User:Emma Ephemera/Ekallatum

''This is a rough translation from the French, which I think is not quite true as far as historical facts go. I will be adding more information to it from other sources, however.''

Ekallatum (Akkadian: e2-ga-la-tumki, meaning "the palaces") was an ancient city-state in upper Mesopotamia. The exact location of the city has not been identified, though its territory centred on the Tigris, and the city was situated on the banks of that river, likely somewhere south of Assur.

Ekallatum was ruled by an Amorite dynasty, related to that of Babylon, which flourished from 19th century BC to the 18th century BC, and most of what we know about it comes from documents found in Bablyon and the archives of Mari.

The first king of the city who is known to us is Ila-kabkabu, who at one point allied his kingdom with king Iagitlim of Mari. But the alliance later broke down and the two entered into conflict.

Shamshi-Adad I, the son of Ila-Kabkabu, became king about 1813 BC

continued this conflict and attempted to extend his kingdom to the valley of the Khabur where he was stopped by king Iakhdunlim, the son of Iagitlim. Later, the town was conquered by king Naram-Suen of Assyria, which forced Shamshi-Adad to flee to Babylon, only to return once the king of Assyria had left the area.

A series of military victories followed, in which Shamshi-Adad conquered all of northern Mesopotamia, becoming king of Assyria himself. He built his own capital at Shubat-Enlil, and installed his son Ishme-Dagan on the throne of Ekallatum. Though placed upon the throne through military action, once his father had died, Ishme-Dagan proved incapable of maintaining the whole of his father's kingdom, only succeeding to hold on the Ekallatum.

The reign of Ishme-Dagan was chaotic, as he was unable to restore the power of the city despite many attempts, and was the target of many of its close neighbours, notably Zimrilim or Mari. when the Elamites took the city about 1765 BC, he fled to Hammurabi of Babylon, who helped restore him to the throne (it is recorded during the final year of Hammurabi's reign). Afterwards, the city became a vassal of Babylon. After his death, Ishme-Dagan was succeeded by his son Mut-Ashkur, who is the last king of Ekallatum known to us, and subsequently the city passed out of historical view.