Shalmaneser II., son of Assur-nasir-âpli, during the first six years of his reign, warred, like his father, on the north and west, his object being to complete what his father had begun, namely, the subjugation of the territory of Ahuni, son of Adini, king of Til-barsip. This having been successfully accomplished, he was free to turn his attention to the more southern regions of the old land of the Amorites. In the year 854 B.C., therefore, he marched against Giammu, a ruler whose land lay on the river Belichus. To all appearance this chief wished to resist, but his people feared the power of the Assyrian king, and put Giammu to death. Taking possession of the district, he then proceeded to further successes, and after crossing the Euphrates again in boats of skins, he received the tribute of the kings on the farther side--Sangara of Carchemish, Kundaspu of Commagene, Aramu the son of Gusu, Lallu the Milidian, Haianu the son of Gabaru, Kalparuda of the Patinians, and Kalparuda of the Gurgumians, "(at) the city Assur-uttir-asbat, of the farther side of the Euphrates, which is upon the river Sajur, which the men of the Hittites call the city Pitru" (Pethor). Having reached Aleppo, he received also tribute there, and offered sacrifices before Hadad of Aleppo.
Next came the turn of Irhulêni of Hamath (Amatâa), whose cities Adennu, Pargâ, and Arganâ were captured and spoiled, and his palaces set in flames.
"From Arganâ I departed, to Qarqara I drew near: Qarqara, his royal city, I ravaged, destroyed, (and) burnt with fire. One thousand two hundred chariots, 1200 yoke of horses, 20,000 trained soldiers of Adad-'idri (= Bin-Adad-idri = Ben-Hadad) of Sa-imerisu (= the province of Damascus); 700 chariots, 700 yoke of horses, (and) 10,000 soldiers of Irhulêni of the land of the Hamathites; 2000 chariots (and) 10,000 men of Ahabbu (regarded as Ahab) of the land of the Sir'ilites (regarded as the Israelites); 500 men of the Guites; 1000 men of the Musrites; 10 chariots (and) 10,000 men of the Irqanatites; 200 men of Matinu-ba'ali of the city of the Arvadites; 200 men of the land of the Usanatites; 30 chariots (and) 10,000 men of Adunu-ba'ali of the land of the Sianians;(87) 1000 camels of Gindibu'u of the Arbâa (regarded as the Arabians); ... 00 men of Ba'asa son of Ruhubu of the land of the Amanians (Ammonites)--these 12(88) kings he took to aid him, (and) to make war and battle they advanced against me. With the supreme powers which Assur, the lord, has given; with the mighty weapons which _ura-gala_ (Nergal(89)) going before me, has presented (me), I fought with them. From the city Qarqara as far as the city Gilzau(90) I made an end of them. Fourteen thousand of their warriors I caused to be slain with the sword. Like Hadad I caused a torrent to rain down upon them...."