Irkab-Damu

Irkab-Damu was king (Malikum) of the first Eblaite kingdom, whose era saw Ebla's turning into the dominant power in the Levant.

During his reign, the vizier started to acquire an important role in running the affair of the state and the military. Irkab-Damu's reign is also noted for the wide diplomatic relations between Ebla and the surrounding kingdoms.

Reign

Irkab-Damu succeeded king Igrish-Halam, whose reign was characterized by an Eblaite weakness, and tribute paying to the kingdom of Mari with whom Ebla fought a long war. one of the first recorded treaties in history. Ebla paid tribute to Mari during Irkab-Damu's first years on the throne. and was used by the Mariote monarch as a tool to assert Mari's authority,

Expansion Irkab-Damu launched a successful counteroffensive against Mari, and ended the tribute. half of which was under the direct control of the king and administered by governors, while the rest consisted of vassal kingdoms paying tribute and supplying military assistance to Ebla. The same tablet mention the concluding of a treaty with Enna-Dagan. who kept his office for five years, and had his son Ruzi-Malik marrying princess Iti-Mut, the daughter of the king. and requesting him to send mercenaries in exchange. Gifts from Ancient Egypt were discovered in the royal palace, indicating the far reaching relations of Ebla, which is described by Karl Moore as the history first world power.

Succession and family Irkab-Damu was the son of Igrish-Halam and his queen Kesdut. He ruled for eleven years, Irkab-Damu's last two years saw the rise of vizier Ibrium, who campaigned against Abarsal during Arrukum's term, and became Ebla's strongest official during the reign of Irkab-Damu's son and successor Isar-Damu.