TRANSLATED BY SIR H. RAWLINSON, K.C.B., D.C.L., ETC.

This inscription of Tiglath Pileser I is found on an octagonal prism and on some other clay fragments discovered at Kalah-Shergat and at present in the British Museum. The text is published in the "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," Vol. I, pp. ix-xvi. Four translations of this inscription, made simultaneously in 1857 by Sir H. Rawlinson, Mr. Fox Talbot, Dr. Hincks, and Dr. Oppert, were published in that year under the title of "Inscription of Tiglath Pileser I, King of Assyria, B.C. 1150." Dr. Oppert has also given a revised translation in his "_Histoire de l'Empire de Chaldée et d'Assyrie,_" 8vo, Versailles, 1865, extracted from the "_Annales de la Philosophie chrétienne_" of the same year, 5e Series, p. 44 and foll. The translations simultaneously published were submitted to the Asiatic Society in that year as a test of the advance made in Assyrian interpretations and the close approximation made by scholars in their interpretation of Assyrian texts. The notes contain some of the different readings of the other Assyrian scholars at that time and give a few of the principal varieties of reading some of the words. It was generally considered a very triumphant demonstration of the sound basis on which the then comparatively recent Assyrian researches were placed and a confutation of certain opinions then prevalent, that no certain or accurate advance had been made in the decipherment of Assyrian inscriptions. On the whole for its extent and historical information relating to the early history of Assyria this inscription is one of the most important of the series showing the gradual advance and rise of Assyria, while as one of the first interpreted it presents considerable literary interest in respect to the details of the progress of Assyrian interpretation. It is also nearly the oldest Assyrian text of any length which has been hitherto discovered and is very interesting from its account of the construction of the temples and palaces made by the King in the early part of his reign.  S.B.

INSCRIPTION OF TIGLATH PILESER I

THE BEGINNING

_Ashur,_ the great Lord, ruling supreme over the gods; the giver of
sceptres and crowns; the appointer of sovereignty. Bel, the Lord; _King of
the circle of constellations_;[1] Father of the gods; Lord of the world.
Sin;[2] the leader the _Lord of Empire_ the _powerful_ the _auspicious_
god; _Shamas_;[3] the establisher of the heavens and the earth; ...;[4]
the vanquisher of enemies; the dissolver of cold. _Vul_;[5] he who causes
the tempest to rage over hostile lands and _wicked_ countries. _Abnil_[6]
Hercules; the champion who subdues _heretics_ and enemies, and who
strengthens the heart. _Ishtar_, the eldest[7] of the gods; the Queen of
_Victory_; she who arranges battles.

[Footnote 1: Aratnaki. (Fox Talbot.)]

[Footnote 2: The moon.]

[Footnote 3: The sun.]

[Footnote 4: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 5: Ninev. (Fox Talbot.) Ao. (Dr. Oppert.)]

[Footnote 6: Ninip-Sumdan. Dr. Oppert.]

[Footnote 7: Or source.]

II

The great gods, ruling over the heavens and the earth, whose attributes I
have recorded and whom I have _named_; the guardians of the kingdom of
Tiglath Pileser, the Prince inspiring your hearts with _joy_; the proud
Chief whom in the strength of your hearts ye have made firm, (to whom) ye
have confided the supreme crown, (whom) ye have appointed in might to the
sovereignty of the country of Bel, to whom ye have granted pre-eminence,
exaltation, and warlike power. May the duration of his empire continue
forever to his royal posterity, lasting as the great temple of Bel!

III

Tiglath Pileser the powerful king; supreme King of Lash-anan;[1] King of
the four regions; King of all Kings; Lord of Lords; the _supreme_; Monarch
of Monarchs; the illustrious Chief who under the auspices of the Sun god,
being armed with the sceptre and girt with the girdle of power over
mankind, rules over all the people of Bel; the mighty Prince whose praise
is blazoned forth among the Kings: the exalted sovereign, whose servants
Ashur has appointed to the government of the country of the four regions
(and) has made his name celebrated to posterity; the conqueror of many
plains and mountains of the Upper and Lower Country; the conquering hero,
the terror of whose name has overwhelmed all regions; the bright
constellation who, according to his power[2] has warred against foreign
countries (and) under the auspices of Bel, there being no equal to him,
has subdued the enemies of Ashur.[3]

[Footnote 1: "Various tongues." Talbot.]

