Why is Tiglath-Pileser III considered as one of the greatest commanders in history?

            Tiglath-Pileser III was an Assyrian King in the eighth century BC. His real name was Pulu, and he was the governor of the city of Kalhu. Through a coup he became the king. He assumed the name Tiglath-Pileser to link him to the great rulers of the past like Tiglath-Pileser I. As king, he made drastic changes to the government, reducing the power of governors. He restructured the military, and it became Assyria’s first professional army. He was a proficient administrator, and is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in history.

            He is one of the most successful military commanders in world, conquering most of the world known to the Assyrians at that time. He defeated several kingdoms including Urartu, and Media. Babylonia came under his control in 729 BC, and he crowned himself as ‘King Pulu of Babylon’.