Ashurnasirpal II

Ashurnasirpal II (transliteration: Aššur-nâṣir-apli, meaning "Ashur is guardian of the heir") is king of Assyria from 883 to 859 BCE.

Ashurnasipal II succeeds his father, Tukulti-Ninurta II, in 883 BCE.

During his reign, he embarks on a vast program of expansion, first conquering the peoples to the north in Asia Minor as far as Nairi and exacting tribute from Phrygia, then invading Aram (modern Syria) conquering the Aramaeans and neo-Hittites between the Khabur and the Euphrates Rivers.

His harshness prompts a revolt that he crushes decisively in a pitched, two-day battle.

According to his monument inscription while recalling this massacre he says "their men young and old I took prisoners.

Of some I cut off their feet and hands; of others I cut off the ears noses and lips; of the young men's ears I made a heap; of the old men's heads I made a marinet.

I exposed their heads as a trophy in front of their city.

The male children and the female children I burned in flames; the city I destroyed, and consumed with fire."

Following this victory, he advances without opposition as far as the Mediterranean and exacts tribute from Phoenicia.

On his return back home he moves his capital to the city of Kalhu (Nimrud).

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