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I, Ashurbani[pal], great [king], strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, [king of the fou]r [quarters (of the world)], offspring of Esarh[addon, king of Assyria], governor of Babylon, ki[ng of the land of Sumer and Akkad], descendant of Sennacher[ib, king of the world, king of Assyria] —
The great gods in their assembly [determined] a favo[rable] destiny [as my lot] (and) they granted me a broad mind (and) [allowed] my mind [to learn] all of the scr[ibal arts. They glorified] the mention of [my] na[me] in the assembly of princes (lit. “stags”) (and) made my kingship great; they generously granted me power, vir[ility], (and) outstanding strength; (and) they placed lands that had not bowed down to me into my hands (and) allowed me to achieve my heart’s desire.
They required my priestly services (and) my giving (them) food offerings pleased their divinity. I completed the sanctuaries of the great gods, my lords, clad (them) with gold (and) silver, (and) had long-haired heroes, lion-headed eagles, (and) tall columns erected in their gate(s). I made Ešarra, Emašmaš, Egašankalama, (and) Eḫulḫul shine like the stars (lit. “writing”) of the heavens. I made every type of temple appurtenance from gold (and) silver, (and) I added (them) to those of the kings, my ancestors. (i 20) I made regular offerings (and) contributions more plentiful than those of distant days. I was assiduous towards the sanctuaries of the gods (and) constantly followed their ways.
The god Adad released his rains (and) the god Ea opened up his springs. Grain was five cubits high in its furrow (and) ear(s) of corn were five-sixths of a cubits long. Successful harvest(s and) an abundance of grain enabled pasture land to continually flourish, fruit orchards to be very lush with fruit, (and) cattle to successfully give birth to (their) young. During my reign, there was plenitude (and) abundance; during my years, bountiful produc[e] was accumulated.
Throughout my entire land, (on account of) abundant trade, for (one) shekel of sil[ver] one could purchase ten donkey-loads of grain, one homer of wine, two seahs of oil, (and) one talent of woo[l]. Year after year, I shepherded the subje[cts of the god Enlil] in prosperity and with justice.
I ru[led] from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea [and] kings from the rising sun and the setting [sun] carried their substantial tribute to me. I made the people from the midst of the sea (and) those who live on high mountains bow down t[o] my [yo]ke. By the command of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar, the kings who sit upon (royal) daises kiss my feet (and) great rulers from (both) east and west are anxious for me to be their ally.
ruling
On my first campaign, I marched to Makan (Egypt) and Meluḫḫa (Ethiopia). Taharqa, the king of Egypt and Kush, whose defeat Esarhaddon — king of Assyria, the father who had engendered me — had brought about (and) whose land he ru[l]ed over, forgot the might of (the god) Aššur, the goddess Ištar, and the great gods, my lords, and trusted in his own counsel. (i 45) He marched against the kings (and) officials, whom the father who had engendered me had appointed inside Egypt, to kill (and) rob (them) and to take away Egypt (from them). He entered and resided i[n the city M]emphis, a city that the father who had engendered me had conquere[d] (and) made part of the territory of his land. A fast messenger came to Nineveh and reported (this) to me. (i 50) My heart became enraged about these deeds an[d my] tempe[r] turned hot. I mustered my elite forces that (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar had placed in my hands.
I quickly advanced to support (and) a[i]d the kings (and) officials who were in Egypt, servants who belonged to me, and I marched as far as the city Kār-Bānīti. Taharqa, the king of Egypt and Kush, heard about the advance of my expeditionary force (while he was) inside the city Memphis, and mustered his battle troops before me to wage armed battle (and) war. With the support of the gods Aššur, Bēl (Marduk), (and) Nabû, the great gods, my lords who march at my side, I brought about the defeat of his troops in a widespread pitched battle.
Taharqa heard about the defeat of his troops while (he was) inside the city Memphis. The awe-inspiring radiance of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Ištar overwhelmed him and he went into a frenzy. The brilliance of my royal majesty, with which the gods of heaven and netherworld had endowed me, covered him; he abandoned the city Memphis and, in order to save his (own) life, he fled inside the city Thebes. I seized that city (Memphis) (and then) made my troops enter (and) reside there.
(As for) the kings (and) governors whom the father who had engendered me had appointed in Egypt, who had abandoned their post(s) in the face of Taharqa’s tactical advance, (and) had gone to (lit. “filled”) the countryside, where their post(s) were, I permitted them to serve in their (former) positions again. I reorganized Egypt (and) Kush, which the father who had engendered me had conquered. I strengthened its guard more than previously (and) concluded (new) agreements with [it].
