Ashurnasirpal II [key], d. 860? b.c., king of ancient Assyria (884–860? b.c.), also called Ashurnazirpal II and Assurnasirbal II. One of the earliest of the Assyrian conquerors, he gained territory as far west as the Mediterranean. In initiating a system of installing Assyrian governors in conquered lands, Ashurnasirpal helped to create a centralized state. Excavations of the palace and temple built by Ashurnasirpal at Calah revealed many bas-reliefs portraying the king's conquests in a narrative style. He was succeeded by his son Shalmaneser III.
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