[Footnote 2: Or, "as he wished."]

[Footnote 3: Or, "has made them obedient to Ashur."]

IV

Ashur (and) the great gods, the guardians of my kingdom, who gave
government and laws to my dominions, and ordered an enlarged frontier to
their territory, having committed to (my) hand their valiant and warlike
servants, I have subdued the lands and the peoples and the strong places,
and the Kings who were hostile to Ashur; and I have reduced all that was
contained in them. With a host[1] of kings I have fought ...[2] and have
imposed on them the bond of _servitude_. There is not to me a second in
war, nor an equal in battle. I have added territory to Assyria and peoples
to her people. I have enlarged the frontier of my territories, and subdued
all the lands contained in them.[3]

[Footnote 1: The preamble concludes here.]

[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 3: Literally, "a sixty."]

V

In the beginning of my reign 20,000 of the _Muskayans_[1] and their 5
kings, who for 50 years had held the countries of Alza and Perukhuz,
without paying tribute and offerings to Ashur my Lord, and whom a King of
Assyria had never ventured to meet in battle betook themselves to their
strength, and went and seized the country of Comukha. In the service of
Ashur my Lord my chariots and warriors I assembled after me ...[2] the
country of _Kasiyaia_[3] a difficult country, I passed through. With their
20,000 fighting men and their 5 kings in the country of Comukha I engaged.
I defeated them. The ranks of their warriors in fighting the battle were
beaten down as if by the tempest. Their carcasses covered the valleys and
the tops of the mountains. I cut off their heads. The battlements of their
cities I made heaps of, like mounds of _earth_, their movables, their
wealth, and their valuables I plundered to a countless amount. 6,000 of
their common soldiers who fled before my servants and accepted my yoke, I
took them, and gave them over to the men of my own territory.[4]

[Footnote 1: Sirki citizens. (Fox Talbot.)]

[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 3: Mount Kasiyaia. (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 4: As slaves.]

VI

Then I went into the country of _Comukha,_[1] which was disobedient and
withheld the tribute and offerings due to Ashur my Lord: I conquered the
whole country of Comukha. I plundered their movables, their wealth, and
their valuables. Their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and ruined.
The common people of Comukha, who fled before the face of my servants,
crossed over to the city of _Sherisha_[2] which was on the further banks
of the Tigris, and made this city into their stronghold. I assembled my
chariots and warriors. I betook myself to _carts of iron_[3] in order to
overcome the rough mountains and their difficult marches. I made the
wilderness (thus) practicable for the passage of my chariots and warriors.
I crossed the Tigris and took the city of Sherisha their stronghold. Their
fighting men, in the middle of the forests, like wild beasts, I smote.
Their carcasses filled the Tigris, and the tops of the mountains. At this
time the troops of the _Akhe_,[4] who came to the deliverance and
assistance of Comukha, together with the troops of Comukha, like chaff I
scattered. The carcasses of their fighting men I piled up like heaps on
the tops of the mountains. The bodies of their warriors, the _roaring_[5]
waters carried down to the Tigris. Kili Teru son of Kali Teru, son of
Zarupin Zihusun, their King,[6] in the course of their fighting fell into
my power. His wives and his children, the delight of his heart I
dispossessed him of. One hundred and eighty[7] iron vessels and 5 trays of
copper, together with the gods of the people in gold and silver, and their
beds and furniture I brought away. Their movables and their wealth I
plundered. This city and its palace I burnt with fire, I destroyed and
ruined.

[Footnote 1: Dummuk. (Dr. Oppert.)]

[Footnote 2: Sharisha. (Fox Talbot.) Siris. (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 3: Bridge. (Fox Talbot.)]

[Footnote 4: Aliens. (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 5: Nami River. (Fox Talbot.) Blood River. (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 6: Tirikali fil Tirikali. (Fox Talbot.) Kiliantiru eldest son of
Campineiyusan, (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 7: Literally, "three sixties."]

