Shamshi-Adad I

Shamshi-Adad I (; Amorite: Shamshi-Addu; 1847 BC - 1776 BC) was an Amorite ruler of Ekallatum and conqueror who had conquered lands across much of Syria, Anatolia, and Upper Mesopotamia, creating the Kingdom of Upper Mesopotamia. His capital was originally at Ekallatum and later moved to Šubat-Enlil.

Early life A map of the Ancient Near East showing the geopolitical situation around the Kingdom of Upper Mesopotamia (light brown) near contemporary great powers such as: Eshnunna (light blue), Yamhad (dark blue), Qatna (dark brown), the First Dynasty of Babylon (yellow), and the Third Mariote Kingdom (shortly before the conquest of the long-abandoned town of Šubat-Enlil c. 1808 BC by the Amorite conqueror Shamshi-Adad I.)

Shamshi-Adad I inherited the throne in Ekallatum from Ila-kabkabu (fl. 1836 BC – 1833 BC). Ila-kabkabu is mentioned as the father of Shamshi-Adad I in the much later "Assyrian King List" (AKL); a similar name (not necessarily the same figure) is listed in the preceding section of the AKL among the “kings whose fathers are known”.

Although regarded as an Amorite by later Assyrian tradition, earlier archaeologists mistakenly assumed that Shamshi-Adad I had indeed been a native Assyrian. Apiashal was a monarch of the Early Period of Assyria, according to the AKL.

Reign Shamshi-Adad I was a great organizer and he kept firm controls on all matters of state, from high policy down to the appointing of officials and the dispatching of provisions. Spies and propaganda were often used to win over rival cities. He allowed conquered territories to maintain some of their earlier practices. In Nineveh he used state resources to rebuild the Ishtar temple. The local rulers of the city Qattara maintained authority (but became vassals) when they were incorporated into the Kingdom of Upper Mesopotamia. Use of these Eponym dating system was enforced throughout Assyria in cities such as: Mari, Tuttul, Terqa, and the capital city Šubat-Enlil. c. 1808 BC. During his reign, the Kingdom of Assyria competed for power in Lower Mesopotamia against: King Naram-Sin of Eshnunna, Naram-Sin's successors, and Yahdun-Lim of Mari. A main target for expansion was the city of Mari, which controlled the caravan route between Anatolia and Mesopotamia. Yahdun-Lim was assassinated by his own servants (possibly on Shamshi-Adad I's orders.) The heir to the throne of Mari, Zimri-Lim, was forced to flee to Yamhad. Shamshi-Adad I seized the opportunity and occupied Mari around 1796 BC. He placed his sons (Ishme-Dagan I and Yasmah-Adad) in key geographical locations and gave them responsibility to look over those areas. Shamshi-Adad I put his eldest son (Ishme-Dagan I) on the throne of Ekallatum, while Shamshi-Adad I remained in Šubat-Enlil. Shamshi-Adad I put his second son, Yasmah-Adad, on the throne in Mari. The death is also known from Year-Name 5 of Ibal-pi-el II of Eshnunna.

Aftermath After the death of Shamshi-Adad I around 1776 BC, Eshnunna captured cities around Assur.