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.