VII

The city of _Urrakluiras_ their stronghold which was in the country of
Panari, I went toward. The exceeding fear of the power of Ashur, my Lord,
overwhelmed them. To save their lives they took their gods, and fled like
birds to the tops of the lofty mountains. I collected my chariots and
warriors, and crossed the Tigris. _Shedi Teru_[1] the son of _Khasutkh_[2]
King of _Urrakluiras_ on my arriving in his country submitted to my yoke.
His sons, the delight of his heart, and his favorites, I condemned to the
service of the gods: 60 vessels of iron; _trays_[3] and _bars_ of copper
...[4] with 120 cattle, and flocks he brought as tribute and offerings. I
accepted (them) and spared him. I gave him his life, but imposed upon him
the yoke of my empire heavily forever. The wide spreading country of
Comukha I entirely conquered, and subjected to my yoke. At this time one
tray of copper and one bar of copper from among the service offerings and
tribute of Comukha I dedicated to Ashur my Lord, and 60 iron vessels with
their gods I offered to my guardian god, _Vul_.[5]

[Footnote 1: Sadiyantim. (Dr. Hincks.) Tiri-dates. (Fox Talbot.)]

[Footnote 2: Kuthakin. (Fox Talbot.) Kha-thukhi. (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 3: "Nirmah mamkhar." (Dr. Hincks.)]

[Footnote 4: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 5: "Yem." (Fox Talbot.)]

VIII

From among my valiant servants, to whom Ashur the Lord gave strength and
power, in 30 of my chariots, select companies of my troops and bands of my
warriors who were expert in battle, I gathered together. I proceeded to
the extensive country of _Miltis_,[1] which did not obey me; it consisted
of strong mountains and a difficult land. Where it was easy I traversed it
in my chariots: where it was difficult I went on foot. In the country of
Aruma, which was a difficult land, and impracticable to the passage of my
chariots, I left the chariots and marched in front of my troops. Like
...[2] on the peak of the rugged mountains, I marched victoriously. The
country of _Miltis_,[1] like heaps of stubble, I swept. Their fighting men
in the course of the battle like chaff I scattered. Their movables, their
wealth and their valuables I plundered. Many of their cities I burned with
fire. I imposed on them _religious service_[1], and offerings and tribute.

[Footnote 1: Eshtish. (Fox Talbot.)]

[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 3: Hostages. Fox Talbot. For further and subsequent various
readings see the edition of 1857.]

IX

Tiglath Pileser, the illustrious warrior, the opener of the roads of the
countries, the subjugator of the rebellious ...[1] he who has overrun the
whole Magian world.

[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]

X

I subdued the extensive country of Subair, which was in rebellion. The
countries of Alza and Purukhuz, which deferred their tribute and
offerings, the yoke of my empire heavily upon them I imposed, decreeing
that they should bring their tribute and offerings into my presence in the
city of Ashur. While I was on this expedition, which the Lord Ashur,
committing to my hand a powerful rebel subduing army, ordered for the
enlargement of the frontiers of his territory, there were 4,000 of the
_Kaskaya_ and _Hurunaya_ rebellious tribes of the Kheti[1] who had brought
under their power the cities of Subarta, attached to the worship of Ashur,
my Lord (so that) they did not acknowledge dependence on Subarta. The
terror of my warlike expedition overwhelmed them. They would not fight,
but submitted to my yoke. Then I took their valuables, and 120[2] of their
chariots fitted to the yoke, and I gave them to the men of my own country.

[Footnote 1: Hittites.]

[Footnote 2: Two "soss."]

XI

In the course of this my expedition, a second time I proceeded to the
country of Comukha. I took many of their cities. Their movables, their
wealth, and their valuables I plundered. Their cities I burnt with fire, I
destroyed and overthrew. The soldiers of their armies, who from before the
face of my valiant servants fled away, they would not engage with me in
the fierce battle: to save their lives they took to the stony heights of
the mountains, an inaccessible region: to the recesses of the deep forests
and the peaks of the difficult mountains which had never been trodden by
the feet of men, I ascended after them: they fought with me; I defeated
them: the ranks of their warriors on the tops of the mountains fell like
rain: their carcasses filled the ravines and the high places of the
mountains: their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off
from the stony heights of the mountains. I subdued the country of Comukha
throughout its whole extent, and I attached it to the frontiers of my own
territory.

