Relief slab from a palace

myminifactory

Ashur-nasir-pal II dominated Assyria from 883 to 859 BC. Tukulti-Ninurta II's son seized the throne in 883 BC. During his reign, Ashur-nasir-pal II launched an ambitious expansion plan, first defeating the northern peoples of Asia Minor as far as Nairi and exacting tribute from Phrygia. He then invaded Aram (modern Syria), conquering the Aramaeans and neo Hittites between the Khabur and Euphrates Rivers. The palaces, temples, and other structures built by Ashur-nasir-pal II demonstrate a significant increase in wealth and artistic expression. His brutal reputation was cemented by using enslaved captives to construct a new Assyrian capital at Kalhu (Nimrud) in Mesopotamia, where he erected many impressive monuments. Ashur-nasir-pal II also proved himself an astute administrator, recognizing that installing Assyrian governors would grant him greater control over his empire than relying on local client rulers paying tribute.