Sargon Cylinder

Sargon Cylinder is an artifact discovered in Khorsabad, the site of ancient Dur-Sharrukin, Iraq, during Victor Place's excavations from 1851 to 1855. Multiple copies of this Assyrian royal inscription of Sargon II are distributed across various institutions, including the Israel Museum and the Hood Museum of Art.

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Discovery

The Sargon Cylinder was discovered in Khorsabad, the ancient site known as Dur-Sharrukin, which served as the capital of Sargon II. The excavation was part of Victor Place's archaeological work conducted between 1851 and 1855. This area, located in modern-day Iraq, is significant for Assyrian history as it was a focal point of Sargon's reign.

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Physical Description

The Sargon Cylinder is made of clay and features cuneiform inscriptions. Its dimensions and specific physical characteristics can vary slightly between copies, as multiple cylinders were created. The inscriptions are organized in neat cuneiform script, characteristic of Assyrian royal inscriptions. The condition of each cylinder varies, with some fragments displaying more weathering than others.

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Content and Inscription

The inscriptions on the Sargon Cylinder detail the accomplishments and military campaigns of Sargon II, who ruled from 722 to 705 BC. The text is written in Akkadian, the language of the Assyrian empire, and it exemplifies the royal propaganda typical of the period. The cylinder celebrates Sargon's building projects, victories, and the expansion of his empire, serving as a testament to his power and influence.

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Biblical Significance

The Sargon Cylinder provides valuable context for certain biblical events, especially those involving the Assyrian empire. Sargon II is named in the Bible only in Isaiah 20:1. The biblical account of the conquest of Samaria and the exile of the northern kingdom of Israel names Shalmaneser king of Assyria and otherwise refers to "the king of Assyria" (2 Kings 17:3-6, 18:9-11). The cylinder corroborates the historical backdrop of these events, offering insights into the geopolitical dynamics during the late eighth century BC. The Bible names Sargon only once, when his commander captures Ashdod (Isaiah 20:1), so there is no biblical narrative of his campaigns to compare with these inscriptions; they provide Assyrian context for the period rather than direct corroboration of a biblical account of Sargon.

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Scholarly Significance

The Sargon Cylinder is a crucial piece of evidence for understanding Assyrian history and the broader Near Eastern context of the biblical period. The cylinder is chiefly a foundation text for Dur-Sharrukin, probably composed by about 713 BC. Its short list of Sargon II's victories includes two references to Israel: Sargon calls himself the one "who made the wide land of Israel (lit. Bit-Humria) tremble" and says that the remnant of the tribes he conquered (the Tamudi, Ibadidi, Marsimani and Hayapa) was "transferred and settled in Israel."