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Lacuna
[I too]k [the gods Sîn (and) Nusku by the hand], made (them) enter into (their respective temples), (and) made (them) sit on [(their) eternal dais(es)].
I comp[leted the sanctuaries] of Assyria and the lan[d Akkad in] their [entire]ty. I ma[de every type of te]mple [appurtenance] there is from silver (and) gold, (and) (i 5´) I add[ed (them) to those of the king]s, my ancestors. I made [the] great [god]s who support me reside [in] their exalted [inner sanctums]. I offer[ed] sumptuous [offerings] before them (and) presented (them) with my gifts. (i 10´) I made regular offerin[gs] (and) contributions more plentiful than those of distant days.
I had statues of my royal majesty skillfully made from silver, gold, (and) shiny copper through [the c]raft of the deities Ninagal, Kusiba[nda], (and) Ninkurra, and, (i 15´) [as] constant petitioners for my life, [I installed (them) in thei]r [positions befor]e the gods who support m[e. F]rom m[y] childhood [until I became an adult, I was ass]iduous towards the sanctuaries of [the great gods. They required my] priestly ser[vices] (and) th[ey] (now) enj[oy my giving (them) food offerings].
The god Adad [released his rains (and)] the god E[a opened up his springs]. Gra[in was five] cubits [high in its furrow (and) ear(s) of corn were five-sixths of a cubits long. (i 25´) Successful harvest(s and) an abundance of grain enabled pasture land to] co[ntinually flourish], fruit orch[ards to be very lush with fruit], (and) cattle to su[ccessfully give birth to (their) young]. During [my] reign, [there was plenitude (and) abund]ance; during m[y] years, [boun]tiful produce [was accumulated].
Throughout m[y] entire land, (on account of) abundant [trade], fo[r one shekel of si]lver one could pur[ch]ase twelve donkey-loads of grain, [three homers of] wine, two seahs of oil, [(and one) talent of w]ool.
Lacuna
who [had abandoned their] pos[t(s)] in the fa[ce 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 aga[in. (ii 5´) I reorganized] Egypt and [Kush, which the father who had engendered me] had conquered. [I strengthened] its guard more th[an previously] (and) conclude[d (new) agreements with it].
With [much] plun[der (and) substanti]al booty, I [turn]ed around (lit. “I [turn]ed the front of my yoke”) and retur[ned] safely [t]o Assyria.
Afterwards, Necho, [Šarru]-lū-dāri, (and) [P]a-qruru sinned against [m]y [treaty (and) did not h]onor the oa[th(s sworn) by the] great [god]s. They forgot [my kindness and their heart(s)] plotted evil (deeds). They [s]poke [word(s) of treachery] and [decided (among) the]mselves [on a profitless decision, saying: (ii 20´) “If they remove Taharqa from] Egypt, [ho]w then [can we (ourselves) stay?” To establish treaties and pea]ce, [they dispatched their mounted messenger(s) to Taharqa, the king of K]ush, saying: [“Let] pe[ace be established between us so that] (ii 25´) we can come to a [mutual] agree[ment. (Let) us divide] the land among ourselves [so that] no other [lord] comes [between us].” With regard to troops of Assyria, [the might of my lordly majesty], th[ey] constantly soug[ht out evil plan(s)] to cut (their) throat(s).
Eunuchs of mine [heard these] wor[ds]; th[ey] sei[zed] their mounted messenger(s) along with [their] messa[ges and]
Lacuna
[He brought b]efor[e me (his) daughter, his own offspring, and the daughter(s) of his brothers to serve as housekeepers. He brought his son, who had] ne[ver] c[rossed the se]a, [t]o do obeisan[ce to me]. (iii 5´) I recei[ved from him his daughter] and the daughter(s) of [his] brothers, [together with a] large [marr]iage gift. I had [merc]y on him an[d] (then) I gave [(his) son], his [off]spring, back to him.
