Whilst Sargon was busy in Babylonia, the governor of Quê invaded Musku (Mesech) and brought the [pg 372] country to subjection. The seven kings of Cyprus also sent gifts, and a stele of Sargon was set up in the island, which, though mutilated, is of considerable importance, and is now preserved in the Berlin Museum. Kummuḫ (Comagene) was also added to the Assyrian empire (708 b.c.), and probably in the same year, a new king (in consequence of a dispute concerning the succession) set up in the land of Ellipu. In this reign also, the Elamites were generally against the Assyrians in their conflicts in Babylonia and on the eastern borders.
Concerning his death there is much uncertainty. The supposition is, that he was assassinated by one of his soldiers, as is indicated by the entry in an eponym-list with historical references—
Lîmme Upaḫḫir-bêlu, D.P. šakin âl Amedi ...
îna êli purussî Kulummâa....
amēl tidûki madaktam ša šar mât Aššur D.S....
âraḫ Abi, ûmu šinšēru, Sin-âḫê-êriba (îna
kussī ittušib).
“Eponymy of Upaḫḫir-bêlu, prefect of the city Amedu....
according to the oracle of the Kulummite(s)....
a soldier (entered) the camp of the king of Assyria (and killed him?).