Ruled at the beginning of what has traditionally been seen as a weak period of Neo-Assyrian history, even though little territory was lost.
Had to struggle for the throne for 4 years before clearing out all rivals. In this he had help from the Babylonian king Marduk-zakir-shumi, who may have been repaying the debt the throne owed Shalmaneser III for his own intervention in Babylonian politics of accension.
Besieged the Babylonian fortress of Dur-Papsukkal, which was relieved by a force of Kassite, Aramaean, Chaldaean, and Elamite troops.
Moreover, ravaged Babylonia to such a degree that the land had no king for 12 years.