I dismantled [the outpos]ts that I had constructed against Baʾalu, [the king of the land T]yre. (iii 10´) [By se]a and dry land, I open[ed] (all of) his routes, [as many] as I had seized. I received [from him] his substantial [paym]ent. I turned [arou]nd (lit. “I turned [the front of] my [y]oke”) an[d] returned [safely] to Assyria.
[Rulers (who reside in)] the middle of the sea [and kings who reside in the] high [mo]untains saw the might of these [deeds of mi]ne and became frightened of my lordly majesty. (As for) Yakīn-Lû, the king of the land Arwa[d], (iii 20´) Mugallu, the king of the land Tabal, (and) Sanda-šarme of the land Ḫilakku (Cilicia), who had not bowed down to the kings, my ancestors, they bowed down to my yoke. (iii 25´) They brought (their) daughters, their own offspring, to Nineveh to serve as housekeepers, together with a substantial dowry and a large marriage gift, and they kissed my feet. (iii 30´) I imposed upon Mugallu an annual payment of large horses.
After Yakīn-Lû, the king of the land Arwad, had gone to (his) fate, Azi-Baʾal, Abī-Baʾal, (and) Adūnī-Baʾal, [the son]s of Yakīn-Lû who reside in the middle of the sea, came up [fro]m the middle of the sea, [ca]me [wi]th their substantial audience gift(s), and kissed my feet. (iii 40´) I looked upon [Az]i-Baʾal with pleasure and installed (him) [as ki]ng of the land Arwad. I clot[hed Abī-B]aʾal (and) Adūnī-Baʾal [in garment(s) with mu]lti-colored trim [and] pla[ced gol]d [bracelets (around their wrists)]. I made th[em] stand [before me].
Lacuna
Lacuna
which [the Manneans had taken away in the time of the kings, my ancestors, I conquered those] set[tlements. I tore] the land M[annea apart from within. I carried off to Assyria (their) ho]r[ses, (their) equipment, (and) their implements of war].
Lacuna
[Afterwards, Uallî, his son], s[at on his throne. He saw] the might of the deities A[ššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), Nabû], Ištar of Nineveh, [Ištar of Arbela, Ninurta, Nusku, (and) Nergal], the [great] gods, [my lords, and] (iv 5´´) bow[ed down to my yoke]. For the pre[servation of his (own) life, he opened up his hands to me] (and) ma[de an appeal to my lordly majesty. He] sent Er[isinni], his [heir des]ignate, to Nine[veh] and (iv 10´´) he k[issed] my feet. I had mercy on him. I dispatched [my] messen[ger wi]th (a message of) goodwill to him. He sent me (his) daughter, [his] own offsp[ring], (iv 15´´) to serve as a housekeeper. (As for) his fo[r]mer payment, which they had discontinued in the time of the kings, my ancestors, they carried (it) before me. I added thirty ho[r]ses to [his fo]rmer paymen[t] and [imposed] (it) upon him.
[At] that time, (as for) Biris[ḫatri, a city ruler of] the Medes,
Lacuna
Lacuna
[Teumman constantly sought out evil (deeds), (but)] the god [Sîn (also) sought out inauspicious omens for him]. In the month [Duʾūzu (IV), an eclipse (of the moon) lasted longer than the third watch of the night, until daylight, the god Šamaš saw it, and it lasted like this] the entire d[ay], (thus signifying) the en[d of the reign of Teumman, the king of the land Elam], (and) the destruction of his land.
“The Fruit” (the god Sîn) [revealed to me his] decision, [which cannot be changed]. At that time, [a mishap befell him]: (v 10´) His lip b[ecame paralyzed and his eyes turned back. He was not ashamed] b[y these measures] that the god [Sîn and the goddess Ištar had taken against him].