XII

Tiglath Pileser, the powerful king, the vanquisher of the disobedient, he
who has swept the face of the earth.

XIII

In profound reverence to Ashur my Lord, to the country of Kharia, and the
far-spreading tribes of the Akhe, deep forests, which no former King (of
Assyria) had ever reached, the Lord Ashur invited me to proceed. My
chariots and forces I assembled, and I went to an inaccessible region
beyond the countries of Itni and Ayá. As the steep mountains stood up like
metal posts, and were impracticable to the passage of my chariots, I
placed my chariots in wagons, and (thus) I traversed the difficult ranges
of hills. All the lands of the Akhe and their wide-spreading tribes having
assembled, arose to do battle in the country of _Azutapis_. In an
inaccessible region I fought with them and defeated them. The ranks of
their (slain) warriors on the peaks of the mountains were piled up in
heaps; the carcasses of their warriors filled the ravines and high places
of the mountains. To the cities which were placed on the tops of the
mountains I _penetrated_ victoriously: 27 cities of Kharía, which were
situated in the districts of Aya, Suira, Itni, Shetzu, Shelgu, Arzanibru,
Varutsu, and Anitku, I took; their movables, their wealth, and their
valuables I plundered; their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and
overthrew.

XIV

The people of Adavas feared to engage in battle with me; they left their
habitations, and fled like birds to the peaks of the lofty mountains. The
terror of Ashur my Lord overwhelmed them; they came and submitted to my
yoke; I imposed on them tribute and offerings.

XV

The countries of Tsaravas and Ammavas, which from the olden time had never
submitted, I swept like heaps of stubble; with their forces in the country
of Aruma I fought, and I defeated them. The ranks of their fighting men I
levelled like grass. I bore away their gods; their movables, their wealth,
and their valuables I carried off. Their cities I burnt with fire, I
destroyed and overthrew, and converted into heaps and mounds. The heavy
yoke of my empire I imposed on them. I attached them to the worship of
Ashur my Lord.

XVI

I took the countries of Itsua and Daria, which were turbulent and
disobedient. Tribute and offerings I imposed on them. I attached them to
the worship of Ashur.

XVII

In my triumphant progress over my enemies, my chariots and troops I
assembled; I crossed the lower Zab. The countries of Muraddan and
Tsaradavas, which were near Atsaniu and Atuva, difficult regions, I
captured; their warriors I cut down _like weeds_. The city of Muraddan,
their capital city, and the regions toward the rising sun, I took
possession of. Their gods, their wealth, and their valuables, one _soss_
bars of iron, 30 talents of iron, the abundant wealth of the Lords, of
their palaces, and their movables, I carried off. This city I burnt with
fire, I destroyed and overthrew. At this time this iron to the god Vul, my
great Lord and guardian, I dedicated.

XVIII

In the might and power of Ashur my Lord, I went to the country of Tsugi,
belonging to Gilkhi, which did not acknowledge Ashur my Lord. With 4,000
of their troops, belonging to the countries Khimi, Lukhi, Arirgi, Alamun,
Nuni, and all the far-spread land of the _Akhí_, in the country of
Khirikhi, a difficult region, which rose up like metal posts, with all
their people I fought _on foot_. I defeated them; the bodies of their
fighting men on the tops of the mountains I heaped in masses. The
carcasses of their warriors I strewed over the country of Khirikhi like
chaff. I took the entire country of Tsugi. Twenty-five of their gods,
their movables, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off. Many of
their cities I burnt with fire, I destroyed and overthrew. The men of
their armies submitted to my yoke. I had mercy on them. I imposed on them
tribute and offerings. With attachment to the worship of Ashur, my Lord, I
intrusted them.[1]

[Footnote 1: That is, "I caused them to worship Ashur."]

XIX

At this time 25 of the gods belonging to those countries, subject to my
government, which I had taken, I dedicated for the honor of the temple of
the Queen of glory, the great ancestress of Ashur my Lord, of Anu, and of
Vul, the goddess who is the guardian of all the public temples of my city
of Ashur, and of all the goddesses of my country.

XX

Tiglath-Pileser, the powerful King; the subduer of hostile races; the
conqueror of the whole circle of kings.

