Babylonian and Assyrian Literature

by Unknown

FACE D

55 I approached. Gi'ammu, their Governor, I smote. 56 To the city of Tel-abil-akhi I descended. 57 The Euphrates in its upper part I crossed. 58 The tribute of the Kings of the Hittites 59 all of them I received. In those days Rimmon-idri[1] 60 of Damascus, Irkhulina of Hamath, and the Kings 61 of the Hittites and of the sea-coasts to the forces of each other 62 trusted, and to make war and battle 63 against me came. By the command of Assur, the great Lord, my Lord, 64 with them I fought. A destruction of them I made. 65 Their chariots, their war-carriages, their war-material[2] I took from them. 66 20,500 of their fighting men with arrows I slew. 67 In my seventh year to the cities of Khabini of the city of Tel-Abni I went. 68 The city of Tel-Abni, his stronghold, together with the cities which (were) dependent on it I captured. 69 To the head of the river, the springs of the Tigris, the place where the waters rise,[3] I went. 70 The weapons of Assur in the midst (of it) I rested. Sacrifices for my gods I took. Feasts and rejoicing 71 I made. An image of my Royalty of large size I constructed. The laws of Assur my Lord, the records 72 of my victories, whatsoever in the world I had done, in the midst of it I wrote. In the middle (of the country) I set (it) up.

[Footnote 1: This is the Ben-hadad of Scripture whose personal name seems to have been Rimmon-idri.]

[Footnote 2: Or, "furniture of battle.">[

[Footnote 3: Or, "the place of the exit of the waters situated." The tablet is still to be seen near the town of Egil.]

FACE A, base

73 In my eighth year, Merodach-suma-iddin King of Gan-Dunias[1]
74 did Merodach-bila-yu'sate his foster-brother against him
rebel;
75 strongly had he fortified (the land). To exact punishment[2]
76 against Merodach-suma-iddin I went. The city of the
waters of the Dhurnat[3] I took.
77 In my ninth campaign a second time to the land of Accad
I went.
78 The city of Gana-nate I besieged. Merodach-bila-yu'sate
exceeding fear
79 of Assur (and) Merodach overwhelmed, and to save his life
to
80 the mountains he ascended. After him I rode.
Merodach-bila-yu'sate
(and) the officers
81 the rebels[4] who (were) with him (with) arrows I slew.
To the great fortresses
82 I went. Sacrifices in Babylon, Borsippa, (and) Cuthah I
made.
83 Thanksgivings to the great gods I offered up. To the
country of Kaldu [5] I descended. Their cities I captured.
84 The tribute of the Kings of the country of Kaldu I received.
The greatness of my arms as far as the sea overwhelmed.
85 In my tenth year for the eighth time the Euphrates I
crossed. The cities of 'Sangara of the city of the Carchemishians
I captured.
86 To the cities of Arame I approached. Arne his royal city
with 100 of his (other) towns I captured.
87 In my eleventh year for the ninth time the Euphrates I
crossed. Cities to a countless number I captured. To the
cities of the Hittites
88 of the land of the Hamathites I went down. Eighty-nine
cities I took. Rimmon-idri of Damascus (and) twelve of
the Kings of the Hittites
89 with one another's forces strengthened themselves. A destruction
of them I made. In my twelfth campaign for the
tenth time the Euphrates I crossed.
90 To the land of Pagar-khubuna I went. Their spoil I carried
away. In my thirteenth year to the country of Yaeti I
ascended.
91 Their spoil I carried away. In my fourteenth year the
country I assembled; the Euphrates I crossed. Twelve
Kings against me had come.
92 I fought. A destruction of them I made. In my fifteenth
year among the sources of the Tigris (and) the Euphrates
I went. An image
93 of my Majesty in their hollows I erected. In my sixteenth
year the waters of the Zab I crossed. To the country of
Zimri
94 I went. Merodach-mudammik King of the land of Zimru
to save his life (the mountains) ascended. His treasure
95 his army (and) his gods to Assyria I brought. Yan'su
son of Khanban to the kingdom over them I raised.[6]

[Footnote 1: That is, Chaldea.]

