Isar Damu

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Isar-Damu ( Išar-Damu ) was the last king of Ebla before the city was destroyed in the third millennium BC in his 35th year of reign. The terms of office of the ministers Ebrium (first 18 years) and Ibbi-Zikkir (17 years) fall during his reign .

Isar-Damu was the son of his predecessor Irkab-Damu and his lover Dusigu , who however never had the title of queen. He probably came to the throne very young, as his wedding did not take place until his 14th year in reign. His father himself had only married four years before his death, which in turn suggests that he died very young. Isar-Damus's wife was called Tabur-damu . However, she died early. Because of the young age of the ruler, the Ebrian minister in particular should have ruled at first. The king's mother also played a special role and was the most important woman at court for a good 20 years. In the cuneiform texts from Ebla, the king is usually not mentioned by name. He is only referred to as king , while the leading ministers usually appear in the same documents by name but without a title. In older research, the leading ministers were therefore often viewed as kings.

In the third year of the reign there was a peace treaty with King Ikun-Ishar of Mari . Ebla no longer paid tributes to Mari. In the following years Ebrium moved against the cities of Ilwi'um and Zahiran on the Euphrates , which had previously conquered Mari. Numerous correspondence with Nagar is documented from the period of office of the Ebrium . The city was apparently threatened by Mari and sought help. The peace treaty with Mari was renewed in the 18th year of the reign. In Isar-Damu's reign, numerous wars were waged and mostly won against neighboring cities, including a war against Ebal , an important city east of Qatna .

In the period that followed, there were two notable diplomatic marriages. Tagriš-damu, a daughter of the king, married Ultum-huhu, the crown prince of Nagar. Another daughter, Kešdut , married the king of Kish.

In the 31st and 32nd year of government there was a campaign against Mari. First, friendships with Syrian cities were confirmed. Haddu , Nagar, and Kisch were notified to isolate Mari. There was a first battle at Tuttul . The army under Ibbi-Zikkir then moved to Chalabitu. In Terqa , 55 km from Mari away there was another battle. The surviving texts speak of a victory, but there was no conquest of the city. The conquest and destruction of Ebla in the 35th year of the ruler's reign may have been an act of revenge by Mari.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Alfonso Archi : Ebla and Its Archives , De Gruyter, Boston, Berlin 2015, ISBN 978-1-61451-716-0 , pp. 28-29
  2. ↑ Maria Giovann Bigar: The Role of Women in Work and Society in the Ebla Kingdom (Syria 24th century BC) , in Brigitten Lion, Cecile Michel (Editor): The Role of Women in Work and Society in the Ancient Near East , Berlin De Gruyter, Boston, Berlin 2016, ISBN 978-1-61451-913-3 , 71-89 (here especially: 85)
  3. ^ Archi: Ebla and Its Archives , 24
  4. ^ Archi: Ebla and Its Archives , 25
  5. ^ Archi: Ebla and Its Archives , 25
  6. ^ Archi: Ebla and Its Archives , 25
  7. ^ Archi: Ebla and Its Archives , 25
  8. ^ Archi: Ebla and Its Archives , 26
predecessor Office successor
Irkab-Damu Ruler of Ebla
personal data
SURNAME Isar Damu
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Ruler of Ebla
DATE OF BIRTH between 27th century BC BC and 23rd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH between 27th century BC BC and 23rd century BC Chr.