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[Sennacherib], great king, [strong king, king of the world], king of Assyria, [king of the] four [quar]ters (of the world), capable [shepherd, (i 5) favorite of the] great [gods, guardian of truth] who loves justice, [renders] assistance, [goes to the aid of] the weak, (and) [strives after good deeds], (i 10) perfect man, vi[rile warrior], foremost of all [rulers], the bridle that controls the insub[missive], (and) the one who strikes enem[ies] with lightning:
The god Aššur, the great mountain, granted to me unrival[led] sovereignty [and] made [my] weapons greater than (those of) all who sit on (royal) dais[es]. He made [all of the black]-headed (people) from the Upp[er] Sea of the Setting Su[n] (i 20) to the Low[er] Sea of the Rising Su[n] bow down [at my] fe[et].
Lacuna
[I] joy[fully entered his palace, which is in Babylon], then I opened [his] trea[sury and] brought out [gold], silver, gold (and) [silver] utensils, precious stones, (i 5´) all kinds of possessions (and) property without number, a substantial tribute, (together with) his palace women, courtiers, attendants, male singers, female singers, all of the craftsmen, as many as there were, (and) his palace attendants, and I counted (them) as booty.
With the strength of the god Aššur, my lord, I surrounded, conquered, (and) plundered 75 of his fortified cities, fortresses of Chaldea, and 420 small(er) settlements in their environs. I brought out the auxiliary forces of the Arameans (and) Chaldeans who were in Uruk, Nippur, Kish, Ḫursagkalama, Cutha, (and) Sippar, together with the guilty citizens, and I counted (them) as booty.
On my return march, I defeated all together the Tuʾumuna, Riḫiḫu, Yadaqqu, Ubudu, Gibrê, Maliḫu (Malaḫu), Gurumu, (i 25´) Ubulu, Damunu, Gambulu, Ḫindaru, Ruʾuʾa, Puqudu, Ḫamrānu, Ḫagarānu, Nabatu, (and) Liʾtaʾu, (i 30´) insubmissive Arameans. I carried off into Assyria a substantial booty (consisting of) 208,000 people, young (and) old, male and female, horses, mules, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep and goats, which were without number.
In the course of my campaign, I received a substantial audience gift from Nabû-bēl-šumāti, the official in charge of the city Ḫararatu: gold, silver, large musukkannu-trees, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep and goats.
I put to the sword the population of the city Ḫirimmu, a dangerous enemy, and I did not spare a single one. I hung their corpses on poles (and) placed (them) around the city. (ii 5) I reorganized that district (and) [imposed] for eternity [one] yoke ox, ten sheep, ten homers of wine, (and) [twenty homers of dates] as his first-fruits offerings [to the gods of] Assyria, [my lords].
Lacuna
[I bro]ught out [of them ...] ... [...] sheep and goa[ts, and I counted] (them) as booty. [Moreover, I destroyed, devastated, (and) tur]ned into ruins [their small(er) settlements], which were without number. [I burn]ed [with fire pavilions (and) te]nts, their abodes, and reduced (them) to ashes.
I made that city Bīt-Kilamzaḫ a fortress [again] (and) I strengthened its walls more than before, then [I settled therein] the people of the lands that I had conquered.
Lacuna
I had a st[ele made], had [all the victorious] conquests [that I achieved over them written] on it, [and I erected (it) in (that) city].
I turned [around] (lit. “I turned the front of my yoke”) and took the roa[d to the land Ellipi. (ii 5´´) Before my arrival], Ispabāra, [their] king, abandoned [his fortified cities] (and) his treasury [and fled far away. I overwhelmed] all of his wide land [like a fog]. I surrounded, conquered, destroyed, devas[tated], (and) burned [with] fire the cities Marʾubištu (and) [Akkuddu], (ii 10´´) cities of [his] royal house, toget[her with] thirty-four small(er) settlements [in] their environs.
