Synopsis: A coalition marshalled by Hadad-ezer of Aram-Damascus and Urahilina of Hamath successfully defends southern Syria from further Assyrian encroachment. But a decade of campaigning by Shalmaneser begins to take its toll.“I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to Qarqar, his royal city. Urahilina brought twelve kings to his support; they came against me to offer battle and fight: 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, and 20,000 soldiers belonging to Hadad-ezer of Damascus; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, and 10,000 soldiers belonging to Urahilina of Hamath; 2,000 chariots, and 10,000 soldiers belonging to Ahab, the Israelite; 500 soldiers belonging to the Gueans; 1,000 soldiers belonging to the Musreans; 10 chariots and 10,000 soldiers belonging to the Irkanateans; 200 soldiers belonging to Matinuba’il the Arwadite; 200 soldiers belonging to the Usanateans; 30 chariots and 1,000 soldiers belonging to Adunu-ba’il the Shianean; 1,000 camels belonging to Gindibu’ the Arabian; and 1,000 soldiers [belonging to] Baasha, son of Ruhubi, the Ammonite. Trusting in the exalted might which the lord Assur had given me, in the mighty weapons, which Nergal, who goes before me, had presented to me, I battled with them.” – The Kurkh Stele of Shalmaneser IIIMap of the Early Iron Age Near East:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpgMap of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpgThe Kings of Syria and Canaan:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdfEpisode Images:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C18_Images.pdfReferences and Further Reading:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C18_References.pdfPlease contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices