your Ninurta's heart, prince, favorite of the god Enlil, whose priesthood is pleasing to your great divinity and whose reign you established, valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, who rules all peoples, strong male, who treads upon

the necks of his foes, trampler of all enemies, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, he who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over the highlands in their entirety and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands;

When Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms;

I Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, controller of the obstinate, crowned with splendor, fearless in battle, lofty and merciless hero, who stirs up strife, king of all princes, lord of lords, chief herdsman, king of kings, attentive purification priest, designate of the warrior god Ninurta, destructive weapon of the great gods, avenger, the king who has always acted justly with the support of Ashur and the god Shamash, the gods who help him and cut down like marsh reeds fortified mountains and princes hostile to him, and subdued all their lands, provider of offerings for the great gods, legitimate prince, to whom is perpetually entrusted the proper administration of the rites of the temples of his land, whose deeds and

offerings the great gods of heaven and underworld love and therefore established forever his priesthood in the temples, granted to his dominion their fierce weapons and made him more marvellous than any of the kings of the four quarters with respect to the splendor of his weapons and the radiance of his dominion, he who has always contested with every last enemy of Ashur above and below and imposed upon them tribute and tax, conqueror of the foes of Ashur, strong king, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, vice-regent of Ashur, who defeated all his enemies and hung the corpses of his enemies on stakes, grandson of Adad-narari II, appointee of the great gods,

who always achieved the defeat of those insubmissive to him and thereby became lord of all, offspring of Ashur-dan II who opened towns and founded shrines:

At that time my sovereignty, my dominion, and my power came forth at the command of the great gods; I am king, I am lord, I am praiseworthy, I am exalted, I am important, I am magnificent, I am foremost, I am a hero, I am a warrior, I am a lion, and I am virile; Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of Assyria, designate of the god Sîn, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, I, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, vanquisher of cities and highlands,

foremost in battle, king of the four quarters, the one who defeats his enemies, the king who disintegrates all his enemies, king of the totality of the four quarters including all their princes, the king who forces to bow down those insubmissive to him, the one who rules all peoples; these destinies came forth at the command of the great gods and they properly fixed them as my destinies.

Because of my voluntary offerings and my prayers the goddess Ishtar, the mistress who loves my priesthood, approved of me and she made up her mind to make war and battle.

At that time, Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, whose desires the god Enlil helped him obtain so that his great hand conquered all princes insubmissive to him, conqueror of his foes, the one who in rugged terrain broke up the forces of the rebellious;

When Ashur, my great lord, who called me by name and made my sovereignty supreme over the kings of the four quarters, had made my great name supreme he placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms and sternly commanded me to rule, subdue, and direct the lands and mighty highlands. With the support of Ashur, my lord, I kept marching along difficult routes and over rugged mountains with the mass of my troops and there was no opponent.

In my accession year and in my first regnal year when the god Shamash, judge of the four quarters, spread his beneficial protection over me and, having nobly ascended the royal throne,

he placed in my hand the scepter for the shepherding of the people — at that time I mustered my chariotry and troops. I passed through difficult paths and rugged mountains which were unsuitable for chariotry and troops and marched to the land Tummu. I conquered Libê, their fortified city, the cities Surra, Abuqu, Arura, and Arubê which lie between Mounts Urinu, Arunu, and Etinu, mighty mountains. I massacred many of them and carried off captives, possessions, and oxen from them. The troops were frightened and took to a rugged mountain. Since the mountain was exceptionally rugged I did not pursue them. The mountain was as jagged as the point of a dagger and therein no winged bird of the sky flew.

They had placed their fortress like the nest of the udinu-bird within the mountain which none of the kings my fathers had ever approached. For three days the hero explored the mountain. His bold heart yearned for battle. He ascended on foot and overwhelmed the mountain. He smashed their nest and scattered their flock. I felled 200 of their fighting-men with the sword and carried off a multitude of captives like a flock of sheep. With their blood I dyed the mountain red like red wool, and the rest of them the ravines and torrents of the mountain swallowed. I razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities.

Moving on from the land Tummu I went down to Mount Habruru. I received the tribute of Mounts Habruru and Simesu, the land Simerra, the land Ulmania, the land Adaush, the land Hargaia, the land Harmasaia — horses, mules, oxen, sheep, wine, and bronze casseroles. I imposed upon them corvée. While I was in Mount Habruru the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed the Gilzanu and the Hubushku and they brought to me as their tribute horses, silver, gold, tin, bronze, and bronze casseroles.

Moving on from Mount Habruru I entered the pass which leads from the city Hulun to the interior of the land Habhu. I conquered the cities Hattu, Hataru, Nishtun, Sabidi, Metqia, Arshania, Tela, Halua, cities of the land Habhu which lie between Mounts Usu, Arua, and Arardi, mighty mountains. I massacred many of them and carried off prisoners and possessions from them. The troops were frightened and took to a lofty peak in front of the city Nishtun, which hovered like a cloud in the sky. Into the midst of those which none of the kings my fathers had ever approached my warriors flew like birds. I felled 260 of their combat troops with the sword. I cut off their heads and formed therewith a pile. The rest of them

built nests like birds on mountain precipices. I brought down prisoners and possessions of theirs from the mountain and I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities which lay within the mighty highlands. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, came down and submitted to me. I imposed upon them tribute, tax, and corvée. Bubu, son of Babua, son of the city ruler of the city Nishtun, I flayed in the city Arbela and draped his skin over the wall. At that time I made an image of myself and wrote thereon the praises of my power. I erected it on the equ-mountain in the city called Ashurnasirpal at the source of the spring.

In this same eponymy on the twenty-fourth day of the month Abu, by the command of Ashur and the goddess Ishtar, the great gods, my lords, I moved out from the city Nineveh and marched to the cities which lie at the foot of Mounts Nipur and Pashate, mighty mountains. I conquered the cities Atkun, Ushhu, Pilazi, and 20 cities in their environs. I massacred many of them, carried off prisoners and possessions from them, and burnt the cities. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, came down and submitted to me. I imposed upon them corvée. Moving on from the cities which are at the foot of Mounts Nipur and Pashate I crossed the Tigris and approached the land Katmuhu. I received the tax and tribute of the land Katmuhu and the Mushku, bronze casseroles, oxen, sheep, and wine. While

I was in the land Katmuhu this report was brought back to me: "The city Suru, which belongs to Bit-Halupe, has rebelled. They have killed Hamataiu, their governor, and appointed Ahi-iababa, son of a nobody, whom they brought from the land Bit-Adini, as their king." With the assistance of Ashur and the god Adad, the great gods who made my sovereignty supreme, I mustered my chariotry and troops and made my way to the banks of the River Habur. On my march, I received the plenteous tribute of Samanuha-shar-ilani, a man of the city Shadikannu, and of Amil-Adad, a man of the city Qatnu — silver, gold, tin, bronze casseroles, garments with multi-colored trim, and linen garments. I approached the city Suru, which belongs to Bit-Halupe.

Awe of the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed them. The nobles and elders of the city came out to me to save their lives. They submitted to me and said: "As it pleases you, kill! As it pleases you, spare. As it pleases you, do what you will!" I captured Ahi-iababa, son of a nobody, whom they brought from the land Bit-Adini. With my staunch heart and fierce weapons I besieged the city. All the guilty soldiers were seized and handed over to me. I sent my nobles into his palace and temples. I carried off his silver, gold, possessions, property, bronze, iron, tin, bronze casseroles, bronze pans, bronze pails, much bronze property, gishnugallu-alabaster,

an ornamented dish, his palace women, his daughters, captives of the guilty soldiers together with their property, his gods together with their property, precious stone of the mountain, his harnessed chariot, his teams of horses, the equipment of the horses, the equipment of the troops, garments with multi-colored trim, linen garments, fine oil, cedar, fine aromatic plants, cedar shavings, purple wool, red-purple wool, his wagons, his oxen, his sheep — his valuable tribute which, like the stars of heaven, had no number. I appointed Azi-ili as my own governor over them. I erected a pile in front of his gate; I flayed as many nobles as

had rebelled against me and draped their skins over the pile; some I spread out within the pile, some I erected on stakes upon the pile, and some I placed on stakes around about the pile. I flayed many right through my land and draped their skins over the walls. I slashed the flesh of the eunuchs and of the royal eunuchs who were guilty. I brought Ahi-iababa to Nineveh, flayed him, and draped his skin over the wall of Nineveh. Thus have I constantly established my victory and strength over the land Laqû. While I was in the city Suru I imposed an exceptionally large tribute, tax, and duty upon all the kings of the land Laqû,

silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze casseroles, oxen, sheep, garments with multi-colored trim, and linen garments. At that time I received the tribute of Haiianu, a man of the city Hindanu — silver, gold, tin, bronze, shammu-stone, gishnugallu-alabaster, purple wool, and dromedaries. At that time I made a colossal royal statue of myself, wrote thereon a description of my victories and praises, and erected it within his palace. I made my monumental inscriptions, wrote thereon an account of my praises and my might, and deposited them at his gate.

In the eponym year of my name, by the command of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, and the god Ninurta who loves my priesthood, although at the time of the kings my fathers the governor of the land Suhu had not come to Assyria, Ili-ibni, governor of the land Suhu, brought to Nineveh to my presence his tribute, silver and gold, to save his life together with that of his brothers and his sons.

In the same eponymy, while I was in Nineveh, a report was brought back to me saying men of Assyria and Hulaiia, their city ruler — whom Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had settled in the city Halziluha — had rebelled; they had come to capture the city Damdammusa, my royal city. By the command of Ashur, the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods who help me, I mustered my chariotry and troops. At the source of the River Subnat, where

stand the statues of Tiglath-pileser and Tukulti-Ninurta, kings of Assyria, my forefathers, I built my royal statue and erected it with them. At that time I received tribute from the land Izalla, oxen, sheep, and wine. I crossed over to Mount Kashiiari and approached the city Kinabu, the fortified city of Hulaiia. With the mass of my troops and my fierce battle I besieged and conquered the city. I felled with the sword 800 of their combat troops, I burnt 3,000 captives from them. I did not leave one of them alive as a hostage. I captured alive Hulaiia their city ruler. I made a pile of their corpses. I burnt their adolescent boys and girls.

I flayed Hulaiia their city ruler and draped his skin over the wall of the city Damdammusa. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the city. I conquered the city Mariru which was in their environs. I felled 50 of their fighting-men with the sword, burnt 200 captives from them, and defeated in a battle on the plain 332 troops of the land Nirbu. I brought back prisoners, oxen, and sheep from them. The inhabitants of the land Nirbu, which is at the foot of Mount Uhira, banded together and entered the city Tela, their fortified city. Moving on from the city Kinabu I approached the city Tela. The city was well fortified; it was surrounded by three walls. The people put their trust in their strong walls and their large number of troops and did not come down to me.

They did not submit to me. In strife and conflict I besieged and conquered the city. I felled 3,000 of their fighting-men with the sword. I carried off prisoners, possessions, oxen, and cattle from them. I burnt many captives from them. I captured many troops alive: from some I cut off their arms and hands; from others I cut off their noses, ears, and extremities. I gouged out the eyes of many troops. I made one pile of the living and one of heads. I hung their heads on trees around the city.

I burnt their adolescent boys and girls. I razed, destroyed, burnt, and consumed the city. At that time I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities of the land Nirbu and their strong walls.

Moving on from the land Nirbu I approached the city Tushha. I took Tushha in hand for renovation. I cleared away its old wall, delineated its area, reached its foundation pit, and built and completed in a splendid fashion a new wall from top to bottom. A palace for my royal residence I founded inside. I made doors and hung them in its doorways. This palace I built and completed from top to bottom. I made an image of myself in white limestone and wrote thereon praise of the extraordinary power and heroic deeds which I had been accomplishing in the lands Nairi. I erected it in the city Tushha. I inscribed my monumental inscription and deposited it in its wall. I brought back the enfeebled Assyrians who, because of hunger and famine, had gone up to other lands to the land Shubru. I settled them in the city Tushha. I took over this city for myself and stored therein barley and straw from the land Nirbu. The rest of the inhabitants of the land Nirbu which had fled from my weapons

came down and submitted to me. I resettled them in their abandoned cities and houses. I imposed upon their cities more tribute and tax than ever before — horses, mules, oxen, sheep, wine, bronze casseroles, and corvée. I took their sons as hostages.

While I was in the city Tushha I received tribute from Ammi-ba'al, a man of Bit-Zamani, from Anhite, the Shubrû, from Labturu, son of Tupusu of the land Nirdun, and tribute from the interior of the land Urumu, and from the kings of the lands Nairi — chariots, horses, mules, silver, gold, bronze casseroles, oxen, sheep, and wine. I imposed corvée upon the lands Nairi.

On my return from the lands Nairi, the land Nirbu which is within Mount Kashiiari rebelled. They abandoned their nine cities and trusted in the city Ishpilipria, their fortified city, and a rugged mountain. But I besieged and conquered the mountain peaks. Within the mighty mountain I massacred them. With their blood I dyed the mountain red like red wool and the rest of them the ravines and torrents of the mountain swallowed. I carried off captives and possessions from them. I cut off the heads of their fighters and built therewith a tower before their city. I burnt their adolescent boys and girls.

I entered the pass of the city Buliiana and made my way to the banks of the River Luqia. On my way I conquered the cities of the land Habhu which are in the pass. I massacred many of them, carried off captives from them, and burnt the cities. I emerged at the city Ardupa. At that time I received tribute from Ahi-ramu, a man of Bit-Iahiri, from the Azallu, a man of Bit-Bahiani, men of Hatti, and from the kings of the land Hanigalbat — silver, gold, tin, bronze casseroles, oxen, sheep, and horses.

In the eponymy of Ashur-iddin a report was brought back to me saying Nur-Adad the sheikh of the land Dagara had rebelled; the inhabitants of the entire land Zamua had banded together; they had built a wall in the pass of the city Babitu; and they had risen against me to wage war and battle. With the support of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, and the divine standard which goes before me, and with the fierce weapons which Ashur, my lord, gave to me I mustered my weapons and troops and marched to the pass of the city Babitu. The people, trusting in the massiveness of their troops, did battle. With the supreme might of the divine standard which goes before me I fought with them, brought about their defeat, and broke up their group. I slew 1,460 of their combatants in the pass. I conquered the cities Uzê, Berutu, and Lagalaga, their fortified cities, together with 100 cities in their environs. I carried off captives, property, oxen, and sheep from them. Nur-Adad, to save his life, climbed up a rugged mountain. I uprooted 1,200 of their troops.

Moving on from the land Dagara I approached the city Bara. I conquered Bara. I felled with the sword 320 of their fighting-men and brought back their oxen, sheep, and their valuable booty. I uprooted 300 of their troops.

On the fifteenth day of the month Tishri I moved on from the city Kalzi and entered the pass of the city Babitu. Moving on from the city Babitu I approached Mount Nishir which the Lullu call Mount Kiniba.

I conquered the city Bunasi, their fortified city which was ruled by Mushashina, and 30 cities in its environs. The troops were frightened and took to a rugged mountain. Ashurnasirpal, the hero, flew after them like a bird and piled up their corpses in Mount Nishir. He slew 326 of their men-at-arms. He deprived him Mushashina of his horses. The rest of them the ravines and torrents of the mountain swallowed. I conquered seven cities within Mount Nishir which they had established as their strongholds. I massacred them, carried off captives, possessions, oxen, and sheep from them, and burnt the cities. I returned to my camp and spent the night.

Moving on from this camp I marched to the cities in the plain of Mount Nishir which no one had ever seen. I conquered the city Larbusa, the fortified city which was ruled by Kirtiara, and eight cities in its environs. The troops were frightened and took to a rugged mountain. The mountain was as jagged as the point of a dagger. The king with his troops climbed up after them. I threw down their corpses in the mountain, massacred 172 of their fighting-men, and piled up many troops on the precipices of the mountain. I brought back captives, possessions, oxen, and sheep from them and burnt their cities. I hung their heads on trees of the mountain and burnt their adolescent boys and girls. I returned to my camp and spent the night.

