Assur-Nair-Pal II
883-859BC (24)

 

The final version of Assur-nasir-pal's annals was inscribed upon the pavement slabs of the entrance of the Nin-urta Temple at Nimrud. The great campaigns of the first six years are dated by limmus. Then there follows what must have been minor raids until the 18th year when the events of another serious campaign, probably the last, are recorded.

Summary of the king's conquests through the fifth year and announcement of the removal of the capital to Nimrud.

Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; grand-son of Adad-nirari etc. etc.

The king who from beyond the Tigris even as far as Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has brought into submission at his feet the whole land of Lake, the land of Suhi, as far as the city of Rapiku, and whose hand has conquered the territory from the source of the river Subnat even to the pass which lies thereby.

The region from the pass of Kirruri, to the land of Gilzani, from beyond the lower Zab to the city of Tilbare which is above the land of Zaban and from the city of Til-sga-Abtani to the city of Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities of Hirimu and Harutu, fortresses of the land of Karduniash (Babylonia). These I have added to the borders of my land.

The broad lands of Nairi in their length and breadth I have brought under my sway.

The city of Nimrud I have taken anew as a dwelling; the ancient mounds I destroyed. I dug down to the water-table. The temple of Ninurta, my lord, I founded therein. (467)

Temple Images

When, as my heart directed me, I had fashioned the statue of Ninurta, of whom there had never been en image before; when I had fashioned it as the protecting image of his great godliness; when I had fashioned it with the choicest stone from the mountain and with ruddy gold, I accounted that statue my great god in the city of Nimrud. I established feasts in his honor in the months of Shabatu and Ululu. The temple I constructed of burnt brick and the shrine of Ninurta, my lord, I made glorious therein. (468)

Campaign against Bit-Adini - regnal year not given

On the twentieth day of the month of Simanu I departed from the city of Calah. I crossed the Tigris, and I marched to the land of Bit-Adini. To the city of Kaprabi, their stronghold, I crew nigh. The city was exceeding strong, and it hung down like a cloud from heaven. The inhabitants put all their trust in the number of men in their army. They did not come down and embrace my feet.

By the command of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and Nergal, who goes before me, I stormed the city. With mines and battering-rams and siege engines, I took it and I slew many of the inhabitants. 800 of their fighting men I slaughtered, their spoil and their possessions I carried off. 2,400 of their troops I transported, and I settled them in the city of Calah (Nimrud). I established the terrifying splendor of Assur over the land of Bit-Adini.(AR.......)

Expedition to Carchemish and the Lebanon

I departed from the country of Bit-Adini and crossed the Euphrates at the peak of its flood on rafts made buoyant with inflated goatskin bottles. I advanced toward Carchemish. There I received tribute from Sangara, the king of the Hittites; 20 talents of silver, a sa'aru object of gold, a ring of gold, golden daggers, 100 talents of copper, 250 talents of iron, images of wild bulls made of copper, basin and ewer sets for washing, made of copper ,a copper brazier. All this was the king's own furniture It was not weighed separately. Furthermore, I took as tribute beds made of boxwood, all inlaid with ivory, 200 young women dressed in linen clothing decorated with multi-colored trimmings made of dark and reddish purple wool. I also took alabaster, elephant's tusks, a shining chariot and a golden nimattu-chair with panels, all the king's own royal insignia.

I took over the chariot corps and cavalry and the infantry of Carchemish. The kings of all the surrounding countries came to me and embraced my feet. I took hostages from them and they marched with me toward the Lebanon, forming my vanguard. (475-479, ANET, 275,3)

I advanced toward the town Kunulua, the royal residence of Lubarna from Hattina. Afraid of the terrible weapons of my ferocious army he embraced my feet to save his life. Twenty talents of silver, the equivalent of one talent of gold, 100 talents of tin, 100 talents of iron, 1000 head of cattle, 10,000 sheep, 1000 linen garments with multicolored trimmings easy chairs of boxwood with insets and mountains, beds of boxwood, beds provided with insets, tables with ivory inlay on boxwood - all the king's own furniture... I received from him as tribute. I pardoned him. I took over his chariots corps and cavalry and the infantry of Hattina. I took hostages from him. (ANET 276, 3)

Tribute from the land of Phoenicia

I departed from the royal residence of Lubarna in Hattina. I crossed the Orontes River and passed the night on the banks of the Orontes. I left the banks of the Orontes and took the road through the mountains. I passed over the mountains and passed the night on the banks of the river Sangura. I entered Aribua, the fortress of Lubarna from Hattina and seized it as my own town. I harvested the grain as well as the straw of the Luhuti country and stored them in the fortress. I his own palace I myself performed the tasiltu festival Then I settled natives of Assyria in that town. While I stayed in that town I conquered the other town of Luhuti. At that time I seized the entire extent of the Lebanon mountain and reached the Great Sea of Amurru country. I cleaned my weapons in the deep sea an performed sheep-offerings to all the gods. The tribute of the seacoast - from the inhabitants of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Mahallata, Maiza, Kaiza, Amurru and Arvad which is an island in the sea - tribute made up of gold, silver, tin, copper, copper containers, linen garments with multi-colored trimmings, large and small monkeys, ebony, boxwood ivory from walrus tusk, a product of the sea- all this tribute I received and the kings of these town embraced my feet. (ANET 276, 3)

Ascent of the Amanus

I climbed the mountains of the Amanus and there I cut down logs of cedars, stone-pines, cypresses and pines. There I also performed sheep-offerings to my gods. I had a sculptured stele commemorating my heroic achievements made and erected it there. The cedar beams of the Amanus mountain I sent to the temple Esarra for the construction of the iasamaku-sanctuary, a building for festivals serving the temples of Sin and Shamash, the gods who give light.

 
 
Free JavaScripts provided by The JavaScript Source