I carried off people, young (and) old, male [and female], horses, mules, donkey[s], camels, (ii 15´´) oxen, and sheep and goat[s] without number, then I brought him (Ispabāra) to nought and made his land smaller. I detached from his land the cities Ṣi(ṣ)ṣirtu (and) Kummaḫlum, fortified cities, [to]gether with the small(er) settlements (ii 20´´) in their environs (and) the district of the land Bīt-Barrû in its entirety, and I added (this area) to the territory of Assyria.
I took the city Elenzaš as a royal city and a fortress for that district, then I changed its former name and called it Kār-Sennacherib. I settled therein the people of the lands that I had conquered. (ii 30´´) I placed (it) under the authority of a eunuch of mine, the governor of the city Ḫarḫar, and (thus) enlarged my land.
On my return march, I received a substantial payment from the distant Medes, of whose land none of the kings, my ancestors, had heard mention. (Thus) I made them bow down to the yoke of my lordship.
ruling
On my third campaign, I marched to the land Ḫatti. Fear of my lordly brilliance over[whelmed] Lulî, the king of the city Sidon, and (iii 5) he fled afar into [the midst of] the sea and disappeared. The awesome terror of the weapon of the god Aššur, my lord, overwhelmed the cities Great Sidon, Lesser Sidon, Bīt-Zitti, Ṣarepta, Maḫalliba, [Ušû], (iii 10) Akzibu, (and) Acco, his fortified [cit]ies (and) fortresses, [an area of pasture(s) and] water-place(s), resources upon which he relied, [and they bowed do]wn at my feet.
[I placed] Tu-Baʾ[lu on the royal throne] over them and [imposed upon] him [tribute (and) pay]ment (in recognition) of [my overlordship (to be delivered) yearly (and) without interrup]tion.
Lacuna
[I imposed upon him (Šarru-lū-dāri) the payment of tribute (and) gifts (in recognition) of] my [overlor]dship [so that he (now) pulls] my yoke.
[In the course of my campaign], I surrounded, [conquered, (and) plund]ered the cities [Bīt-Dagan]na, Joppa, [Banayabarqa], (and) Azuru, (iii 5´) [the cities of Ṣ]idqâ that had not submitted [to me qu]ickly.
(As for) the governors, the noble[s, and the peopl]e of the city Ekron who had thrown Padî, their [king] who was bound by treaty (iii 10´) and oaths to Assyria, into iron fetters and who had handed him over to Hezekiah of the land Judah in a hostile manner, they became frightened on account of the villainous acts they had committed. They formed a confederation with the kings of Egypt (and) the archers, (iii 15´) chariots, (and) horses of the king of the land Meluḫḫa, forces without number, and they came to their aid.
In the plain of the city Eltekeh, they sharpened their weapons while drawing up in battleline before me. With the support of the god Aššur, my lord, I fought with them and defeated them. In the thick of battle, I captured alive the Egyptian charioteers and princes (lit. “the sons of the king”), together with the charioteers of the king of the land Meluḫḫa.
I surrounded, conquered, (and) plundered the cities Eltekeh (and) Tamnâ. I approached the city Ekron and I killed the governors (and) nobles who had committed crime(s) and (iii 30´) hung their corpses on towers around the city; I counted the citizens who had committed the criminal acts as booty; (and) I commanded that the rest of them, (those) who were not guilty of crimes or wrongdoing, (to) whom no penalty was due, be allowed to go free.
I brought out Padî, their king, from the city Jerusalem and placed (him) on the lordly throne over them, then I imposed upon him [pay]ment (in recognition) of [my] overlordship.
Moreover, (as for) He[ze]kiah of the land Judah, [who had not] submitted to my yoke, I surrounded (and) conquered forty-six of [his] fortified [wa]lled cit[ies] and small(er) [settlements] in their environs, (iv 10) which were without number, by having ramps trodden down and battering rams brought up, the assault of foot soldiers, sapping, breaching, and siege engines. I brought out of them 200,150 people, young (and) old, male and female, horses, mules, donkeys, (iv 15) camels, oxen, and sheep and goats, which were without number, and I counted (them) as booty.
