Which of the following Assyrian kings did NOT rule during the Neo-Assyrian Empire?

The story behind the answer

Shamshi-Adad III did not rule during the Neo-Assyrian Empire; he belongs to the earlier Middle Assyrian period (mid–2nd millennium BCE). The Neo-Assyrian era (c. 911–609 BCE) includes Ashurnasirpal II (a major empire-builder), Shalmaneser V (noted for the siege of Samaria), and Esarhaddon (who conquered Egypt).

Context tip: The Neo-Assyrian Empire is the late, powerful phase of Assyria centered on cities like Nineveh, famous for its professional armies, mass deportations, and grand building projects. Memory hack: In the Neo-Assyrian king list, the “Shamshi-Adad” you’re looking for is V, not III—think “V for the Very big, late empire.”