Baal I

Closeup of the supplicant ruler (right) who may be Baal I, from the Victory stele of Esarhaddon. Baal I was a king of Tyre (680–660 BC). His name is the same as that of the Phoenician deity, Baal. He was tributary to the Assyrians, who had conquered the rest of Phoenicia.

Treaty with Esarhaddon In c. 675 BC, Baal I entered into a vassal treaty with Esarhaddon (currently in the British Museum) in exchange for Tyre's trading rights. These two rulers are possibly depicted together on the Victory stele of Esarhaddon, issued in c. 670 BC. In the stele, which was erected to commemorate the defeat of Egypt, the figure that supposedly represents the Phoenician king was shown with pierced lips tied to strings that were coiled around Esarhaddon's left hand. He may also have assisted the Assyrians in their war against Elam. Baal I was also the first ruler in the list of tributaries who provided materials for Esarhaddon's palace at Nineveh. His daughters were sent to the Assyrian king along with substantial dowries. Scholars, however, cited that Esarhaddon failed to conquer Tyre. The king may have also refused to pay tribute. In retaliation, Ashurbanipal blockaded the harbor of Tyre until Baal I surrendered. He also sent his son Yehawmelek to Ashurbanipal (r. 668–627 BC) with heavy tribute. According to Ashurbanipal's own account, Baal's son was later sent back as an act of mercy. Baal also enjoyed special rights and privileges even on the mainland, which some scholars suggested may have required a new treaty.