853 BC
Battle of Qarqar
Assyrian forces confronted a coalition of regional kings at Qarqar in Syria.
- Time period
- 853 BC
- Region
- Syria
- Theme
- Military
- Civilization
- Neo-Assyrian Empire
In 853 BC, Shalmaneser III led the Neo-Assyrian army against an alliance of eleven kings at Qarqar. The coalition included Hadadezer of Aram-Damascus, Ahab of Israel, and Irhuleni of Hamath. According to the historical account, Shalmaneser claimed victory, but the battle did not immediately secure Assyrian control over Syria.