Iran Stele

The 'Iran Stele ' is an ancient Stele from the Assyrian Empire.

Tiglath-Pileser III was instrumental in expanding the Neo-Assyrian Empire westward, reaching the Levant and encountering Israel and Judah. The Iran Stele was discovered in three large fragments in Iran and details his military campaigns during the first nine years of his reign.

Of particular interest to Ancient Israel is a section of the inscription listing kings who paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser, including Menahem of Samaria. Two of the Iran Stele fragments are now housed in the Israel Museum after being part of private collections.

Text:

“''Menahem of Samaria, Hiram of Tyre,. . . gold, silver. . .”''

“. . the place of Samaria only did I leave their king”