I tarried in this camp. 150 cities belonging to the cities of the Larbusu, Dur-Lullumu, Bunisu, and Bara — I massacred them, carried off captives from them, and razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities. I defeated 50 troops of the Bara in a skirmish in the plain. At that time awe of the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed all of the kings of the land Zamua and they submitted to me. I received horses, silver, and gold. I put all of the land under one authority and imposed upon them tribute of horses, silver, gold, barley, straw, and corvée.

Moving on from the city Tukulti-Ashur-ashbat I made my way to the foot of Mount Nispi. Travelling all night I marched to the cities which are remote, which lie between Mounts Gamru and Edinu, and which Nur-Adad had made his garrisons. I conquered the city Berutu and burnt it.

In the eponymy of Miqti-adur I was in Nineveh and a report was brought back to me saying Ameka and Arash-tua had withheld the tribute and corvée of Ashur, my lord. At the command of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, and the divine standard which goes before me, on the first day of the month Simanu I mustered my army for a third time against the land Zamua. Without waiting for the advance of my chariotry and troops I moved on from the city Kalzi, crossed the Lower Zab, and entered the passes of Mount Babitu. I crossed the River Radanu and all day I tarried at the foot of Mount Simaki. I received the tribute of the land Dagara, oxen, sheep, and wine. From the foot of Mount Simaki I took with me strong chariots, cavalry, and crack troops. I continued travelling through the night until dawn, crossed the River Turnat, and at first light approached the city Ammali, the fortified city which was ruled by Arash-tua.

In a clash of arms I besieged the city and conquered it. I felled with the sword 800 of their combat troops. With their corpses I filled the streets of their city and with their blood I dyed their houses red. Many troops I captured alive and carried off many captives from them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the city. I conquered the city Hudun together with 30 cities in its environs. I massacred them and carried off captives, oxen, and sheep from them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities. I burnt their adolescent boys and girls. I conquered the city Kishirtu, the fortified city which was ruled by Shabini, together with 10 cities in its environs. I massacred them and carried off captives from them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities of the Bara, of the man Kirtiara, a man of the city Duru, and of the Bunisu, as far as the pass of Mount Hashmar. I turned them into ruin hills.

Moving from among the cities which were ruled by Arash-tua I entered the pass which is between Mount Lara and Mount Bidirgi, rugged mountains which were unsuitable for chariotry and troops. I approached the city Zamru, the royal city of Ameka the Zamu. Ameka became frightened in the face of my strong weapons and my fierce battle and took to a rugged mountain. I removed the property of his palace and his chariot.

Moving on from the city Zamru I crossed the River Lallû. I marched to Mount Etinu over rugged terrain which was unsuitable for chariotry and troops and to which no king among my fathers had ever approached. The king with his troops climbed up to Mount Etinu. I removed from the mountain his Ameka's property, possessions, many bronze utensils, bronze tubs, bronze casseroles, bronze bowls, bronze tureens, the treasure of his palace, and his storehouse. Returning to my camp I spent the night.

Moving on from this camp with the help of Ashur and Shamash, the gods who support me, I set out after him Ameka. Crossing the River Edir I massacred many of them between Mounts Sû and Elaniu, mighty mountains. I carried off from the foot of Mount Elaniu his property, possessions, bronze tubs, bronze casseroles, bronze bowls, bronze vats, many bronze utensils, a dish decorated with gold, his oxen, sheep — his valuable booty. I deprived him of his horses. Ameka, to save his life, climbed up Mount Sabua. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities Zamru, Arasidku, Ammaru, Parsindu, Iritu, Suritu, his fortified cities, together with 150 cities in the environs of his region. I turned them into ruin hills. While I remained before the city Parsindu I set the cavalry and light troops in ambush and killed 50 of the combat troops of Ameka in the plain. I cut off their heads and hung them on trees of the courtyard of his palace. I captured 20 soldiers alive and spread them out in the wall of his palace.

From the city Zamru I took with me the cavalry and light troops. I marched to the cities ruled by Ata, a man of the city Arzizu, amongst which no king among my fathers had ever penetrated. I conquered the cities Arzizu and Arsindu, his fortified cities, together with 10 cities in the environs of his region which lay in Mount Nispi, a rugged mountain. I massacred them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities. I returned to my camp. At that time I received bronze, bronze ..., bronze rivets, and beams, the tribute of the land Sipirmena whose inhabitants do their hair like women.

Moving on from the city Zamru to Mount Lara, a rugged mountain which was unsuitable for chariotry and troops, I cut through with iron axes and I smashed a way with copper picks. Thus was I able to move forward the chariotry and troops. I went down to the city Tukulti-Ashur-ashbat which the Lullu call Arrakdu. All the kings of the land Zamua took fright before the brilliance of my weapons and awe of my dominion and they submitted to me. I imposed upon them more tribute and tax than ever before — silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze casseroles, garments with multi-colored trim, horses, oxen, sheep, and wine. Their corvée they performed in Kalhu. While I was in the land Zamua, awe of the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed the inhabitants of the cities Hudun, Hartishu, Hubushku, and Gilzanu and they brought to me tribute and tax — silver, gold, horses, garments with multi-colored trim, oxen, sheep, and wine. I marched after as many people as had fled from my weapons and climbed up into the mountains. They were ensconced between Mounts Aziru and Simaki and had made the city Mesu their garrison. I razed and destroyed Mount Aziru and piled up their bodies from Mount Simaki as far as the River Turnat. I slew 500 of their men-at-arms and carried off their valuable booty. I burnt the cities.

At that time in the land Zamua, the city Atlila which Sibir king of Karduniash Babylonia had captured, was dilapidated and had turned into ruin hills. Ashurnasirpal, king of Assyria, took this city in hand for renovation. I put a wall around it, founded therein a palace for my royal residence, and decorated it more splendidly than ever before. I stored therein barley and straw from all the surrounding land. I named it Dur-Ashur.

On the first day of the month Simanu, in the eponymy of Sha-ilima-damqa, I mustered my chariotry and troops. After crossing the Tigris I entered the land Katmuhu. I consecrated a palace in the city Til-uli. I received tribute from the land Katmuhu. Moving on from the land Katmuhu I entered the pass of the land Ishtarate. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Kibaku. I received tribute from Kibaku, oxen, sheep, wine, and bronze casseroles. Moving on from Kibaku I approached the city Matiatu. I conquered Matiatu together with its suburbs. I felled with the sword 2,800 of their fighting-men and carried off many captives from them. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, submitted to me and I settled them in their cities. I imposed upon them stringent tribute, taxes, and laborers. I made an image of myself and wrote thereon an account of my powerful victories. I erected it in Matiatu.

Moving on from the city Matiatu I pitched camp and spent the night at the city Zazabuha. I received tribute from the land Habhu, oxen, sheep, wine, bronze casseroles, bronze tubs, and bronze armor. Moving on from the city Zazabuha I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Irsia. I burnt Irsia. I received tribute from the city Suru, oxen, sheep, wine, and bronze casseroles, in the city Irsia. Moving on from Irsia I pitched camp and spent the night within Mount Kashiiari. I conquered the city Madaranzu and two cities in its environs. I massacred them,

carried off prisoners from them, and burnt the cities. For six days within Mount Kashiiari, a mighty mountain and rugged terrain which was unsuitable for chariotry and troops, I cut through the mountain with iron axes and smashed a way with copper picks. Thus was I able to move forward the chariotry and troops. In the cities which were in the region of my road in Mount Kashiiari I received oxen, sheep, wine, bronze casseroles, and bronze armor.

After crossing Mount Kashiiari I went down for a second time to the lands Nairi. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Shigishu. Moving on from the city Shigishu I approached the city Madara, the fortified city of Labturu, son of Tupusu. The city was well fortified; it was surrounded by four walls. I besieged the city. They took fright in face of my mighty weapons and I received from them property, possessions, and sons as hostages. I spared their lives. I imposed upon them tribute, taxes, and laborers. I razed and destroyed the city and turned it into ruin hills.

Moving on from the city Madara I entered the city Tushha. I consecrated a palace in Tushha. I received in Tushha tribute from the land Nirdun, horses, mules, bronze casseroles, bronze armor, oxen, sheep, and wine. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills 60 cities, mighty garrisons, at the foot of Mount Kashiiari, which were ruled by Labturu, son of Tupusu.

With the support of Ashur, my lord, I moved on from the city Tushha. I took with me strong chariots, cavalry, and crack troops. I crossed the Tigris by means of a bridge of rafts. Travelling all night I approached the city Pitura, the fortified city of the Dirru. The city was exceptionally difficult; it was surrounded by two walls; its citadel was lofty like a mountain peak. With the exalted strength of Ashur, my lord, with my massive troops, and with my fierce battle I fought with them. On the second day, before sunrise, I thundered against them like the god Adad-of-the-Devastation and rained down flames upon them. With might and main my combat troops flew against them like the Storm Bird. I conquered the city. I felled 800 of their combat troops with the sword and cut off their heads. I captured many soldiers alive. The rest of them I burnt. I carried off valuable tribute from them. I built a pile of live men and of heads before his gate. I impaled on stakes 700 soldiers before their gate. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills the city. I burnt their adolescent boys and girls.

I conquered the city Kukunu which is at the entrance to the pass of Mount Matnu. I felled with the sword 700 of their fighting-men. I carried off many captives from them. I conquered 50 cities of the Dirru. I massacred them, carried off prisoners from them, and captured 50 soldiers alive. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities. I unleashed against them my lordly radiance.

Moving on from the city Pitura I went down to the city Arbakku in the interior of the land Habhu. They took fright in the face of my royal radiance and abandoned their cities and walls. To save their lives they climbed up Mount Matnu, a mighty mountain. I went after them. I slew 1,000 of their men-at-arms within the rugged mountain, dyed the mountain red with their blood, and ii 115 filled the ravines and torrents of the mountain with their corpses. I captured 200 soldiers alive and cut off their arms. I carried off 2,000 captives from them. I brought back oxen and sheep from them without number. I conquered the cities Iiaia and Salaniba, fortified cities of the city Arbakku. I massacred and carried off prisoners from them. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills 250 of their well-fortified cities of the lands Nairi. I reaped the harvest of their land and stored the barley and straw in the city Tushha.

The nobles of Ammi-ba'al, a man of Bit-Zamani, rebelled against him and killed him. I marched to avenge Ammi-ba'al. They took fright before the brilliance of my weapons and awe of my dominion and I received harnessed chariots, equipment for troops and horses, 460 harness-trained horses, two talents of silver, two talents of gold, 100 talents of tin, 100 talents of bronze, 300 talents of iron, 100 bronze casseroles, 3,000 bronze receptacles, bronze bowls, bronze containers, 1,000 linen garments with multi-colored trim, dishes, chests, couches of ivory and decorated with gold, the treasure of his palace — also 2,000 oxen, 5,000 sheep, his sister with her rich dowry, and the daughters of his nobles with their rich dowries.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu. He conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, and the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. Finally, I have gained dominion over the entire extensive lands Nairi.

The city Kalhu I took in hand for renovation. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level; I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I founded therein the temple of the god Ninurta, my lord. At that time I created with my skill this statue of the god Ninurta which had not existed previously as an icon of his great divinity out of the best stone of the mountain and red gold. I regarded it as my great divinity in the city Kalhu. I appointed his festivals in the months Shabatu and Ululu. I constructed this temple in its entirety. I made the dais of the god Ninurta, my lord, resplendent therein. I founded the temples of the deities Sharrat-niphi, Sîn, and Gula, the statue of the god Ea-sharru and the statue of the god Adad, the canal-inspector of heaven and underworld.

On the twenty-second day of the month Simanu, in the eponymy of Dagan-bela-ushur, I moved from Kalhu. After crossing the Tigris, on the other side of the Tigris I received much tribute. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Tabitu. On the sixth day of the month Du'uzu I moved from the city Tabitu and made my way to the banks of the River Harmish. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Magarisu. Moving on from the city Magarisu I made my way to the banks of the River Habur. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Shadikannu. I received tribute from the city Shadikannu, silver, gold, tin, bronze casseroles, oxen, and sheep.

Moving on from the city Shadikannu I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Qatnu. I received tribute from the people of the city Qatnu. Moving on from the city Qatnu I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Dur-katlimmu. Moving on from the city Dur-katlimmu I pitched camp and spent the night in the city of Bit-Halupê. I received tribute from the city of Bit-Halupê, silver, gold, tin, bronze casseroles, linen garments with multi-colored trim, oxen, and sheep. Moving on from the city of Bit-Halupê I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Sirqu. I received tribute from the people of the city Sirqu, silver, gold, tin, casseroles, oxen, and sheep. Moving on from the city Sirqu I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Shupru.

I received tribute from the people of the city Shupru, silver, gold, tin, casseroles, oxen, and sheep. Moving on from the city Shupru I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Naqarabanu. I received tribute from the city Naqarabanu, silver, gold, tin, casseroles, oxen, and sheep. Moving on from the city Naqarabanu I pitched camp and spent the night before the city Hindanu — Hindanu lies on the other bank of the Euphrates. I received tribute from the people of the city Hindanu, silver, gold, tin, casseroles, oxen, and sheep. Moving on from the city Hindanu I pitched camp and spent the night in a mountain by the Euphrates. Moving on from the mountain

I pitched camp and spent the night among the Bit-Shabi before the city Haridu — Haridu lies on the other bank of the Euphrates. Moving on from the Bit-Shabi I pitched camp and spent the night before the city Anat — Anat lies on an island in the Euphrates. Moving on from the city Anat I besieged the city Suru, the fortified city of Kudurru, governor of the land Suhu. Trusting in extensive Kassite troops he attacked me to wage war and battle. I besieged the city and on the second day fought my way inside. In the face of my mighty weapons, Kudurru with 70 of his soldiers fell back to the Euphrates to save his life. I conquered the city.

I captured 50 cavalrymen together with the troops of Nabû-apla-iddina, king of Karduniash Babylonia, Zabdanu his brother with 3,000 fighting-men, and Bel-apla-iddina the diviner, their commanding officer. I felled with the sword many soldiers. I carried off silver, gold, tin, casseroles, and precious stone of the mountain, the property of his palace, his chariots, teams of horses, equipment for troops, equipment for horses, his palace women, and valuable booty from him. I razed and destroyed the city. Thus I established my victory and strength over the land Suhu; fear of my dominion reached as far as Karduniash Babylonia; awe of my weapons overwhelmed Chaldea; I unleashed my brilliance upon the mountains on the banks of the Euphrates.

I made an image of myself and wrote thereon an account of my victory and strength. I erected it in the city Suru. The inscription reads: "Ashurnasirpal, the king whose strength is constantly praiseworthy, whose face is turned towards the desert, who delights in loosing his javelin."

While I was in Kalhu this report was brought back to me: "All of the people of the land Laqû, the city Hindanu, and the land Suhu have rebelled and crossed the Euphrates." On the eighteenth day of the month Simanu I moved from Kalhu. After crossing the Tigris I took to the desert and approached the city Suru which belongs to Bit-Halupê. I built my own boats in the city Suru and made my way towards the Euphrates. I went down as far as the narrows of the Euphrates. I conquered the cities of Henti-ili and Azi-ili, the Laqû. I massacred them, carried off captives from them, razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities.

In the course of my campaign I turned aside and razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities which are on this bank of the Euphrates and which belong to the land Laqû and the land Suhu, from the mouth of the River Habur as far as the city Shibatu of the land Suhu. I reaped their harvests. I felled with the sword 470 of their fighting-men. I captured 30 alive and erected them on stakes. I crossed the Euphrates at the city Haridu by means of the boats which I had made, rafts made of inflated goatskins which had moved along the road simultaneously with the army. The Suhu, Laqû, and

Hindanu, trusting in the massiveness of their chariotry, troops, and might, mustered 6,000 of their troops and attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them and inflicted upon them a defeat. I destroyed their chariotry, I felled 6,500 of their men-at-arms with the sword, and the rest of them the Euphrates consumed because of the thirst they suffered in the desert. I conquered from the city Haridu of the land Suhu as far as the city Kipinu, cities of the Hindanu and Laqû and which were on the other bank. I massacred them, carried off captives from them, razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities. Azi-ili, the Laqû, trusting in his own might, seized the crossing at the city Kipinu. I fought with them and away from Kipinu I brought about his defeat.

