ADADNIRARI I

(reigned 1307–1275 B.C.)

   King of Assyria, son and successor of Arik-den-ili. His reign is historically welldocumented. His annals contain much material about his military campaigns, and other written sources exist, such as chronicles, edicts, and letters to other sovereigns. The greatest military achievement of this king was defeating the powerful state of Mitanni (also known as Hanigalbat), whose ruler, Shattuara, he took prisoner before allowing him to return to govern his country as an Assyrian vassal ruler. When the death of Shattuara triggered an anti-Assyrian revolt, Adad-nirari marched against Mitanni, destroyed numerous cities, and deported parts of the population. He also extended the southern frontier toward Babylonia, defeated the Kassite king of Babylon, and collected tribute from tribes and people in the area. The prosperity and stability of his reign allowed him to engage in ambitious building projects, building city walls and canals and restoring temples.