XXI

At this time, in exalted reverence to Ashur, my Lord, by the godlike
support of the heroic "Sun," having in the service of the great gods,
ruled over the four regions imperially; there being found (to me) no equal
in war, and no second in battle, to the countries of the powerful Kings
who dwelt upon the upper ocean and had never made their submission, the
Lord Ashur having urged me, I went. Difficult mountain chains, and distant
(or inaccessible) hills, which none of our Kings had ever previously
reached, tedious paths and unopened roads I traversed. The countries of
Elama, of Amadana, of Eltís, of Sherabili, of _Likhuna_, of Tirkakhuli, of
Kisra, of Likhanubi, of Elula, of Khastare, of Sakhisara, of Hubira, of
Miliatruni, of _Sulianzi_, of Nubanashe, and of Sheshe, 16 strong
countries, the easy parts in my chariots, and the difficult parts in
wagons of iron, I passed through; the thickets of the mountains I cut down;
bridges for the passage of my troops I prepared; I crossed over the
Euphrates; the King of Elammi, the King of Tunubi, the King of Tuhali, the
King of Kindari, the King of Huzula, the King of Vanzamuni, the King of
Andiabi, the King of Pilakinna, the King of Atúrgina, the King of
Kulibartzini, the King of Pinibirni, the King of Khimua, the King of
Päíteri, the King of Vaíram, the King of Sururia, the King of Abäéni, the
King of Adäéni, the King of Kirini, the King of Albaya, the King of
Vagina, the King of Nazabia, the King of _Amalziú_, the King of Dayeni, in
all 23 Kings of the countries of Naíri, in their own provinces having
assembled their chariots and troops, they came to fight with me.[1] By
means of my powerful servants I straitened them.[2] I caused the
destruction of their far-spreading troops, as if with the destroying
tempest of Vul. I levelled the ranks of their warriors, both on the tops
of the mountains and on the battlements of the cities, like _grass_. Two
soss [3] of their chariots I held as a trophy from the midst of the fight;
one soss [4] of the kings of the countries of Naíri, and of those who had
come to their assistance, in my victory as far as the upper ocean I
pursued them; I took their great castles; I plundered their movables,
their wealth and their valuables; their cities I burnt with fire, I
destroyed and overthrew, and converted into heaps and mounds. Droves of
many horses and mules, of calves and of lambs, their property, in
countless numbers I carried off. Many of the kings of the countries of
Naíri fell alive into my hands; to these kings I granted pardon; their
lives I spared; their abundance and wealth I poured out before my Lord,
the sun-god. In reverence to my great gods, to after-times, to the last
day, I condemned them to do homage. The young men, the pride of their
royalty, I gave over to the service of the gods; 1,200 horses and 2,000
cattle I imposed on them as tribute, and I allowed them to remain in their
own countries.

[Footnote 1: Literally, to make war and do battle.]

[Footnote 2: Or, brought them into difficulties.]

[Footnote 3: One hundred and twenty.]

[Footnote 4: Sixty.]

XXII

Tseni, the King of Dayani, who was not submissive to Ashur my Lord, his
abundance and wealth I brought it to my city of Ashur. I had mercy on him.
I left him in life to learn the worship of the great gods from my city of
Ashur. I reduced the far-spreading countries of Naíri throughout their
whole extent, and many of their kings I subjected to my yoke.

XXIII

In the course of this expedition, I went to the city of Milidia, belonging
to the country of Khanni-rabbi, which was independent and did not obey me.
They abstained from engaging in the rude fight with me; they submitted to
my yoke, and I had mercy on them. This city I did not occupy, but I gave
the people over to religious service, and I imposed on them as a token of
their allegiance a fixed tribute of ...[1]

[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]

XXIV

Tiglath-Pileser, the ruling constellation; the powerful; the lover of
battle.

XXV

In the service of my Lord Ashur, my chariots and warriors I assembled; I
set out on my march. In front of my strong men I went to the country of
the Aramæans, the enemies of my Lord Ashur. From before Tsukha, as far as
the city of Qarqamis[1] belonging to the country of Khatte,[2] I smote
with _one blow_. Their fighting men I slew; their movables, their wealth,
and their valuables in countless numbers I carried off. The men of their
armies who fled from before the face of the valiant servants of my Lord
Ashur, crossed over the Euphrates; in boats covered with bitumen skins I
crossed the Euphrates after them; I took six of their cities which were
below the country of Bisri; I burnt them with fire, and I destroyed and
overthrew; and I brought their movables, their wealth, and their valuables
to my city of Ashur.