I massacred 1,000 of his fighting-men, destroyed his chariotry, carried off many captives from him, and brought away his gods. To save his life he took to a rugged mountain, Mount Bisuru, in the direction of the Euphrates. On the next day I went after him. I felled with the sword the rest of his soldiers and their remains the mountain and the Euphrates consumed. I went after him as far as the cities Dummetu and Azmu, cities of Bit-Adini. I felled with the sword the rest of his troops and carried off from him valuable booty, oxen, and sheep which, like the stars of heaven, had no number. At that time I uprooted Ilâ, the Laqû, his harnessed chariots, and 500 of his troops. I brought them to my land Ashur. I conquered, razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities Dummetu and Azmu. I emerged from the narrows of the Euphrates.

In the course of my campaign I turned aside. Azi-ili vanished in the face of my mighty weapons in order to save his life. I uprooted Ilâ, sheikh of the land Laqû, his troops, and his chariots with teams. I brought them to my city Ashur. I confined Hemti-ili, the Laqû, in his city. With the support of Ashur, my lord, he took fright in face of my mighty weapons, my fierce battle, and my perfect power and I received the property of his palace, silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze casseroles, garments with multi-colored trim, his valuable booty. In addition, I imposed upon them more tribute and tax than ever before.

At that time I killed 40 strong wild bulls on the other bank of the Euphrates. I captured eight wild bulls alive. I killed 20 ostriches. I captured 20 ostriches alive. I founded two cities on the Euphrates, one on this bank of the Euphrates which I called Kar-Ashurnasirpal and one on the other bank of the Euphrates which I called Nebarti-Ashur.

On the twentieth day of the month Simanu I moved from Kalhu. After crossing the Tigris I marched to the land Bit-Adini and approached the city Kaprabu, their fortified city. The city was well fortified; it hovered like a cloud in the sky. The people, trusting in their numerous troops, did not come down and submit to me. By the command of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, and the divine standard which goes before me, I besieged the city and conquered it by means of tunnels, battering-rams, and siege-towers. I massacred many of them, I slew 800 of their men-at-arms, and carried off captives and property from them. I uprooted 2,500 of their troops and settled them in Kalhu. I razed, destroyed, burnt, and consumed the city. Thus I imposed awe of the radiance of Ashur, my lord, upon Bit-Adini.

At that time I received tribute from Ahunu, a man of Bit-Adini, and from Habinu, a man of the city Til-abni, silver, gold, tin, bronze, linen garments with multi-colored trim, cedar logs, the treasure of his palace. I took hostages from them and showed them mercy.

On the eighth day of the month Ayyaru I moved from Kalhu. After crossing the Tigris I set out for the city Carchemish of the land Hatti and approached Bit-Bahiani. I received tribute from Bit-Bahiani, harnessed chariots, horses, silver, gold, tin, bronze, and bronze casseroles. I took with me the chariots, cavalry, and infantry of Bit-Bahiani. Moving on from Bit-Bahiani I approached the land Azallu.

I received tribute from Adad-'ime, the Azallu, harnessed chariots, horses, silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze casseroles, oxen, sheep, and wine. I took with me the chariots, cavalry, and infantry. Moving on from the land Azallu I approached Bit-Adini. I received tribute from Ahunu, a man of Bit-Adini, silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze casseroles, ivory dishes, ivory couches, ivory chests, ivory thrones decorated with silver and gold, gold bracelets, gold rings with trimming, gold necklaces, a gold dagger, oxen, sheep, and wine. I took with me the chariots, cavalry, and infantry of Ahunu. At that time I received tribute from Habinu, a man of the city Til-abni, four minas of silver and 400 sheep and I imposed upon him as annual tribute 10 minas of silver. Moving on from the land Bit-Adini

I crossed the Euphrates, which was in flood, in rafts made of inflated goatskins and approached the land Carchemish. I received tribute from Sangara, king of the land Hatti, 20 talents of silver, a gold ring, a gold bracelet, gold daggers, 100 talents of bronze, 250 talents of iron, bronze tubs, bronze pails, bronze bath-tubs, a bronze oven, many ornaments from his palace the weight of which could not be determined, beds of boxwood, thrones of boxwood, dishes of boxwood decorated with ivory, 200 adolescent girls, linen garments with multi-colored trim, purple wool, red-purple wool, gishnugallu-alabaster, elephants' tusks, a chariot of polished gold, a gold couch with trimming — objects befitting his royalty. I took with me the chariots, cavalry, and infantry of the city Carchemish. All the kings of the lands came down and submitted to me. I took from them hostages and

they were kept in my presence on the march to Mount Lebanon lit. "and they marched to Mount Lebanon". Moving on from the land Carchemish I took the way between Mounts Munziganu and Hamurga. Leaving Mount Ahanu on my left I approached the city Hazazu which was ruled by Lubarna, the Patinu. I received gold and linen garments. Passing on I crossed the River Aprê, pitched camp and spent the night. Moving on from the River Aprê I approached the city Kunulua, the royal city of Lubarna, the Patinu. He took fright in the face of my raging weapons and fierce battle and submitted to me to save his life. I received as his tribute 20 talents of silver, one talent of gold, 100 talents of tin, 100 talents of iron, 1,000 oxen, 10,000 sheep, 1,000 linen garments with multi-colored trim,

decorated couches of boxwood with trimming, beds of boxwood, decorated beds with trimming, many dishes of ivory and boxwood, many ornaments from his palace the weight of which could not be determined, 10 female singers, his brother's daughter with her rich dowry, a large female monkey, and ducks. As for him, I showed him mercy. I took with me the chariots, cavalry, and infantry of the Patinu and also took hostages from him.

At that time I received tribute from Gusu, a man of the land Iahanu, silver, gold, tin, iron, bronze, oxen, sheep, and linen garments with multi-colored trim. Moving on from the city Kunulua, the royal city of Lubarna, the Patinu, I crossed the River Orontes. I pitched camp and spent the night by the Orontes. Moving on from the Orontes iii 80 I took the way between Mounts Iaraqu and Iahturu. I crossed Mount ...ku and pitched camp by the River Sangurru. Moving on from the River Sangurru I took the way between Mounts Saratinu and Qalpanu and pitched camp by the River ...bamesh. I entered the city Aribua, the fortified city of Lubarna, the Patinu, and took the city in hand for myself. I reaped the barley and straw of the land Luhutu and stored it inside. I staged a banquet in his palace. I settled people of Assyria in the city. While I was in the city Aribua I conquered the cities of the land Luhutu. I massacred many of their inhabitants, I razed, destroyed, and burnt. I captured soldiers alive and impaled them on stakes before their cities.

At that time I made my way to the slopes of Mount Lebanon and went up to the Great Sea of the land Amurru. I cleansed my weapons in the Great Sea and made sacrifices to the gods. I received tribute from the kings of the sea coast, from the lands of the people of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Mahallatu, Maizu, Kaizu, Amurru, and the city Arwad which is on an island in the sea — silver, gold, tin, bronze, a bronze casserole, linen garments with multi-colored trim, a large female monkey, a small female monkey, ebony, boxwood, ivory of nahirus which are sea creatures. They submitted to me. I climbed up to Mount Amanus and cut down logs of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, and burashu-juniper. I made sacrifices to my gods. I made a memorial to my valor and erected it therein.

I transported cedar logs from Mount Amanus and brought them to Esharra to my temple the shrine, a joyful temple, to the temple of the gods Sîn and Shamash, the holy gods. I marched to the land of the mehru-trees. I conquered the entire land of the mehru-trees. I cut down logs of mehru, brought them to Nineveh, and presented them to Ishtar, mistress of Nineveh, my mistress.

In the eponymy of Shamash-nuri, by the command of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, on the thirteenth day of the month Ayyaru, I moved from Kalhu. After crossing the Tigris I went down to the land Qipanu. I received in the city Huzirina tribute from the city rulers of the land Qipanu. While I was in the city Huzirina I received tribute from Itti, the Azallu, and from Giridadi, the Ashu, silver,

gold, oxen, and sheep. At that time I received cedar logs, silver, and gold, the tribute of Qatazili, the Kummuhu. Moving on from the city Huzirina I made my way to the banks of the Euphrates — upstream. I crossed Mount Kubbu and went down amongst the cities of the lands Asha and Habhu which are before the land Hatti. I conquered the cities Umaliu and Hiranu, fortified cities which lie within Mount Amadanu. I massacred many of their inhabitants and carried off innumerable captives from them. I razed and destroyed the cities. I burnt 150 cities in their environs.

Moving on from the city Karania I entered the pass of Mount Amadanu and went down amongst the cities of the Dirru. I burnt the cities which are between Mounts Amadanu and Arqania. I took in hand for myself the land Mallanu which is within Mount Arqania. Moving on from the land Mallanu I burnt the cities of the land Zamba which were in the region of my path. After crossing the River Shua I pitched camp by the Tigris. I turned into ruin hills the cities which lie on this bank and the other bank of the Tigris at Mount Arkania. All of the land Habhu took fright and submitted to me. I took hostages from them and appointed a governor of my own over them. I came out of the pass of Mount Amadanu to the city Barzanishtun.

I approached the city Damdammusa, the fortified city of Ilanu, a man of Bit-Zamani. I besieged the city. My warriors flew like birds against them. I felled 600 of their combat troops with the sword and cut off their heads. I captured 400 of their soldiers alive. I brought out 3,000 captives from them. I took that city in hand for myself. I took the live soldiers and the heads to the city Amedu, his royal city, and built a pile of heads before his gate. I impaled the live soldiers on stakes around about his city. I fought my way inside his gate and cut down his orchards. Moving on from the city Amedu

I entered the pass of Mount Kashiiari at the city Allabsia wherein none of the kings my fathers had ever set foot. I approached the city Udu, the fortified city of Labturu, son of Tupusu. I besieged the city and conquered it by means of tunnels, siege-towers, and battering-rams. I felled with the sword 1,400 ... of their fighting-men. I captured 780 soldiers alive. I brought out 3,000. captives from them. I impaled the live soldiers on stakes around about his city. I gouged out the eyes of some and the remainder I uprooted and brought to Assyria. I took the city in hand for myself.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, who rules all peoples, strong male, who treads upon the necks of his foes, trampler of the lands of enemies, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, he who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands;

when Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms. I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle. With the help of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Nirbu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu: he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, to the cities Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people from the pass of the city Babitu to Mount Hashmar as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed" servitude and I imposed upon them corvée.

Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, encircler of the obstinate, lofty and merciless, he who stirs up strife, king of all princes, king of kings, attentive purification priest, designate of the warrior god Ninurta, destructive weapon of the great gods, the king who has always acted justly with the support of Ashur and the god Ninurta, the gods who help him, and subdued under him the fortified mountains and the kings hostile to him, all their lands, he who has always contested with the enemies of Ashur above and below and imposed upon them tribute and tax; Ashurnasirpal,

strong king, designate of the god Sîn, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, vanquisher of cities and highlands, foremost in battle, king of the four quarters, the one who defeats his enemies, I have subdued and brought under one authority fortified lands, dangerous highlands, and merciless fierce kings from east to west.

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant and had turned into ruin hills. I rebuilt this city. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the entire land Laqû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, from the entire land of Zamua, from Bit-Adini and the Hatti, and from Lubarna Liburna, the Patinu. I settled them therein. I dug out a canal from the Upper Zab and called it Patti-hegalli. I planted orchards in its environs. I offered fruit and wine to Ashur, my lord, and the temples of my land. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level; I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I built its wall. I built and completed it from top to bottom.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Ashur, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, he who rules all peoples, strong male who treads upon

the necks of his foes, trampler of all enemies, he who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, the king who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all countries:

When Ashur, the lord who called me by name and made my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms, I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle.

With the help of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Nirbu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu; he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the land Urartu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Zabdani

and the city Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people from the passes of Mount Babitu to Mount Hashmar as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed' servitude.

Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, encircler of the obstinate, crowned with splendor, fearless in battle, merciless hero, he who stirs up strife, praiseworthy king, shepherd, protection of the four quarters, the king whose command disintegrates mountains and seas, the one who by his lordly conflict has brought under one authority ferocious and merciless kings from east to west:

I have traversed mighty mountains; I have seen remote and rugged regions throughout all the four quarters; I have caused flaming arrows to rain down upon the princes of all cities so that they ever revere my command and pray to my lordship;

I, Ashurnasirpal, sage, expert, intelligent one, open to counsel and wisdom which the god Ea, king of the apsû, destined for me; the great gods of heaven and underworld chose me, in their steadfast hearts, and my sovereignty, dominion, and power came forth by their holy command; they sternly commanded me to rule, subdue, and direct the lands and mighty highlands:

By the command of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, and the god Ninurta who loves my priesthood, I marched to Mount Lebanon. I went up to the Great Sea. I cleansed my weapons in the Great Sea and made sacrifices to my gods. At that time I received tribute from the kings of the sea-coast, from the lands of the people of Tyre, Sidon, Amurru, Byblos, Mahallatu, Kaizu, Maizu, and the city Arwad which is on an island in the sea — silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze casseroles, linen garments with multi-colored trim, ivory of nahirus which are sea creatures. At that time I received from them with their tribute, large female monkeys and small female monkeys.

I brought them the monkeys to my land Ashur. I bred herds of them in great numbers in Kalhu and displayed them to all the people of my land. With my outstretched hand and my fierce heart I captured 15 strong lions from the mountains and forests. I took away 50 lion cubs. I herded them into Kalhu and the palaces of my land into cages.

I bred their cubs in great numbers. I captured live tigers mindinash. I formed herds of wild bulls, elephants, lions, ostriches, male monkeys, female monkeys, wild asses, deer, aialu-deer, female bears, panthers, senkurru, beasts of mountain and plain, all of them in my city Kalhu. I displayed them to all the people of my land.

O later prince among the kings my sons whom Ashur calls, or later people, or vice-chancellor, or noble, or eunuch — you must not despise these animals. Before Ashur may these creatures live!

The gods Ninurta and Nergal, who love my priesthood, gave to me the wild beasts and commanded me to hunt. I killed 30 elephants from an ambush pit. I slew 257 strong wild bulls from my ... chariots with my lordly assault with swords. I killed 370 strong lions like caged birds with the spear.

On the eighth day of the month Ayyaru I moved from Kalhu. After crossing the Tigris I approached the city Carchemish of the land Hatti. I received from it much of its palace property, the weight of which could not be determined. All the kings of the lands came and submitted to me. I took from them hostages and they were kept in my presence on the march to Mount Lebanon lit. "and they marched to Mount Lebanon".

Moving on from the city Carchemish I took the way between Mounts Munziganu and Hamurga. Leaving Mount Ahanu on my left I approached the city Hazazu which was ruled by Lubarna, the Patinu. I received silver, gold, and linen garments. Passing on I crossed the River Aprê, pitched camp, and spent the night. Moving on from the River Aprê I approached the city Kunulua, the royal city of Lubarna, the Patinu. He took fright in the face of my raging weapons and fierce battle and submitted to me to save his life. I received as his tribute 20 talents of silver, one talent of gold, 100 talents of tin,

100 talents of iron, 1,000 oxen, 10,000 sheep, 1,000 linen garments with multi-colored trim, decorated couches of boxwood with inlay, beds of boxwood, decorated ivory beds with inlay, many ornaments from his palace the weight of which could not be determined.

