Adad-nirari I (reigned 1295 BC–1263 BC) was a king of Assyria. He is the earliest Assyrian king whose annals survive in any detail.

Adad-nirari I was a king of substantial military consequence in the development of the Assyrian kingdom. In his reign, Assyria began to play a large role in history of Mesopotamia.

He conquered northern Mesopotamia and subdued the Mitanni empire. His surviving records indicate that he defeated King of Kassites, at the . He also defeated Mitanni kings Shattuara I and his son Wasashatta. This victory led his to incorporate all Mesopotamia under his rule. In wars against Hittites, he again lost large parts of Mesopotamia. In the east, he successfully defense his kingdom against the mountain tribes.

A bronze sword of Adad-nirari I can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

External link

• Outline of Assyrian history by E. J. de Meester