[Footnote 1: Carchemish.]

[Footnote 2: The Hittites.]

XXVI

Tiglath-Pileser, he who tramples upon the Magian world; he who subdues the
disobedient; he who has overrun the whole earth.

XXVII

My Lord Ashur having urged me on, I took my way to the vast country of
Muzri, lying beyond Elammi, Tala, and Kharutsa; I took the country of
Muzri throughout its whole extent; I subdued their warriors; I burnt their
cities with fire, I destroyed and overthrew; the troops of the country of
Comani hastened to the assistance of the country of Muzri: in the
mountains I fought with them and defeated them. In the metropolis, the
city of Arin, which was under the country of Ayatsa, I besieged them; they
submitted to my yoke; I spared this city; but I imposed on them religious
service and tribute and offerings.

XXVIII

At this time the whole country of Comani which was in alliance with the
country of Muzri, all their people assembled and arose to do battle and
make war. By means of my valiant servants I fought with 20,000 of their
numerous troops in the country of Tala, and I defeated them; their mighty
mass broke in pieces; as far as the country of Kharutsa, belonging to
Muzri, I smote them and pursued; the ranks of their troops on the heights
of the mountains I cut down _like grass_; their carcasses covered the
valleys and the tops of the mountains; their great castles I took, I burnt
with fire, I destroyed, and overthrew into heaps and mounds.

XXIX

The city of Khunutsa, their stronghold, I overthrew like a heap of
stubble. With their mighty troops in the city and on the hills I fought
_fiercely_. I defeated them; their fighting men in the middle of the
forests I scattered like _chaff_. I cut off their heads as if they were
_carrion_; their carcasses filled the valleys and (covered) the heights of
the mountains. I captured this city; their gods, their wealth, and their
valuables I carried off, and burnt with fire. Three of their great
castles, which were built of brick, and the entire city I destroyed and
overthrew, and converted into heaps and mounds, and upon the site I laid
down large stones; and I made tablets of copper, and I wrote on them an
account of the countries which I had taken by the help of my Lord Ashur,
and about the taking of this city, and the building of its castle; and
upon it[1] I built a house of brick, and I set up within it these copper
tablets.

[Footnote 1: "The stone foundation."]

XXX

In the service of Ashur my Lord, my chariots and warriors I assembled, and
I approached Kapshuna, their capital city; the tribes of Comani would not
engage in battle with me; they submitted to my yoke, and I spared their
lives. The great castle of the city and its brick buildings I trampled
under foot; from its foundations to its roofs I destroyed it and converted
it into heaps and mounds, and a band of 300 fugitive heretics who did not
acknowledge my Lord Ashur, and who were expelled from inside this
_castle_, I took this band and condemned to the service of the gods, and I
imposed upon the people tribute and offerings in excess of their former
tribute; and the far-spreading country of Comani throughout its whole
extent I reduced under my yoke.

XXXI

There fell into my hands altogether between the commencement of my reign
and my fifth year 42 countries, with their kings, from beyond the river
Zab, plain, forest, and mountain, to beyond the river Euphrates, the
country of the Khatte[1] and the upper ocean of the setting sun. I brought
them under one government; I placed them under the Magian religion, and I
imposed on them tribute and offerings.

[Footnote 1: Hittites.]

XXXII

I have omitted many hunting expeditions which were not connected with my
warlike achievements. In pursuing after the game I traversed the easy
tracts in my chariots, and the difficult tracts on foot. I demolished the
wild animals throughout my territories.[1]

[Footnote 1: A very difficult paragraph.]

XXXIII

Tiglath-Pileser, the illustrious warrior, he who holds the sceptre of
Lashanan; he who has extirpated all wild animals.

XXXIV

The gods Hercules and Nergal gave their valiant servants and their
_arrows_ as a glory to support my empire. Under the auspices of Hercules,
my guardian deity, four wild bulls, strong and fierce, in the desert, in
the country of Mitan, and in the city Arazik, belonging to the country of
the Khatte,[1] with my long _arrows_ tipped with iron, and with heavy
blows I took their lives. Their skins and their horns I brought to my city
of Ashur.

