proper place hereafter.

CHAPTER 9.

The Destruction Of The Sodomites By The Assyrian Wall.

At this time, when the Assyrians had the dominion over Asia, the
people of Sodom were in a flourishing condition, both as to
riches and the number of their youth. There were five kings that
managed the affairs of this county: Ballas, Barsas, Senabar, and
Sumobor, with the king of Bela; and each king led on his own
troops: and the Assyrians made war upon them; and, dividing their
army into four parts, fought against them. Now every part of the
army had its own commander; and when the battle was joined, the
Assyrians were conquerors, and imposed a tribute on the kings of
the Sodomites, who submitted to this slavery twelve years; and so
long they continued to pay their tribute: but on the thirteenth
year they rebelled, and then the army of the Assyrians came upon
them, under their commanders Amraphel, Arioch, Chodorlaomer, and
Tidal. These kings had laid waste all Syria, and overthrown the
offspring of the giants. And when they were come over against
Sodom, they pitched their camp at the vale called the Slime Pits,
for at that time there were pits in that place; but now, upon the
destruction of the city of Sodom, that vale became the Lake
Asphaltites, as it is called. However, concerning this lake we
shall speak more presently. Now when the Sodomites joined battle
with the Assyrians, and the fight was very obstinate, many of
them were killed, and the rest were carried captive; among which
captives was Lot, who had come to assist the Sodomites.