Shalmaneser = "fire-worshipper"<OL TYPE="1"><LI>Assyrian king who probably reigned between Tiglath-pileser and Sargon; invaded the northern kingdom of Israel when the last king Hoshea was on the throne; forced Hoshea to pay tribute but had to reinvade when Hoshea reneged; it is uncertain whether Shalmaneser or Sargon concluded the siege which finally ended the northern kingdom<OL TYPE="a"><LI>maybe a common name for Assyrian kings in the 8th century BC</OL></OL>