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant. I rebuilt this city. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the entire land of Laqû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, from the entire land of Zamua,

from Bit-Adini and the land Hatti, and from Lubarna, the Patinu. I settled them therein. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level. I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I founded therein a palace of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, boxwood, meskannu-wood, terebinth, and tamarisk as my royal residence and for my lordly leisure for eternity. I made replicas of beasts of mountains and seas in white limestone and parutu-alabaster and stationed them at its doors. I decorated it in a splendid fashion; I surrounded it with knobbed nails of bronze. I hung doors of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, and meskannu-wood in its doorways. I took in great quantities and put therein silver, gold, tin, bronze, booty from the lands over which I gained dominion.

To the god Ninurta, the strong, the almighty, the exalted, foremost among the gods, the splendid and perfect warrior whose attack in battle is unequalled, the eldest son who commands battle skills, offspring of the god Nudimmud, warrior of the Igigu gods, the capable, prince of the gods, offspring of Ekur, the one who holds the bond of

heaven and underworld, the one who opens springs, the one who walks the wide underworld, the god without whom no decisions are taken in heaven and underworld, the swift, the ferocious, the one whose command is unalterable, foremost in the four quarters, the one who gives scepter and powers of decision to all cities, the stern canal-inspector whose utterance cannot be altered, extensively capable, sage of the gods, the noble, the god Utulu,

lord of lords, into whose hands is entrusted the circumference of heaven and underworld, king of battle, the hero who rejoices in battles, the triumphant, the perfect, lord of springs and seas, the angry and merciless whose attack is a deluge, the one who overwhelms enemy lands and fells the wicked, the splendid god who never changes his mind, light of heaven and underworld who illuminates the interior of the apsû, annihilator of the evil,

subduer of the insubmissive, destroyer of enemies, the one whose command none of the gods in the divine assembly can alter, bestower of life, the compassionate god to whom it is good to pray, the one who dwells in the city Kalhu, great lord, my lord:

Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, unrivalled king, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, the pious, beloved of

your Ninurta's heart, prince, favorite of the god Enlil, whose priesthood is pleasing to your great divinity and whose reign you established, valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, who rules all peoples,

strong male, who treads upon the necks of his foes, trampler of all enemies, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, he who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over the highlands in their entirety and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands:

When Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle. With the help of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Nirbu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from

the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu: he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the source of the Tigris. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu,

from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the city Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people from the passes of Mount Babitu to Mount "the city" Hashmar as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed' servitude and I imposed upon them corvée.

son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria:

For my life, that my days might be long, my years many, for the well-being of my seed and my land, for the safekeeping of my vice-regal throne, for abundance in my city, for the increase of my people, for the thriving of my people in Assyria, for the scorching of my enemies, for the destruction of my dangerous foes, to subdue under me princes who oppose me;

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world and king of Assyria.

Ashur, the great lord, king of all the great gods; god Anu, foremost in strength, the one who decrees destinies; god Ea, king of the apsû, lord of wisdom and understanding; god Sîn, wise one, lord of the lunar disk,

lofty luminary; god Marduk, sage, lord god of oracles; god Adad, strong, almighty among the gods, exalted; god Ninurta, hero, warrior of the gods, the one who lays low the wicked; god Nusku, bearer of the holy scepter, circumspect god; goddess Ninlil, spouse of the god Enlil, mother of the great gods; god Nergal, perfect one, king of battle; god Enlil, exalted one, father of the gods, creator of all; god Shamash, judge of heaven and underworld, commander of all; goddess Ishtar, foremost in heaven and underworld, who is consummate in the canons of combat;

great gods, who decree the destinies of the land and make great the sovereignty of Ashurnasirpal:

I, Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, controller of the obstinate, crowned with splendor, fearless in battle, lofty and merciless hero, he who stirs up strife,

king of all princes, lord of lords, chief herdsman, king of kings, attentive purification priest, designate of the warrior god Ninurta, destructive weapon of the great gods, avenger, the king who has always acted justly with the support of Ashur and the god Shamash, the gods who help him, and cut down like marsh reeds fortified mountains and princes hostile to him and subdued all their lands, provider of offerings for the great gods,

legitimate prince, to whom is perpetually entrusted the proper administration of the rites of the temples of his land, whose deeds and offerings the great gods of heaven and underworld love so that they therefore established forever his priesthood in the temples, granted to his dominion their fierce weapons, and made him more marvelous

than any of the kings of the four quarters with respect to the splendor of his weapons and the radiance of his dominion, he who has always contested with all enemies of Ashur above and below and imposed upon them tribute and tax, conqueror of the foes of Ashur, strong king, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, vice-regent of Ashur, who defeated all his enemies and hung the corpses of his enemies on posts, grandson of Adad-narari II,

appointee of the great gods, who always achieved the defeat of those insubmissive to him and thereby became lord of all, offspring of Ashur-dan II who opened towns and founded shrines:

At that time my sovereignty, my dominion, and my power came forth at the command of the great gods; I am king, I am lord, I am praiseworthy, I am exalted,

I am important, I am magnificent, I am foremost, I am a hero, I am a warrior, I am a lion, and I am virile; Ashurnasirpal, strong king, vice-regent of Ashur and the god Ninurta, designate of the god Sîn, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, I, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, vanquisher of cities and

highlands, foremost in battle, king of the four quarters, the one who defeats his enemies, the one who disintegrates all his enemies, king of the totality of the four quarters including all their princes, the king who forces to bow down those insubmissive to him, the one who rules all peoples; these destinies came forth

at the command of the great gods and they properly fixed them as my destinies.

Because of my voluntary offerings and my prayers the goddess Ishtar, the mistress who loves my priesthood, approved of me and she made up her mind to make war and battle.

At that time, Ashurnasirpal, i 50 attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, whose desires the god Enlil helped him obtain so that his great hand conquered all princes insubmissive to him, conqueror of his foes, the one who in rugged terrain broke up the forces of the rebellious;

when Ashur, my great lord, who called me by name and made my sovereignty supreme over the kings of the four quarters, had made my great name supreme he placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms and sternly commanded me to rule, subdue, and direct the lands and mighty highlands. With the support of Ashur, my lord,

I kept marching along difficult routes and over rugged mountains with the mass of my troops and there was no opponent.

In my accession year and in my first regnal year when the god Shamash, judge of the four quarters, spread his beneficial protection over me, and when I nobly ascended the royal throne, he placed in my hand the scepter for the shepherding of the people — at that time

I mustered my chariotry and troops. I passed through difficult paths and rugged mountains which were unsuitable for chariotry and troops and marched to the land Tummu. I conquered Libê, their fortified city, the cities Surra, Abuqu, Arura, and Arubê which lie between Mounts Urinu, Arunu, and Etinu, mighty mountains.

I massacred many of them and carried off captives, possessions, and oxen from them. The troops were frightened and took to a rugged mountain. Since the mountain was exceptionally rugged I did not pursue them. The mountain was as jagged as the point of a dagger and therein no winged bird of the sky flew. Like the nest of the udinu-bird their fortress was situated within the mountain which none of the kings my fathers had penetrated. For three days the hero explored the mountain. His bold heart i 75 yearned for battle. He ascended on foot and overwhelmed the mountain. He smashed their nest and scattered their flock. I felled 200 of their fighting men with the sword and carried off a multitude of captives like a flock of sheep. With their blood I dyed the mountain red like red wool, and the rest of them the ravines and torrents of the mountain swallowed. I razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities.

Moving on from the land Tummu I went down to Mount Habruru. I received the tribute of Mounts Habruru and Simesu, the city Simerra, the city Ulmania, the city Adaush Addaush, the city Hargaia, the city Harmasaia — horses, mules, oxen, sheep, wine, and bronze casseroles. I imposed upon them corvée. While I was in Mount Habruru the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed the Hubushku and the Gilzanu and they brought to me as their tribute horses, silver, gold, tin, bronze, and bronze casseroles.

Moving on from Mount Habruru I entered the pass which leads from the city Hulun to the interior of the land Habhu. I conquered the cities Hattu, Hataru, Nishtun, Sabidi, Metqia, Arshuain, Tela, Halua, cities of the land Habhu, which lie between Mounts Usu, Arua, and Arardi, mighty mountains. I massacred many of them and carried off prisoners and possessions from them. The troops were frightened and took to a lofty peak in front of the city Nishtun, which hovered like a cloud in the sky. Into the midst of those mountains which none of the kings my fathers had ever approached

my warriors flew like birds. I felled 260 of their combat troops with the sword. I cut off their heads and formed therewith a pile. The rest of them built nests like birds on mountain precipices. I brought down prisoners and possessions of theirs from the mountain and I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities which lay within the mighty highlands. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, came down and submitted to me. I imposed upon them tribute, tax, and corvée. Bubu, son of Bubâ, son of the city ruler of the city Nishtun I flayed in the city Arbela and draped his skin over the wall. At that time

I made an image of myself and wrote thereon the praises of my power. I erected it on the equ-mountain in the city called Ashurnasirpal at the source of the spring. In this same eponymy on the twenty-fourth day of the month Abu, by the command of Ashur and the goddess Ishtar, the great gods, my lords, I moved out from the city Nineveh and marched to the cities which lie at the foot of Mounts Nipur and Pashate, mighty mountains. I conquered the cities Atkun, Ushhu, Pilazi, and 20 cities in their environs. I massacred many of them, carried off prisoners and possessions from them, and burnt the cities. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, came down and submitted to me. I imposed upon them corvée. Moving on from the cities which are at the foot of Mounts Nipur and Pashate I crossed the Tigris and approached the land Katmuhu.

I burnt their adolescent boys and girls. I razed, destroyed, burnt, and consumed the city. At that time I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities of the land Nirbu and their strong walls.

Moving on from the land Nirbu I approached the city Tushha. I took Tushha in hand for renovation. I cleared away its old wall, delineated its area, reached its foundation pit, and

built and completed and decorated in a splendid fashion a new wall from top to bottom. A palace for my royal residence I founded inside. I made doors and hung them in its doorways. That palace I built and completed from top to bottom.

I made an image of myself in white limestone and wrote thereon praise of the extraordinary power and heroic deeds which I had been accomplishing in the lands Nairi. I erected it in the city Tushha.

I inscribed my monumental inscription and deposited it in its wall. I brought back the enfeebled Assyrians who, because of hunger and famine, had gone up to other lands to the land Shubrû.

I settled them in the city Tushha. I took over this city for myself and stored therein barley and straw from the land Nirbu. The rest of the inhabitants of the land Nirbu which had fled from my weapons

came down and submitted to me. I resettled them in their abandoned cities and houses.

I imposed upon them more tribute and tax than ever before — horses, mules, oxen, sheep, wine, and corvée. I took their sons as hostages.

While I was in the city Tushha I received tribute from Ammi-ba'al, a man of Bit-Zamani, from Ili-hite, the Shubrû, from

Labturu, son of Tupusu of the land Nirdun, and tribute from the interior of the land Urumu, and from the kings of the lands Nairi — chariots, horses, mules, silver,

On my return from the lands Nairi, the land Nirbu, which is within Mount Kashiiari, rebelled. They abandoned their

I entered the pass of the city Buliiana and made my way to the

In the eponymy of Ashur-iddin a report was brought back to me saying Nur-Adad, the sheikh of the land Dagara, had rebelled;

Moving on from the land Dagara I approached the city Bara. I conquered Bara. I felled with the sword 320 of their fighting men and

On the fifteenth day of the month Tishri I moved on from the city Kalizi and entered the pass of the city Babitu.

and burnt the cities. I returned to my camp and spent the night.

Moving on from this camp I marched to the cities in the plain of Mount Nishir which no one had ever seen. I conquered the city Larbusa, the fortified city iii 5 which was ruled by Kirteara, and eight cities in its environs. The troops were frightened and took to a rugged mountain. The mountain was as jagged as the point of a dagger. The king with his troops climbed up after them. I threw down their corpses within the mountain, massacred 172 of their fighting men, iii 10 and piled up many troops on the precipices of the mountain. I brought back captives, possessions, oxen, and sheep from them and burnt their cities. I hung their heads on trees of the mountain and burnt their adolescent boys. I returned to my camp and spent the night.

I tarried in this camp. 150 cities belonging to the cities of the Larbusu, Dur-Lullumu, Bunisu, and Bara — I massacred them, carried off captives from them, and razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities. I defeated 50 troops of the Bara in a skirmish in the plain. At that time iii 20 awe of the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed all of the kings of the land Zamua and they submitted to me. I received horses, silver, and gold. I put all of the land under one authority and imposed upon them tribute of horses, silver, gold, barley, straw, and corvée.

Moving on from the city Tukulti-Ashur-ashbat I made my way to the foot of Mount Nispi. Travelling all night I marched to the cities iii 25 which are remote, which lie between Mounts Gamru and Edinu, and which Nur-Adad had made his garrisons. I conquered the city Berutu and burnt it.

In the eponymy of Miqti-adur I was in Nineveh and a report was brought back to me saying Ameka and Arashtua had withheld the tribute and corvée of Ashur, my lord. At the command of Ashur, the great lord, my lord, iii 30 and the divine standard which goes before me, on the first day of the month Simanu I mustered my army for a third time against the land Zamua. Without waiting for the advance of my numerous chariotry and troops I moved on from the city Kalzi, crossed the Lower Zab, and entered the passes of Mount Babitu. I crossed the River Radanu and iii 35 all day I tarried at the foot of Mount Simaki. I received the tribute of the land Dagara, oxen, sheep, and wine. From the foot of Mount Simaki I took with me strong chariots, cavalry, and crack troops. I continued travelling through the night until dawn, crossed the River Turnat, and at first light approached the city Mamli, the fortified city iii 40 which was ruled by Arashtua. In a clash of arms I besieged the city and conquered it. I felled with the sword 800 of their combat troops. With their corpses I filled the streets of their city and with their blood I dyed their houses red. Many troops I captured alive and iii 45 carried off many captives from them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the city. I conquered the city Hudun and 30 cities in its environs. I massacred many of them and carried off captives, oxen, and sheep from them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt their cities. iii 50 I burnt their adolescent boys and girls. I conquered the city Kishirtu, the fortified city which was ruled by Shabini, together with 10 cities in its environs. I massacred them and carried off captives from them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities of the Bara, of the man Kirteara, a man of the city Duru, and of the Bunisu, as far as the pass of Mount Hashmar. I turned them into ruin hills.

Moving from among the cities which were ruled by Arashtua I entered the pass which is between Mount Lara and Mount Bidirgi, rugged mountains which were unsuitable for chariotry and troops. I approached the city Zamru, the royal city of Ameka the Zamu. Ameka became frightened iii 60 in the face of my strong weapons and my fierce battle and took to a rugged mountain. I removed the property of his palace and his chariot.

Moving on from the city Zamru I crossed the River Lallû. I marched to Mount Etinu over rugged terrain which was unsuitable for chariotry and troops and which no king iii 65 among my fathers had ever approached. The king with his troops climbed up to Mount Etinu. I removed from the mountain his Ameka's property, possessions, many bronze utensils, bronze tubs, bronze casseroles, bowls, tureens, the treasure of his palace and his storehouse. Returning to my camp I spent the night.

Moving on from this camp with the help of Ashur and Shamash, the gods who support me, I took after him Ameka. Crossing the River Edir I massacred many of them between Mounts Sua and Elaniu, mighty mountains. I carried off from the foot of Mount Elaniu his property, possessions, bronze tubs, casseroles, bowls, iii 75 vats, many bronze utensils, a dish decorated with gold, his oxen, sheep, his valuable booty. I deprived him of his horses. Ameka, to save his life, climbed up Mount Sabua. iii 80 I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities Zamru, Arasidku, Ammaru, Parsindu, Iritu, Suritu, his royal cities, together with 150 cities in the environs of his region. I turned them into ruin hills. While I remained before the city Parsindu I set the cavalry and light troops in ambush and iii 85 killed 50 of the combat troops of Ameka in the plain. I cut off their heads and hung them on trees of the courtyard of his palace in the city Zamru. I captured 20 soldiers alive and spread them out in the wall of his palace.

