Sargon The King of Assyria - Isaiah
20:1
The case of Sargon provides a good illustration of the value
of archaeology in relation to the Bible. Sargon is one of the
forgotten persons who has been brought to life by the archaeological
pick, and he provides a great illustration of the historical
trustworthiness of the Bible.
The Palace of Sargon of Assyria
James Orr
commented in 1906, "Ancient writers knew nothing
of him (Sargon). He was a mystery: some did not hesitate to deny
that he ever existed.” Late in his reign Sargon built a
new capital city, which he called Dur-Sharrukin ('the fortress
of Sargon'), known today as Khorsabad. Among the buildings was
a magnificently sculptured palace, which was discovered by the
French archaeologist Paul-Emile Botta between 1842 and 1844.
The British Museum has numerous artifacts depicting Sargon including
the “Sargon Vase” which contains an inscription with
his name on it. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago
contains information and photographs of the early excavations
of Sargon’s palace.
Sargon Brick Inscription
The
Vatican Museum’s
collection includes an inscribed brick from Sargon’s
palace in Khorsabad. The inscription celebrates the construction
of the city and of the palace:
"Sargon,
king of the universe, built this city: Dûr-Sharrûkin
("The fortress of Sargon") is it's name; inside it
he had this unrivalled Palace built.” -
Sargon Brick Inscription
The Sargon Inscription
This clay prism contains Assyrian inscriptions
in cuneiform writing that validates the Biblical account regarding
the capture and
deportation of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC The
inscriptions records the 8th campaign of Sargon II in Syria
and the revolts in Samaria, the capital of northern Israel,
before and after Sargon’s campaigns. The Assyrian inscriptions
also record king Sargon’s boasting, "I besieged
and captured Samaria, and carried off 27,290 of its inhabitants" (2
Kings 17:5-6). This cuneiform tablet now resides in the Louvre
Museum in Paris
Sargon of Asyria Ancient
Inscription Translations | Transcriptions
The
following pdf documents contain translations of ancient inscriptions
of the Assyrian King Sargon.
Sargon Annals and the Battle of Ashdod Inscriptions |
