Tiglath-Pileser III Records

Overview

The records of Tiglath-Pileser III, one of the most powerful rulers of the Assyrian Empire, constitute a vast corpus of inscriptions that document his military campaigns and administrative reforms across the Near East. Discovered in various locations throughout the Assyrian heartland, including the capital city of Assyria, these inscriptions provide a detailed account of Tiglath-Pileser's conquests, which included the subjugation of the Kingdom of Israel and the extraction of tribute from its rulers. The significance of these records lies in their potential connection to the biblical narrative, particularly in 2 Kings 15:29, where the Assyrian king is described as having conquered the Israelite territory, leading to the eventual fall of the Northern Kingdom. The inscriptions detail the tribute paid by Menahem, the king of Israel, to Tiglath-Pileser, a payment that was made to secure a degree of autonomy for the region. This discovery has profound implications for our understanding of the political dynamics of the ancient Near East, as it provides concrete evidence of the Assyrian Empire's reach and influence, as well as the complex relationship between the Assyrians and the Israelites. The records of Tiglath-Pileser III thus serve as a vital link between the biblical text and the material culture of the ancient world, offering a tangible connection to the historical events that shaped the region's development.

Inscription