Tiglath Pileser Iii

Tiglath-pileser III, bas-relief from his palace at Nimrud , late ^eighth century BC. BC , Muse du Louvre

Tiglath-Pileser III was king of Assyria from 745 to 727 BC. AD His name Tukulti-RPLA-Esharra means "heir of the Esharra is my helper. "

Accession to the Throne

Tiglath-Pileser probably rises to the throne after a coup, taking advantage of a revolt Kalhu. The Assyrians then leaves a difficult period, which sees its authority undermined from all sides, especially in the north under the action of the kingdom of Urartu. The previous rulers, rather small, are struggling to cope with the influence of Assyrian nobles who took a great power, such as turtanu Shamshi-ilu.

Major victories

The new king is very aggressive from the start, and rule one by one all the problems facing his kingdom is so. His first campaign is part of Babylonia , where he helps the king Nabonassar in trouble with the Arameans and Chaldeans. He took the opportunity to expand its territory in that direction. After this first success, he turned to the Urartu. In 743 , he won Commagene a brilliant victory against King Urartians Sarduri II and its allies. The following years were devoted to the reconquest of Syria 's north, nose and beard Sarduri who foments rebellion failed. Tiglath-Pileser strengthens its border with Urartu, before launching in 735 offensive towards this country, which does not reach the heart of the kingdom but has the virtue opposite to calm the ardor of his king. After a campaign towards the Iranian Plateau, the Assyrian armies move towards Syria and Palestine.

Tiglath-pileser took and annexed to his kingdom Gaza ( 734 ), Damascus , and presents the most local kingdoms. The recent campaigns of this king are held in Babylonia , where the death of Nabonassar in 735 threw the country into turmoil, instigated by the Chaldeans. Tiglath-pileser defeated their king Nabu-Mukin-Zari and ascends the throne of Babylon in 729 , under the name Pulu. Shortly before his death, he associated his son and designated successor Shalmaneser affairs of the kingdom and the latter succeeded him until his death in 727.

The founder of the Assyrian Empire

In addition to correcting the situation of the Assyrians in a few years by his conquests, Tiglath-pileser III also gives structure to the Assyrian Empire. It changes the mode of domination of the kingdoms conquered by replacing the ruler of some areas being annexed by an Assyrian governor. It does so with Arpad in 740 , the Unqi in 738 at Damascus in 732 , and thence to Babylon in 729 , where he proclaimed himself king, thus beginning a century of Assyrian domination in this country. It also divides some provinces to reduce the authority of their governor. He still showed some realms vassals if he sees an administrative and economic advantage. He practices in addition to large deportations of people to break the rebellion in some countries and highlight areas depopulated.

The army was reorganized to make it more efficient: the command is given to eunuchs considered to be more faithful, and arms and logistics are improved. Tiglath-pileser III also doubles the system of conscription by creating a professional army (Kisiri Sarrut) consisting of troops taken from the outlying provinces. The result is a weakening of national cohesion. The cavalry is growing at the expense of tanks , allowing operations in mountainous country. The infantry ( archers , pikemen ), made up of contingents of foreigners and provincials, will become increasingly important and will make the army more cumbersome and difficult to maneuver in the presence of riders.

	Kings of Assyria
	Preceded by Assur-Nerari V	Tiglath-Pileser III 745 - 727 BC. AD	Followed by Shalmaneser V

	Rulers of Babylon
	Preceded by Nabu-mukin-ZERI	Tiglath-Pileser III (Pulu) 729 - 727 BC. AD	Followed by Shalmaneser V (Ululaiu)

• Portal of the Ancient Near East

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