Bilalama

Last updated
Bilalama
Ensi of Eshnunna
Reignc. 1981-1962 BCE [1]
PredecessorKirikiri
SuccessorIšar-rāmāšu
Issue Mê-Kūbi  [ pl ], Šalil-la-Milkum, possibly Uṣur-awassu

Bilalama was a 20th century BCE ruler of Eshnunna, an ancient Mesopotamian kingdom located in the Diyala Valley in modern Iraq.

Contents

Background

It is assumed that Bilalama was a contemporary of Ishbi-Erra and Shu-Ilishu of Isin. [2] He was the son of the previous ruler of Eshnunna, Kirikiri. [3] The names of both Bilalama and Kirikiri are Elamite, which according to Katrin de Graef might indicate that a dynastic change occurred in the city after the reign of their predecessor Nūr-aḫum  [ pl ]. [4] However, it is not clear if they necessarily were Elamites themselves, or if their names only reflect a high level of Elamite cultural influence on Eshnunna. [5]

Bilalama married a daughter of Abda-El, an Amorite chieftain who earlier for diplomatic reasons had his son Ušašum marry a daughter of Nūr-aḫum. [6] Both marriages were most likely meant to guarantee positive relations between the rulers of Eshnunna and the local Amorite groups. [7]

Two children of Bilalama are known. [8] His daughter, Mê-Kūbi  [ pl ] married king Tan-Ruhuratir  [ de ] of Elam, as documented in an inscription commemorating the construction of a temple of Inanna in Susa. [9] She is also mentioned in the inscription on a lapis lazuli seal which states Bilalama apparently gifted it to her. [10] It is also known that he had a son bearing an Amorite name, Šalil-la-Milkum. [11] It has additionally been proposed that a later ruler of Eshnunna, Uṣur-awassu, also was a son of Bilalama. [12]

A number of objects inscribed with names of individuals identified as servants of Bilalama have been discovered, including these attributed to the chanter (NAR) Wusum-bēlī, and a number of scribes (Puzur-Tishpak, Ilšu-dān and Lugal-inim-du). [13]

Reign

As indicated by an inscription identified on a stamped brick from the palace excavated in Eshunna, Bilalama used the titles "governor ( ensi ) of Eshnunna" and "beloved of Tishpak". [14] Tishpak was the tutelary god of the city, [15] and was customarily seen as its king, with human rulers serving as governors on his behalf, similarly to how their contemporaries in Der and Assur were seen as representatives of Ištaran and Ashur, respectively. [6]

Fourteen year names attributed to Bilalama are known, but it is agreed he remained in power for longer, likely for around twenty years, [16] c. 1981-1962 BCE. [1] This contrasts with the short duration of his predecessor Kirikiri's rule over Eshnunna, [2] which according to maximal estimates only lasted ten years. [1]

Multiple building projects are mentioned in Bilalama's inscriptions. [17] He added a new wing to the royal palace and rebuilt the temple of Tishpak, known under the ceremonial name Esikil. [2]

Bilalama maintained independence from the major powers of his era. [16] He married into the family of the Amorite chieftain Abda-El and maintained positive relations with it, but he clashed with the Amorites inhabiting Eqel-Ibbi-Sîn, Išur, and Bāb-Ibaum, and incorporated the last of these cities into his kingdom after its conquest. [18] In contrast with the fluid political relations with Amorites, he maintained a consistently positive relationship with Elam. [2] However, he was simultaneously allied with Ilum-muttabil  [ de ] of Der, whose inscriptions indicate he was hostile to Elam. [8] He was seemingly perceived negatively by rulers of Isin, as a letter attributed to either Ishbi-Erra or Shu-Ilishu criticized him for disrespecting him in another letter, which he sent to Ilum-muttabil. [8]

Bilalama was succeeded on the throne of Eshnunna by Išar-rāmāšu. [19]

Related Research Articles

Isin (Sumerian: 𒉌𒋛𒅔𒆠, romanized: I3-si-inki, modern Arabic: Ishan al-Bahriyat) is an archaeological site in Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate, Iraq which was the location of the Ancient Near East city of Isin, occupied from the late 4th millennium Uruk period up until at least the late 1st millennium BC Neo-Babylonian period. It lies about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the modern city of Al Diwaniyah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsu-iluna</span> King of Babylon

Samsu-iluna was the seventh king of the founding Amorite dynasty of Babylon. His reign is estimated from 1749 BC to 1712 BC, or from 1686 to 1648 BC. He was the son and successor of Hammurabi by an unknown mother. His reign was marked by the violent uprisings of areas conquered by his father and the abandonment of several important cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Dynasty of Ur</span> Royal dynasty in Mesopotamia