Lacuna
Col. vi completely missing
Lacuna
[I ins]talled [Tammarītu, his third brother, as king in the city Ḫidalu. (With) the ch]ari[ots, wagons, horses, mu]les, harness-br[oken (steeds), (and) equipment suited for] war (vii 5´) [th]at I [cap]tured [be]tween the city S[usa and the Ul]āya [River] with the support of [(the god) Aššur (and) the goddess Ištar, the great gods, by the command of] (the god) Aššur and the [great] god[s, my lords, I joyfully came out of the land Ela]m [and salvation was establis]hed [for my] entire [army].
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[On] my eighth [campaign, I mar]ched [against] Dunān[u, son of Bēl-iqī]ša, [to the land] Gambul[u, which had put its tru]st [in] the king of the land Ela[m (vii 15´) (and) had not bow]ed down [to] my [yoke. With] my [mighty battle array, I cove]red [the land Gambulu in] its [entir]ety [like a fog]. I conquered [the city Ša-pī-Bēl], his [fortified city, whose location is situated between rivers].
[I brough]t [Dunānu (and) his brothers out of th]at [city alive. I brought out his wife, his sons], his [daughters, his (palace) women, male singers, (and) female singer]s [and I cou]nted (them) [as booty. I brought out silver, gold, property, (and) the treasures of] his palace [and I cou]nted (them) [as booty. (vii 30´) I brought out eunuchs], his [attendants, engineers, (and)] his [food preparer]s [and I] counted (them) [as booty. I brought out all of (his) artisans, as many as th]ere were, [the bond of city and] steppe, [and I cou]nted (them) [as booty. (vii 35´) I brought out oxen, sheep and goats, horses, (and) m]ules, [which we]re [with]out [number, and I cou]nted (them) [as booty]. I did [not] leave [a single person of his land — male and female, young] and old — (and) [I brought (them) out and] counted (them) [as boo]ty.
[I] captured [alive Massirâ], the chief [a]rcher [of Teumman, the ki]ng of the land Elam, [who] was stationed [inside the city Ša-p]ī-Bēl [to provide support to] the land Gambulu (and) [to guard Dunān]u. [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], demolished, [(and) dissolved (it) with water]; I annih[ilated (it). (vii 50´) I laid] waste [that district (and) cut off the clamor of humans from] it. [With the support of the great gods, I ki]lled [my enemies (and) returned safely t]o Assyria.
[I hung the head of Teumman, the king of the land Elam, around the neck of Dunānu].
Lacuna
[... w]ho uttered [... un]kind [...], I ripped out [their tongue(s and) flayed] them [inside the city Arbela].
[(As for) Dunānu, ..., the (very) imag]e of a gallû-demon, [...] did [n]ot do obeisance to me, [...], I had [his limbs] cut off. [...] kings who sit upon (royal) daises, [...] I sent [...].
[(As for) the rest of the brothers of D]unānu [and Aplāy]a, I killed (them), [chopped up their flesh, (and) sent (them) out to be a spectacle] in all of the lands.
[(As for) Nabû-naʾid (and) Bēl-ēṭir, sons of Nabû-šu]ma-ēreš, the šandabakku (governor of Nippur), [whose father, the one who had engendered them], had stirred up [Urtaku to fight with the land] Akkad — [the bones of Nabû-šuma-ēr]eš, [which they had taken out of the land Gambulu to Assy]ria,
Lacuna
Lacuna
“[Go, exact revenge from Assyria for the father who had engendered you.” Undasu, Zazaz, Parrû, Atta-metu, (and) Nēšu, together with the messengers of Šamaš-šuma-ukīn], (my) hos[tile] brother, [set out en route and] too[k the direct road].
[My] battle troops [(who were stationed) in the land Mangisu] — which [is inside (the territory of) the city Sumandir] —
Lacuna
I di[spatched my messenger to Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II) regarding these matters. He detained] the [eunuch of mine whom] I had se[nt (Marduk-šarru-uṣur) and did] not [give a reply to my word(s)].
[The gods] Aš[šur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), Nabû, (and) Nergal], the god[s who support me, rendered a just verdict for me concerning Ummanigaš (Ḫumban-nikaš II). Tammarītu rebelled against him an]d [struck] hi[m, together with his family, down with the sword]. (viii 10´´) Tamm[arītu, who was (even) more inso]lent [than Ummanigaš], sa[t on the t]hrone of the land Elam.