As for him (Hezekiah), I confined him inside the city Jerusalem, his royal city, like a bird in a cage. (iv 20) I set up blockades [against] him and [made] made him dread ex[iti]ng his city gate. [I detached from] his land [the cities of his that I had plundered and I gave (them) to Mitinti, the king of] the city Ashdod, [Padî, the king of the city E]kron, [and Ṣilli-Bēl, the king of the city G]az[a],
Lacuna
[and], after my (departure), he (Hezekiah) had [the auxiliary forces and] his eli[te troops whom he] had brought inside [to strengthen] the city Jerusalem, [his royal city], thereby gaining reinforceme[nts, along with] 30 talents of gold, (iv 5´) 800 [talents of silver, ch]oice antimony, large blocks of ..., ivory beds, [armch]airs of ivory, elephant hide(s), elephant ivory, [ebony, boxwood], every kind of [valuable] treasu[re], (iv 10´) as well as his daughters, his palace women, [male singers, (and) female singers] brought into Nineveh, [my] capi[tal] city, [and] he sent a mounted messenger of his to me to deliver (this) [pay]ment and to do obeisance.
ruling
On [my] fourth campaign, the god Aššur, my lord, encouraged me so that I mustered my numerous troops and ordered the march to the land Bīt-[Ya]kīn. In the course of my camp[aign], I defeated Šūzubu (Mušēzib-Marduk), a Chaldean who lives in the marshes, (iv 20´) at the city Bittūtu. As for him, terror of doing battle with me fell upon him and his heart pounded. He fled alone like a lynx and [his] (hiding) place could not be found.
I turned around (lit. “I turned the front of my yoke”) and took the road to the land Bīt-Yakīn. He — Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-baladan), whom I had defeated and whose forces I had scattered [during] my first campaign — became frightened by the clangor of my mighty weapons (iv 30´) and my fierce battle array, then [dislodged] the gods of the (full) extent of [his] land [from their abodes, and loaded] (them) onto boats. He flew away like a bird to (the city) Nagīte-raqqi, which is in the midst of the sea. [I] brought his brothers, the seed of his father’s house, whom he had abandoned at the shore of the sea, together with the rest of the people of his land, out of the land Bīt-Yakīn, (v 1) which is in the swamps (and) [marshes], and I counted (them) as booty.
[Once again] I destroyed (and) devastated his cities, (and) [turned (them) into ruins]. I poured out awe-inspiring brilliance upon his ally, the king of the land Elam.
On my return ma[rch], I placed Aššur-nādin-šumi, my first-born son (whom I) [rai]sed on my (own) knee, on his lo[rd]ly throne and entrusted him with the wide land of Sumer and Akkad.
From the booty of those lands that I had plundered, I conscripted 20,000 archers (and) 15,000 shield bearers and added (them) to my royal contingent. I divided up the rest of the substantial enemy booty (v 15) like sheep and goats among my entire camp (and) my governors, (and) the people of my great cult centers.
ruling
At that time, Nineveh, the exalted cult center, the city loved by the goddess Ištar (v 20) in which all of the rituals for gods and goddesses are present; the enduring foundation (and) eternal base whose [plan] had been designed by the stars (lit. “writing”) of the firmament and whose arrangement was made manifest since time immemorial; (v 25) [a sophisti]cated [place] (and) site of secret lore in which every kind of [skil]led [craftsmanship], all of the rituals, (and) [the secret(s) of the lalgar] (cosmic subterranean water) are apprehended;
[in which since time immemorial] ea[rl]ier [king]s, [my ancestors, before] me (v 30) exercised dominion over Assyria and ruled the subjects of the god En[lil]; (but) not one among them had conceived of [and put his mind] towards increasing the site of the city, building wall(s), straightening the streets, or dredging the river (and) planting orchards; nor had any (of them) paid heed to (or) shown (v 35) interest in [the palace inside it], the seat of lordly dwelling whose [site had become too sm]all (and) whose construction was inexpert:
(But) as for me, Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, the performing of this work came to my attention by the will of the gods and I put my mind to it. I forcibly removed the people of Chaldea, Aramean (tribes), the land of the Manneans, the lands Que, Ḫilakku, (and) Philistia, (v 45) and the land (of the city) Tyre, who had not submitted to my yoke, then I made them carry baskets (of earth and) they made bricks.
