Ancient History - Part 21: A Prophecy Fulfilled

[Depiction of one king's surrender to another]

Upon the Assyrians' attack on Mari, a city with long-lasting ties to Babylonia since the days of Hammurabi, war was officially declared between the two superpowers of the Near East. Unfortunately, due to their abandonment of the Hittites, the Kassites had to contend with king Tukulti-Ninurta's might without the aid of king Hattushil (The wise Hittite leader could no longer help them if he wished, his remaining units since weakened and withdrawn to defensive holdfasts).

The Hittites were soundly defeated, their desire for Syria severed at the root, and it was a time to settle old feuds. This was a pending war without allies and one expected to last a few short years.

Babylonia's king during this period was Kashtiliash III (1249-1242) and he headed the Kassites' column as the two armies clashed. This was Assyria's full-scale invasion targeting Babylon, where the city's defensive structures and walls were destroyed, much of its citizenry killed, and king Kashtiliash was put in chains1, and hauled off before the surviving Kassite people, as a prisoner.

Whilst the fallen king and his family would become living trophies of sorts for Tukulti-Ninurta, the true symbol of victory was a precious statue of Marduk, the pride of Babylon and signet of the Kassite people, that was carried off to be added to their conqueror's personal treasury.

Once Babylon had crumbled, Assyria gained direct control over the entire country's operations, to the level of which the Assyrian king selected actual Assyrian-blooded governors to rule in his stead. Tukulti-Ninurta took all the spoils of war from Kassite possession and returned to his country where he was satisfied to retire from a life of war, hopeful to spend his remaining days building a new capital city: Kar-Tukulti-Ninurta. 

Tukulti-Ninurta was the first Assyrian king to don the ceremonial title of "King of Sumer and Akkad." (Effectively, the king of Assyria and Babylonia, and all their ancient lands between them)

The upcoming seven years that followed would dash Tukulti-Ninurta's dreams of a quiet retirement, as his newly acquired governance over Babylonia would cause his reign to face an unprecedented set of challenges.

[STATUE OF MARDUK]

1. Depicted above.