Just like hi[m (Ummanigaš), he (Tammarītu) accepted] bri[bes from the hand of] Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, did [not] inquire about the well-being of my royal majesty, (and) (viii 15´´) [went] to the ai[d of Šama]š-šuma-ukīn, (my) un[faithful] brother, to fig[ht with] my [troop]s. As a result of the supplication[s that I] had addressed [to (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar], they [acc]epted my prayers (and) listened to the ut[terance(s) of] my [lip(s)]. (viii 20´´) His servants [rebell]ed against [him] and together str[uck down] my [adversar]y. Indabibi, a servant of his [who] had incited [rebellion against] him, sat on [his throne].
(As for) Tammarītu, [the king of the land] Elam [w]ho had spoken insolent word(s) on account of the cutting [off of the head of Teumman] — which a low-ranking sol[dier of] my [ar]my had cut off — saying: “Will they cut off the h[ead of the king of the land Ela]m in his (own) land, in the midst of [his troops?” He spoke a second time]: “Moreover, how could Ummanigaš k[iss the ground before the messen]gers of Ashurbanipal, king of [Assyria, the creation of (the god) Aššur and the goddess] Mullissu?” (viii 30´´) On account of [these words that he had slanderously uttered, (the god) Aššur and the goddess Mullissu attacke]d him and (then) Tamma[rītu, his brothers, his family, (and) the seed of] his father’s [house, tog]ether with [eighty-five nobles who march at] his [si]de, [...] ... [...]
Lacuna
[...] ... [...] ... [...] ... [...] for (something to) e[at]. (viii 5´´´) They could not satisfy [(their) starvation (and) hunger (so) they ate dog]s (and) mongooses. [Their sin] was great. They ate [grass]. (As for) the snakes (and) [scorpions], as many [creature]s that there are on earth, (viii 10´´´) (and) rodent[s], they brought them to an end. They gnawed on animal hides, (leather) straps, shoes and sandals. To (fight) their hunger, they slaughtered (their) sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, [...], all of them. (viii 15´´´) I[nstead of] bread, they ate the flesh of their sons. [Instead of] beer, they drank the blood of their daughters.
From lack of food, their limbs stopped working (lit. “came to an end”) (and) withered away; they became like corpse(s). The faces of the people darkened as (if by) smo[ke] with depression and mournin[g. In the square(s) of the city, the young m]an [s]aw the concealed part(s) of the young woman, (and) the young woman the concealed part(s) of the yo[ung man].
Lacuna
[The father left (his) s]on whom [his] h[eart] loved. [In order] not to see one another [in a state of dyin]g, a person (lit. “he”) made a promise [to an enemy, who would ki]ll him. [Plague, pestilence], illness, (and) the chills (viii 5´´´´) [reduced the peo]ple of the land Akkad, all of them. [Between the city and the steppe], the swift iron dagger [fin]ished them off. [The governor, thei]r [shepherd], became angry with them and [cut dow]n the remainder (of them).
[The corpses of people] were obstructing [the stre]et(s and) alley(s); [they were blocking] gateways. [The si]lence (of desolation) lay [over the city and (its) ruler; a deathly hush] had been poured out. [Thei]r [storeroom(s)] were laid waste, [thei]r [fields] wept (and) mourned, (and) (viii 15´´´´) [thei]r [watercourses], which had (once) gushed with an abundance of water, [were (now) filled with silt].
(As for) Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, (my) hostile brother [who] had planned murder [against Assyria and] uttered grievous blasphemies [against (the god) Aššur, the god] who created me, [he] (the god Aššur) determined for him [a cruel death]; he consigned him to a conflagration and [destro]yed his life.