The former palace, which was 360 cubits long, 80 cubits wide opposite the zamû-wall of the ziggurrat, (v 50) 134 cubits wide opposite the tower of the temple of the goddess Ištar, (and) 95 cubits wide opposite the tower of the Bīt-Kidmuri; which earlier kings, my ancestors, [had had] constructed for their lordly dwelling, but whose construction they had carried out inexpertly:
[They quarri]ed mountain sheep colossi of white limestone [in the city T]astiate, which is across the Tigris River, to be their (the palatial halls’) gatekeepers. Throughout their entire land [they depleted] forests [of large trees to have] boats [bu]ilt. (v 60) [In the month Ayyāru (II), the time of] spring [fl]oods, [they brought] (the colossi) across [to this side] (of the river) with difficulty [in] magnificent [boats]. They sank [large bo]ats [at the quay dock (and then) made their] cre[ws strugg]le (and) strain. (v 65) With might and ma[in], they [strug]gled to transport (the colossi) and ins[tall (them) in their gates].
The Tebilti River, a [tempestuous] flood (of water) which had flowed from distant days by the side of the palace and which had caused erosion [in its foundation] when its flood was in full sp[ate] (and) had shaken [its base]:
[I tore down] that small palace in its entirety, [then] I chan[ged] the course of the Tebilti River, repaired (the effects of) the erosion, and directed [its] out[flow].
In the hidden depths of its subterranean waters I bonded together, with bitumen, reeds below (and) strong mountain stone above, then I raised (that) area out of [the water and co]nverted (it) [to dry land]. I added to the dimensions of the former terrace a plot of land that was 288 cubits wide. (vi 10) In total, I filled in and measured a terrace of 700 large aslu-cubits along (its) longer side, 176 large aslu-cubits along (its) upper, northern shorter side, 268 [large aslu-cubits along the] inner, [shorter side], (which is) opposite [the zamû-wall of the shrine behind] (the temple of) the goddess Ištar, 443 [lar]ge aslu-[cubits] along (vi 15) the other, parallel, inner shorter side, (which is) on the west behind the zig[gur]rat of the temple of the goddess Ištar, (and) 386 large aslu-cubits along the lower, southern shorter side, (which is) beside the Tigris River.
So that the construction of my palace might be carried out correctly and that my handiwork be completed, at that time, [the god Aš]šur and the goddess Ištar revealed [to me the pres]ence of [white] limestone in the city Balāṭāya. (vi 25) Therein, I qua[rrie]d [mighty] mountain sheep coloss[i], sphinxes, and [large] stone [slabs] for the gates of my lordly palace.
In order to prevent the foundation of the terrace from being weakened over the passage of time by cresting flood(s), (vi 30) I surrounded its base with large limestone (slabs and thereby) reinforced its base.
I inscribed objects bearing my name [160 cour]ses of brick within the terrace and [I] deposited (them) deep down [in its foundation] for ever after.
Afterwards, I de[cided] to [increase the height of the ter]race, [then I added] 30 [cour]ses of brick to the former (terrace) and (thus) I [raised (it) to a heig]ht of 190 courses of brick. [I] made the area larger than [before], (vi 40) added (it) to the [former] dimensions of the pal[ace], and (thus) enlarged [its structure].
I had a palace of breccia, [alabaster], elephant ivory, ebony, boxwood, [musukkannu-wood], cedar, cyp[ress, juniper, and elammaku-wood], (vi 45) (a palace that I named) Egalzagdi[nutukua (“The Palace Without a Rival”), constructed [thereon as my royal residence].
