ernor of Nishtun, who had been taken prisoner, was transported to
Arbela, where he was skinned alive. Like his father, Ashur-natsir-pal
fought against the Muski, whose power was declining. Then he turned
southward from the borders of Asia Minor and dealt with a rebellion in
northern Mesopotamia.

An Aramaean pretender named Akhiababa had established himself at Suru
in the region to the east of the Euphrates, enclosed by its
tributaries the Khabar and the Balikh. He had come from the
neighbouring Aramaean State of Bit-Adini, and was preparing, it would
appear, to form a powerful confederacy against the Assyrians.

When Ashur-natsir-pal approached Suru, a part of its population
welcomed him. He entered the city, seized the pretender and many of
his followers. These he disposed of with characteristic barbarity.
Some were skinned alive and some impaled on stakes, while others were
enclosed in a pillar which the king had erected to remind the
Aramaeans of his determination to brook no opposition. Akhiababa the
pretender was sent to Nineveh with a few supporters; and when they had
been flayed their skins were nailed upon the city walls.

Another revolt broke out in the Kirkhi district between the upper
reaches of the Tigris and the southwestern shores of Lake Van. It was
promoted by the Nairi tribes, and even supported by some Assyrian
officials. Terrible reprisals were meted out to the rebels. When the
city of Kinabu was captured, no fewer than 3000 prisoners were burned
alive, the unfaithful governor being flayed. The city of Damdamusa was
set on fire. Then Tela was attacked. Ashur-natsir-pal's own account of
the operations runs as follows:--

The city (of Tello) was very strong; three walls surrounded it.
The inhabitants trusted to their strong walls and numerous
soldiers; they did not come down or embrace my feet. With battle
and slaughter I assaulted and took the city. Three thousand
warriors I slew in battle. Their booty and possessions, cattle,
sheep, I carried away; many captives I burned with fire. Many of
their soldiers I took alive; of some I cut off hands and limbs; of
others the noses, ears, and arms; of many soldiers I put out the
eyes. I reared a column of the living and a column of heads. I
hung on high their heads on trees in the vicinity of their city.
Their boys and girls I burned up in flames. I devastated the city,
dug it up, in fire burned it; I annihil