Original Assyrian Documents

A PORTION OF THE ASSYRIAN ANNALS
OF ASSURBANIPAL
The First March Against Tyre

In my third campaign against Bahal king of Tyre I went.
fortresses [towers] against him I raised
... his people I strengthened
the watch
on sea and land
his roads I took
his going out I stopped.

Fragment S2027

I caused to set Bihilu .... Bel-idina in the city Kullimur
to the borders of the land of Assyrian I restored
tributes of my lordship
In my 10th --- my expedition
.... my face to
which in (?) the language of the men of the land of Kush
and Muzur
I gathered armies of Assur(?) strong which within
Nisan the month first from my city Assur I departed ...
The river Tigris and Euphrates I crossed regions difficult I penetrated
in the course of my expedition against Bahal king of Tyre who
to Tirhaka king of Kush (Ethiopia) his letters had entrusted
the yoke of Assur my lord threw off defiance
.... towers against him I raised.
food and drink(?) their lives ....... from the land of Egypt the camp I assembled
to the land of Miluha I directed the road
.......

[Boscawen, W., Historical Inscription of Esarhaddon in TSBA, Vol. IV, 1876, p. 84-97. The author thinks that the city of Tyre was first besieged by Tyre but taken later by Assurbanipal.]
The First March Against Egypt

"In my first campaign I marched against Magan and Meluhha, Tarku (Tirhaka), king of Egypt and Ethiopia (Kush), whom Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, the father who begot me, had defeated, and whose land he brought under his sway ..."

"In the course of my march, 22 kings of the seacoast, of the midst of the sea and of the mainland, servants, subject to me, brought their rich (heavy) presents before me and kissed my feet. Those kings together with their forces, on their ships by sea, on dry land with my armies, I caused to take path and road. To hurry aid to the kings, the governors, who were in Egypt, servants, subject to me, I hastily advanced, marching as far as Kār-bānīti. Tarkū, king of Egypt and Ethiopia, heard of the advance of my army, in Memphis, and mustered his fighting men against me, offering armed resistance and battle. With the help of Assu, Bel, Nabu, the great gods, my lords, who advance on my side, I defeated his army in a battle on the open plain. Tarku heard of the defeat of his armies, while in Memphis. The terrible splendor of Assur and Ishtar covercame him and he went mad. The glory ... He forsook Memphis and fled to save his life, to Ni' (Thebes). That city I seized; I had my troops enter and occupy it. Niku (Necho), king of Memphis and Sais, Sharru-lu-dari, king of Si'nu, Pishanhuru, king of Nathu etc... See list below

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20
 Niku (Necho)
Sharru-lu-dari
Pishannuri
Pakruru
Bukkunanni'pi
Nahke
Putubishti
Unamunu
Harsiaeshu
Buama
Susinku
Tabnahti
Bukkunanni'pi
Iptiharteshu
Nahtihuruansini
Bukurninib
Siha
Lamentu
Ishpimatu
Mantimeange
 king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
king of
 Memphis and Sais
Sinu
Nathu
Pishaptu
Hathiribi
Hininshi
Sa'nu
Nathu
Sabnuti
Piniti
Pushiru
Punubu
Ahni
Pihattihurunpiki
Pishabdi'a
Pahnuti
Shiautu
Himuni
Taini
Ni'
 Herodotus recognized 12 rulers, not 20. Why, we don't know.

It would be desirable to try and identify among Egyptian names who, besides Niku/Necho, these rulers could have been.
-- these kings, prefects and governors, wwhom my father had installed in Egypt, who had deserted their posts before the advance of Tarku, (and) filled the plain, I reinstalled in their posts, in their (former) residences. Egypt and Ethiopia, which my father had conquered, I reorganized; the outposts I made stronger than in former days; I strengthened the organization. With much plunder and heavy spoil I returned in safety to Niniveh.

These kings, who had planned evil against the armies of Assyria, they brought before me, alive, to Niniveh. I had mercy upon Niku, one of their number, spared his life and laid an oath, more drastic than the former, upon him. I clothed him in splendid garments, laid upon his (neck) a golden chain, as the emblem of his royalty. I put rings of gold upon his fingers, gave him an iron girdle dagger, set in gold - having written my name upon it. Chariots, horses and mules I presented to him for his royal riding. My officials I sent with him, at his request, (to serve as) prefects. I sent him back to his post in Sais, where my father had set him up as king, and Nabu-shezibanni, his son, I set over Hathariba. I showed him even greater favor than that of my father." [Luckenbill, `Records of Assyria', #770-774]
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