(As for) the cities Sais, Mendes, (and) Tanis, [which] had rebelled (and) sided with Taharqa, I conquered [tho]se cities (and) I killed the pe[ople livi]ng inside them with the sword. I hun[g their corpses on p]oles, fla[yed] them, (and) drape[d] the city wall(s with their skins).
[(As for) Šarru-lū-dāri, whom my father had installed as a ki]ng in Egypt [(and) who] plotted [evi]l (deeds) [again]st the Assyrians, I capt[ured] (him and) brought (him) to Assyria.
[(As for) Taharqa, in the place where] he had fled, [the a]wesome terr[or of the weapon of (the god) Aššur, my lord, ov]erwhelmed him and he p[as]sed away.
Afterwards, Tanutamon, the son of his sister, sat upon his [ro]yal th[rone]. He made the cities Thebes (and) Heliopolis his fo[rtre]sses (and) [ass]embled his forces. (ii 5) [To] fight against [the A]ssyrian troo[ps] who were inside the city Memphis, [he mobiliz]ed his battle array, confined [tho]se [people], and [cut o]ff t[heir] escape route. [A] fast [me]ssenger cam[e to Ninev]eh [and tol]d (this) to me.
[For a second time, I] took the direct road to Egypt (and) [Kush. Tanut]amon heard about [the advance of] my [expeditionary forc]e and
Lacuna
he (Tanutamon) fl[ed to the city Kipkipi. With the support of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar], I [conquered that city (Thebes)] in [its entirety].
[Silver, gold, precious stones], as much [property of his palace as there was, garment(s) with multi-colored trim, linen garments, large horses], (ii 5´) people — [male and female — two tall obelisks cast with] shiny [zaḫalû-metal], wh[ose weight was 2,500 talents (and which) stood at a temple gate, I ripped (them)] from where [they] were erecte[d and took (them) to Assyria. I carried off] substantial booty, [(which was) without number], from inside the city Thebes. (ii 10´) I made [m]y [weapons] prevail over Egy[pt and Kush] and (thus) ach[ieved victory]. With full hand(s), [I returned] safely to Nineveh, my capital city.
ruling
On my third campaign, I marched against Baʾalu, the king of the land Tyre who resides in the middle of the sea. Because he did not honor my royal command(s and) (ii 15´) [did not obey the pro]nouncement(s) from my lip(s), I set up [outpost]s against him. To prevent his people from leaving, [I reinforc]ed (its) garrison. By sea and dry land, I took control of (all of) [h]is ro[utes] (and thus) cut off (all) access to him. (ii 20´) I made the water (and) fo[o]d for the preservation of their lives scarce for their mouths. I confined them in a harsh impri[sonm]ent from which there was no escape. I constricted (and) cut short their lives. I made them (the people of Tyre) bow down to my yoke.
He brought before me (his) daughter, his own off[s]pring, and the daughters of his brothers to serve as housekeepers. He brought his son, who had never crossed the sea, to do obeis[an]ce to me. I received from him his daughter and the daughters of his brothers, together with a large marriage gift. I had mercy on him and (then) I gav[e] (his) son, his offspring, back to him.
I dismantled the outposts that I had [co]nstructed against Baʾalu, the king of the land Tyre. By sea and dry land, I opened (all of) his routes, as many as I had seized. I received from him his substantial payment. I returned safely to [N]ineveh, my capital city.
Rulers (who reside in) the middle of the sea and kings who reside in the hi[g]h mountains saw the might of t[hese] deeds of mine and became frightened of my lordly majesty. (As for) Yakīn-Lû, the king of the land Arwad, Mugallu, the king of the land Tabal, (ii 40´) (and) San[da]-šarme of the land Ḫi[l]akku (Cilicia), who had [not] bowed down to the kings, m[y] ancestors, they bowed down to my yoke. (ii 45´) They brought [(their) daughters], their own offspring, to Nineveh to serve as housekeepers, togethe[r with a] substantial [dowry] and a large marriage gift, and they kissed [my] fe[et]. I imposed upon Mugallu an annual payment of [large] horses.
After Yakī[n-Lû, the king of the land] Arwad, had gone [to (his) fa]te, [Azi-Baʾal], Abī-Baʾa[l], (and) Adūnī-Baʾal, the sons of Ya[kīn-Lû who reside in] the middle of the sea, came up from the middle of [the sea], came with [their sub]stantial audience gif[t(s)], and (ii 55´) kisse[d] my feet. I looked upon Azi-Baʾal with pleasure and installed (him) as king of the land Arwad. I [clothed] Abī-Baʾal (and) Adūnī-Baʾal in garment(s) with multi-colored trim (and) placed gold bracelet(s around their wrists). I m[ade t]hem [stand] before me.
(As for) Gyges, the king of the land Lydia — a region on the opposite shore of the sea, a remote place, the mention of whose name none of the kings, my ancestors, had (ever) heard — (the god) Aššur, the god who created me, made [him] se[e] in a dream my royal name. On the (very) day he saw this dream, he sent his mounted messenger to inquire about my well-being.
