But the real subjection of this country was not effected at this time, nor without a struggle.

Asshur-nazir-pal's yoke lay lightly upon his vassals, and during the remainder of his long reign--from B.C.877 to B.C.

860--he seems to have desisted from military expeditions,[14123] and to have exerted no pressure on the countries situated west of the Euphrates.

It was not until the reign of his son and successor, Shalmaneser II., that the real conquest of Syria and Phoenicia was taken in hand, and pressed to a successful issue by a long series of hard-fought campaigns and bloody battles.

From his sixth to his twenty-first year Shamaneser carried on an almost continuous war in Syria,[14124] where his adversaries were the monarchs of Damascus and Hamath, and "the twelve kings beside the sea, above and below,"[14125] one of whom is expressly declared to have been "Mattan-Baal of Arvad."[14126] It was not until the year B.C.839 that this struggle was terminated by the submission of the monarchs engaged in it to their great adversary, and the firm establishment of a system of "tribute and taxes."[14127] The Phoenician towns agreed to pay annually to the Assyrian monarch a certain fixed sum in the precious metals, and further to make him presents from time to time of the best products of their country.