Winning Friends and “Influencing” People
Ancient Assyria grew from the advanced civilizations of Mesopotamia. The Neo-Assyrian Empire gained control of all of Mesopotamia under Tiglath-Pileser III (744-727 BC) by 729 BC. The beginning point for the Neo-Assyrian "influence" in the Middle East is linked to the reign of Tiglath-Pileser III, also. After conquering the western powers north of the Middle East and consolidating power in the Mesopotamian crescent, Tiglath-Pileser III moved into southern Syria. Tiglath-Pileser III annexed Aram and major portions of Israel. Large numbers of people were deported from Damascus and Israel as the policy of Tiglath-Pileser III and his successors dictated. Shalmaneser V succeeded Tiglath-Pileser III and is credited with the capture of Samaria and the remainder of Israel previously unconquered by Tiglath-Pileser (II Kings 17:1-6). By 722 BC Aram-Damascus, Hazor, Megiddo, and Israel/Samaria were sectioned into districts which possibly included the entire north region of Palestine, Qarnini (Quarniam), Haurina (Hauran), and Gala'za (Gilead). Again, the implementation of the deportation of craftsmen and skilled metal and ceramic workers depleted this northern region. Yet, evidently Moab was not annexed and relations with Assyria were established with Moab's loyalty to Assyria required. A survey of the Neo-Assyrian inscription evidence provides clues to the relational issues between the empire and the eastern states.
By the late 9th century, apparently Ammon, Moab, and Edom had established treaties as subjects of the Assyrians. Adad-Nirari III (810-785 BC) received tribute from Edom after an expedition into Palestine. Therefore prior to the invasive action of Tiglath-Pileser III, the eastern frontier of Palestine appears to have been secured through subjective agreements between the power of Assyria and the small nations east of the Jordan Valley.
From the 8th -6th centuries BC, the Neo-Assyrian inscriptions provide glimpses into the relationships between vassal and power. The inscriptions of Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC) state that Salamanu, king of Moab paid tribute to Assyria along with the kings of Ammon, Edom, Gaza, as well as Jehoaz of Judah. Sennacherib (704-681 BC) required tribute of Kammusanadi, king of Moab. Further, in a listing of twenty-two kings, Musuri, king of Moab supplied forced labor to Essarhaddon (680-669 BC) to transport materials for the construction of his palace.