[Footnote 1: Hittites.]

XXXV

Ten large wild buffaloes in the country of Kharran, and the plains of the
river Khabur, I slew. Four buffaloes I took alive; their skins and their
horns, with the live buffaloes, I brought to my city of Ashur.

XXXVI

Under the auspices of my guardian deity Hercules, two _soss_ of lions fell
before me. In the course of my progress on foot I slew them, and 800 lions
in my chariots in my exploratory journeys I laid low. All the beasts of
the field and the flying birds of heaven I made the victims of my
shafts.[1]

[Footnote 1: A very doubtful sentence.]

XXXVII

From all the enemies of Ashur, the whole of them, I exacted _labor_. I
made, and finished the repairs of, the temple of the goddess Astarte, my
lady, and of the temple of Martu, and of Bel, and Il, and of the sacred
buildings and _shrines_ of the gods belonging to my city of Ashur. I
_purified_ their shrines, and set up inside the images of the great gods,
my Lords. The royal palaces of all the great fortified cities throughout
my dominions, which from the olden time our kings had neglected through
long years, had become ruined. I repaired and finished them. The castles
of my country, I filled up their _breaches_. I founded many new buildings
throughout Assyria, and I opened out irrigation for corn in excess of what
my fathers had done. I carried off the droves of the horses, cattle, and
asses that I obtained, in the service of my Lord Ashur, from the
subjugated countries which I rendered tributary, and the droves of the
wild goats and ibexes, the wild sheep and the wild cattle which Ashur and
Hercules, my guardian gods, incited me to chase in the depths of the
forests, having taken them I drove them off, and I led away their young
ones like the tame young goats. These little _wild animals_, the delight
of their parents' hearts, in the fulness of my own heart, together with my
own victims, I sacrificed to my Lord Ashur.

XXXVIII

The pine, the ...,[1] and the _algum tree_, these trees which under the
former kings my ancestors, they had never planted, I took them from the
countries which I had rendered tributary, and I planted them in the groves
of my own territories, and I _bought_ fruit trees; whatever I did not find
in my own country, I took and placed in the groves[2] of Assyria.

[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 2: Or "orchards."]

XXXIX

I built chariots fitted to the yoke for the use of my people[1] in excess
of those which had existed before. I added territories to Assyria, and I
added populations to her population. I improved the condition of the
people, and I obtained for them abundance and security.

[Footnote 1: Or "throughout my territories."]

XL

Tiglath-Pileser, the illustrious prince, whom Ashur and Hercules have
exalted to the utmost wishes of his heart; who has pursued after the
enemies of Ashur, and has subjugated all the earth.

XLI

The son of Ashur-ris-ili, the powerful King, the subduer of foreign
countries, he who has reduced all the lands of the Magian world.

XLII

The grandson of Mutaggil-Nabu, whom Ashur, the great Lord, aided according
to the wishes of his _heart_ and established in strength in the government
of Assyria.

XLIII

The glorious offspring of Ashur-dapur-Il, who held the sceptre of
dominion, and ruled over the people of Bel; who in all the works of his
hand and the deeds of his life placed his reliance on the great gods, and
thus obtained a prosperous and _long life_.

XLIV

The beloved child[1] of Barzan-pala-kura, the king who first organized the
country of Assyria, who purged his territories of the wicked as if they
had been ...,[2] and established the troops of Assyria in authority.

[Footnote 1: Or, "heart of hearts."]

[Footnote 2: Lacuna.]

XLV

At this time the temple of Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords, which,
in former times, Shansi-Vul, High-priest of Ashur, son of Ismi Dagan,
High-priest of Ashur, had founded, having lasted for 641 years, it fell
into ruin. Ashur-dapur-Il, King of Assyria, son of Barzan-pala-kura, King
of Assyria, took down this temple and did not rebuild it. For 60 years the
foundations of it were not laid.