From the city Zamru I took with me the cavalry and light troops. I marched to the cities ruled by Ata, a man of the city Arzizu iii 90 amongst which no king among my fathers had ever penetrated. I conquered the cities Arzizu and Arsiandu, his fortified cities, together with 10 cities in the environs of his region which lay in Mount Nispi, a rugged mountain. I massacred them. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities. iii 95 I returned to my camp. At that time I received bronze, ..., rivets, and beams, the tribute of the land Sipiamena whose inhabitants do their hair like women.

Moving on from the city Zamru to Mount Lara, a rugged mountain which was unsuitable for chariotry and troops, I cut through iii 100 with iron axes and I smashed a way with copper picks. Thus was I able to move along the chariotry and troops. I went down to the city Tukulti-Ashur-ashbat which the Lullu call Arrakdia. All the kings of the land Zamua took fright before the brilliance of my weapons iii 105 and awe of my dominion and they submitted to me. I imposed upon them more tribute and tax than ever before — silver, gold, tin, bronze, casseroles, garments with multi-colored trim, horses, oxen, sheep, and wine. Their corvée iii 110 they performed in Kalhu. While I was in the land Zamua, awe of the radiance of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed the people of the cities Hudun, Hartishu, Hubushku, and Gilzanu and they brought to me tribute and tax — silver, gold, horses, garments with multi-colored trim, oxen, sheep, and wine. I marched after as many people as had fled from my weapons and climbed up into the mountains.

I put a wall around it, founded therein a palace for my royal residence, and decorated it more splendidly than ever before. I stored therein barley and straw from all the surrounding land. I named it Dur-Ashur.

On the first day of the month Simanu, in the eponymy of Sha-ilima-damqa, I mustered my chariotry and troops. After crossing the Tigris I entered the land Katmuhu. I consecrated a palace in the city Til-uli. I received iv 1 tribute from the land Katmuhu in the city Til-uli. Moving on from the land Katmuhu I entered the pass of the land Ishtarate. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Kibaku. iv 5 I received tribute from Kibaku, oxen, sheep, wine, and casseroles. Moving on from Kibaku I approached the city Mateiatu. I conquered Mateiatu together with its suburbs. iv 10 I felled with the sword 2,800 of their fighting men and carried off many captives from them. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, submitted to me and I settled them in their cities. iv 15 I imposed upon them stringent tribute, taxes, and tax-collectors. I made an image of myself and wrote thereon an account of my powerful victories. I erected it in Mateiatu.

Moving on from the city Mateiatu I pitched camp and spent the night at the city Zazabuha. I received tribute from the land Habhu, oxen, sheep, wine, casseroles, tubs, bowls, and armor. Moving on from the city Zazabuha I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Irsia. I burnt Irsia. iv 25 I received tribute from the city Suru, oxen, sheep, wine, and casseroles, in the city Irsia. Moving on from Irsia I pitched camp and spent the night within Mount Kashiiari. I conquered the city Madaranzu and two cities in its environs. I massacred them, iv 30 carried off prisoners from them, and burnt the cities. For six days within Mount Kashiiari, a mighty mountain and rugged terrain which was unsuitable for chariotry and troops, I cut through the mountain with axes and smashed a way with copper picks. iv 35 Thus was I able to move along the chariotry and troops. In the cities which were in the region of my road within Mount Kashiiari I received oxen, sheep, wine, casseroles, and armor.

After crossing Mount Kashiiari I went down for a second time to the lands Nairi. I pitched camp and spent the night iv 40 in the city Shigishu. Moving on from the city Shigishu I approached the city Madara, the fortified city of Labturu, son of Tupusu. The city was well fortified; it was surrounded by four walls. I besieged the city. iv 45 They took fright in face of my mighty weapons and I received from them property, possessions, and sons as hostages. I spared their lives. I imposed upon them tribute, taxes, and tax-collectors. iv 50 I razed and destroyed the city and turned it into ruin hills.

Moving on from the city Madara I entered the city Tushha. I consecrated a palace in Tushha. I received in Tushha tribute from the land Nirdun, horses, iv 55 mules, casseroles, armor, oxen, sheep, and wine. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills 60 cities, mighty garrisons, at the foot of Mount Kashiiari, which were ruled by Labturu, son of Tupusu.

With the support of Ashur, my lord, I moved on from the city Tushha. I took with me strong chariots, cavalry, and crack troops. I crossed the Tigris by means of a bridge of rafts. Travelling all night I approached the city Pitura, iv 65 the fortified city of the Dirru. The city was exceptionally difficult; it was surrounded by two walls; its citadel was lofty like a mountain peak. With the exalted strength of Ashur, my lord, with my massive troops, and with my fierce battle iv 70 I fought with them. On the second day, before sunrise, I thundered against them like the god Adad-of-the-Devastation and rained down flames upon them. With might and main my combat troops flew against them like the Storm Bird. I conquered the city. iv 75 I felled 800 of their combat troops with the sword and cut off their heads. I captured many soldiers alive. The rest of them I burnt. I carried off valuable tribute from them. I built a pile of live men and of heads before iv 80 his gate. I impaled on stakes 500 soldiers before their gate. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills the city. I burnt their adolescent boys.

I conquered the city Kukunu which is at the entrance to the pass of Mount Matnu. iv 85 I felled with the sword 700 of their fighting men. I carried off many captives from them. I conquered 50 cities of the Dirru. I massacred them, carried off prisoners from them, and captured 50 soldiers alive. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities. I unleashed against them my lordly radiance.

Moving on from the city Pitura I went down to the city Arbakku in the interior of the land Habhu. They took fright in the face of my royal radiance and abandoned their cities and walls. To save their lives they climbed up Mount Matnu, iv 95 a mighty mountain. I went after them. I slew 1,000 of their men-at-arms within the rugged mountain, dyed the mountain red with their blood, and filled the ravines and torrents of the mountain with their corpses. I captured 200 soldiers alive and iv 100 cut off one arm from each of them. I carried off 2,000 captives from them. I brought back oxen and sheep from them without number. I conquered the cities Iiaia and Salaniba, fortified cities of the city Arbakku. I massacred and carried off prisoners from them. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills iv 105 250 of the well-fortified cities of the lands Nairi. I reaped the harvest of their land and stored the barley and straw in the city Tushha.

The nobles of Ammi-ba'al, a man of Bit-Zamani, iv 110 rebelled against him and killed him. I marched to avenge Ammi-ba'al. They took fright before the brilliance of my weapons and awe of my dominion and I received harnessed chariots, equipment for troops and horses, 460 harness-trained horses, two talents of silver, two talents of gold, 100 talents of tin, 100 talents of bronze, 300 talents of iron, 100 bronze casseroles, 3,000 bronze receptacles, bronze bowls, bronze containers, 1,000 linen garments with multi-colored trim, dishes, chests, couches of ivory and decorated with gold, the treasure of his palace — also 2,000 oxen, 5,000 sheep, his sister with her rich dowry, and the daughters of his nobles with their rich dowries.

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant and had turned into ruin hills. I rebuilt this city. v 5 I dug out a canal from the Upper Zab and called it Babelat-hegalli "Bearer of Abundance". I planted orchards with all kinds of fruit trees in its environs. I pressed wine and gave the best to Ashur, my lord, v 10 and the temples of my land. I rebuilt the wall. I built and completed it from top to bottom. I founded therein a palace as my royal residence and for my lordly leisure for eternity. v 15 I decorated it in a splendid fashion. I surrounded it with knobbed nails of bronze. I made high doors of fir, fastened them with bronze bands, and hung them in its doorway. I took and put therein thrones of ebony and boxwood, v 20 dishes decorated with ivory, silver, gold, tin, bronze, iron, booty from the lands over which I gained dominion.

May a later prince restore its weakened portions and restore my inscribed name to its place. Then Ashur will listen to his prayers. He must not forsake my mighty palace, my royal residence, of Kalhu, nor abandon it in the face of enemies. He must not remove the doors, beams, or knobbed nails v 30 of bronze from it and put them in another city in another palace. He must not smash its beams. He must not tear out its drain pipes. He must not clog the outlets of its rain spouts. He must not block up its door. v 35 He must neither appropriate it for a warehouse nor turn it into a prison. He must not incarcerate its the palace's men or women as prisoners therein. He must not allow it to disintegrate through neglect, desertion, or lack of renovation. v 40 He must not move into another palace, either within or without the city, instead of my palace. He must not rend the lock, for there must not be open access. He must neither conceive an injurious plan nor put it into effect to the disadvantage of my mighty palace, my royal residence.

As for the one who acts according to this inscription of mine and does not alter the ordinances of my text: may Ashur, the god Enlil, and the great gods who make my sovereignty supreme, make his dominion supreme in all lands. v 50 May they constantly lead him in victory, might, and heroism. May they grant the tribute of the four quarters as his portion. May they establish in his land plenty, affluence, and abundance.

As for the one who does not act according to v 55 this inscription of mine but alters the ordinances of my text; who destroys this monument, discards it, covers it with oil, buries it in dust, v 60 burns it with fire, throws it in water, puts it in the path of beasts or the track of animals; who prevents scholars from seeing and reading the ordinances of my inscription, bars anyone access v 65 to my inscription in order that it might not be seen and read; who, because of these curses, instructs and incites a stranger, a foreigner, a malignant enemy, a prisoner, or any living v 70 being so that he destroys, chisels away, changes its wording to something else; v 75 who makes up his mind and decides to destroy this monument of mine and to alter my ordinances and therefore commands a scribe or diviner or anyone else, "Destroy this monument! Its dictates are not to be observed!" v 80 and whoever heeds his statements; who conceives anything injurious and orders it to be done to my works and my monument; who says, "I know nothing of this" and during his sovereignty diverts his attention elsewhere v 85 with the result that this monument is destroyed and smashed or the wording of its text altered; or who seeks to do evil against this monument of mine: may Ashur, the great lord, the Assyrian god, v 90 lord of destinies, curse his destiny; may he remove his works; may he pronounce an evil curse for the uprooting of the foundations of his sovereignty and the destruction of his people; may he inflict his land with distress, famine, hunger, v 95 and want.

As for the one who becomes angry with this monument of mine and says, "What is this?": may the gods Anu, Enlil, and Ea, the gods who approve of me, v 100 decree by their weighty edict his unhappiness; may they establish a truceless war without terms, strife, conflict, and battle in his land.

In my accession year and in my first regnal year, after I nobly ascended the royal throne, I mustered my chariotry and extensive troops. I conquered inaccessible fortresses round about. I received a tribute of horses from the land Gilzanu. ... Because

horses were not continually brought in hither to me I became angry and marched to the cities Harira and Halhalaush which were under the authority of the guilty rulers. Those I conquered in the eponymy of Ashurnasirpal. I took out their property, booty, possessions, and herds and brought them to my city Ashur. The great ... city together with its people I dedicated

to Ashur, my god and my lord, ... I conquered. Lords ... who had fled to the land Shubrû which .... They put their full trust in the might of their troops and ... they seized.

By the command of Ashur, ... the great lord, my lord, I mustered my chariotry ... and troops. I reached the city. ... abandoned the city. Horses, oxen, ... chariotry with ... he mustered. I attacked fiercely. I raised the torch and quickly crossed through the heart of Mount Kashiiari on foot. I marched to those cities. ... at night I surrounded their cities. ... At sunrise I fought with the might of chariotry and extensive troops. I massacred many. I conquered the cities Amlattu, Shaburam, Ruzidak, Bugu, and Ustu, rebel cities of the land Dannuna. I burnt them and their booty, possessions, property I brought out.

Bit-nathi of the city Nineveh: I perform the wine libations and sacrifices of the temple of the exalted goddess.

Ashur, god Adad, god Sîn and god Shamash, goddess Ishtar, great gods who go at the head of my troops;

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, who acts with the support of Ashur and the god Shamash, the great gods, my lords, and has no rival among the princes of the 10 four quarters, attentive prince, subduer of all princes, fearless in battle, ferocious dragon, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, strong gishginû, who treads upon the necks of the princes insubmissive to him,

mighty flood-tide whose conflict cannot be rivalled, magnificent ..., who ... ..., king of kings, lord of lords, he who stirs up battle and conflict, who forces to bow down princes insubmissive to him, who rules all peoples, strong king, who destroys the fortifications of his enemies, who smashes

the weapons of the princes of all the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, commander of all people, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people;

son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, who slew those insubordinate to him and slashed the necks of warriors; grandson of Adad-narari II, who founded cities:

When Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, instructed me and commanded me for a second time to march to the lands Nairi; on the first day of the month Simanu, in the eponymy of Sha-ilima-damqa, I mustered my chariotry and troops. I crossed the Tigris.

In the region of my road to the city Limalê and the city Kalshe which is in the land Kadishharu iI marched ... I entered the city Apqu. I moved on from Apqu. I killed with my fierce bow five lions before the city Malhina in the land Hatti.

I entered the land Katmuhu. I consecrated a palace in the city Til-uli. I received tribute from the land Katmuhu in Til-uli. Moving on from the land Katmuhu I entered the pass of the land Ishtarate.

I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Kibaku. I received tribute from Kibaku, oxen, sheep, wine, and casseroles. Moving on from Kibaku, I approached the city Matiatu. I conquered Matiatu together with its suburbs.

I felled with the sword 2,800 of their fighting men and carried off many captives from them. The troops, as many as had fled from my weapons, submitted to me and I settled them in their cities.

I imposed upon them stringent tribute, taxes, and laborers. I made an image of myself and wrote thereon an account of my powerful victories. I erected it in Matiatu.

I conquered the city Bunnu..., the mighty forts of the city Mashula, and two cities in its environs. I felled with the sword 300 of their fighting men, carried off prisoners from them, and burnt the cities. Moving on from the city Matiatu

I pitched camp and spent the night at the city Zazabuha. I received tribute from the land Habhu, oxen, sheep, wine, casseroles, a bronze bath-tub, bowls, and bronze armor. Moving on from Zazabuha I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Irsia. I burnt Irsia, I received tribute from the city Shura, oxen, sheep, wine, and casseroles, in the city Irsia. Moving on from Irsia I pitched camp and spent the night within Mount Kashiiari. I conquered the city Madaranzu and two cities in its environs. I massacred them,

carried off prisoners from them, and burnt the cities. For six days within Mount Kashiiari, a mighty mountain and rugged terrain which was unsuitable for my chariotry and troops, I cut through the mountain with iron axes and smashed a way with copper picks. Thus was I able to bring forward the chariotry and troops. From the cities which were in the region of my road within Mount Kashiiari I received oxen, sheep, and wine.

After crossing Mount Kashiiari I went down for a second time to the lands Nairi. I pitched camp and spent the night in the city Shigishu. Moving on from Shigishu I approached the city Madara, the fortified city of Labturu, son of Tupusu. The city was well fortified; it was surrounded by four walls.

I besieged the city. They took fright in face of my mighty weapons and I received from them property, possessions, and sons as hostages. I spared their lives but imposed upon them tribute, taxes, and laborers. I razed and destroyed the city and turned it into ruin hills.

Moving on from the city Madara I entered the city Tushha. I consecrated a palace at Tushha. I received in Tushha tax and tribute from the land Nirdun, horses, mules, casseroles, armor, oxen, sheep, and wine. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills 60 well-fortified cities at the foot of Mount Kashiiari, which were ruled by Labturu, son of Tupusu.

With the support of Ashur, my lord, I moved from the city Tushha. I took with me strong chariots, cavalry, and crack troops. I crossed the Tigris by means of a bridge of rafts. Travelling all night I approached the city Pitura, the fortified city of the Dirru. The city was exceptionally difficult; it was surrounded by two walls; its citadel was lofty like a mountain peak. With the exalted strength of Ashur, my lord, with my massive troops, and with my fierce battle I fought with them. On the second day, before sunrise, I thundered against them like the god Adad-of-the-Devastation and rained down flames upon them. With might and main my combat troops flew against them like the Storm Bird. I conquered the city. I felled 800 of their combat troops with the sword and cut off their heads.