[Footnote 2: Or, "to return benefits.">[

[Footnote 3: The Tornadotus of classical geographers.]

[Footnote 4: Or, "the Lord of sin.">[

[Footnote 5: This is the primitive Chaldea. The Caldai or Chaldeans afterward overran Babylonia and gave their name to it among classical writers.]

[Footnote 6: Or, "I made.">[

FACE B, base

96 In my seventeenth year the Euphrates I crossed. To the land of Amanus I ascended. Logs 97 of cedar I cut. In my eighteenth year for the sixteenth time the Euphrates I crossed. Hazael 98 of Damascus to battle came. 1,221 of his chariots, 470 of his war-carriages with 99 his camp I took from him. In my nineteenth campaign for the eighteenth[1] time the Euphrates I crossed. To the land of Amanus 100 I ascended. Logs of cedar I cut. In my 20th year for the 20th time the Euphrates 101 I crossed. To the land of Kahue I went down. Their cities I captured. Their spoil 102 I carried off. In my 21st campaign, for the 21st time the Euphrates I crossed. To the cities 103 of Hazael of Damascus I went. Four of his fortresses I took. The tribute of the Tyrians, 104 the Zidonians (and) the Gebalites I received. In my 22d campaign for the 22d time the Euphrates 105 I crossed. To the country of Tabalu[2] I went down. In those days (as regards) the 24 106 Kings of the country of Tabalu their wealth I received. To conquer 107 the mines of silver, of salt and of stone for sculpture I went. In my 23d year 108 the Euphrates I crossed. The city of Uetas, his strong city, 109 (which belonged) to Lalla of the land of the Milidians I captured. The Kings of the country of Tabalu 110 had set out. Their tribute I received. In my 24th year, the lower Zab 111 I crossed. The land of Khalimmur I passed through. To the land of Zimru 112 I went down. Yan'su King of the Zimri from the face 113 of my mighty weapons fled and to save his life 114 ascended (the mountains). The cities of 'Sikhisatakh, Bit-Tamul, Bit-Sacci 115 (and) Bit-Sedi, his strong cities, I captured. His fighting men I slew. 116 His spoil I carried away. The cities I threw down, dug up, (and) with fire burned. 117 The rest of them to the mountains ascended. The peaks of the mountains 118 I attacked, I captured. Their fighting men I slew. Their spoil (and) their goods 119 I caused to be brought down. From the country of Zimru I departed. The tribute of 27 Kings 120 of the country of Par'sua[3] I received. From the country of Par'sua I departed. To 121 the strongholds of the country of the Amadai,[4] (and) the countries of Arazias (and) Kharkhar I went down. 122 The cities of Cua-cinda, Khazzanabi, Ermul, 123 (and) Cin-ablila with the cities which were dependent on them I captured. Their fighting men

[Footnote 1: The King counts his passage of the river on his return from
Syria the seventeenth time of his crossing the Euphrates.]

[Footnote 2: The Tubal of the Old Testament, and Tibareni of classical geographers.]

[Footnote 3: The Parthia of classical authors.]

[Footnote 4: These seem to be the Madai or Medes of later inscriptions.
This is the first notice that we have of them. It will be observed that
they have not yet penetrated into Media but are still eastward of the
Parthians.]