XLVI

In the beginning of my reign, Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords,
guardians of my steps, they invited me to repair this their shrine. So I
made bricks; I levelled the earth, I took its _dimensions_; I laid down
its foundations upon a mass of strong rock. This place throughout its
whole extent I paved with bricks in _set order_, 50 feet deep I prepared
the ground, and upon this substructure I laid the lower foundations of the
temple of Anu and Vul. From its foundations to its roofs I built it up,
better than it was before. I also built two lofty cupolas in honor of
their noble godships, and the holy place, a spacious hall, I consecrated
for the convenience of their worshippers, and to accommodate their
votaries, who were numerous as the stars of heaven, and in quantity poured
forth like flights of arrows.[1] I repaired, and built, and completed my
work. Outside the temple I fashioned (everything with the same care) as
inside. The mound of earth (on which it was built) I enlarged like the
firmament of the rising stars, and I beautified the entire building. Its
cupolas I raised up to heaven, and its roofs I built entirely of brick. An
inviolable shrine for their noble godships I laid down near at hand. Anu
and Vul, the great gods, I glorified inside,[2] I set them up on their
honored purity, and the hearts of their noble godships I delighted.

[Footnote 1: Very doubtful.]

[Footnote 2: The shrine.]

XLVII

Bit-Khamri, the temple of my Lord Vul, which Shansi-Vul, High-priest of
Ashur, son of Ismi-Dagan, High-priest of Ashur, had founded, became
ruined. I levelled its site, and from its foundation to its roofs I built
it up of brick, I enlarged it beyond its former state, and I adorned it.
Inside of it I sacrificed precious victims to my Lord Vul.

XLVIII

At this time I found various sorts of stone[1] in the countries of Nairi
which I had taken by the help of Ashur, my Lord, and I placed them in the
temple of Bit-Khamri, belonging to my Lord, Vul, to remain there forever.

[Footnote 1: The particular sorts cannot be identified.]

XLIX

Since a holy place, a noble hall, I have thus consecrated for the use of
the great gods, my Lords Anu and Vul, and have laid down an adytum for
their special worship, and have finished it successfully, and have
delighted the hearts of their noble godships, may Anu and Vul preserve me
in power. May they support the men of my Government. May they establish
the authority of my officers. May they bring the rain, the joy of the
year, on the cultivated land and the desert during my time. In war and in
battle may they preserve me victorious. Many foreign countries, turbulent
nations, and hostile Kings I have reduced under my yoke; to my children
and descendants may they keep them in firm allegiance. I will lead my
steps, firm as the mountains, to the last days before Ashur and their
noble godships.

L

The list of my victories and the catalogue of my triumphs over foreigners
hostile to Ashur, which Anu and Vul have granted to my arms, I have
inscribed on my tablets and cylinders, and I have placed them to the last
days in the temple of my Lords Anu and Vul, and the tablets of Shamsi-Vul,
my ancestor, I have raised altars and sacrificed victims (before them),
and set them up in their places.

LI

In after-times, and in the latter days ...,[1] if the temple of the great
gods, my Lords Anu and Vul, and these shrines should become old and fall
into decay, may the prince who comes after me repair the ruins. May he
raise altars and sacrifice victims before my tablets and cylinders, and
may he set them up again in their places, and may he inscribe his name on
them together with my name. As Anu and Vul, the great gods, have ordained,
may he worship honestly with a good heart and full trust.

[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]

LII

Whoever shall abrade or injure my tablets and cylinders, or shall moisten
them with water, or scorch them with fire, or expose them to the air, or
in the holy place of god shall assign them a position where they cannot be
seen or understood, or who shall erase the writing and inscribe his own
name, or who shall divide the sculptures, and break them off from my
tablets,

LIII

Anu and Vul, the great gods, my Lords, let them consign his name to
perdition; let them curse him with an irrevocable curse; let them cause
his sovereignty to perish; let them pluck out the stability of the throne
of his empire; let not offspring survive him in the kingdom;[1] let his
servants be broken; let his troops be defeated; let him fly vanquished
before his enemies. May Vul in his fury tear up the produce of his land.
May a scarcity of food and of the necessaries of life afflict his country.
For one day may he not be called happy. May his name and his race perish
in the land.

In the month of _Kuzallu_[2] on the 29th day, in the High-Priesthood of
_Ina-iliya-hallik,_ (entitled) _Rabbi-turi._

[Footnote 1: Doubtful and faulty in text.]

[Footnote 2: Chisleu.]