I captured many soldiers alive. The rest of them I burnt. I carried off valuable tribute from them. I built a pile of live men and of heads before their gate. I impaled on stakes 700 soldiers before their gate. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills the city. I burnt their adolescent boys as an offering.

I conquered the city Kukunu which lies at the entrance to the pass of Mount Matnu. I felled with the sword 700 of their fighting men. I carried off many captives from them. I conquered 40 cities of the Dirru. I massacred them, carried off prisoners from them, and captured 40 soldiers alive. I razed, destroyed, and burnt the cities. I unleashed against them my lordly radiance.

Moving on from the city Pidara I went down to the city Arbakku which is in the interior of the land Habhu. They took fright in the face of my royal radiance and abandoned their well-fortified cities. To save their lives they climbed up Mount Matnu, a mighty mountain. I went after them. I slew 1,000 of their men-at-arms in the rugged mountain, dyed the mountain red with their blood, and filled the ravines and torrents of the mountain with their corpses. I captured 200 soldiers alive and cut off their arms. I carried off 2,000 captives from them. I brought back oxen and sheep from them without number. I conquered the cities Iiaia and Salaniba, fortified cities of the land Arbakku. I massacred and carried off prisoners from them. I razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills 250 well-fortified cities of the lands Nairi. I reaped the harvest of their land and stored the barley and straw in the city Tushha.

The nobles of Ammi-ba'al, a man of Bit-Zamani, rebelled and killed him. I marched to avenge Ammi-ba'al. They took fright before the brilliance of my weapons and awe of my dominion and I received 40 harnessed chariots, equipment for troops and horses, 460 harness-trained horses, two talents of silver, two talents of gold, 100 talents of tin, 200 talents of bronze, 300 talents of iron, 1,000 bronze casseroles, 2,000 bronze receptacles, bowls, bronze containers, 1,000 linen garments with multi-colored trim, dishes, chests, couches of ivory and decorated with gold,

the treasure of his palace — also 2,000 oxen, 5,000 sheep, his sister with her rich dowry, and the daughters of his nobles with their rich dowries. I flayed Bur-Ramanu, the guilty man, and draped his skin over the wall of the city Sinabu. I appointed Ilanu, his brother, to the position of sheikh. I imposed upon him as annual tribute two minas of gold, thirteen minas of silver, 1,000 sheep, and 2,000 measures of barley. The cities Sinabu and Tidu — fortresses which Shalmaneser II, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had garrisoned on the border of the lands Nairi and which the Arameans had captured by force — I repossessed.

I resettled in their abandoned cities and houses Assyrians who had held fortresses of Assyria in the lands Nairi and whom the Arameans had subdued. I placed them in a peaceful abode. I uprooted 1,500 troops of the ahlamû-Arameans belonging to Ammi-ba'al, a man of Bit-Zamani, and brought them to Assyria. I reaped the harvest of the landss Nairi and stored it for the sustenance of my land in the cities Tushha, Damdammusa, Sinabu, and Tidu.

I conquered the cities of the lands Nirdun, Luluta, the city Dirra, the lands Aggunu, Ulliba, Arbakku, and Nirbu. I massacred their inhabitants, carried off captives from them, and razed, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills their cities. I imposed upon the lands Nairi feudal duties, corvée, and laborers.

I appointed over them governors of my own choosing. They entered lit. "performed" servitude. I unleashed over the lands Nairi the brilliance of my weapons and the awesome terror of my dominion. I received in the city Damdammusa the tribute of the land Shubrû, silver, gold, bronze, tin, iron, armor, casseroles, oxen, sheep, and horses.

On my return from the lands Nairi I conquered the city Shura of the land Hanigalbat. I felled with the sword 900 of their fighting men; I carried off 2,000 prisoners from them. I took the city Shura for myself.

God Ashur, the 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 apsû, lord of wisdom and understanding;

god Sîn, wise one, king of the lunar disk, lofty luminary; god Adad, the exceptionally strong, lord of abundance; god Shamash, judge of heaven and underworld, commander of all; god Marduk, sage, lord god of oracles; god Ninurta, warrior of the Igigu and Anunnaku gods;

god Nergal, perfect one, king of battle; god Nusku, bearer of the holy scepter, circumspect god; goddess Ninlil, spouse of the god Enlil, mother of the great gods; goddess Ishtar, foremost in heaven and underworld, who is consummate in the canons of combat; great gods, who decree the destinies and make great the sovereignty of Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince,

worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, controller of the obstinate, crowned with splendor, fearless in battle, lofty and merciless hero, who stirs up strife, king of all princes, lord of lords,

chief herdsman, king of kings, attentive purification priest, designate of the warrior god Ninurta, destructive weapon of the great gods, avenger, the king who has always acted justly with the support of Ashur and the god Shamash, the gods who help him and cut down like marsh reeds fortified mountains and princes hostile to him and subdued under him all their lands,

provider of offerings for the great gods, legitimate prince, to whom is perpetually entrusted the proper administration of the rites of the temples of his land, whose deeds and offerings the great gods of heaven and underworld love so that they

established forever his priesthood in the temples, granted to his dominion their fierce weapons, and made him more marvelous than any of the kings of the four quarters with respect to the splendor of his weapons and the radiance of his dominion, he who has always contested with all enemies of Ashur above and below and imposed upon them tribute and tax, conqueror of the foes of Ashur,

strong king, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, vice-regent of Ashur, who defeated all his enemies and impaled the corpses of his enemies on posts, grandson of Adad-narari II, appointee of the great gods, who always achieved the defeat of those insubmissive to him and thereby became lord of all, offspring of Ashur-dan II who opened towns and founded shrines:

At that time my nobility, my sovereignty, my dominion, and my power came forth at the command of the great gods; I am king, I am lord, I am praiseworthy, I am exalted, I am important, I am magnificent, I am foremost, I am a hero, I am a warrior, I am a lion, and I am virile; Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of Assyria, designate of the god Sîn,

favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, I, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, ...

... troops ... I brought them down ... I inflicted upon them a major defeat ... their possessions and their flocks I carried off. As to their combat troops, I cut off their hands ... x 200 of their fighting men ... I destroyed.

... the tribute of the kings of lands and mountains I received. Irbibu ... of the city ...hanu, which was his fortified city, ... trusted in his own strength and rebelled against me. By the command of the god Ashur, my lord, I marched against him and besieged him. Around his city he had dug a moat.

I surrounded it with six redoubts ... the cities on the banks of the River Harmish, downstream from it, I plundered. I carried off their possessions and their flocks. I marched to the city Mal...hanu, their fortified city, .... I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against them and inflicted upon them a major defeat. I carried off their booty, possessions and flocks ... I let him go free. I captured alive 174 soldiers. N I felled with the sword, twelve I flayed of their skins, N I blinded and cut out their tongues, ..., 153 I beheaded lit. "cut off their necks", ... I caused their blood to flow, 20 ... I impaled on stakes ...

..., a mighty mountain, five ... the city Barzania, the city Dikun ... I carried off their herds ... I ravaged, destroyed ...

... ... stone ... which they held ...

which from the time of ... the statue with the name of Tiglath-pileser .... To the lands Nairi I marched. The city Barzanishtuun I conquered ... I carried off their property, possessions, oxen, sheep, ... and turned it into ruin hills. The heads of their warriors I cut off ... of the lands Nairi, horses, mules, ... I burnt, ravaged, destroyed, and turned into ruin hills.

... the city Tillê rebelled ... a garrison at ... they stationed. At the city Kahat they stationed a garrison .... Setting out from Nineveh the River Tigris I crossed, I conquered the city ... I carried off their booty, possessions, oxen, sheep, ... they pursued him. I massacred many of them. ... brought back

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Ashur, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, he who rules all peoples, strong male who treads upon the necks of his foes, trampler of all enemies, he who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, the king who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all countries;

When Ashur, the lord who called me by name and made my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms, I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle. With the help of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Nirbu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu; he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the land Urartu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab

to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people from the passes of Mount Babitu to Mount Hashmar as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed" servitude.

Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, encircler of the obstinate, crowned with splendor, fearless in battle, merciless hero, he who stirs up strife, praiseworthy king, shepherd, protection of the four quarters, the king whose command disintegrates mountains and seas, the one who by his lordly conflict has brought under one authority ferocious and merciless kings from east to west:

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant. I rebuilt this city. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the entire land of Laqû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, from the entire land of Zamua, from Bit-Adini and the land Hatti and from Lubarna, the Patinu. I settled them therein. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level. I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I founded therein a palace of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, boxwood, meskannu-wood, terebinth, and tamarisk as my royal residence and for my lordly leisure for eternity. I made replicas of beasts of mountains and seas in white limestone

and parutu-alabaster and stationed them at its doors. I decorated it in a splendid fashion; I surrounded it with knobbed nails of bronze. I hung doors of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, and meskannu-wood in its doorways. I took in great quantities and put therein silver, gold, tin, bronze, iron, booty from the lands over which I gained dominion.

See Ashurnasirpal II 023 lines 7-8.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and

has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, who rules all peoples, strong male, who treads upon the necks of his foes, trampler of

all enemies, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, he who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands:

When Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms, I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle. With the help of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered

like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Nirbu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to the city Carchemish of the land Hatti, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu: he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes

of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the city Zaban, to the cities Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people from the pass of the city Babitu to Mount Hashmar

as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed' servitude and I imposed upon them corvée.

Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, encircler of the obstinate, lofty and merciless, he who stirs up strife, king of all princes, 35 king of kings, attentive purification priest, designate of the warrior god Ninurta, destructive weapon of the great gods, the king who has always acted justly with the support of Ashur and the god Ninurta the gods who help him and subdued the fortified mountains and the kings hostile to him, all their lands, he who has always contested with the enemies of Ashur above and below and imposed upon them tribute and tax;

Ashurnasirpal, strong king, designate of the god Sîn, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, vanquisher of cities and highlands, foremost in battle, king of the four quarters, the one who defeats his enemies, I have subdued and brought under one authority fortified lands, dangerous highlands, and merciless fierce kings from east to west.

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant and had turned into ruin hills. I rebuilt this city. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu,

from the entire land Laqû, from the land Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, from the entire land of Zamua, from the land Bit-Adini and the land Hatti and from Lubarna Liburna, the Patinu. I settled them therein. I dug out a canal from the Upper Zab and called it Patti-hegalli. I planted orchards in its environs. I offered fruit of every kind and

wine to Ashur, my lord, and the temples of my land. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level; I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I built its wall anew. I built and completed it from top to bottom.

I founded therein a palace of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, boxwood, meskannu-wood, terebinth, and tamarisk as my royal residence

and for my lordly leisure. I made replicas of beasts of mountains and seas in white limestone and parutu-alabaster and stationed them at its doors. I decorated it in a splendid fashion; I surrounded it with knobbed nails of bronze. I hung doors of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, and meskannu-wood in its doorways. I took in great quantities and put therein thrones of ebony and boxwood, dishes

decorated with ivory, silver, gold, tin, bronze, iron, booty from the lands over which I gained dominion. I inscribed this monumental inscription and deposited it in its wall.

May a later prince restore its weakened portions. May he restore my inscribed name to its place. Then the god Ashur, the great lord, and the goddess Ishtar, mistress of battle and conflict, will listen to his prayers.

As for the one who removes my name: may Ashur and the god Ninurta glare at him angrily, overthrow his sovereignty, take away from him his throne, make him sit in bonds before his enemies, and destroy his name and his seed from the land.

To the goddess Sharrat-niphi, great mistress, foremost in heaven and underworld, queen of all gods, strong one, whose weighty command is respected in the temples, whose form is surpassing among the goddesses, shining countenance who like the god Shamash her sibling thoroughly inspects the circumference of heaven and underworld, most capable of the Anunnaku gods, offspring of the god Anu, supreme among the gods, counsellor of her brothers, leader, the one who stirs up the seas and shakes the highlands, heroine of the Igigu gods, mistress of conflict and battle, without whom a judgment is not approved in Esharra, i 5 the one who causes the achievement of victory and brings success, lover of rectitude, the one who heeds prayers, receives petitions, and accepts supplications, the goddess Ishtar, radiant, perfect, supreme, who inspects heaven and underworld, whose name is called in the regions of all lands, bestower of life, the compassionate goddess to whom it is good to pray, the one who dwells in the city Kalhu, my mistress;

Ashurnasirpal, unrivalled king of the world, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, the pious, i 10 beloved of your heart, prince, your favorite, whose priesthood is pleasing to your great divinity and ii 1 whose reign you established; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the ii 5 four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, ii 10 the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, who iii 1 rules all peoples, strong male, who treads upon the necks of his foes, trampler of all enemies, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, the king who acts with the support of the great gods and iii 5 has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands:

When Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, placed iii 10 his merciless weapon in my lordly arms, I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle. With the help of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Niribu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to ..., the entire land Laqû, and iv 1 the land Suhu including the land Rapiqu: he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the source of the Tigris. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, iv 5 from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the city Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people iv 10 from the passes of Mount Babitu to Mount Hashmar as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed' servitude.

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant. I built this city anew. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the entire land Laqû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, from the entire land of Zamua, from the lands Bit-Adini and Hatti, and from Lubarna, the Patinu. I settled them therein. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level; I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick.

I founded therein the temple of the deities Enlil and Ninurta, the temple of the deities Ea and Damkina, the temple of the deities Adad and Shala, the temple of the god Sîn, the temple of the goddess Gula, and the temple of the goddess Sharrat-niphi, temples of the great gods. v 10 I decorated them in a splendid fashion. I installed over them lit. "it" cedar beams and made cedar doors. I fastened them with bronze knobbed nails and hung them in their doorways. I made replicas of beasts in shining bronze and stationed them in their towers. I made replicas of lions in white limestone and parutu-alabaster and stationed them at their doors.

O later prince among the kings of my sons whom Ashur will name for the shepherdship of Assyria: restore the weakened portions of this temple; write your name with mine and return my inscriptions to their places so that Ashur, the lord, the prince, and the goddess Ishtar, mistress of battle and conflict, in wars with kings on the battlefield will cause him to achieve success.

the compassionate god to whom it is good to pray ...;

Ashurnasirpal, unrivalled king of the world, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, the pious, beloved of your heart, prince, your favorite, whose priesthood is pleasing to your great divinity and

whose reign you established, valiant man ... shepherdship of his land ... ... my sovereignty, my dominion, and my power which ... I am capable, I am wise, ...:

The ancient city Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant. I rebuilt this city. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the entire land of Laqû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates ... many, the land Hatti ... I founded therein the temple of the deities Enlil and Ninurta, the temple of the deities Ea and Damkina, the temple of the deities Adad and Shala, the temple of the god Sîn and the goddess Gula ... I decorated them

in a splendid fashion. I installed over them cedar beams and made cedar doors. I fastened them with bronze bands and hung them in their doorways. ... I made ... and erected them to the right and left at the doorways ...

O later prince among the kings my sons whom Ashur will name for the shepherdship of Assyria: restore the weakened portions of the temples; write your name with mine

and return my inscriptions to their places so that Ashur ... in wars with kings on the battlefield will cause him to achieve success ... will answer a firm yes ... before his temple ...

As for the one who erases my inscription ... puts it in another place ...: may ... the goddess Ishtar, mistress of battle and conflict ...