(As for) the Cimmerians, a dangerous enemy who had never feared my ancestors, and, with regard to me, had not grasped the feet of my royal majesty, (ii 70´) with the support of the gods Aššur (and) Marduk, my lords, he (Gyges) c[lamped (them)] i[n manacles], handcuffs, (and) neck-stocks [and sent (them)] before me, together wi[th] his substantial audience gift(s). I constantly saw the migh[t of the gods Aššur and Marduk].
ruling
On my fourth campaign, [I marched] to the city Qir[bit, which is inside] (Mount) Ḫarēḫasta (lit. “the city Ḫarēḫasta”), [since Tandāya], (iii 1) their city ruler, [had never bowed down] to the yoke of the kings, [my] ancestors, and the people livin[g in the city Qirbit] were constantly plunde[ring the land Yamutbal]. With the support of the gods Aššur, Bēl (Marduk), (and) S[în, the gods, my lords], I conquered (and) plundered that city. (As for) Ta[ndāya, their city ruler], I took (him) [to Assyria] together with captives from his city. [I took] the people of the city Qirbit, as many as I had carrie[d off, and] set[tled (them)] in Egypt.
ruling
On my fifth campaign, [I marched] against Aḫšēri, the king of the land [Mannea], who had never bowed down to the kings, my ancestors, (and) who always answere[d (them) with disrespect]. I mustered my battle troops. I made (them) take the direct road to conquer the land Mann[ea].
I went and (then) set up camp in the city [Dūr-Aššur] and pitched my camp (there). A[ḫšēr]i heard about the advance of my expeditionary force and [dispat]ched [his army. (iii 15) During the night, in a] crafty [ma]neuver, th[ey] approach[ed] to do battle, [to fi]ght with m[y] troops. My [bat]tle [troops] foug[ht] with them (and) [bro]ught about their defeat. (Over) an area (the distance of) [three leagues march], they filled the wide steppe with their corpses.
[By the command of the gods Aššur], Sîn, (and) Šamaš, the great gods, my lords, who had encouraged me, I entered [the land Mann]ea and marched about triumphantly. [In the course of] my [campai]gn, I conquered, destroyed, demolished, (and) burned with fire the cities Ayusiaš — a fortress (of his) — [Aššaš — a strong]hold of his — BusuD, Ašdiyaš, [Urkiyamun, Uppi]š, Siḫūa, (and) Naziniri — [eight fortified cities] — together with small(er settlements), [which] were [without number], a[s f]ar as the city Izirtu. I brought [peo]ple, horses, donkeys, oxen, (and) sh[eep and goats] out of those cities and I counted (them) as booty.
Aḫšēri heard about the advance of my expeditionary force and abandoned the city Izir[tu], his royal [c]ity. He fled to the city Atrāna, a city upon which he relied, (and) took refuge (there). I surrounded the cities [Iz]irtu, Urmēte, (and) Uzbia, his [forti]fied [cities]. I confined the people living in [tho]se cities an[d] (thus) constricted (and) [cut shor]t their lives. I conquered, destroyed, demolished, (and) burned that district with fire. (iii 40) I laid waste to (an area of) [fif]teen [da]ys march and poured out (over it) the silence (of desolation).
In the cou[rse of] my campaign, I conquered, burned with fire, (and) plundered the cities in the environs of the city Pa[ddi]ri, which the Manneans had taken away (and) appropriated for them[s]elves in the time of the kings, my ancestors. I returned those cities to the territory of Assyria.
I leveled (and) burned with fire the district of the city Arsiyaniš, which is betw[ee]n the city Azaqaya[n]i (Azaqanani) and (lit. “of”) Mount Ḫarsi, which is before the land of the Kumurdeans, who are in the land Mannea. I killed Rayadišadî, their fortress commander, (and) I pl[u]ndered it (Arsiyaniš).
I conquered the district of the city Eristeyana, flattened its [v]illages, burned (them) with fire, (and) plundered them. With the assault of my battle array, I laid [wa]ste to his district (and) made his entire land smaller. I returned safely with much plu[n]der (and) substantial booty (and) set foot in Assyrian territory.
(As for) the cities Birrū[a], Šarru-iqbi, (and) Gusinê, cities that were formerly within the territory of Assyria [wh]ich [the Manneans] had taken away [in the t]ime of the kings, my ancestors, I conquered those [set]tlements. I tore [the land Mannea] apart [from withi]n. [I carried off to Assyria (their) horses, (their) equipment, (and) the]ir [implements of war].
Lacuna
they [c]ast his (Aḫšēri’s) corpse [into a street of his city].
