Iran Stele
Ancient Stele from the Assyrian Empire
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The Iran Stele is a stele from the Neo-Assyrian Empire.[1][2][3][4][5] Dated to around 737 BCE, it is written in Akkadian and was discovered in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, hence the name.
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| Iran Stele | |
|---|---|
The Iran Stele on display at the Israel Museum, 2018 | |
| Material | Dolomite (rock) |
| Height | 240 cm (94 in) |
| Writing | Akkadian |
| Created | c. 737 BCE |
| Period/culture | Reign of Tiglath-Pileser III of the Neo-Assyrian Empire |
| Discovered | Zagros Mountains, Iran |
| Present location | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Period | Iron Age |
The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III was instrumental in expanding the Neo-Assyrian Empire westward, reaching the Levant and encountering Israel and Judah.[6] The Iran Stele was discovered in three large fragments and details his military campaigns during the first nine years of his reign.[7]
Of particular interest to ancient Israel is a section of the inscription listing the kings who paid tribute to him, including Menahem of Samaria.[8] Two of the Iran Stele fragments are now housed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem after being part of various private collections.[9]
Text:
“Menahem of Samaria, Hiram of Tyre, . . . gold, silver . . .”[10]