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Ashur, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters,

marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, he who rules all peoples, the king who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands and received their tribute, capturer of hostages,

he who is victorious over all countries, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land of Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu; he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the land Urartu; I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru 15 to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia; I accounted the people from the pass of the city Babitu to Mount Hashmar as people of my land;

Ashur, the great lord, cast his eyes upon me and my authority and my power came forth by his holy command. Ashurnasirpal, the king whose strength is praiseworthy, with my cunning which the god Ea, king of the apsû, extensively wise, gave to me, the city Kalhu I took in hand for renovation. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level. From water level to the top, a depth of 120 layers of brick,

I filled in the terrace. I founded therein a palace of boxwood, meskannu-wood, cedar, cypress, terebinth, tamarisk, mehru-wood, eight palace areas as my royal residence and for my lordly leisure and decorated them in a splendid fashion. I fastened with bronze bands doors of cedar, cypress, dapranu-juniper, boxwood, and meskannu-wood and hung them in their doorways. I surrounded them with knobbed nails of bronze. I depicted in greenish glaze on their walls

my heroic praises, in that I had gone right across highlands, lands, and seas, and the conquest of all lands. I glazed bricks with lapis lazuli and laid them above their doorways. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the city Kaprabu, from the entire land of Zamua, from the lands Bit-Zamani and Shubrû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, from the multitude of the people of the land Laqû, from the land Hatti, and from Lubarna, the Patinu. I settled them therein.

I dug out a canal from the Upper Zab, cutting through a mountain at its peak, and called it Patti-hegalli. I irrigated the meadows of the Tigris and planted orchards with all kinds of fruit trees in its environs. I pressed wine and offered first-fruit offerings to Ashur, my lord, and the temples of my land. I dedicated

this city to Ashur, my lord. In the lands through which I marched and the highlands which I traversed, the trees and plants lit. "seeds" which I saw were: cedar, cypress, shimishalû, burashu-juniper, ..., dapranu-juniper, almond, date, ebony, meskannu, olive, shushunu, oak, tamarisk, dukdu, terebinth and murranu, mehru, ..., tiiatu, Kanish-oak, haluppu,

shadanu, pomegranate, shalluru, fir, ingirashu, pear, quince, fig, grapevines, angashu-pear, shumlalû, titipu, shipputu, zanzaliqqu, "swamp-apple," hambuququ, nuhurtu, urzinu, and kanaktu. The canal cascades from above into the gardens. Fragrance pervades the walkways. Streams of water as numerous as

the stars of heaven flow in the pleasure garden. Pomegranates which are bedecked with clusters like grape vines ... in the garden ... I, Ashurnasirpal, in the delightful garden pick fruit like ... ...

In the city Kalhu, the center of my dominion, temples which had previously not existed such as the temple of the gods Enlil and Ninurta

I founded. I refounded therein the temple of the deities Ea-sharru and Damkina, the temple of the deities Adad and Shala, the temple of the goddess Gula, the temple of the god Sîn, the temple of the god Nabû, the temple of the goddess Sharrat-niphi, the temple of the divine Sebetti, the temple of the divine Kidmuru, the temples of the great gods. 60 I established in them the seats of the gods, my lords. I decorated them in a splendid fashion. I installed over them cedar beams and made high cedar doors. I fastened them with bronze bands and hung them in their doorways.

I stationed holy bronze images in their doorways. I made the images of their great divinity resplendent with red gold and sparkling stones. I gave to them gold jewelry, many possessions which I had captured. I adorned the room of the shrine of the god Ninurta, my lord, with gold and

lapis lazuli, I stationed bronze ... on his right and left, and installed wild ferocious dragons of gold at his throne. I appointed his festivals in the months of Shabatu and Ululu. The name of his festival in the month Shabatu

I called "Splendor". I established for them food and incense offerings. I created my royal monument with a likeness of my countenance of red gold and sparkling stones and stationed it before the god Ninurta, my lord.

Abandoned cities, which during the time of my fathers had turned into ruin hills, I took in hand for renovation and settled therein many people. Ancient palaces throughout my land I built anew. I decorated them in a splendid fashion and stored grain and straw in them.

The gods Ninurta and Nergal, who love my priesthood, gave to me the wild beasts and commanded me to hunt. I killed 450 strong lions. I killed 390 wild bulls from my ... chariot with my lordly assault. 90 I slew 200 ostriches like caged birds. I drove 30 elephants into an ambush. I captured alive 50 wild bulls, 140 ostriches, and 20 strong lions from the mountains and forests. I received

five live elephants as tribute from the governor of the land Suhu and the governor of the land Lubdu and they went about with me on my campaign. I formed herds of wild bulls, lions, ostriches, and male and female monkeys. I bred herds of them. I added by force additional territory to Assyria and people to its population.

When Ashurnasirpal, king of Assyria, consecrated the joyful palace, the palace full of wisdom, in Kalhu and

invited inside Ashur, the great lord, and the gods of the entire land; 100 fat oxen, 1,000 calves and sheep of the stable, 14,000 ...-sheep which belonged to the goddess Ishtar my mistress, 200 oxen which belonged to the goddess Ishtar my mistress, 1,000 siserhu-sheep,

1,000 spring lambs, 500 aiialu-deer, 500 deer, 1,000 ducks ishshuru rabûtu, 500 ducks usu, 500 geese, 1,000 mesukku-birds, 1,000 qaribu-birds, 10,000 pigeons, 10,000 turtle doves, 10,000 small birds, 10,000 fish, 10,000 jerboa,

10,000 eggs, 10,000 loaves of bread, 10,000 jugs of beer, 10,000 skins of wine, 10,000 containers of grain and sesame, 10,000 pots of hot ..., 1,000 boxes of greens, 300 containers of oil, 300 containers of malt, 300 containers of

mixed raqqatu-plants, 100 containers of kudimmus a salty plant, 100 containers of ..., 100 containers of parched barley, 100 containers of ubuhshennu-grain, 100 containers of fine billatu-beer, 100 containers of pomegranates, 100 containers of grapes, 100 containers of mixed zamrus, 100 containers of pistachios, 100 containers of ...,

100 containers of onions, 100 containers of garlic, 100 containers of kuniphus, 100 bunches of turnips, 100 containers of hinhinu-seeds, 100 containers of giddu, 100 containers of honey, 100 containers of ghee, 100 containers of roasted abshu-seeds, 100 containers of roasted shu'u-seeds, 100 containers of karkartu-plants,

100 containers of tiyatu-plants, 100 containers of mustard, 100 containers of milk, 100 containers of cheese, 100 bowls of mizu-drink, 100 salted oxen, 10 homers of shelled dukdu-nuts, 10 homers of shelled pistachios, 10 homers of ..., 10 homers of habbaququ,

10 homers of dates, 10 homers of titipu, 10 homers of cumin, 10 homers of sahunu, 10 homers of urianu, 10 homers of andahshu, 10 homers of shishanibu, 10 homers of simberu-fruit, 10 homers of hashû, 10 homers of fine oil, 10 homers of fine aromatics, 10 homers of ..., 10 homers of nashshabu-gourds,

10 homers of zinzimmu-onions, 10 homers of olives; when I consecrated the palace of Kalhu, 47,074 men and women who were invited from every part of my land, 5,000 dignitaries and envoys of the people of the lands Suhu, Hindanu, Patinu, Hatti,

Tyre, Sidon, Gurgumu, Malidu, Hubushku, Gilzanu, Kummu, and Mushashiru, 16,000 people of Kalhu, and 1,500 zariqu of my palace, all of them — altogether 69,574 150 including those summoned from all lands and the people of Kalhu — for ten days I gave them food, I gave them drink, I had them bathed, I had them anointed. Thus did I honor them and send them back to their lands in peace and joy.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide

which has no opponent, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu. He conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, and the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. Finally, I have gained dominion over the entire extensive lands Nairi.

The city Kalhu I took in hand for renovation. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level; I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I founded therein the temple of the god Ninurta, my lord. At that time I created with my skill this statue of the god Ninurta which had not existed previously as an icon of his great divinity out of the best stone of the mountain and red gold. I regarded it as my great divinity in the city Kalhu. I appointed his festivals in the months Shabatu and Ululu. I constructed this temple in its entirety. I laid the dais of the god Ninurta, my lord, therein.

When the god Ninurta, the lord, for eternity sits joyfully on his holy dais in his alluring shrine, may he be truly pleased and so command the lengthening of my days, may he proclaim the multiplication of my years, may he love my priesthood, and wherever there is battle or wars in which I strive may he cause me to attain my goal.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters:

The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu; he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I gained entire dominion over the extensive lands Nairi.

The ancient Kalhu which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this city had become dilapidated, it lay dormant, and a long time ago had turned into a ruin hill. With the cunning which the god Ea, king of the apsû and who has wide understanding, gave to me, I took this city in hand for renewal. I removed the old ruin hill and dug down to water level. I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I founded therein the temples of the deities Ninurta, Sharrat-niphi, Gula, and Sîn. I completed the construction of this temple i.e. the Sharrat-niphi temple and established therein the seats of the great gods. I built this temple for the eternal admiration of rulers and princes.

With the wisdom and understanding of, and according to the desire of, the great gods who love me, I created an icon of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress, which had never before existed. I created it from the finest stones, fine gold, and red gold thus making her great divinity resplendent. I set up in the temple her dais with the icon for eternity. I made this temple suitably resplendent. I positioned over it great cedar beams. I hung tall cedar doors in its doorways. I made white limestone statues of fierce lions and stationed them in its doorways.

When the goddess Sharrat-niphi, the great mistress, takes up residence on her holy dais in her alluring shrine, may she be steadfastly radiant. May she make my days good and long and command my years to be numerous. May she love my priesthood. May she be pleased with my offerings. May she cause me to achieve success wherever I strive in war and battle.

O later prince among the kings my sons whom Ashur will name for the shepherdship of Assyria: may you not remove these lions from her doorways. May you not erase my inscribed name. Instead, restore their ruined portions and return my inscribed name to its place. Then Ashur, the great lord, the god Ninurta, and the goddess Ishtar who dwells in this temple will establish copious abundance in your lit. "his' land. You will march victoriously among your people and achieve success in all lands in battle with kings on the battlefield.

As for the one who erases my inscribed name, removes these lions, throws them in the water, burns them with fire, puts them in a prison where they cannot be seen, or commits atrocities against this temple: may the god Ninurta, lord of storm and destruction, and the goddess Ishtar, mistress of battle and strife, overthrow his sovereignty, take away from him his throne, make him sit in bondage before his enemies, establish in his land distress, famine, and hunger, and destroy his name and his seed from the land.

... attentive prince ... all lands ... son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria:

Conqueror from the opposite bank of the Tigris .... I ascended Mount Amanus. Cedar beams .... I erected my royal image on it. The entire land Hatti .... I subdued the territory stretching from the city Carchemish of the land Hatti, the entire land Laqû, the land Suhu including the land Rapiqu.

From the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu ... to the land Urumu. I stormed like the god Adad, the devastator, against them. I subdued the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu and the city Hubushkia. I accounted as people of my land the people of the land Zamua in its entirety.

Capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands: I marched to the Great Sea of the land Amurru. I received the tribute of the kings on the seashore, of the people of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, ... I washed my weapons in the Great Sea and made sacrifices to the gods. Exalted king who conquered all lands from east to west ...:

The city Kalhu I took in hand for renewal. I removed the old ruin hill and dug down to water level. I sank the foundation pit down to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suhu, from the entire land Laqû, from the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, and from the entire land of Zamua. I settled them therein. I dug out a canal from the Upper Zab and

called it Patti-hegalli. I planted gardens in its environs. I offered fruit and wine to Ashur, my lord, and to the temples of my land. I dedicated this city to Ashur, my lord.

O later prince among the kings my sons whom Ashur will name for the shepherdship of Assyria: ... a good word ...

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival

among the princes of the four quarters, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu. He conquered

from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of

the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, and the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia.

Finally, I have gained dominion over the entire extensive lands Nairi.

The city Kalhu I took in hand for renovation. I cleared away the old ruin hill and dug down to water level; I sank the foundation pit down

to a depth of 120 layers of brick. I founded therein my royal palace.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land of Laqû, and the land Suhu including the land Rapiqu; he conquered from the source of the River Subnat

to the interior of the land Nirbu; I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, and the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia; finally, I have gained dominion over the entire extensive lands Nairi:

The city Kalhu I took in hand for renovation. I founded therein my lordly palace. I built this palace for the eternal admiration of rulers and princes and decorated it in a splendid fashion. I made replicas of all beasts of mountains and seas in white limestone and parutu-alabaster and stationed them in its doorways.

Then the god Ninurta, lord of judgment and destruction and Ashur, the great lord, ... will listen to his prayers. May they establish copious abundance in his land; in wars with kings on the battlefield may they cause him to achieve success.

As for the one who erases my inscription and writes his own name or removes my monumental inscriptions, throws them into water ...: may the god Ninurta, lord of judgment and destruction, and the god Ashur, the great lord, overthrow his sovereignty, take away from him his throne, make him sit in bondage before his enemies, establish in his land distress, famine, and hunger, and destroy his name and his seed from the land.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and

has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu. He conquered from the source of the River Subnat to

the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani,

and the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. Finally I have gained dominion over the entire extensive lands Nairi.

The city Kalhu I took in hand for renovation. At that time the temple of the goddess Ishtar, mistress of the divine Kidmuru,

which had previously existed but already in the time of the kings my fathers had crumbled and turned into ruin hills: at that time, with the skill which the god Ea, king of the apsû who grants counsel and understanding, gave to me

I rebuilt for her this temple of the divine Kidmuru. I created an icon of the goddess Ishtar, mistress of the divine Kidmuru, out of red gold and settled it on her dais. I established for her cereal and show offerings.

O later prince among the kings my sons whom Ashur will name:

When you see the foundation restore its weakened portions. Do not allow it the icon to be exposed to the sun. Do not erase my inscription but write your name with mine and return it to its place. Restore the weakened portions of this temple. Then Ashur, the great lord, the god Shamash, judge of heaven

and underworld, and the goddess Ishtar, mistress of the divine Kidmuru, will listen to his prayers. May they lengthen his days; in wars with kings on the battlefield may they cause him to achieve success; may they establish copious abundance in his land.

As for the one who erases my inscription and 40 writes his own name or removes this stele of mine, puts it in another place, throws it into water, burns it with fire, covers it with dirt, or takes it into a prison: may Ashur, the great lord, the god Adad, the canal-inspector of heaven and underworld,

the god Erra, lord of judgment and destruction, overthrow his sovereignty, take away from him his throne, make him sit in bondage before his enemies, establish in his land distress, famine, and hunger, and destroy his name and his seed from the land.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria, conqueror from the opposite bank of the Tigris as far as Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, all lands from east to west he subdued.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people, prince, vice-regent of Ashur, valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur and the god Shamash and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, who treads upon the mountain peaks in all the highlands, subduer of those insubmissive to Ashur to the borders above and below, who marches about on mountain paths,

who has seen remote and rugged regions, magnificent king of lands, who has kept progressing by difficult means through mountains and seas, holy offspring, martial sovereign, trampler of criminals, shepherd of the four quarters, who has brought all peoples under one authority, avenger of Assyria, who extends the borders of his land, the king whose heart's desire Ashur has caused him to achieve so that his just hand has conquered all his enemies, king of kings, appointee of Ashur, lord of lands, king, desired object of the gods, chosen of the god Enlil:

When the gods Anu, Enlil, and Ea chose me and named me for the shepherdship of Assyria, granted to my dominion the weapon, the scepter, the crown, and the staff, and sternly commanded me to rule and subdue all the lands insubmissive to Ashur;

valiant man, foremost of all rulers, who treads upon the necks of rulers, magnificent, lord of lords, tempestuous deluge, who receives tribute and tax from all lands, at the attack of whose angry weapons all lands convulse, writhe, and melt as though in a furnace, opener of paths in mountains which rise perpendicularly to the sky like the edge of a dagger, whose protection spreads like the rays of the sun over his land and who has governed his people in well-being;

son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, who defeated all his enemies and impaled the corpses of his enemies on posts, grandson of Adad-narari II, appointee of the great gods, who always achieved the defeat of those insubmissive to him and had no rival;

conqueror from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea of the land Amurru in the west, who has conquered the entire land of Hatti, I who have gained dominion over the region stretching from the source of the River Subnat to the extensive land Urumu and the entire lands Nairi; I conquered the entire land Laqû; I subdued the land Suhu including the land Rapiqu;

I regarded as people of my land the inhabitants of the regions stretching from the pass of Mount Kirruru to the land Gilzanu and from the pass of the city Babitu to the land Namru; I brought within the boundaries of my land the region stretching from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, to the city Til-sha-Zabdani and the city Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia:

I mustered 50,000 troops. I marched to the land Mehru and conquered the entire land Mehru. I cut down logs for the goddess Ishtar of Nineveh, my mistress, for the roof of Emashmash and for the roofs of my palaces.