[Afterwards, Uallî], his [son], sat on his throne. He saw [the might of] the deities Aš[šur, Bēl (Marduk)], Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, (and) Ištar of A[rbel]a, the great gods, my lords, and (iii 5´b) bowed down to my yoke. For the preservation of his (own) life, he opened up his hands to me (and) made an appeal to my lordly majesty. He s[ent] Erisinni, his heir designate, to Nineveh [and] he kissed my feet. (iii 10´) I had mercy on him. [I dispatched my messenger with (a message of) goodwill to him]. He [sent me] (his) daughter, his own offspring, [to serve as a housekeeper]. (As for) his form[er] payment, [which] they had discontinued [in the time of the kings, my ancestors], they car[ried (it) before me]. I added thirty horses [to his] former [payment] and [imposed (it) upon him].
At that time, (as for) Birisḫatr[i, a city ruler of the Medes], (and) Sarati (and) [Pariḫi], two sons of Gagî, a ci[ty ruler of the land Saḫi], who had cast off the y[oke of my lordship], I conque[red (and) plundered] seventy-five of their fortified cities. [I captured] them alive (and) brought (them) to Nineveh, [my capital] c[ity].
(As for) Andaria, the governor of the land [Urarṭu], who had advanced (and) marched du[ring the night] to conquer the cities Uppu[mu and Kullimmeri], the people living in the city Kullimm[eri, servants who belonged to me, inflicted] a hea[vy] defeat on him during the night. They did not spare [anyone. They cut off] the head of Andaria [and they brought (it)] to Nineveh, befo[re me].
ruling
On my sixth campaign, [I marched] again[st Urtaku, the king of the land Elam] who [did not remember] the kindness of the father who had engendered [me (nor) did he respect my friendship]. After [famine occurred] in the land Elam (and) [hunger had set in, I sent to him] grain, (which) sustains the li[ve(s) of people, and] ... [...]
Lacuna
... [... I was not concerned about this news of] Ur[taku’s assault]. (Because) he had regularly s[ent his envoys (with messages) of peace before me], (iv 5´) I dispatch[ed my messenger] to see the ki[ng of the land Elam. He went quickly, returned, and reported to me] an acc[urate] report, saying: “The El[amites] cover the land Akka[d, all of it, like a swarm of locusts. Against Babylon], (his) camp [is pitched and (his) military cam]p [is laid].”
T[o aid the gods Bēl (Marduk) and] Nabû, g[ods of mine] whose divinity I constantly revered, I mustered my battle troops and set out on the road. He heard about the advance of [my] expeditionary forc[e] and (then) fear overwhelmed him and he returned t[o his (own) land]. I went after him (and) brought a[bout] his defeat. I drove him away as far as the border of his land.
(As for) Urtaku, the king of the land Elam who had not respected [my] frie[ndship], whom death cal[led] on a day (that was) not his fate, who came to an end (and) [withered away] while wailing — [he no (longer) set] f[oot] upon the land of the living. In that year, his life [came to an end] (and) he passed away.
(As for) Bēl-iqīša, a Gambuli[an] who had cast off the yoke of [my] lordshi[p], he laid down (his) lif[e] through the bite of a mouse.
(As for) Nabû-šuma-ēreš, the šan[dabakku] (governor of Nippur) who did not honor (my) treaty, he suff[er]ed from dro[psy], (that is) “full water.”
(As for) Marduk-šuma-ibni, [hi]s (Urtaku’s) eu[nuch], the instigator who had incited Urtaku [to plot] evi[l (deeds), the god] Marduk, the k[ing of the gods], imposed his grievous punishment [upon him].
Within on[e year], they (all) laid down (their) live(s) at the same time. The angry heart of (the god) Aššur [had] not [relented against t]hem, nor had the m[ood of the goddess Išt]ar, who had encourag[ed] me, become tranquil towards them. (iv 35´) They overthre[w his] royal dynasty. They [made] somebody else [assu]me dominion over the land Elam.
[Afterwa]rds, Teumman, the (very) image of a gallû-demon, [sat on the throne of] Urtaku. [He constantly soug]ht out evil (ways) [to kill the children of] Urtaku (and) [the children of Ummanal]dašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš II), [the brot]her of Urtaku. [Ummanigaš, Ummanapp]a, (and) Tammarītu — [the sons of Urtaku, the king of] the land Elam — [Kudurru (and) Pa]rrû — (iv 45´) [the sons of Ummanaldašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš II), the kin]g who came before [Urtaku — together with sixty members of the ro]yal (family), countless [archers, (and) nobles o]f the land Elam [fled to me before Teu]mman’s [slaughtering and grasped the feet of] my [ro]yal majesty.
