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Arameans
Shalmaneser III

Shalmaneser III

Shalmaneser III was an Assyrian king who ruled from 858–824 BCE. He expanded the Neo-Assyrian Empire through almost constant military campaigns, fighting in regions like Syria and around the Euphrates, and he’s especially known for battles against a coalition that included Israel and other Levantine states (mentioned on the Kurkh Monolith). He also left many detailed inscriptions and reliefs, such as the Black Obelisk, which shows foreign rulers bringing him tribute and is one of the earliest known depictions of an Israelite king.
Archeology
Kurkh Monoliths

Kurkh Monoliths

"Karkar, his royal city, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. 1,200 chariots, 1,000 cavalry, 20,000 soldiers, of Hadad-ezer, of Aram; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, 10,000 soldiers of Irhulêni of Hamath; 2,000 chariots, 10,000 soldiers of Ahab, the Israelite." The Stele of Shalmaneser III describes his military campaigns in western Mesopotamia and Syria. It describes Shalmaneser’s victory at the battle of Karkar, situated in northern Syria, where he overthrew an alliance of 12 local kings. Shalmaneser had inscribed on the monolith: