Region: Iraq: Nineveh (?), Reign of Sennacherib Origin: Purchased in Baghdad, 1919 Accession: OIM A2793 Period: Neo-Assyrian Period ca. 689 B.C. Materials: Baked clay, inscribed Dimensions:
H. 38.0cm
W. 14.0cm
On the six inscribed sides of this clay prism, King Sennacherib recorded eight military campaigns undertaken against various peoples who refused to submit to Assyrian domination. In all instances, he claims to have been victorious. As part of the third campaign, he beseiged Jerusalem and imposed heavy tribute on Hezekiah, King of Judah-a story also related in the Bible, where Sennacherib is said to have been defeated by 'the angel of the Lord,' who slew 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (II Kings 18-19).