ruling
[On my seventh campaign], I marched [against] Teumman, [the king of the land Elam who] had regularly sent his [envoys] to me [concerning Ummanigaš, Umman]appa, (and) [Tammarītu — the s]ons of [Urtaku, the king of] the land Elam — (and) [Kudur]ru (and) Parrû — [the sons of Umm]analdašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš II), the brother of Urtaku, [(former) king of the land] Elam — (asking me) to send (back) those [people] who had fled to me and [grasped] my [f]eet. I did not grant him their extradition. (iv 60´) [Concerning the aforementioned], he sent [ins]ults monthly by the hands of Umbadarâ [and Nabû]-damiq. [Inside the land El]am, he was bragging in the midst of his troops. [I trusted i]n the goddess Ištar, who had encouraged me. I did not comply with [the utterance(s) of his] provocative [speech (lit. “mouth”)]. I did not give him those [fugitiv]es.
[Teumman constantly soug]ht out [evil (deeds)],
Lacuna
saying: “T[eumman], whose judgement the goddess Ištar h[ad clo]uded (lit. “[alt]ered”), spoke as follows, saying: ‘I will not st[op until I go (and) do battle] with him.’”
On account of [these] insolent words [that Teumman] had spoken, I made an appeal to [the sublime goddess Ištar]. I stood be[fore her, knelt down at her feet, (and) made an appeal to] her divinity, [while my tears were flowing], say[ing]:
[“O Divine Lady of the city Arbela! I, Ashurbanipal],
Lacuna
[a dream interpreter lay down and s]aw a dream. [He woke up and (then) rep]or[t]ed to me [the night vision t]hat the goddess Ištar had shown him, [saying]:
[“The goddess Iš]tar who resides in the city Arbela entered and she had quivers hanging on [the right and left. She was holding] a bow at her side (and) [she was unsheathing a] sharp [swo]rd that (was ready) to do battle. [Y]ou (Ashurbanipal) stood [before her] (and) she was speaking to you like [(your own) birth]-mother. (v 10´´) [The goddess Ištar, the sub]lime one of the gods, [called out to you], instructing you, [saying: ‘You are looking forw]ard to waging war (and) I myself am about [to set out towards my destination (the battlefield).’ You (then) sa]id to her, saying: ‘[Let me] go [with you], wherever you go, O Lady of Ladies!’ (v 15´´) She [replied to yo]u, saying: ‘You will stay in the place where you are (currently) residing. Eat food, drink wine, make music, (and) revere my divinity. In the meantime, I will go (and) accomplish this task, (v 20´´) (thus) I will let (you) achieve your heart’s desire. Your face will not become pale, your feet will not tremble, you will not wipe off your sweat in the thick of battle.’ She took you into her sweet embrace and protected your entire body. (v 25´´) Fire flared up in front of her. She went off [furio]usly outside. She directed her attention [towar]ds Teum[m]an, the king of the land Elam [with whom] she was ang[r]y.”
In the month Ulūlu (VI), “the work of the goddesses,” the festival of the exalted (god) Aššur, the month of the god Sîn, the light of heaven and netherworld, I trusted in the decision of the bright divine light (Sîn) and the message of the goddess Ištar, my lady, which cannot be changed. I mustered my battle troops, warriors (v 35´´) who dart about in the thick of battle by the command of the deities Aššur, Sîn, and Ištar. I set out on the path against Teumman, the king of the land Elam, and took the direct road.
Before me, Teumman, the king of the land Elam, set up camp in the city Bīt-Imbî. He heard about the entry of my royal majesty into the city Dēr and (v 40´´b) [fea]r took hold of him. Teumman became frightened, turned a[round], (and) entered the city S[u]sa. In order to save his (own) [lif]e, he distributed silver (and) gold to the people of his land. (v 45´´) He redeployed his allies, who ma[rch at] his [side], to his front an[d] amassed (them) before me. He established [the Ulāya River] as his defensive position (and) [kept] (me from) the watering places.
[By the command of the gods Aššur (and) Ma]rduk, who had encouraged me through [auspicious] om[ens, dream(s), e]girrû-oracle(s), (and) message(s) from ecstatics, I brought abo[ut their defeat] inside the city T[īl-Tūba. I blocked up the Ulāya] River with their corpses (and) filled the plain of the city S[usa] with their bodies like ba[ltu]-plant(s) [and ašāgu-plant(s)]. (v 55´´) By the command of the gods Aššur (and) Marduk, the great gods, my lords, in the midst of [his] troops, I cut off the head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam. The brilliance of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar overwhelmed the land Elam and they (the Elamites) bowed down to m[y] yoke.
