Abstract

Wadi Tharthar (map 10) A natural depression cutting into the plateau of the Jazira on a north–south course between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, originating to the south-east of the Jebel Sinjar and terminating at its southern end in a salty marsh, Lake Tharthar. The Wadi is attested in the last recorded campaign of the Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta II (885). After departing with his army from Ashur, Tukulti-Ninurta marched westwards to the Wadi across the desert, then travelled south along its banks for four days. After pitching camp at its mouth on the evening of the fourth day, he headed east to the Tigris r., where he attacked the settlements of the Aramaean-occupied land of Utu before moving south along the river to Dur-Kurigalzu (*RIMA 2: 173).