Shamshi-ilu was an influential Assyrian court dignitary and turtanu or commander in chief. He was awarded the title by Adad-nerari III (810-783) around 800 and retained it under his three successors, Shalmaneser IV (782-773), Ashur-dan (Aššur-dan) III (772-755) and Ashur-nirari (Aššur-nerari) III (754-745). Shamshi-ilu led many campaigns with and without the king. He fought mainly against the kingdom of Urartu which, until the 8th campaign of Sargon II (721-705), was Assyria’s main enemy in the 8th century. Shamshi-ilu commemorated his victories on the Syro-Hittite style lions found in Til-Barsip (present-day Tell-Ahmar). With Nergal-eresh (also known as Palil-eresh), he was one of the most active and independent dignitaries of the first half of the 8th century.