I [placed Umman]igaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II), who had f[led to me (and) had grasped] my [feet], on his (Teumman’s) throne. [I installed Tammarītu], his thi[rd] brother, [as k]in[g in the city Ḫidalu. (vi 5) (With) the chariots, wagons, horses, mules, harness-broken (steeds), (and) equipment suited for war that] I captured between the city Susa (and) the Ulāya River [with the support of (the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Ištar, the great gods, my lords, by the command of] (the god) Aššur and the great gods, my lords, I joyfully cam[e out o]f the land Elam and salvation was established for m[y entire army].
ruling
[On my eighth campaign], I marched [against Dunānu, son of] Bēl-iqīša, [to the land] Gambulu, [which] had put its trust [in] the king of the land Elam (and) [had not b]owed down to my yoke. [With] my mighty [battle array], I covered the land (lit. “people”) Gambulu in its entirety [like a fog]. I conquered the city Ša-pī-Bēl, his fortified city, [who]se location is situated [between river]s.
I brought [Dunānu (and)] his [brothers] out of that city [alive]. I brought out [his wife], his [sons], his daughters, his (palace) women, [male singers, (and) female singers] and I counted (them) as booty. (vi 25) [I b]rought out [silver, gol]d, property, (and) the treasures of his palace and I counted (them) as booty. I brought out [eun]uchs, his attendants, engineers, (and) his [food pre]parers and I counted (them) as booty. [I brought ou]t [all of (his) arti]sans, as many as there were, the bond of city and steppe, and I counted (them) as booty. (vi 30) [I brought out oxen, sheep and goats], horses, (and) mules, which were without number, [an]d I counted (them) as booty. I did not leave a single [person of his land — mal]e (and) female, young and old — (and) [I brought (them) out an]d counted (them) as booty.
I captured alive Massir[â, the chief archer] of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, who was stationed ins[ide the city Ša-pī-Bēl] to provide support to the la[nd Gambulu] (and) to guard Dunānu. [I cut off his head (and) beat (it)] against the face of Dunānu, the ally who could not save him.
(As for) that city, I destroyed, [demolish]ed, (and) dissolved (it) with water; [I annihi]lated (it). [I laid waste] that district [(and) cu]t off the clamor of humans from it. With the support of the gods Aššur, Bēl (Marduk), (and) Nabû, the great go[ds], my lords, I kil[led] my enemies (and) returned safely to Nineveh.
I hung the head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, around the neck of Dunānu. With the spoils of the land Elam (and) the booty of the land Gambulu, which I captured by the command of (the god) Aššur, with singers performing music, I entered Nineveh in (the midst of) celebration.
(As for) Umbadarâ (and) Nabû-damiq, the envoys of Teumman — the king of the land Elam — by whose hands Teumman sent insolent message(s), whom I had detained before me by making (them) wait for the issuing of my decision, they saw the decapitated head of Teumman, their lord, in Nineveh and madness took hold of them. Umbadarâ pulled out his (own) beard and Nabû-damiq stabbed himself in the stomach with his iron belt-dagger.
(As for) the decapitated head of Teumman, I displayed (it) opposite the Citadel Gate of Nineveh as a spectacle in order to show the people the might of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar, my lords — the decapitated head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam.
(As for) Aplāya, son of Nabû-salim, grandson of Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-baladan), whose father had fled to the land Elam before the father of the father who had engendered me — after I had installed Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II) as king in the land Elam, he (Ummanigaš) seized Aplāya, son of Nabû-salim, (and) sent (him) before me.
(As for) Dunānu (and) Samgunu, sons of Bēl-iqīša — Gambulians whose ancestors had harassed the kings, m[y] ancestors, and, moreover, (who) them[selves] disturbed [m]y exercising the ki[ngship] — I brought them inside Baltil (Aššur) and the city Arbela to praise (me) in the future.
As for Mannu-kī-aḫḫ[ē, the deputy of] Dunānu, and Nabû-uṣalli, a city overseer of the land Gambulu, who had uttered grievous blasphem(ies) aga[inst] my gods, I ripped out their tongue(s and) flayed them inside the city Arbela.
(As for) Dunānu, they laid him on a slaughtering block inside Nineveh and slaughtered him like a lamb.
(As for) the rest of the brothers of Dunānu and Aplāya, I killed (them), chopped up th<eir> flesh, (and) sent (them) out to be a spectacle in all of the lands.
[(As for) N]abû-naʾid (and) Bēl-ēṭir, [sons of Na]bû-šuma-ēreš, the šandabakku (governor of Nippur), [whose father, the one who had engendered them], had stirred up Urtaku (vi 90) [to fight with the land Akkad — the bones of Nabû-šuma-ēreš, which they had taken out of the land Gambulu to Assyria], I made them (lit. “his sons”) crush thos[e] bones opposite the Citadel Gate of Nineveh.