FACE C, base

124 I slew. Their spoil I carried away. The cities I threw
down, dug up (and) burned with fire. An image of my
Majesty
125 in the country of Kharkhara I set up. Yan'su son of
Khaban with his abundant treasures
126 his gods, his sons, his daughters, his soldiers in large numbers
I carried off. To Assyria I brought (them). In my
25th campaign
127 the Euphrates at its flood I crossed. The tribute of the
Kings of the Hittites, all of them, I received. The country
of Amanus
128 I traversed. To the cities of Cati of the country of the
Kahuians I descended. The city of Timur, his strong
city
129 I besieged, I captured. Their fighting men I slew. Its
spoil I carried away. The cities to a countless number I
threw down, dug up,
130 (and) burned with fire. On my return, the city of Muru,
the strong city of Arame the son of Agu'si,
131 (as) a possession for myself I took. Its entrance-space
I marked out. A palace, the seat of my Majesty, in the
middle (of it) I founded.
132 In my 26th year for the seventh time the country of the
Amanus I traversed. For the fourth time to the cities
of Cati
133 of the country of the Kahuians I went. The city of Tanacun,
the strong city of Tulca I approached. Exceeding
fear
134 of Assur my Lord overwhelmed him and (when) he had
come out my feet he took. His hostages I took. Silver,
gold,
135 iron, oxen, (and) sheep, (as) his tribute I received. From
the city of Tanacun I departed. To the country of
Lamena
136 I went. The men collected themselves. An inaccessible
mountain they occupied. The peak of the mountain I
assailed,
137 I took. Their fighting men I slew. Their spoil, their
oxen, their sheep, from the midst of the mountain I
brought down.
138 Their cities I threw down, dug up (and) burned with
fire. To the city of Khazzi I went. My feet they took.
Silver (and) gold,
139 their tribute, I received. Cirri, the brother of Cati to the
sovereignty over them
140 I set. On my return to the country of Amanus I ascended.
Beams of cedar I cut,
141 I removed, to my city Assur[1] I brought. In my 27th
year the chariots of my armies I mustered. Dayan-Assur
142 the Tartan,[2] the Commander of the wide-spreading army,
at the head of my army to the country of Armenia I
urged,
143 I sent. To Bit-Zamani he descended. Into the low
ground to the city of Ammas he went down. The river
Arzane he crossed.
144 'Seduri of the country of the Armenians heard, and to
the strength of his numerous host
145 he trusted; and to make conflict (and) battle against me
he came. With him I fought.
146 A destruction of him I made. With the flower of his
youth [3] his broad fields I filled. In my 28th year
147 when in the city of Calah I was stopping news had been
brought (me, that) men of the Patinians
148 Lubarni their Lord had slain (and) 'Surri (who was) not
heir to the throne to the kingdom had raised.
149 Dayan-Assur the Tartan, the Commander of the wide-spreading
army at the head of my host (and) my camp[4]
150 I urged, I sent. The Euphrates in its flood he crossed.
In the city of Cinalua his royal city
151 a slaughter he made. (As for) 'Surri the usurper, exceeding
fear of Assur my Lord
152 overwhelmed him, and the death of his destiny he went.[5]
The men of the country of the Patinians from before the
sight of my mighty weapons

[Footnote 1: The Ellasar of Genesis, now Kalah Shergat.]

[Footnote 2: "Turtanu" ("chief prince") in Assyrian.]

[Footnote 3: Or, "the chiefs of his young warriors.">[

[Footnote 4: The word properly means "baggage." and sometimes signifies "standard," which may be the translation here.]

[Footnote 5: That is, he died as was fated.]

