Shalmaneser I, son of Adad-nirari I , succeeded his father as king of Assyria about 1310 BC.

He carried on a series of campaigns against the Aramaeans in northern Mesopotamia, annexed a portion of Cilicia to the Assyrian empire, and established Assyrian colonies on the borders of Cappadocia.

According to his annals, discovered at Assur, in his first year he conquered eight countries in the north-west and destroyed the fortress of Arinnu , the dust of which he brought to Assur. In his second year he defeated Shattuara II , king of Hanilgalbat, and his Hittite and Ahlamu allies, and conquered the whole country from Taidu to Irridu, all of mount Kashiar to Eluhat and the fortresses of Sudu, Harranu to Carchemish on the Euphrates. He built palaces at Assur and Nineveh, restored "the world-temple" at Assur, and founded the city of Kalah.