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(As for) Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II), for whom I performed many act(s) of kindness (and) whom I installed as king of the land Elam, (and) who forgot my favor(s), did not honor the treaty sworn by the great gods, (vii 1) (and) accepted bribe(s) from the hands of the messengers of Šamaš-šuma-ukīn — (my) unfaithful brother, my enemy — he sent his forces with them to fi<gh>t with my troops, my battle troops who were marching about in Karduniaš (Babylonia) (and) subduing Chaldea.
Secretly, he (Ummanigaš) dispatched them to Undasu, a son of Teumman — a (former) king of the land Elam — and Zazaz, the city ruler of the land Pillatu, Parrû, the city ruler of the land Ḫilmu, Atta-metu, the chief archer, (and) Nēšu, a leader of the troops of the land Elam, to fight with the troops of Assyria (and) he gave them order(s). Ummanigaš said to Undasu as follows, (vii 15) saying: “Go, exact revenge from Assyria for the father who had engendered you.” Undasu, Zazaz, Parrû, Atta-metu, (and) Nēšu, [to]gether with the messengers of Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, (my) hostile brother, set out [en rout]e and took the direct road.
My [battle troops] (who were stationed) in the city Mangisu — which is inside (the territory of) [the city S]umandir — came up [against t]hem and brought ab[out] their [defea]t. They [cut] off [the heads of Und]asu, a son of Teumman — [a (former) king of] the land Elam — [Zazaz], Parrû, (and) Atta-metu an[d] they brought (them) before me.
[I dispatched] my messenger [t]o Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II) [regarding t]hese [matters]. He detained [the eunuch of mine whom I had sen]t (Marduk-šarru-uṣur) and did not gi[ve a repl]y to my word(s).
The gods Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), Nabû, (and) Nergal, the gods who support me, rendered a just verdict for me conce[rni]ng Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II). Tammarītu rebelled against him and struck him, together with his family, down with the sword. (vii 35) Tammarītu, who was (even) more insolent than him (Ummanigaš), sat on the throne of the land Elam.
Just like him (Ummanigaš), he (Tammarītu) accepted bribes, did not inquire about the well-being of my royal majesty, (vii 40) went to the aid of Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, (my) unfaithful brother, and hastily sent his weapons to fight with my troops. As a result of the supplications that I had addressed to (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar, they accepted my sighs (and) listened to the utterance(s) of my lip(s). His servants rebelled against him and (vii 45) together struck down my adversary. Indabibi, a servant of his who had incited rebellion against him, sat on his throne.
(As for) Tammarītu, the king of the land Elam who had spoken insolent word(s) on account of the cutting off of the head of Teumman — which a low-ranking soldier of my army had cut off — and his brothers, his family, (and) the seed of his father’s house, together with eighty-five nobles of the land Elam who march at his side, who had flown away from the weapons of (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar — (vii 55) to praise their great divinity, they crawled naked on their bellies, together with Marduk-šarru-uṣur, a eunuch of mine whom they had taken away (with them) by force, and they grasped the feet of my royal majesty.
Tammarītu handed himself over to do obeisance to me and made an appeal to my lordly majesty to be his ally. For just one eunuch of mine, the gods Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), (and) Nabû, the gods who support me, compensated me a thousand fold. I allowed Tammarītu (and) as many people as (there were) with him to stay in my palace.
Indabibi, who sat on the throne of the land Elam after Tammarītu, knew about the might of my weapons that had prevailed over the land Elam and (as for) the Assyrians whom I had sent to aid Nabû-bēl-šumāti, (vii 70) son of Marduk-apla-iddi[na] (II) (Merodach-baladan), with [wh]om th[ey use]d to ma[rch] ab[out] protecting his land [like a friend and] ally (and) whom Nabû-bēl-šum[āti] had seized [by] guile [during the night (and) confined] in prison, Indabi[bi, the k]ing of the land Elam, (vii 75) released them from prison. So that (they) would intercede (with me), say good thing(s) about him, (and) in order to prevent (me) from doing harm to the territory of his land, he sent (them) before me by the hands of his messenger (with messages) of goodwill and peace.
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[Iaut]aʾ, son of Hazael, [the king of the land Qedar who does] obeisance to me, [appro]ached me [about his gods] and [implored] my [royal maj]esty. [I made] him [swea]r [an oath by the great gods] and (vii 85) (then) I gave [the god Atar-samayin back] to him. [Afterwards, he] sinned [against my treaty, did not] respect [my kindness], and [cast off the yoke of] my [lor]dship. He refrained [from inquiring about my well-being] and (vii 90) [withheld audience gift(s) from me. He incited the people of the lan]d of the Arabs [to re]bel [with him] and [they were repeatedly plundering the land Amurru].
