The Warrior King. Fragment of a victory stela known as the Stela of Mardin. Basalt. H. 49 cm. W. 55 cm. Old Babylonian Period. Early 18th century BC. Attributed to the region of Sinjar (Mardin, Iraq). Victorious king stops his enemy with his spear and raises his ax to break his skull. The inscription depicts the victory of a king, whose name has been erased, over the city of Arrapha and the continuation of his victorious campaigns in the land of Qabra in northern Mesopotamia. This ruler was identified as Samsi-Addu, founder of a powerful kingdom in Assyria. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.