The Third Dynasty of Ur, also called the Neo-Sumerian Empire, refers to a 22nd to 21st century BC Sumerian ruling dynasty based in the city of Ur and a short-lived territorial-political state which some historians consider to have been a nascent empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inshushinak</span> Tutelary god of Susa

Inshushinak was the tutelary god of the city of Susa in Elam. His name has a Sumerian etymology, and can be translated as "lord of Susa". He was associated with kingship, and as a result appears in the names and epithets of multiple Elamite rulers. In Susa he was the main god of the local pantheon, though his status in other parts of Elam might have been different. He was also connected with justice and the underworld. His iconography is uncertain, though it is possible snakes were his symbolic animals. Two Mesopotamian deities incorporated into Elamite tradition, Lagamal and Ishmekarab, were regarded as his assistants. He was chiefly worshiped in Susa, where multiple temples dedicated to him existed. Attestations from other Elamite cities are less common. He is also attested in Mesopotamian sources, where he could be recognized as an underworld deity or as an equivalent of Ninurta. He plays a role in the so-called Susa Funerary Texts, which despite being found in Susa were written in Akkadian and might contain instructions for the dead arriving in the underworld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ištaran</span> Mesopotamian god

Ištaran was a Mesopotamian god who was the tutelary deity of the city of Der, a city-state located east of the Tigris, in the proximity of the borders of Elam. It is known that he was a divine judge, and his position in the Mesopotamian pantheon was most likely high, but much about his character remains uncertain. He was associated with snakes, especially with the snake god Nirah, and it is possible that he could be depicted in a partially or fully serpentine form himself. He is first attested in the Early Dynastic period in royal inscriptions and theophoric names. He appears in sources from the reign of many later dynasties as well. When Der attained independence after the Ur III period, local rulers were considered representatives of Ištaran. In later times, he retained his position in Der, and multiple times his statue was carried away by Assyrians to secure the loyalty of the population of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibbi-Sin</span> King of Sumer and Akkad, c. 2028–2004 BC

Ibbi-Sin, son of Shu-Sin, was king of Sumer and Akkad and last king of the Ur III dynasty, and reigned c. 2028–2004 BCE or possibly c. 1964–1940 BCE. During his reign, the Sumerian empire was attacked repeatedly by Amorites. As faith in Ibbi-Sin's leadership failed, Elam declared its independence and began to raid as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eshnunna</span> Archaeological site in Iraq

Eshnunna was an ancient Sumerian city and city-state in central Mesopotamia 12.6 miles northwest of Tell Agrab and 15 miles northwest of Tell Ishchali. Although situated in the Diyala Valley northwest of Sumer proper, the city nonetheless belonged securely within the Sumerian cultural milieu. It is sometimes, in archaeological papers, called Ashnunnak or Tuplias.

The Dynasty of Isin refers to the final ruling dynasty listed on the Sumerian King List (SKL). The list of the Kings of Isin with the length of their reigns, also appears on a cuneiform document listing the kings of Ur and Isin, the List of Reigns of Kings of Ur and Isin.

Tishpak (Tišpak) was a Mesopotamian god associated with the ancient city Eshnunna and its sphere of influence, located in the Diyala area of Iraq. He was primarily a war deity, but he was also associated with snakes, including the mythical mushussu and bashmu, and with kingship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekallatum</span>

Ekallatum (Akkadian: 𒌷𒂍𒃲𒈨𒌍, URUE2.GAL.MEŠ, Ekallātum, "the Palaces") was an ancient Amorite city-state and kingdom in upper Mesopotamia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ninisina</span> Mesopotamian goddess of medicine

Ninisina was a Mesopotamian goddess who served as the tutelary deity of the city of Isin. She was considered a healing deity. She was believed to be skilled in the medical arts, and could be described as a divine physician or midwife. As an extension of her medical role, she was also believed to be capable of expelling various demons. Her symbols included dogs, commonly associated with healing goddesses in Mesopotamia, as well as tools and garments associated with practitioners of medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ishbi-Erra</span> King of Sumer

Ishbi-Erra was the founder of the dynasty of Isin, reigning from c. 2017 — c. 1986 BC on the middle chronology or 1953 BC — c. 1920 BC on the short chronology. Ishbi-Erra was preceded by Ibbi-Sin of the third dynasty of Ur in ancient Lower Mesopotamia, and then succeeded by Šu-ilišu. According to the Weld-Blundell Prism, Išbi-erra reigned for 33 years and this is corroborated by the number of his extant year-names. While in many ways this dynasty emulated that of the preceding one, its language was Akkadian as the Sumerian language had become moribund in the latter stages of the third dynasty of Ur.

