712: Kammanu to Assyria - Scroll Down for more details

The Fall of Kammanu - Assyria's Conquest in 712 BCE

The Assyrian Annexation of Kammanu (712 BCE)

In 712 BCE, the Neo-Assyrian Empire, under the rule of King Sargon II (r. 722-705 BCE), conquered the kingdom of Kammanu (also known as Kummuh or Commagene in later sources). This event was part of Assyria's broader campaign to secure its northwestern frontier and suppress rebellious vassal states.

Background: Kammanu and the Assyrian Empire

Kammanu was a small but strategically significant Luwian-Aramean kingdom located in southeastern Anatolia, near the upper Euphrates River. It had been a vassal state of Assyria for some time but occasionally sought alliances with rival powers, such as Urartu and Phrygia, to resist Assyrian domination.

The Conquest of Kammanu

• Rebellion and Punishment: Around 712 BCE, Kammanu's ruler, Kuštašpi, defied Assyrian authority, possibly by withholding tribute or allying with Urartu.
  
• Assyrian Response: Sargon II launched a swift military campaign, crushing Kammanu's resistance. The kingdom was annexed directly into the Assyrian provincial system, ensuring tighter control.
  
• Deportation Policy: As was typical of Assyrian imperial strategy, portions of Kammanu's population were likely deported to other regions to weaken local resistance and integrate them into the empire.

Aftermath and Significance

• Strategic Gain: The annexation of Kammanu secured Assyria's northwestern border and cut off potential alliances between Anatolian states and Urartu.
  
• Cultural Impact: Kammanu's integration into Assyria accelerated the spread of Aramaic and Assyrian administrative practices in the region.
  
• Later History: The region remained under Assyrian control until the empire's collapse in the late 7th century BCE. It later became part of the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Persian empires.

Conclusion

The fall of Kammanu in 712 BCE exemplifies the relentless expansion and administrative efficiency of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Sargon II. By crushing rebellions and absorbing vassal states, Assyria solidified its dominance over the Near East—though its harsh policies also sowed the seeds of future revolts.

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