From Karkemiš to Rapiqu: The Assyrians in the Euphrates Valley in the 13th century

Abstract

The Euphrates Valley was a scene of rivalries between the Hittites, Babylonians and Assyrians throughout the 13th century BCE. The Assyrians developed several strategies to control the valley through the establishment of governors or the creation of small settlements. Shalmaneser I was very active upstream of the confluence on the Habur, while the Middle Euphrates came into the Assyrian sphere during the reign of Tukulti-Ninurta I. Analysis of the available literature invites a multi-level approach to separate local events from matters affecting the geopolitical balance of the states.