[I roofed them (the palatial halls) with beams of cedar (and) cypress], who[se scent is sweet, product(s) of] Mount [Amanus (and) the yield of Mount Sirāra], the [holy] mountain[s]. I [fastened bands of shining silver (and) bright copper on] (vi 50) mag[nificent doors of cedar, cypress, (and) juniper and I installed (them) in their gates. I decorated] th[em (the doors) with silver and copper knobbed] nai[ls. I adorned the arches], friez[es, and all of the copings with baked bricks] (vi 55) (glazed in the color of) obsidian (and) [lapis lazuli].
[For] my lordly [pleasure, I had] a por[tico, a replica of a Hittite palace], which [is called] bīt-ḫilā[ni] in [the language of the land Amurru, constructed inside them].
Twelve [striding] lions [of shining copper] (and) fierce [demeanor, (which were) standing opposite one another], which [were skillfully cast] through the craftsmanship of the god [Ninagal, and] which were filled with rad[iance] — upon (those) lion colos[si I] installed [two] identical [columns that were] c[ast fro]m [bronze], together with four large [cedar] colu[mns], and I positioned cross-beams (upon them) as a cor[nice for their gates].
[I cover]ed [ten sphinxes of cast] bright [urudû-coppe]r with [shining] zaḫalû-silv[er] and (over them), over ten sphin[xes of ala]baster, (and) over twelve sphin[xes of cast] ...-metal [I erected] two mag[nificent] ebony columns, [whose inlays are pašallu-gold], and columns of [cedar, cypress, (and) daprānu-juniper] (vi 75) with eš[marû-silver and bronze] inlays, [and I positioned the architraves of my] lord[ly] palatial halls (on those columns).
Moreover, [I made] twelve mountain sheep [colossi of cast bright urudû-copper, which are splendid] in form (and) [perfect in shape], (vii 1) two moun[tain] sheep [colossi of alabaster], (and) seventy-two mountain sheep [colossi and sphinxes of] whit[e] limestone suitable for holding the door bolt(s) for leaving and entering.
I engraved on slabs of breccia (and) [alabaster], and on [large] limestone slabs (images of) the enemy settlements that [I] had conquered. I surrounded their (the palace rooms’) lower courses (with them and) made (them) an object of wonder.
I planted alongside it (the palace) a botanical garden, a replica of Mount Amanus, which has all kinds of aromatic plants (and) fruit trees, trees that are the mainstay of the mountains and Chaldea, collected inside it.
Nineveh, the site of whose circumference had been [9],300 [cubits] since former times (and) for which no [ea]rlier ruler had had an inner or outer [wa]ll built — I added 12,515 (cubits) [in] the plain around the city to (its) previous measurement and (thus) [established its dimensions as] 21,8[15 large cubits].
[I laid the foundation of] its [great] wall, [Badnigalbilukurašušu], (which means) “Wall [Whose Brilliance Overwhelms Enemies],” upon limesto[ne and made (it) 40 bricks thick. I raised its superstructure] 180 [courses of brick high].
I had [fourteen gates] op[ened up in it] in fou[r directions], in front and be[hind, (and) along both sides], for en[tering and leaving].
“The God Šarur [Is the One Who Cuts Down the King’s Enemy”: (this is) the Ḫandūru] Gate. “May [the Vice-Regent of the God Aššur Endure”]:
Lacuna
(this is) [the Šamaš] G[ate, which (leads to) the land Gagal]. “O Iš[tar Bless the One Who Provides for You!”: (this is) the Mullissu] Ga[te, which (leads to) the city Kār-Mullissi]. “The One [Who Exorcises the ‘Flesh’ of the Asakku-demon”: (this is) the Step Gate]. (vii 5´) “The Choi[cest of Grain and Flocks] Are [Constantly Inside It”: (this is) the gate (that leads to) the city Šibaniba. “The Bearer] of the Produce of the Mountains”: (this is) the gate (that leads to) the land Ḫalaḫḫu. In total, eight gates (facing) the rising sun, towards the south and east, (vii 10´) (and) I gave them (these) names.