Shu-Ilishu was the 2nd ruler of the dynasty of Isin. He reigned for 10 years Shu-Ilishu was preceded by Išbi-erra. Iddin-Dagān then succeeded Shu-Ilishu. Shu-Ilishu is best known for his retrieval of the cultic idol of Nanna from the Elamites and its return to Ur.

Iddin-Dagan, fl.c. 1910 BC — c. 1890 BC by the short chronology or c. 1975 BC — c. 1954 BC by the middle chronology) was the 3rd king of the dynasty of Isin. Iddin-Dagan was preceded by his father Shu-Ilishu. Išme-Dagān then succeeded Iddin-Dagan. Iddin-Dagan reigned for 21 years He is best known for his participation in the sacred marriage rite and the sexually-explicit hymn that described it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amorites</span> Ancient Semitic-speaking people from the Levant

The Amorites were an ancient Northwest Semitic-speaking Bronze Age people from the Levant. Initially appearing in Sumerian records c. 2500 BC, they expanded and ruled most of the Levant, Mesopotamia and parts of Egypt from the 21st century BC to the late 17th century BC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shimashki dynasty</span>

The Shimashki or Simashki dynasty (Šimaški), was an early dynasty of the ancient region of Elam, to the southeast of Babylonia, in approximately 2100–1900 BCE. A list of twelve kings of Shimashki is found in the Elamite king-list of Susa, which also contains a list of kings of Awan dynasty. It is uncertain how historically accurate the list is, although some of its kings can be corroborated by their appearance in the records of neighboring peoples. The dynasty corresponds to the middle part of the Old Elamite period. It was followed by the Sukkalmah Dynasty. Shimashki was likely near today's Masjed Soleyman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simurrum</span> City state of the Mesopotamian area from around 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE

Simurrum was an important city state of the Mesopotamian area from around 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE, during the period of the Akkadian Empire down to Ur III. The Simurrum Kingdom disappears from records after the Old Babylonian period. It is thought that in Old Babylonian times its name was Zabban, a notable cult center of Adad. It was neighbor and sometimes ally with the Lullubi kingdom.

The Isin-Larsa period is a phase in the history of ancient Mesopotamia, which extends between the end of the Third Dynasty of Ur and the conquest of Mesopotamia by King Hammurabi of Babylon leading to the creation of the First Babylonian dynasty. According to the approximate conventional dating, this period begins in 2025 BCE and ended in 1763 BCE. It constitutes the first part of the Old Babylonian period, the second part being the period of domination of the first dynasty of Babylon, which ends with the Sack of Babylon in 1595 BCE and the rise of the Kassites.

Šubula (Shubula) was a Mesopotamian god. He was associated with the underworld, and commonly appears in association with Nergal, Ishum, Laṣ and other deities of similar character. He was worshiped in small settlements such as Ṣupur-Šubula and Lagaba, likely located in the proximity of Kutha, but also in Susa and Uruk.

Belet-Šuḫnir and Belet-Terraban were a pair of Mesopotamian goddesses best known from the archives of the Third Dynasty of Ur, but presumed to originate further north, possibility in the proximity of modern Kirkuk and ancient Eshnunna. Their names are usually assumed to be derived from cities where they were originally worshiped. Both in ancient sources, such as ritual texts, seal inscriptions and god lists, and in modern scholarship, they are typically treated as a pair. In addition to Ur and Eshnunna, both of them are also attested in texts from Susa in Elam. Their character remains poorly understood due to scarcity of sources, though it has been noted that the tone of many festivals dedicated to them was "lugubrious," which might point at an association with the underworld.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wasserman & Bloch 2023, p. 225.
  2. 1 2 3 4 De Graef 2022, p. 416.
  3. ↑ Frayne 1990, p. 489.
  4. ↑ De Graef 2022, p. 415-416.
  5. ↑ Wasserman & Bloch 2023, p. 215.
  6. 1 2 De Graef 2022, p. 415.
  7. ↑ Wasserman & Bloch 2023, pp. 216–217.
  8. 1 2 3 De Graef 2022, p. 417.
  9. ↑ Frayne 1990, pp. 492–493.
  10. ↑ Frayne 1990, p. 493.
  11. ↑ Frayne 1990, p. 494.
  12. ↑ De Graef 2022, p. 418.
  13. ↑ Frayne 1990, pp. 495–498.
  14. ↑ Frayne 1990, pp. 491–492.
  15. ↑ Frayne 1990, p. 492.
  16. 1 2 Wasserman & Bloch 2023, p. 220.
  17. ↑ Frayne 1990, p. 491.
  18. ↑ Wasserman & Bloch 2023, p. 219.
  19. ↑ Frayne 1990, p. 500.

Bibliography

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Kirikiri
 Governor of Eshnunna
c. 1981-1962 BCE		Succeeded by
Išar-rāmāšu
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.