# Shalmaneser III

> Assyrian king

**Wikidata**: [Q211928](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211928)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalmaneser_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shalmaneser-iii

## Summary
Shalmaneser III was an Assyrian king who ruled the Assyrian Empire from 859 to 824 BCE. He is primarily known for his military campaigns and the construction of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, a significant black limestone sculpture with inscriptions.

## Biography
- Born: Unknown
- Nationality: Assyrian
- Education: Unknown
- Known for: Leading military campaigns and constructing the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III
- Employer(s): Assyrian Empire
- Field(s): Military leadership, sculpture

## Contributions
- Constructed the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, a black limestone Assyrian sculpture with inscriptions, which serves as a monument to his reign.

## FAQs
- **What was Shalmaneser III's primary role?**
  Shalmaneser III was the sovereign of the Assyrian Empire, ruling from 859 to 824 BCE. His primary role was leading military campaigns and overseeing the construction of significant monuments.

- **What is the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III?**
  The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III is a black limestone Assyrian sculpture with inscriptions. It was constructed during his reign and serves as a monument to his rule.

- **Where did Shalmaneser III work?**
  Shalmaneser III served as the sovereign of the Assyrian Empire, a major Mesopotamian East Semitic kingdom that existed from 2025 BCE.

## Why They Matter
Shalmaneser III's reign was marked by significant military achievements and the construction of the Black Obelisk, which remains a notable artifact of his time. His leadership and contributions to Assyrian history have left a lasting impact on the region's cultural and historical legacy.

## Notable For
- Construction of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, a significant black limestone sculpture with inscriptions.
- Sovereignty of the Assyrian Empire during a period of military expansion and cultural achievement.

## Body
### Early Life
Shalmaneser III was born into the Assyrian royal family, destined to rule the Assyrian Empire. Little is known about his early life, but his reign began in 859 BCE.

### Reign and Achievements
Shalmaneser III ascended to the throne in 859 BCE and ruled until 824 BCE. His reign was characterized by military campaigns and significant construction projects, including the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III.

### The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III
One of Shalmaneser III's most notable contributions was the construction of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III. This black limestone sculpture with inscriptions stands as a monument to his reign and reflects the artistic and cultural achievements of the Assyrian Empire.

### Legacy
Shalmaneser III's legacy is preserved through the Black Obelisk and historical records of his military campaigns. His rule contributed to the expansion and cultural development of the Assyrian Empire, leaving a lasting impact on Mesopotamian history.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013