[I sent troops of mine who were stationed on the border of his land against him] (and) they (lit. “I”) brought about their defeat. They struck down with the sword the people of the land of the Arabs, as many as had risen up against me, (and) set fire to pavilion(s and) tents, their abodes, (and thus) consigned (them) to the god Gīra.
Th[ey] carr[ied off without num]ber oxen, sheep and goats, donkeys, camels, (and) people. They filled (with them) the [wh]o[le] extent of the land, [in] its [e]ntirety, to all of its border(s). I apportioned camels like sheep and goats (and) divided (them) among the people of Assyria (viii 15) (so that) within my country they (the Assyrians) could purchase a camel for one shekel (or even) a half shekel of silver at the market gate. The female tavern keeper for a serving, the beer brewer for a jug (of beer), (and) the gardener for (his) bag of vegetables were regularly receiving camels and slaves.
(As for) the rest of the Arabs who had fled from (my) weapons, the heroic god Erra struck (them) down. Famine broke out among them and they ate the flesh of their children on account of their hunger. The deities Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk) and Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, (and) Ištar of Arbela, the great gods, my lords, decreed curses, as many as were written in their treaties, accordingly upon them.
(As for) Iautaʾ, hardship befell him and he fled alone.
Abī-Yateʾ, son of Teʾri, came to Nineveh and kissed my feet. I concluded a treaty with him to do obeisance to me. I installed him as king in place of Iautaʾ. I imposed upon him gold, eyestones, pappardilû-stone, kohl, camels, (and) prime quality donkeys as annual payment.
(As for) Ammu-ladīn — the king of the land Qedar, who, like him (Iautaʾ), had turned hostile (and) repeatedly plundered the land Amurru — (viii 40) Kamās-ḫaltâ, the king of the land Moab, a servant who belonged to me who had brought about his defeat in battle by invoking my name — which the deities Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, (and) Ištar of Arbela had made great — captured Ammu-ladī(n and) the rest of his people who had escaped the slaughter. (viii 45) He placed (their) hands and feet in iron fetters and sent (them) to Nineveh, before me.
Natnu, the king of the land of the Nabayateans — whose location is remote — heard about the might of the gods Aššur (and) Marduk, who had encouraged me. The one who had never sent his messenger to the kings, my ancestors, (and) (viii 50) had never inquired about the well-being of their royal majesties, he now sent to me his messenger with greetings and kissed my feet. He was constantly beseeching my lordly majesty to conclude a treaty (and) peace agreement, (and) to do obeisance to me. I myself looked with pleasure upon him and turned my benevolent face towards him. I imposed upon him annual tribute payment.
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At that time, the wall of the citadel of Nineveh, which Sennacherib — king of Assyria, the father of the father who had engendered me — had built, (and, which) on account of abundant waters (and) heavy downpours that the god Adad had regularly brought yearly to my land during my reign, its foundation(s) had become weak and its superstructure had buckled. I removed the collapsed section(s) of that wall, which had become old (and) whose foundation(s) had become weak; I reached its lowest course. (viii 65) I strengthened its foundation(s) with massive (blocks of) mountain stone. I made that wall thicker than the previous one (and) I heaped (it) up like a mountain. I built (and) completed (it) from its foundation(s) to its crenellations. I strengthened its foundation(s) more than previously.
I wrote out an inscribed object bearing my name and the praise of my heroism — with which through the support of the deities Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, Ištar of Arbela, Ninurta, Nusku, (and) Nergal, I constantly marched through the lands (and) established mighty victories — and I deposited (it) for future days.
In the future, may one of the kings, my descendants, whom (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar nominate for ruling over the land and people, renovate its dilapidated section(s) when this wall becomes old and dilapidated. May he find an inscribed object bearing my name, and (then) anoint (it) with oil, make an offering, (and) return (it) to its place.
[Just as I found] an inscribed object bearing the name of Sennacherib, the father of the father who had engendered me, anointed (it) [with oil], made an offering, (and) placed (it) [with an inscribed object] bearing my name, you should be just like [me], find an inscribed object of mine and (then) anoint (it) with oil, make [an o]ffering (and) (viii 85) place (it) with an inscribed object bearing your name. May the great gods, as many as are recorded on this inscribed object, constantly bless your kingship (and) protect your reign.
(As for) the one who destroys an inscribed object bearing my name or the name of the father of the father who had engendered me, makes (it) disappear by some crafty device, (or) does not place (it) with an inscribed object [bear]ing his name, may the great gods of heaven and netherworld overthrow his kingship (and) make his name (and) seed disappear from the land.
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Duʾūzu (IV), eponymy of Bēlšunu, governor of the city Ḫindānu (648).
Simānu (III), the twenty-second day, eponymy of Bēlšunu, [governor of the city Ḫindā]nu (648).
[...], the eighth day, [eponymy of Bēl]šunu, [governor of the city Ḫi]ndān[u] (648).