rgon--Destruction of the kingdom of Israel._

CHAPTER II--TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN
EMPIRE FROM 745 TO 722 B.C.

_Failure of Urartu and re-conquest of Syria--Egypt again united under
Ethiopian auspices--Pionkhi--The downfall of Damascus, of Babylon, and
of Israel._

* Drawn by Boudier, from Layard. The vignette, also by
Boudier, represents a bronze statuette of Queen Karomama,
now in the Louvre.

Events proved that, in this period, at any rate, the decadence of
Assyria was not due to any exhaustion of the race or impoverishment of
the country, but was mainly owing to the incapacity of its kings and the
lack of energy displayed by their generals. If Menuas and Argistis had
again and again triumphed over the Assyrians during half a century, it
was not because their bands of raw recruits were superior to the tried
veterans of Ramman-nirari in either discipline or courage. The Assyrian
troops had lost none of their former valour, and their muster-roll
showed no trace of diminution, but their leaders had lost the power of
handling their men after the vigorous fashion of their predecessors,
and showed less foresight and tenacity in conducting their campaigns.
Although decimated and driven from fortress to fortress, and from
province to province, hampered by the rebellions it was called upon
to suppress, and distracted by civil discord, the Assyrian army still
remained a strong and efficient force, ever ready to make its full power
felt the moment it realised that it was being led by a sovereign capable
of employing its good qualities to advantage. Tiglath-pileser had,
doubtless, held a military command before ascending the throne, and
had succeeded in winning the confidence of his men: as soon as he had
assumed the leadership they regained their former prestige, and restored
to their country that supremacy which its last three rulers had failed
to maintain.*

* The official documents dealing with the history of
Tiglath-pileser III. have been seriously mutilated, and
there is on several points some difference of opinion among
historians as to the proper order in which the fragments
ought to be placed, and, consequently, as to the true
sequence of the various campaigns. The principal documents
are as follows: (1) The _Annals_ in the Central Hall of the
palace of Shalmaneser III. at Nimroud, partly defaced by
Esarhaddon, an