Assyrian Conquest of Syria
Encyclopedia
Assyrian Conquest of Syria (854 BC - 846 BC) was an invasion by the armies of Assyria
led by King Shalmaneser III
to conquer Syria
. The war resulted in the formation of what became known as the 12 kings alliance against Assyria. It peaked with the 853 BC Battle of Qarqar
which was indecisive but nonetheless resulted in Assyria withdrawing their forces due to them having suffered heavy casualties. Despite these losses the war continued until 846 BC, but ultimately this particular invasion was a failure. Eventually however King Shalmaneser III did briefly conquer Syria and most of Palestine
. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MESO/ASSYRIA.HTM
, the Ammonites and the Kingdom of Israel. Wars between Shalmaneser III and these nations were ongoing throughout his region.
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
led by King Shalmaneser III
Shalmaneser III
Shalmaneser III was king of Assyria , and son of the previous ruler, Ashurnasirpal II....
to conquer Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. The war resulted in the formation of what became known as the 12 kings alliance against Assyria. It peaked with the 853 BC Battle of Qarqar
Battle of Qarqar
The Battle of Qarqar was fought in 853 BC when the army of Assyria led by king Shalmaneser III encountered an allied army of 12 kings at Qarqar led by Hadadezer of Damascus and King Ahab of Israel...
which was indecisive but nonetheless resulted in Assyria withdrawing their forces due to them having suffered heavy casualties. Despite these losses the war continued until 846 BC, but ultimately this particular invasion was a failure. Eventually however King Shalmaneser III did briefly conquer Syria and most of Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MESO/ASSYRIA.HTM
Reasons for the invasion
Assyrian King Shalmaneser III had numerous enemies during his reign. These included the kingdoms of EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, the Ammonites and the Kingdom of Israel. Wars between Shalmaneser III and these nations were ongoing throughout his region.