[(As for) the soldiers] who had perpetrated sedition (and) rebellion, [as many as] had made common cause [wit]h him, not a single one (of them) escaped; [(anyone) who tried to get aw]ay did not escape my grasp. [(As for) clothing (and)] precious [jewe]lry, every royal appurtenance, (viii 25´´´´) [the necessit]ies of his palace, as much as there was, his [palace wome]n, his nobles, his eunuchs, [and (other) people as]sociated with his palace, silver, gold, possessions, property, [chariot(s), a pro]cessional carriage, the vehicle of his lordly majesty, [horse]s, his harness-broken (steeds), (viii 30´´´´) [(and) people — m]ale and female, young and old — [who] had escaped [fro]m the clash of arms, [diʾu-disease, plague], pestilence, and hunger — I [captured (them and)] carried (them) off to Assyria.
[(As for) the people who were guilty], I imposed [a] harsh [pun]ishment upon them. I destroyed [their faces], flayed them, (and) [chopped up] their [fle]sh.
[Indabibi, who sat on the throne of the land E]lam [after] Tammarītu, [sa]w [the might of my weapons that had previously prevailed over the land] Elam and [(as for) the Assyrians] whom
Lacuna
Lacuna
In[dabibi, the king of the land Elam, released them] from [prison]. So that (they) would inte[rcede (with me), say good thing(s) about him], (and) in order to prevent (me) from doing ha[rm to the territory of his land, he sent (them) before me] by the hands of [his] mes[senger].
With regard to [Nabû-bēl-šumāti, son of Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-baladan)], a servant [who belonged to me] who had fled (and) [gone to the land Elam], and (with regard to) the re[st of the Assyrians] (ix 10´) whom Nabû-bēl-[šumāti] had seiz[ed by guile (and) taken (to Elam) with him, I sent (a message) to Indabibi] by the hands of [his] messenger, (saying) as follows: “Since [you have not sent me those] people, (ix 15´) I will com[e and tear down your cities. I will carry off] the people of [the cities Susa], Madaktu, (and) [Ḫidalu. I will remove you] from [your] ro[yal] throne [and make] someone else [sit] on [your throne]. The (same) actions that [I used to thwart Teumman], I will make ha[ppen to you].”
Before [his messenger had arrived in his presence] (and before) he co[uld report the issuing of my decision to him], with the support of the deities A[ššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk), Nabû], (ix 25´) Ištar o[f Nineveh, Ištar of Arbela, Ninurta, Nusku, (and) Nergal], who [march at my side (and) kill my foes, inside the land Elam], th[ey (the Elamites)] h[eard about the progress of the messenger of mine whom I had sent to the city Dēr. Fear of my royal majesty — (ix 30´) with] which [the great gods had endowed me — overwhelmed] the land [Elam and (then)] the peop[le of the land Elam] reb[elled] aga[inst Indabibi] (and) (ix 35´) ki[lled him with the sword]. Th[ey placed] Um[manaldašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), son of Atta-metu, on his (Indabibi’s) throne].
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[Iautaʾ, son of Hazael], the k[ing of the land Qedar who does obeisance to me, approached me] ab[out his gods and]
Lacuna
[I inflicted a heavy] defeat on A[diya, the queen of the land of the Arabs. I burned] her tents [with fire. I captured] her alive (and) brought her [to Assyria], together with the plunder of [her land].
Natnu, the king of the land of the Nabaya[teans — whose location is remote] — heard about the migh<t of> the gods Aššur (and) Marduk, [who had encouraged me]. The one who (ix 10´´) had [n]ever [sent] his messenger t[o the kings, my ancestors], and had never inquired about the well-bein[g of my royal majesty] — after Iautaʾ, [the king of the land of the Arabs], a servant who belonged [to me, had fled] to the land of the Nabayateans [and] (ix 15´´) came befor[e Natnu], Natnu [said] the following to [Iautaʾ], saying: “[Can] I myself [be spared] from the grasp of Assyria? Nevertheless, you have made me [your stronghold]!” (ix 20´´) Natnu became frightened an[d distressed]. He sent his messengers to me to inquire ab[out my well-being] and kiss[ed my feet]. He was constantly besee[ching my lordly majesty] to conclude a treaty (and) [peace agreement], (and) to do obeisance to me. (ix 25´´) I myself loo[ked] with pleasure [upon him and turned] my benevolent face [towards him]. I [imposed upon him] annual tribute [payment].
