tates.

Babylon next claimed the attention of Tiglath-pileser. Nabonassar had
died and was succeeded by his son Nabu-nadin-zeri, who, after reigning
for two years, was slain in a rebellion. The throne was then seized by
Nabu-shum-ukin, but in less than two months this usurper was
assassinated and the Chaldaeans had one of their chiefs, Ukinzer,
proclaimed king (732 B.C.).

When the Assyrian king returned from Syria in 731 B.C. he invaded
Babylonia. He was met with a stubborn resistance. Ukinzer took refuge
in his capital, Shapia, which held out successfully, although the
surrounding country was ravaged and despoiled. Two years afterwards
Tiglath-pileser returned, captured Shapia, and restored peace
throughout Babylonia. He was welcomed in Babylon, which opened its
gates to him, and he had himself proclaimed king of Sumer and Akkad.
The Chaldaeans paid tribute.

Tiglath-pileser had now reached the height of his ambition. He had not
only extended his empire in the west from Cappadocia to the river of
Egypt, crippled Urartu and pacified his eastern frontier, but brought
Assyria into close union with Babylonia, the mother land, the home of
culture and the land of the ancient gods. He did not live long,
however, to enjoy his final triumph, for he died a little over twelve
months after he "took the hands of Bel (Merodach)" at Babylon.

He was succeeded by Shalmaneser V (727-722 B.C.), who may have been
his son, but this is not quite certain. Little is known regarding his
brief reign. In 725 B.C. he led an expedition to Syria and Phoenicia.
Several of the vassal peoples had revolted when they heard of the
death of Tiglath-pileser. These included the Phoenicians, the
Philistines, and the Israelites who were intriguing with either Egypt
or Mutsri.

Apparently Hoshea, king of Israel, pretended when the Assyrians
entered his country that he remained friendly. Shalmaneser, however,
was well informed, and made Hoshea a prisoner. Samaria closed its
gates against him although their king had been dispatched to Assyria.

The Biblical account of the campaign is as follows: "Against him
(Hoshea) came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his
servant, and gave him presents. And the king of Assyria found
conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of
Egypt,[519] and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had
done year by year; therefore the king of Assyria shut him up and bound
him in prison.