image of
Assyria rose involuntarily before the eyes of the Hebrew prophets as
that of the avenger destined to punish Israel for its excesses.*

* Cf. Amos vi. 4.

No doubt, during the last few reigns its prosperity had waned and its
authority over distant provinces had gradually become relaxed; but now
the old dynasty, worn out by its own activity, had given place to a
new one, and with this change of rulers the tide of ill-fortune was,
perhaps, at last about to turn. At such a juncture, a successful
campaign meant full compensation for all past disasters and the
attainment of a firmer position than had ever yet been held; whereas
another reverse, following on those from which the empire had already
suffered, would render their effect tenfold more deadly, and, by letting
loose the hatred of those whom fear alone still held in check, complete
its overthrow. It was essential, therefore, before entering on the
struggle, to weigh well every chance of victory, and to take every
precaution by which adverse contingencies might be, as far as possible,
eliminated. The army, encouraged by its success in the two preceding
campaigns, was in excellent fighting order, and ready to march in any
direction without a moment's hesitation, confident in its ability to
defeat the forces of Urartu as it had defeated those of the Medes and
Aramaeans; but the precise point of attack needed careful consideration.
Tiglath-pileser must have been sorely tempted to take the shortest
route, challenge the enemy at his most vulnerable point on the shores of
Lake Van, and by a well-aimed thrust deal him a blow from which he
would never, or only by slow degrees, recover. But this vital region
of Urartu, as we have already pointed out, presented the greatest
difficulties of access. The rampart of mountain and forest by which it
was protected on the Assyrian side could only be traversed by means of
a few byways, along which bands of guerrillas could slip down easily
enough to the banks of the Tigris, but which were quite impassable to
any army in full marching order, hampered by its horses, chariots,
and baggage-train: compelled to thread its way, with columns unduly
extended, through the woods and passes of an unknown country, which
daily use had long made familiar to its adversaries, it would have run
the risk of being cut to pieces man by man a dozen times before it could
hope to range its disciplined masses on the field of battle. Former
Assyria