Editing Sargon II (section)

=== Warrior-king ===
[[File:Terracotta cylinder of Sargon II narrating his military campaigns. From Khorsabad, Iraq. Iraq Museum.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|left|[[Terracotta]] cylinder from [[Dur-Sharrukin]] narrating Sargon's campaigns|alt=Terracotta cylinder]]
Sargon II was a warrior-king and conqueror who commanded his armies in person and dreamt of conquering the world like [[Sargon of Akkad]]. Sargon assumed traditional [[Mesopotamia]]n titles relating to world domination, such as "[[King of the Universe|king of the universe]]" and "[[King of the Four Corners|king of the four corners of the world]]", and great power, including "[[great king]]" and "mighty king".{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=16}} Although [[Neo-Assyrian Empire|Neo-Assyrian]] kings' titles were formulaic, they typically used additional epithets to highlight their unique qualities and aspirations.{{sfn|Karlsson|2017|p=13}} Sargon's epithets present him as if he were an invincible warlord, for example, "mighty hero, clothed with terror, who sends forth his weapon to bring low the foe, brave warrior, since the day of whose (accession) to rulership, there has been no prince equal to him, who has been without conqueror or rival".{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=|pp=16–17}} Sargon wished to be seen as an omnipresent and eager warrior. Sargon is unlikely to have fought on the frontlines in all campaigns since this would greatly have jeopardized the empire, but it is clear that he was more interested in participating in war than his predecessors and successors and he did eventually die in battle.{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=|pp=16–17}}

Sargon was a highly successful [[military strategist]] who employed an extensive spy network, useful for administration and military activities, and employed well-trained scouts for reconnaissance when on campaign. Even though the Assyrian Empire was vastly more powerful than any of its enemies, these enemies also surrounded the empire. Because only one target could be attacked at a time, they had to be picked wisely in order to avoid disaster. Sargon outwitted his enemies on multiple occasions, for instance through the unexpected route he took in the war with [[Urartu]].{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=19}} Sargon's ability to quickly react and adapt to setbacks distinguished him from his predecessors.{{Sfn|Melville|2016|p=193}} Sargon also strengthened the Assyrian army; he was the first Assyrian king to appreciate the war potential of cavalry and made various innovations, including picking certain breeds of horses, developing new methods of [[Horse harness|harnessing]] and recruiting [[mercenary]] cavalry.{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=251}} Based on the contents of his letters, Sargon seems to have ensured discipline and obedience through fear rather than inspiration or adoration. When raising troops, he at times threatened them with the same type of punishments enacted against Assyria's worst enemies, should they disobey him.{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=|pp=19–20}}

[[File:Sargon II, Iraq Museum.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Relief from [[Dur-Sharrukin]] depicting Sargon in a chariot, observing an Assyrian attack on a city.|alt=Sargon in a chariot on a rock relief]]
{{Quote|text=This is a royal order of great emergency! Assemble the commanders and the horsemen of your cavalry unit immediately! Whoever is late will be impaled in the middle of his own house, and his sons and daughters too will be slaughtered, which will then be the fault of his own! Don't delay! Drop everything and come straight away!|author=Excerpt from a letter sent by Sargon II summoning a cavalry regiment to participate in a campaign{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=20}}}}

Unlike the numerous records of such punishments against Assyrian enemies, there is no evidence that Sargon's threats were realized—it is unlikely that they ever were. Because the soldiers in many cases had themselves participated in punishments against their enemies, the threats themselves were probably sufficient. Despite this approach, Sargon was not unpopular with the military; there are no records of army uprisings against him, nor of any army officers engaging in conspiracies. It is also probable that the main motivating factor for Assyrians serving in the army was not being threatened by the king, but rather the frequent [[Looting|spoils of war]] that could be taken after victories.{{Sfn|Elayi|2017|p=20}}