In 714 BC, Sargon II (r. 722–705 BC) invaded the Kingdom of Urartu and fought against its king, Rusa I (r. 735–714 BC). Sargon’s predecessor, Tiglath-Pileser III (r. 745–727 BC), had recognised the rising threat that Urartu posed, and Rusa had backed a rival in the kingdom of Mannea who overthrew the Assyrian candidate. Several other states joined this rebellion against Assyrian authority. Sargon prepared and, in 716 BC, he retook Mannea, which surrendered unconditionally; the other rebel client states soon followed suit, probably exceeding Sargon’s hopes. He reclaimed or took over Mannea, Karalla, Allabria, and Kishesim, and his armies marched over 600 miles (965 kilometres).
Sargon’s armies included cavalry, heavy infantry, archers, levies, Gurrean spearmen, and Itu’ean archers, and the further into new territory they progressed, the more violent…