FACE D, base

153 fled, and the children of 'Surri together with the soldiers, the rebels, (whom) they had taken they delivered to me. 154 Those soldiers on stakes I fixed. 'Sa'situr of the country of Uzza my feet took. To the kingdom 155 over them I placed (him). Silver, gold, lead, bronze, iron, (and) the horns of wild bulls to a countless number I received. 156 An image of my Majesty of great size I made. In the city of Cinalua his royal city in the temple of his gods I set it up. In 157 my 29th year (my) army (and) camp I urged, I sent. To the country of Cirkhi[1] I ascended. Their cities I threw down, 158 dug up, (and) burned with fire. Their country like a thunderstorm I swept. Exceeding 159 fear over them I cast. In my 30th year when in the city of Calah I was stopping, Dayan-Assur 160 the Tartan, the Commander of the wide-spreading army at the head of my army I urged, I sent. The river Zab 161 he crossed. To the midst of the cities of the city of Khupuscã he approached. The tribute of Datana 162 of the city of the Khupuscians I received. From the midst of the cities of the Khupuscians 163 I departed.[2] To the midst of the cities of Maggubbi of the country of the Madakhirians he approached. The tribute 164 I received. From the midst of the cities of the country of the Madakhirians he departed. To the midst of the cities of Udaci 165 of the country of the Mannians he approached. Udaci of the country of the Mannians from before the sight of my mighty weapons 166 fled, and the city of Zirta, his royal city, he abandoned. To save his life he ascended (the mountains). 167 After him I pursued. His oxen, his sheep, his spoil, to a countless amount I brought back. His cities 168 I threw down, dug up, (and) burned with fire. From the country of the Mannians[3] he departed. To the cities of Sulu'sunu of the country of Kharru 169 he approached. The city of Mairsuru, his royal city, together with the cities which depended on it he captured. (To) Sulu'sunu 170 together with his sons mercy I granted. To his country I restored him. A payment (and) tribute of horses I imposed. 171 My yoke upon him I placed. To the city of Surdira he approached. The tribute of Arta-irri 172 of the city of the Surdirians I received. To the country of Par'sua[4] I went down. The tribute of the Kings 173 of the country of Par'sua I received. (As for) the rest of the country of Par'sua which did not reverence Assur, its cities 174 I captured. Their spoil, their plunder to Assyria I brought. In my 31st year, the second time, the cyclical-feast 175 of Assur and Rimmon I had inaugurated.[5] At the time while I was stopping in the city of Calah, Dayan-Assur 176 the Tartan, the Commander of my wide-spreading army, at the head of my army (and) my camp I urged, I sent. 177 To the cities of Datâ of the country of Khupuscä he approached. The tribute I received. 178 To the city of Zapparia, a stronghold of the country of Muzatsira, I went. The city of Zapparia together with 179 forty-six cities of the city of the Muzatsirians I captured. Up to the borders of the country of the Armenians 180 I went. Fifty of their cities I threw down, dug up (and) burned with fire. To the country of Guzani[6] I went down. The tribute 181 of Upu of the country of the Guzanians, of the country of the Mannians, of the country of the Buririans, of the country of the Kharranians,[7] 182 of the country of the Sasganians, of the country of the Andians,[8] (and) of the country of the Kharkhanians, oxen, sheep, (and) horses 183 trained to the yoke I received. To the cities of the country of … I went down. The city of Perria 184 (and) the city of Sitivarya, its strongholds, together with 22 cities which depended upon it, I threw down, dug up 185 (and) burned with fire. Exceeding fear over them I cast. To the cities of the Parthians he went. 186 The cities of Bustu, Sala-khamanu (and) Cini-khamanu, fortified towns, together with 23 cities 187 which depended upon them I captured. Their fighting-men I slew. Their spoil I carried off. To the country of Zimri I went down. 188 Exceeding fear of Assur (and) Merodach overwhelmed them. Their cities they abandoned. To 189 inaccessible mountains they ascended. Two hundred and fifty of their cities I threw down, dug up (and) burned with fire. 190 Into the lowground of Sime'si at the head of the country of Khalman I went down.

[Footnote 1: The mountainous country near the sources of the Tigris.]

[Footnote 2: That is in the person of his commander-in-chief,
Dayan-Assur.]

[Footnote 3: The modern Van.]

[Footnote 4: Parthia.]

[Footnote 5: This refers to his assuming the eponymy a second time after completing a reign of thirty years. At this period the Assyrian kings assumed the eponymy on first ascending the throne, and the fact that Shalmaneser took the same office again in his thirty-first year shows that a cycle of thirty years was in existence.]

[Footnote 6: The Gozan of the Old Testament.]

[Footnote 7: Haran or Harran in the Old Testament; called Carrhæ by the classical geographers.]

[Footnote 8: Andia was afterward incorporated into Assyria by Sargon.]