User:Wiki the Octopus/Sandbox/History of the Marḫaši

The Marḫaši had a history of confederation, vassal, kingdom, empire, and vassal again.

Background: Chalcolithic in Mesopotamia and Iran
During the middle of the 3rd millenium BC, numerous groups emerged in what is now Iraq and Iran. Some of these included the Jiroft culture, the Oxus civilization, Elam, the Guti, the Indo-Iranians, the Helmand culture, and more. Around the same time, Lugal-Anne-Mundu of Adab began to unite Sumeria into his own empire during the late Early Dynastic Period. According to a Sumerian inscription, Anne-Mundu's empire governed the provinces of Elam, the Cedar Mountain, Marḫaši, Gutium, Subartu, Amurru, Sutium, and the Eanna Mountain.

Around 2550 BC, the Waraḫše emerged as a confederacy of these various groups around 2550 BC. They revolted against Mundu's rule under their leader Migir-Enlil, as did 13 other revolting regions. Mundu crushed the rebels, becoming King of the Four Corners of the World.

The empire collapsed when Mundu died. The Adab Kingdom split apart. Following this, kingship in Mesopotamia passed on to Nippur hegemony, which itself was toppled by a dynasty from Mari. Akshak, Lagash, and Umma emerged following this collapse as prominent regional powers. As for Iran, the colonial system there disintegrated into various petty kingdoms under confederation together. Along with the Elamites of Susa, the Marḫaši had their own city-states during this period.

Marḫaši Confederacy
Various cities emerged as important city-states during this time of confederation. These included Shahdad, Bampur, Mundigak, Tepe Yahya, and Tepe Giyan. These all were closely tied to each other, and likely traded with the Indus Valley civilization.

Akkadian rule and civil strife
The Akkadians colonized this region. The confederal period ended when the Akkadian Empire under Sargon of Akkad conquered Elam and Marḫaši (Paraḫšum in Old Akkadian). Sargon's conquest of these regions resulted in the capture of an Elamite governor, an Elamite prince, two Paraḫšum generals, a Paraḫšum prince, and a Paraḫšum-Elamite judge in Susa. Sargon's claim of capturing these people is shown below. ''Sargon is king of the world and conqueror of Elam and Paraḫšum (pa2/ba-ra-ah-šumki). For the one who shall remove this inscription, may the gods Enlil, Šamaš and Ištar tear out his foundations and pluck up his seed!'' (Colophon 1) Inscription on a socle. (Caption 1) [...] (On the) left arm..., [ki ...], Elam .... (Caption 2) Sargon, king of the world, the conqueror of Elam and Paraḫšum. (Colophon 2) (Writing) Standing at his (Right) Side. (Caption 3) Booty of Arawa. (Caption 4) SaNAM-šimut, governor (viz, the general in RIME 2.1.1.9) of Elam. (Caption 5) Luḫ’iš’an, the son of Ḫisibrasini, king of Elam. (Caption 6) Booty of Sali’amu. (Caption 7) Booty of Kardede. (Caption 8) Ulul, general of Paraḫšum. (Caption 9) Dagu, brother of the king of Paraḫšum. (Caption 10) Booty of ḪEni. (Caption 11) Booty of Bunban. (Caption 12) Zina, governor of Ḫuzi-..., (Caption 13) Ḫidarida-x, governor of Gunilaḫa. (Caption 14) Booty of Sabum. (Caption 15) Booty of Awan. (Caption 16) Sidga’u, general of Paraḫšum. (Caption 17) Kundupum, judge of Paraḫšum. (Caption 18) Booty of Susa. (Colophon 3) ''(Above are) on this socle. The ones who are with bound hands.'' His successor, Rimush, continues the Akkadian story: (Surface a 1-47) ''For Enlil, Sargon, king of the world, conqueror of Elam and Paraḫšum, dedicated it to Enlil. For the one who shall remove this inscription, may Enlil and Šamaš both tear out his foundation, and pluck up his seed.''

(Colophon 1) the Inscription on its socle.

(Caption 1') x-suhru, governor of Širiḫum.

(Caption 2') Sidga’u, general of Paraḫšum.

(Caption 3') SaNAM-šimut, general of Elam.

(Caption 4') ''Luḫ’iš’an, son of Ḫisibrasini, king of Elam. (Caption 5') Kundupum, judge of Paraḫšum.''

(Caption 6') ''[...], ..., the eight ... men *of the two *rebel [*lands?], (and) eleven(?) cedar-wood weapons.''

(Caption 7') Ḫisibrasini, king of Elam.

(Caption 8') ''Their ... are seized. They are (shown) oppressed in their handcuffs.''

Abalgamash's revolt against Akkad
Abalgamash, the potentially Hurrian leader of the Marḫaši, rebelled against Akkadian rule under Rimush, but this was unsuccessful and Akkad reconquered Khuzestan.

Rimush's description of his victory of the Hurrians, Marḫaši, Meluḫḫa, and their allies is shown below : 1-92) Rimuš, king of the world, was victorious in battle with Abalgamaš, king of Paraḫšum (pa2/ba-ra-ah-šumki). Further, Zahara and Elam had assembled in the center of Paraḫšum for battle, but he was (again) victorious. Then, he struck down 12,221? men, and he took 4,216 captives. Further, he captured *Ḫis(UD)-*ib-*ra-sini, king of Elam, and all the [...] of Elam. Further, he captured Sidga’u, the general of Paraḫšum and then he captured Sargapi, general of Zaḫara, in between (the cities) Awan and Susa by the Middle River. Then, he heaped up a burial mound at the site of a town over them. Furthermore, he conquered the cities of Elam, and destroyed their city walls, and he tore out the foundations of Paraḫšum from the country of Elam, and so Rimuš, king of the world, rules Elam (as) the god Enlil had disclosed (in an omen).

''In the third year from the year when Enlil gave him the kingship, there were a total of 9,624 men (defeated), including the fallen dead,(and) including the captives. By the gods of Šamaš and Ilaba (Il3-a-ba4), I swear that (these) are not falsehoods but are indeed true! At the time of this battle, he created this statue of himself, and dedicated it to Enlil (for) his well-being.''

''(132-145) When he conquered Elam and Paraḫšum, he brought out 30 minas of gold, 3,600 minas of copper, 300 male and female slaves, and dedicated them to Enlil. (Colophon 2) It was written ..., at it’s ... .'' Over time, it became a sign of glory for Akkadian kings to conquer Elam up to Marḫaši, and "Conqueror of Elam and Marḫaši" somewhat became a royal title. Below, the fourth Akkadian king, Naram-Sin, is shown boasting about his vassalization of Khuzestan :"Naram-Sin, king of Agade, commander of the world (Kiš) people, and of the land of Elam, all of it, up to Paraḫšum, and of the land of Subartum: up to the Forest of Cedar."