Sennacherib Prism

Sennacherib sits on a throne in the context of the Judean campaign as depicted on wall reliefs from his SW palace at Nineveh. For details of those reliefs, click on linked text below. The annals of his actions in Judah are recorded on 500 lines of text. The hexagonal clay prism stands 15" tall on a 5 1/2" base.

From the Oriental Institute Prism of Sennacherib, which contains--as does the so-called Taylor Prism (cf. Rawlinson, Vol. I. Pls. 37-42)--the final edition of the Annals of Sennacherib. Publication: D. D. Luckenbill, The Annals of Sennacherib (OIP, II. Chicago, 1924). Translation: ibid., and Luckenbill, AR, II, §§233 ff.

From the Oriental Institute Prism of Sennacherib, which contains--as does the so-called Taylor Prism (cf. Rawlinson, Vol. I. Pls. 37-42)--the final edition of the Annals of Sennacherib. Publication: D. D. Luckenbill, The Annals of Sennacherib (OIP, II. Chicago, 1924). Translation: ibid., and Luckenbill, AR, II, §§233 ff.

(ii 37-iii 49)

In my third campaign I marched against Hatti. Luli, king of Sidon, whom the terror-inspiring glamor of my lordship had overwhelmed , fled far overseas and perished. The awe-inspiring splendor of the "Weapon" of Ashur, my lord, overwhelmed his strong cities (such as) Great Sidon, Little Sidon, Bit-Zitti, Zaribtu, Mahalliba, Ushu (i.e. the mainland settlement of Tyre) Akzib (and) Akko, (all) his fortress cities, walled (and well) provided with feed and water for his garrisons, and they bowed in submission to my feet. I installed Ethbaal (Tuba'lu) upon the throne to be their king and imposed upon him tribute (due) to me (as his) overlord (to be paid) annually without interruption.

As to all the kings of Amurru--Menahem (Mi-in-hi-im-mu) from Samsimuruna, Tuba'lu from Sidon, Abdili'ti from Arvad, Urumilki from Byblos, Mitini from Ashdod, Buduili from Beth-Ammon, Kammusunadbi from Moab (and) Aiarummu from Edom, they brought sumptuous gifts (igisû) and--fourfold--their heavy tâmartu -presents to me and kissed my feet. Sidqia, however, king of Ashkelon, who did not bow to my yoke, I deported and sent to Assyria, His family-gods, himself, his wife, his children, his brothers, all the male descendants of his family. I set Sharruladari, son of Rukibtu, their former king, over the inhabitants of Ashkelon and imposed upon him the payments of tribute (and of) katrû -presents (due) to me (as) overlord--and he (now) pulls the straps (of my yoke)!

In the continuation of my campaign I besieged Beth Dagon, Joppa, Banai-Barqa, Azuru, cities belonging to Sidqia who did not bow to my feet quickly (enough); I conquered (them) and carried their spoils away. The officials, the patricians and the (common) people of Ekron--who had thrown Padi, their king, into fetters (because he was) loyal to (his) solemn oath (sworn) by the god Ashur, and had handed him over to Hezekiah, the Jew (Ha-za-qi-(i)a-ú amel Ia-ú-da-ai)--(and) he (Hezekiah) held him in prison, unlawfully, as if he (Padi) be an enemy--had become afraid and had called (for help) upon the kings of Egypt (Mus(u)ri) the bowmen, the chariot(-corps) and the cavalry of the king of Ethiopia (Meluhha), an army beyond counting--and they (actually) had come to their assistance. In the plain of Eltekeh (Al-ta-qu-ú), their battle lines were drawn up against me and they sharpened their weapons. Upon a trust (-inspiring) oracle (given) by Ashur, my lord, I fought with them and inflicted a defeat upon them. In the mêlée of the battle, I personally captured alive the Egyptian charioteers with the (ir) princes and (also) the charioteers of the king of Ethiopia. I besieged Eltekeh (and) Timnah (Ta-am-na-a), conquered (them) and carried their spoils away. I assaulted Ekron and killed the officials and patricians who had committed the crime and hung their bodies on poles surrounding the city. The (common) citizens who were guilty of minor crimes, I considered prisoners of war. The rest of them, those who were not accused of crimes and misbehavior, I released. I made Padi, their king, come from Jerusalem (Ur-sa-li-im-mu) and set him as their lord on the throne, imposing upon him the tribute (due) to me (as) overlord.

As to Hezekiah, the Jew, he did not submit to my yoke, I laid siege to 46 of his strong cities, walled forts and to the countless small villages in their vicinity, and conquered (them) by means of well-stamped (earth-) ramps, and battering-rams brought (thus) near (to the walls) (combined with) the attack by foot soldiers, (using) mines, breeches as well as sapper work. I drove out (of them) 200,150 people, young and old, male and female, horses, mules, donkeys, camels, big and small cattle beyond counting, and considered (them) booty. Himself I made a prisoner in Jerusalem, his royal residence, like a bird in a cage. I surrounded him with earthwork in order to molest those who were leaving his city's gate. His towns which I had plundered , I took away from his country and gave them (over) to Mitinti, king of Ashdod, Padi, king of Ekron, and Sillibel, king of Gaza. Thus I reduced his country, bur I still increased the tribute and the katru -presents (due) to me (as his) overlord which I imposed (later) upon him beyond the former tribute, to be delivered annually. Hezekiah himself, whom the terror-inspiring splendor of my lordship had overwhelmed and whose irregular and elite troops which he had brought into Jerusalem, his royal residence, in order to strengthen (it), had deserted him, did send me, later, to Nineveh, my lordly city, together with 30 talents of gold, 800 talents of silver, precious stones, antimony, large cuts of red stone, couches (inlaid) with ivory, nîmedu -chairs (in-laid) with ivory, elephant-hides, ebony-wood, box-wood (and) all kinds of valuable treasures, his (own) daughters, concubines, male and female musicians. In order to deliver the tribute and to do obeisance as a slave he sent his (personal) messenger.


Pritchard, J.B., editor; Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 287-8. Copyright ©1950, 1955, 1969 by Princeton University Press. Reprinted by permission of Princeton University Press.