At that time the temple of the goddess Ishtar of Nineveh, my mistress, in the grounds of Emashmash — the old temple which Shamshi-Adad, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built — this temple had become dilapidated and fallen into ruin. With the wisdom of the god Nudimmud, the great lord, with the wide understanding which the god Ea had granted to me, for the adornment of the heroic nature of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress: with regard to this temple,

I delineated its area, dug out its foundation pit, rebuilt it from top to bottom, and completed it. I made it larger than before. In the Eku I built an excellent throne in a splendid fashion for the abode of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress. I peacefully settled her great divinity in her shrine. Thus did I please her great divinity.

May a later prince restore its weakened portions. May he restore my inscribed name to its place. Then Ashur and the goddess Ishtar, the great gods who love my sovereignty, will make his dominion supreme in all lands. May they constantly lead him in victory, might, and heroism. May they grant the tribute of the four quarters as his portion. May they establish for his land plenty, affluence, and abundance.

As for the one who erases my inscribed name and writes his own name: may the god Adad, the canal-inspector of heaven and underworld, strike his land with terrible lightning and afflict his land with distress, famine, and hunger.

Ashurnasirpal, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Adad-narari II who was also appointee of the god Enlil and vice-regent of Ashur:

Conqueror from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea of the land Amurru in the west, who has conquered the entire land of Hatti, I who have gained dominion over the region stretching from the source of the River Subnat to the extensive land Urumu and the entire lands Nairi; ...

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria:

Conqueror from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea of the land Amurru in the west, who has conquered the entire land of Hatti, I who have gained dominion over the region stretching from the source of the River Subnat to the extensive land Urumu

and the entire lands Nairi; I conquered the entire land Laqû; I subdued the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu; I regarded as people of my land the inhabitants of the regions stretching from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu and from the pass of the city Babitu to the land Namru; I brought within the boundaries of my land the region stretching from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, to the city Til-sha-Zabdani and the city Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia:

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of all the four quarters, ruler of all lands, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria:

I rebuilt and completed the temple of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress, from top to bottom.

May a later prince restore its weakened portions.

Ashurnasirpal, strong king, ... king of Assyria, chosen of your father, the god Enlil whose commands are unalterable ... He the king has trod difficult paths, mighty mountain chains ... and he has conquered all those insubmissive to him ... ... the temple of Ishtar, its ruined portions he restored ...

Ashur, great lord, king of all the great gods, ...; lord of the lands, god Enlil, exalted one, father of the gods, ...; god Ea, king of the apsû, lord of wisdom and understanding, ...; god Adad, the exceptionally strong, lord of abundance, ...; god Shamash, judge of heaven and underworld, commander of all;

Great gods, who decree the destinies and make great the ... sovereignty of Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands, king of lords, controller of the obstinate, crowned with splendor, fearless in battle, 10 merciless hero, he who stirs up strife, king of all princes, lord of lords, chief herdsman, king of kings, attentive purification priest, who by the command of Ashur and the god Ninurta the great gods who had complete authority over the people, subjects of the god Enlil, and into whose grasp they placed the exalted crown;

Ashurnasirpal, strong king, designate of the gods ..., valiant man who with the support of Ashur ... lands/mountains ... lands/mountains ...

Inscription from a statue of the king on the bank of the moat of the city ...

Ashurnasirpal, king ... son of Tukulti-Ninurta II ... the temple ...

... ... the god Adad ... will erase ...

Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king ..., unrivalled king of the world, ..., attentive prince who ... heaven and underworld, ... those insubmissive to him ..., exalted priest, ... Ashur, the god Adad ... whose priesthood in the temples they established forever ..., shepherd ...

... ... ... may a later prince restore its weakened portions. May he restore my inscribed name to its place. Then Ashur and the god Adad, the great lords, ... will listen to his prayers.

As for the one who erases my inscription and writes his own name ...: may Ashur, the god Adad and, the goddess Ishtar, the great gods ...

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who

acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters, the king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching

from the source of the River Subnat to the passes of Mount Habruru and to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from

the land Zaban, from the city Til-sha-Abtani to the city Til-sha-Zabdani, and the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. Finally, I have gained dominion over the entire extensive lands Nairi.

This city I took in hand for renovation. I called it Imgur-Enlil. I founded this temple in the environs of my palace.

I placed inside a statue of the god Mamu, my lord. I marched to Mount Lebanon and cut down beams of cedar, cypress, and dapranu-juniper. I made fast the cedar beams over this temple and constructed cedar doors.

I fastened them with bronze bands and hung them in its doorways. I decorated this temple in a splendid fashion and placed therein the god Mamu, the great lord. I inscribed my monumental inscriptions and deposited them in his temple.

O later prince among the kings my sons whom Ashur will name: when this temple becomes dilapidated and you see and read my monumental inscriptions, restore its weakened portions; write your name with mine and return it to its place so that Ashur, the lord, the prince, and the god Mamu, who dwells in this temple, may look steadfastly upon him with their eyes and establish his name and his seed in their land.

As for the one who sees my monumental inscriptions and says, "What is this?": may the goddess Ishtar, mistress of battle and conflict, smash his weapons and take away from him his throne.

As for the one who sees my monumental inscriptions, reads them, anoints them with oil, makes sacrifices, and returns them to their lit. "its" place: Ashur, the great lord, will listen to his prayers and in wars with kings on the battlefield will cause him to achieve success.

Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, his lord, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters,

marvelous shepherd, fearless in battle, mighty flood-tide which has no opponent, the king who subdues those insubordinate to him, who rules all peoples, strong male, who treads upon the necks of his foes, trampler of all enemies, the one who breaks up the forces of the rebellious, he who acts with the support of the great gods, his lords, and has conquered all lands, gained dominion over all the highlands, and received their tribute, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all lands:

When Ashur, the lord who called my name and who makes my sovereignty supreme, placed his merciless weapon in my lordly arms, I felled with the sword the extensive troops of the Lullumu in battle. With the help

of the gods Shamash and Adad, the gods my supporters, I thundered like the god Adad, the devastator, against the troops of the lands Nairi, Habhu, the Shubaru, and the land Nirbu. The king who subdued the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, the entire land Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu: he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to

the interior of the land Nirbu. I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to the city Til-Bari which is upstream from the city Zaban, to the cities Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu, Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. I accounted the people from the passes of Mount Babitu to Mount Hashmar as people of my land. In the lands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors. They entered lit. "performed' servitude and I imposed upon them corvée.

Ashurnasirpal, attentive prince, worshipper of the great gods, ferocious dragon, conqueror of cities and the entire highlands:

I took this city in hand for renovation. I named it Imgur-Enlil. I fortified its circumference with a wall and built therein a palace as my sovereign dwelling. I made lofty doors of fir and hung them at its gate.

conqueror from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu; I conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the land Shubrû and the interior of the land Nirbu; I subdued the entire land of Laqû and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu; I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Babitu to Mount Hashmar, the entire land of Zamua, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to Til-Abari which is upstream from the land Zaban, to Til-sha-Abtani and Til-sha-Zabdani; the cities Hirimu and Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia; in the lands and highlands over which I gained dominion ...

I took out and brought to my city Ashur.

At that time the temple of the gods Sîn and Shamash, the great gods, my lords, which ... ... who preceded me had previously built — this temple had become dilapidated. I delineated its area, dug out its foundation pit, rebuilt it from top to bottom, and completed it. I newly founded therein the abode of the gods Sîn and Shamash, the great gods, my lords. I brought inside the gods Sîn and Shamash. I inscribed my stele and deposited it therein ...

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria; conqueror of the lands Nairi in their entirety from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu; he conquered from the source of the River Subnat to the land Shubrû; I brought within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Tigris to the land Hatti, the entire land of Laqû, and the land Suhu including the city Rapiqu, from the passes of Babitu to Mount Hashmar, the entire land of Zamua, from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to Til-Abari which is upstream from the land Zaban,

to Til-sha-Abatani; from Til-sha-Abatani to Til-sha-Zabdani; the cities Hirimu and Harutu, which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia; in the lands and highlands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors; I received their tribute and they entered lit. "performed" servitude.

... among the princes of the four quarters ... and the Great Sea he conquered ... to the west he subdued ...; son of Tukulti-Ninurta II ... son of Adad-narari II who was also ... king of Assyria: property of the temple of the god Ninurta.

Ashurnasirpal, king of Assyria, great king, strong king, unrivalled king of the world, king of all the four quarters, sungod of all people, strong king, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, trampler of all his enemies, who breaks open high mountains the distant regions of which no one had ever traversed, strong male who treads upon the necks of his foes, who destroys his enemies, who destroys the fortifications of his enemies,

subduer of those insubordinate to him, receiver of tribute and tax from the four quarters, capturer of hostages, he who is victorious over all the princes of the four quarters, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, strong king, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also strong king and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, the deities Adad, Ishtar, and Ninurta, the gods his helpers, and has no rival among the princes of the four quarters; the strong king who has conquered from the opposite bank of the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea of the land Amurru in the west, the entire land Hatti. I have gained dominion over the entire region from the source of the River Subnat to the interior of the land Nirbu, the extensive lands Nairi.

I conquered the entire land of Laqû. I have subdued the land Suhu including Rapiqu. I conquered the territory stretching from the passes of Mount Habruru to the land Gilzanu, from the pass of the city Babitu to Mount Hashmar, the entire land Zamua. I have regarded as within the boundaries of my land the territory stretching from the opposite bank of the Lower Zab to Til-Bari which is upstream from the land Zaban, to Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-Abtani, the cities Hirimu and Harutu which are fortresses of Karduniash Babylonia. In all the lands and highlands over which I gained dominion I always appointed my governors; they entered lit. "performed" servitude and I imposed upon them tribute and tax:

At that time the temple of the goddess Ishtar of Nineveh, the weakened portions of which Ashur-uballit I, king of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had restored — this temple had fallen into ruin and from opposite Bit-nathi as far as ... it was dilapidated and ruined. I delineated its area and dug out its foundation pit. I rebuilt it from top to bottom, completed it, and decorated it more splendidly than ever before. I inscribed my monumental inscriptions and deposited them therein.

As for the one who removes my inscriptions and my name, may the goddess Ishtar, the great mistress, take away from him his throne, and may she make him sit in bondage before his enemies.

Ashurnasirpal, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Adad-narari II who was also appointee of the god Enlil and vice-regent of Ashur:

At that time Emashmash, the temple of the goddess Ishtar of Nineveh, my mistress, which Shamshi-Adad, vice-regent of Ashur, a prince who preceded me, had built — this temple had become dilapidated and I rebuilt it from top to bottom. I completed it and decorated it more splendidly than ever before. I inscribed my stele and deposited it therein.

May a later prince restore its weakened portions and return my inscribed name to its place.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

No translation warranted.

Ashurnasirpal, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world and king of Assyria; valiant man who acts with the support of Ashur, Adad, Ishtar, and Ninurta, the great gods,

his lords, and has subdued all lands; conqueror of the entire land Hatti ... from Til-Bari of ... to the west ... mountains, Mount Amanus, cedar beams ... the extensive lands Nairi, ... the city Zaban to the Great Sea ... he conquered ... the cities Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-Abtani ...

At that time the temple of the god Adad, my lord, which ... a prince who preceded me had built, this temple had become dilapidated .... I delineated its area and dug out its foundation pit. I completely rebuilt it from top to bottom, decorated it appropriately, and made it larger than before. ... ... I deposited my monumental inscriptions.

May a later prince ... return his monumental inscriptions with my monumental inscriptions to their places ...

Ashurnasirpal, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Adad-narari II, appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of Ashur, conqueror from ... the slopes of the mountains of the Lullumu,

the interior of the land Habhu, and all the mountains of Zamua and Hashmar to the land Amurru, Mount Amanus, and Mount Lebanon as far as the Great Sea; I regarded all of this territory as within the boundaries of my land. They annually brought their valuable tribute and I received it in my city Ashur.

At that time the temple of the gods Sîn and Shamash, the great gods, my lords, which kings who preceded me had built, had become dilapidated. I rebuilt it from top to bottom.

No translation warranted.

... king of the world, strong king, king of Assyria ...

... Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world

... ... ...

... ... ...

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria; conqueror of all lands, who has subdued everything from east to west:

I laid the foundation of a palace for my royal residence in the city Apqu with tablets of silver and gold.

O later prince, do not erase my inscribed name! Then Ashur, the great lord, will listen to your lit. "his" prayers.

As for the one who erases my inscribed name and uses my monumental inscriptions for his own ends: may Ashur, the great lord, smash his weapons, take away from him his throne, and destroy his name and his seed from the land.

The tribute of ... I received.

The tribute of ... linen garments with multi-colored trim, female musicians, servant men, ... I received.

The tribute of ... silver, gold, ..., bronze tubs, bronze pots, decorated couches, linen garments with multi-colored trim, I received.

The tribute of ... gold, tin, bronze, iron, ..., bronze tubs, bronze ... I received.

The tribute of ... silver, gold, tin, bronze, bronze tubs, bronze ... linen garments with multi-colored trim, I received.

A herd of domesticated lit. "town-bred" elephants, a herd of domesticated lit. "town-bred" oxen, a herd of ... ... I received.

... tribute of the people of the city Hindanu ... tribute of ...

Booty from Sangara, a man of Hatti.

Battle against the city Marinâ of Bit-Adini.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: booty from the city Ellipu of the land Hatte.

The city Magarisu of Bit-Iahiri I conquered.

Payment from the people of the city Sarugu.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: plunder from the land Hatti.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: the city Rugulutu of Bit-Adini I conquered.

The city Iallgu of Bit-Adini I conquered.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: tribute from the land Suhu.

Tribute from the city ...ga...

The city Ulluba of Sagara, king of the land Hatti, I conquered.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: plunder from the city Mariru of the land Hatti.

I slew wild oxen on the Euphrates.

I slew lions on the River Balih.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: I slew lions on the River Balih.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: I slew wild oxen on the Euphrates.

The city Imgur-Enlil.

Tribute from Kudurru of the land Suhu.

To the god Enlil, king of destinies and designs, the one who shakes the highlands, who dwells in the temple of Kidmuru, the great lord, my lord: Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II who was also vice-regent of Ashur:

I dedicated this for my life, that my days might be long, my years many, for the well-being of my seed and land.

To the divine queen of Kidmuru, the great mistress, his mistress: Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Ashur, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II who was also vice-regent of Ashur:

I dedicated this for my life, that my days might be long, my years many, for the well-being of my seed and land.

To the god Ea ... who decrees the destinies of the lands ... wise, whose decision is unalterable ...:

Ashurnasirpal, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria:

I dedicated this stone haltappû ... for my life, that my days might be long, my years many, for the well-being of my seed and my land, for the safekeeping of my vice-regal throne, ..., for the scorching of my enemies, for the destruction of my dangerous foes, to subdue at my feet rulers who oppose me.

To the god Ninurta, the strong, ... whose attack in battle is unequalled, ... the one who holds the bond of heaven and underworld, the one who opens springs, the one who walks the wide underworld, ... the god Utulu, lord of lords, ... he seized ...

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also great king, strong king, king of the world, and king of Assyria: facing slab of the palace courtyard.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria: facing slab of the Second House/Wing/Room.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Ashur, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of the world and king of Assyria.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of the world, king of Assyria: ten minas.

Monument of Ashurnasirpal, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II, who was also king of Assyria.

Palace of Ashurnasirpal, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta II, king of Assyria, son of Adad-narari II who was also king of Assyria: property of the temple of the divine Kidmuru in Kalhu.