n that, after his victory over the
Mannai, Sargon, instead of attacking Busas, the most obstinate of
his foes, turned against the Medes. Bllipi, Parsuash, and Kharkhar,
comprising half the countries which had joined in the insurrection, were
on the borders of Elam or had frequent relations with that state, and it
is impossible to conjecture what turn affairs might have taken had
Elam been induced to join their league, and had the Elamite armies, in
conjunction with those of Merodach-baladan, unexpectedly fallen upon the
Assyrian rear by the valleys of the Tigris or the Turnat.

[Illustration: 369.jpg TAKING OF THE CITY OF KISHISIM BY THE ASSYRIANS]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from the facsimile by Plandin. The
figures resembling stags' horns, which crown three of the
upper towers, are tongues of flame, as was indicated by the
red colouring which still remained on them when the bas-
relief was discovered.

Had the Elamites, however, entertained a desire to mingle in the fray,
the promptness with which Sargon had re-established order must
have given them cause to reflect and induced them to maintain their
neutrality. The year which had opened so inauspiciously thus ended
in victory, though the situation was still fraught with danger. The
agitation which had originated in the east and northeast in 716 reached
the north-west in 715, and spread as far as the borders of Southern
Syria. Rusas had employed the winter in secret negotiations with the
Mannai, and had won over one of their principal chiefs, a certain
Dayaukku, whose name seems to be identical with that which the Greeks
transliterated as Deiokes.*

* The identity of the name Dayaukku with that of Deiokes is
admitted by all historians.

As soon as spring had returned he entered the territory of Ullusunu, and
occupied twenty-two strongholds, which were probably betrayed into his
hands by Dayaukku. While this was taking place Mita of Mushki invaded
Cilicia, and the Arab tribes of the Idumsean desert--the Thamudites,
the Ibadites, the Marsimanu, and Khayapa--were emboldened to carry their
marauding expeditions into Assyrian territory. The Assyrian monarch was
thus called on to conduct three distinct wars simultaneously in three
different directions; he was, moreover, surrounded by wavering subjects
whom terror alone held to their allegiance, and whom the slightest
imprudence or the least reverse might turn into open foes.

Sargon r