The Empires of Assyria and Babylon Course Materials

Session 1: Old Assyria and the Kingdom of Shamshi-Adad

In our first class, we will explore the reign of Shamshi-Adad I, a master strategist and ruler who unified Northern Mesopotamia and established a centralized administration. Through primary sources and archaeological finds, we'll uncover the political, economic, and social structures that defined Old Assyria. Discover the military conquests, trade networks, and cultural achievements that shaped the region, and gain an understanding of Shamshi-Adad's legacy. 

Outline

A.     After the Fall of Ur

           1.          Isin and Larsa

           2.          Eshnunna and Elam

           3.          Mari and Yamkhad

           4.          Old Assyria and its Merchant Colonies

B.     Shamshi-Adad and the Kingdom of Upper Mesopotamia

           1.        Rise to Power

           2.        Relationship with Sons

           3.        Eponym Dating

           4.        Decline of the Kingdom

Key Terms

Ishbi-Erra

Rim-Sin

Mari

karum

Shamshi-Adad

eponym

Exercises:

1.  Memorize the meanings of the key terms from this chapter.

2.  Without notes, cite the major developments of the period covered in this class.

3.  Read the sample letters taken from the Kanesh tablets. Think about what sources like these can tell us about commerce and culture in this merchant colonies.       

Kanesh Tablets (c. 19^th-18^th century BCE)

Tell Pushuken; Lamassi says: Kulumaya is bringing nine textiles to you, Iddin-Sin three. Ela has refused to take care of textiles, while Iddin-Sin has refused to take care of five (more). Why do you keep on writing to me: "The textiles that you send me are always of bad quality!" Who is the man who lives in your house and criticizes the textiles that are brought to him? I, on the other hand, keep on striving to produce and send you textiles so that on every trip your business gains ten shekels of silver.

Tell Innaya; Taram-Kubr says: You wrote to me as follows: "Keep the bracelets and rings that you have; they will be needed to buy you food," It is true that you send me half a pound of gold through Ili-bani, but where are the bracelets that you have left behind? When you left, you didn't leave me one shekel of silver. You cleaned out the house and took everything with you. Since you left, a [terrible] famine has hit the city (of Assur). You did not leave me one liter of barley. I need to keep on buying barley for our food, [several unclear lines] Where is the extravagance that you keep on writing about? We have nothing to eat. (Do you think) we can afford indulgence? Everything I had available I scraped together and sent to you. Now I live in an empty house and the seasons are changing. Make sure that you send me the value of my textiles in silver, so that I can at least buy ten measures of barley. With respect to the tablet with the witness list that Assur-imitti, son of Kura, obtained: he has caused a lot of trouble to the business and has seized servants as guarantee. Then your representatives have settled the affair. I have had to pay two-thirds of a pound of silver so that he will not lodge a complaint until you arrive. Why do you keep on listening to slander, and write me irritating letters?

Puzur-Assur says; Tell Nuhshatum: Your father has written to me about you so that I would marry you. I have sent my servants and a letter to your father about you so that he would let you come. I am asking you, the moment you read my letter, ask your father (for permission) and come here with my servants. I am alone, I have no one who serves me or who sets my table. If you would not come with my servants I would marry a young girl from Wahshushana. Pay attention. You and my servants, don't delay and come!