Atarshumki I

Atarshumki I (also Bar-Guš) was the King of Bit Agusi in ancient Syria; he was the son of Arames. The capital of Bit Agusi was Arpad.

Like his father, Atarshumki was rebellious against the Assyrian supremacy. At that time, Assyria was ruled by Shamshi-Adad V and then by Adad-nirari III.

Atarshumki tried to build a coalition with his neighbors against the Assyrians; finally, in 796, Adad-nirari III launched a military campaign in the area, and subjugated it.

The Antakya inscription is believed to belong to the later years of Adad-Nirari III. This is when the prominent official Shamshi-ilu, who is involved with the inscription, became active. Based on this, the inscription is believed to date in the 780s BC.

"The Antakya inscription describes the interference of the Assyrian King in a territorial conflict between Atarsumki, king of Arpad, and Zakkur, king of Hamath ... At that time, both kings were vassals of Adad-nirari III ... the settlement was established in favour of the previously hostile king of Arpad ... The reason for preferring Arpad is clear: it had broken up the lines of the Syro-Hittite coalition, and opened before Adad-nirari III the way to the south, to Damascus."

• German Wikipedia