Battle of Dur-Papsukkal

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Battle of Dur-Papsukkal
Date814 BC
Location
Dur-Papsukkal
Result Assyrian victory
Belligerents
Neo-Assyrian Empire Kingdom of Babylonia,
Elam
Aramean tribes
Commanders and leaders
Shamshi-Adad V Marduk-balassu-iqbi
Casualties and losses
Unknown 13,000 soldiers [1]

The Battle of Dur-Papsukkal in 814 BC was fought by the Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad V against the Babylonian king Marduk-balassu-iqbi, some Elamite allies, [2] and few Aramean tribes settled in Babylonia.

After quelling internal rebellions, King Shamshi-Adad V undertook a series of campaigns against Babylonia. [2] After capturing and spoiling several cities, he marched upon the royal city of Dur-Papsukkal. [1] According to Shamshi-Adad V's own inscriptions, he took the city after his troops slayed 13.000 soldiers. [1] Afterwards, he looted its treasures and captured the palace women before razing and burning it. [1] [3]

Babylonian King Marduk-balassu-iqbi did not arrive in time to save the city [2] and, with his allied forces of Chaldeans, Elamites, Kassites and Arameans, faced the Assyrians near the city. [1] Shamshi-Adad V claimed victory. [1] [3] This battle marked the limit of their advance on Babylonian lands for the year. He did not subdue Marduk-balassu-iqbi until the following year. [2]

Classical sources

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 RIMA 3 A.0.103 iv 22b-45
  2. 1 2 3 4 Brinkman, J.A. (1968). Political history of Post-Kassite Babylonia. Roma (Pontificium Institutum Biblicum). p. 317.
  3. 1 2 Babylonian Chronicles ABC 21 iii C6-iv A14, CM 10 iii.C-iv.A