“The God Adad Is the Provider of Prosperity to the Land”: (this is) the Adad Gate, which (leads to) the game preserve. “[The God] Erra Is the One Who Cuts Down Enemies”: (this is) the Nergal Gate, which (leads to) the city Tarbiṣu. (vii 15´) “[The God Igi]sigsig Is the One Who Makes Orchards Flourish”: (this is) the Gate of the Gardens. In total, three gates (facing) towards the north (and) I gave them (these) names.
“The God Ea Is the One Who Properly Directs (Water Flow into) My Cisterns”: (this is) the Mašqû Gate. (vii 20´) “The One Who Brings in Income from the Settlements”: (this is) the Quay Gate. “The One Who Regulates Everything”: (this is) the Armory Gate. In total, three gates (facing) towards the west (and) I gave them (these) names.
I opened up a foundation pit for the outer wall, Badnigerimḫuluḫa, (which means) “Terrorizer of Enemies,” then I dug down forty-five nindanu and made (it) reach the water table. I bound together strong mountain stone in the water below and above I expertly carried out its construction with large limestone (blocks) up to its copings.
[I en]larged the site of Nineveh, my capital city. [I broad]ened [its] squar[es, making (them) as bright as day].
Lacuna
Lacuna
I had [a bridge] constructed [opposite the Citadel Gate with paving stones of white limestone] for the passage of my lordly chariot.
[Besi]de the city, in a botanical garden (one) pānu (in size and) a garden (one) pānu (in size) for a game preserve, I gathered every type of aromatic tree of the land Ḫatti, fruit trees of all la[nds], (and) trees that are the mainstay of the mountains and Chal[dea]. Upstream of the city, on newly tilled soil, I planted vines, every type of fruit tree, and olive trees.
For the expansion of orchards, I subdivided the meadowland upstream of the city into plots of two pānu each for the citizens of Nineveh and I handed (them) over to them. To make (those) [plan]ted areas luxuriant, (viii 15´) [I cut with] iron [pi]cks [a] canal [straight through] mountain and valley, from the border of the city Kisiru [to the] plain of Nineveh. [I caused an inexhaustible supply of water to f]low [there for a distance of one and a half leagues from the Ḫu]sur [River ...] ...
Lacuna
[...] ... [...] Wi[ld] boars (and) [roe deer] ga[ve birth in abun]dance.
I cut down musukkan[nu]-trees (and) cypress trees grown in the orchards (and) marsh reeds from the swamps and I used (them) in the work required (to build) my lordly palatial halls.
After I had finished the work on my palace, (viii 10´´) I invited inside it the god Aššur, the great lord, (and) the gods and goddesses living in Assyria, then I made splendid offerings and presented my gift(s). (viii 15´´) I made fine oil from olives and aromatics from the orchards (planted) on newly tilled soil. At the inauguration of the palace, I had the heads of the subjects of my land drenched (and) I watered their insides with sweet wine.
In the future, may one of the kings, my descendants, whom the god Aššur names for shepherding the land and people, renovate its dilapidated section(s) when that wall becomes old and dilapidated. May he find an inscribed object bearing my name, (viii 25´´) anoint (it) with oil, make an offering, (and) return (it) to its place. The god Aššur and the goddess Ištar will (then) hear his prayers.
ruling
[The month ..., the ...]-eighth [day, eponymy of Nabû-dūrī]-uṣur, [governor of the city Tam]nunna (697).
[The month ...], the twenty-third day, [eponymy of Nabû]-dūrī-uṣur, [governor of] the city [Tam]nunna (697).
Nisannu (I), the twenty-seventh day, eponymy of Nabû-dūrī-uṣur, governor of the city Tamnunna (697).
Duʾūzu (IV), the twelfth day, epo[nymy of Nabû-dūrī-uṣur, governor of the city Tamnunna] (697).
... [...] ... [...].