Zambiya

Inscribed Cone of King Zambiya of Isin, Isin-Larsa period, reign of Zambiya, c. 1835 BC, baked clay - Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago Zambiya, dza-am-bi-ia, (died 1833 BC), was the 11th king of the 1st Dynasty of Isin. He is best known for his defeat at the hands of Sin-Iqisham, king of Larsa.

Biography

According to the Sumerian King List, Zambiya reigned for 3 years. He was a contemporary of Sin-Iqisham. king of Larsa, whose fifth and final year-name celebrates his victory over Zambiya: “year the army of (the land of) Elam (and Zambīia (the king of Isin),) was/were defeated by arms,” suggesting a confederation between Isin and Elam against Larsa. The city of Nippur was hotly contested between the city-states. If Zambiya survived this battle, he may have possibly gone on to be contemporary with Sin-iqišam’s successors, Silli-Adad and Warad-Sin.

A single inscription is known for this king, on cone fragments, which reads:

A votive dedication to the goddess Nanshe on behalf of Zambiya was copied from an inscription on a bronze buck.