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On my eleventh campaign, [I marched] t[o the land Elam. In the course of my campaign, I conq]uered the city Bīt-Imbî, a city upon which [the land Elam] relie[d]. (As for) the people living inside it, who [had not co]me out and inquired about the well-being of [my] royal ma[jesty], I killed (them). I cut off their heads, sliced off [thei]r lip[s], (and) t[oo]k (them) to Assyria to be a spectacle for the people of my land.
(As for) Imbappi, the chief ar[cher of the land Elam], who was statio[ned as a guard] in the city Bīt-Imbî, [I brought him out of that city] ali[ve. ...]
Lacuna
[I brought out a palace] w[oman (and) the sons of] Teumman — [the king of the land Elam wh]ose head [I had cut off during a previous campaign on the instructio]n(s) of the gods Aššur, Bēl (Marduk), (and) [Nabû — together with the rest of the people liv]ing in the city Bīt-Imbî [and] I counted (them) as [bo]oty. [...] third-men, [... male singers], female singers. [...], his [...]
Lacuna
Lacuna
[... to the land El]am — [I br]ought [Barburu, his son], out [of the city Bīt-Imbî] and flayed him.
[(As for) Tammarītu, king of the land Elam, a fugitive] who had [set out] from Assyria [(and) gone (back) to the land Elam], he saw the assault of my mighty battle array (and) the ... [... of my weapons that] had prevailed [over the land Elam] and [...] ... [...] inside [...] my [...] his vehicle [...], he threw himself on the gro[und] and [...] eunuc[h ...] his [...]
(As for) Ummanald[ašu (Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III), the ki]ng of the land Elam, [he heard about] the entry of my troops, [who had ent]ered [inside the land Elam; he abandoned] the city Madaktu, [a royal] city [of his, and (then) fled and took to the mountains (lit. “ascended his mountain”)].
(As for) Umba-LA[GABua, who sa]t on the [throne of the land Elam in opposition to Ummanaldašu, he, like him (Ummanaldašu) heard about (the advance of my army) and abandoned the city] Bub[ilu, a city that was a lordly residence of his, and (...)]
Lacuna
I wrote out [an inscribed object bearing my name and the praise of my heroism — with which through the support of] the deit[ies Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Bēl (Marduk) and Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, Ištar of Arbela, Ninurta, Nusku, (and) Nergal], I con[stantly] ma[rched] through the lands (and) [established mighty victories] — an[d I deposited (it) for future days].
In the fut[ure], may [one of the sons, grandsons], or (great grand)sons, (one of) the kin[gs, my descendants], whom (the god) Aššur and the goddess Ištar nom[inate] for ru[ling over the land and people], r[enovate] its dil<api>dated section(s) when this wall becomes o[ld and dilapidated]. (x 10´´) May h[e find an insc]ribed object bearing my name, [and] (then) anoint (it) [with oil], ma[ke] an offering, (and) r[eturn (it) to] its place.
[Just as] I fou[nd] an inscribed obj[ect 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 insc[ribed object bearing my name], you should be ju[st like me, find an inscribed object] bear[ing my name and (then) anoint (it) with oil, make] an of[fering (and) place (it) with an inscribed object] be[aring your name].
Lacuna
[(As for) the one who destroys an inscribed object bearing my name (...)], mak[es (it) disappear by some craf]ty [device, (or) does not p]la[ce (it) with an inscribed obje]ct bearing [his name], may [the great gods of] heaven and nether[world] overthrow [his kingship] (and) make [his name (and) seed] disappear [from the land].
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[...], the tenth day, [eponymy of Nabû]-nādin-aḫi, [governor of the city Kār]-Shalmaneser (646).