Ashur-nirari V
King of Assyria / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ashur-nirari V (Neo-Assyrian cuneiform: Aššur-nārāri, meaning "Ashur is my help")[1] was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 755 BC to his death in 745 BC. Ashur-nirari was a son of Adad-nirari III (r. 811–783 BC) and succeeded his brother Ashur-dan III as king. He ruled during a period of Assyrian decline from which few sources survive. As such his reign, other than broad political developments, is poorly known.
Ashur-nirari V | |
---|---|
King of Assyria | |
King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire | |
Reign | 755–745 BC |
Predecessor | Ashur-dan III |
Successor | Tiglath-Pileser III |
Died | 745 BC |
Issue | Tiglath-Pileser III (?) |
Akkadian | Aššur-nārāri |
Dynasty | Adaside dynasty |
Father | Adad-nirari III |
At this time, the Assyrian officials were becoming increasingly powerful relative to the king, and Assyria's enemies were growing more dangerous. An unusually small share of Ashur-nirari's reign was devoted to campaigns against foreign enemies, perhaps suggesting domestic political instability within Assyria. In 746 or 745 BC, there are records of a revolt in Nimrud, the Assyrian capital. Ashur-nirari was succeeded by Tiglath-Pileser III, either his son or brother, but it is unclear in what manner. Though it is traditionally assumed that Tiglath-Pileser deposed Ashur-nirari, it is also possible that it was a smooth and legitimate succession, or that for a brief time they were co-rulers.