1050-950 A dark age. The fortunes of Assyria are at low ebb. In this period reigned Asshurnazirpal II, Erba-Adad, Asshur-nadin-akhe, and Asshur-erbi. The last loses territory to the Aramæans, but he seems to have invaded Phœnicia.
950 Tiglathpileser II, who calls himself “King of Kishshati and King of Asshur.”
930 Asshur-dan II, his son.
911 Adad-nirari II.—Revival of struggle with Babylonia. Defeats Shamash-mudammik of Babylon in battle of Mount Yalman, also his successor Nabu-shum-ishkun. Assyrian cities given to Babylonia. Treaty of peace between the two nations.
890 Tukulti-Ninib II.—The period of weakness is passing. Babylon ceases to be troublesome, and the Assyrians begin to seek tribute in the north and west. The king ravages Armenia and the land of Kummukh.
THIRD PERIOD, 885-722 B.C.
885 Asshurnazirpal III, begins campaigns of conquest at once. In ten years all of Tiglathpileser I’s empire in the north, east, and west, conquered or intimidated into subjection with atrocious cruelties and barbarous devastations, is under heavy tribute.
876 A great invasion of the west. At his approach all the cities from Carchemish to Tyre hasten to send presents and arrange for tribute. The campaign ends in the gathering of timber for the temple of Ishtar at Nineveh.
867 A short and bloody campaign against Kummukh, Qurkhi and the country around Mount Masius. Asshurnazirpal rebuilds Calah, and constructs a canal to supply the city with water from the Lower Zab.
Monuments.—The royal palace unearthed at Nimrud; monolith containing accounts of his reign discovered by Layard at Nimrud; several lesser inscriptions.