But this was not the worst. The harsh treatment of Simyra and Arka,
without complaint made or offence given, after a full century of patient
and quiet submission, aroused a feeling of alarm and indignation among
the Phoenician cities generally, which could not fail to see in what
had befallen their sisters a foreshadowing of the fate that they had to
expect one day themselves. Beginning with the weakest cities, Assyria
would naturally go on to absorb those which were stronger, and Tyre
herself, the “anointed cherub,”[14136] could look for no greater favour
than, like Ulysses in the cave of Polyphemus, to be devoured last.
Luliya, or Elulæus, the king of Tyre at the time,[14137] endeavoured
to escape this calamity by gathering to himself a strength which would
enable him to defy attack. He contrived to establish his dominion over
almost the whole of Southern Phoenicia--over Sidon, Accho, Ecdippa,
Sarepta, Hosah, Bitsette, Mahalliba, &c.[14138]--and at the same time
over the distant Cyprus,[14139] where the Cittæans, or people of Citium,
held command of the island. After a time the Cittæans revolted from him,
probably stirred up by the Assyrians. But Elulæus, without delay, led
an expedition into Cyprus, and speedily put down the rebellion. Hereupon
the Assyrian king of the time, Shalmaneser IV., the successor and
probably the son of Tiglath-pileser II., led a great expedition into the
west about B.C. 727, and “overran all Syria and Phoenicia.”[14140] But
he was unable to make any considerable impression. Tyre and Aradus were
safe upon their islands; Sidon and the other cities upon the mainland,
were protected by strong and lofty walls. After a single campaign, the
Great King found it necessary to offer terms of peace, which proved
acceptable, and the belligerents parted towards the close of the year,
without any serious loss or gain on either side.[14141]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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