Eshnunna: Discovering the Ancient City of Mesopotamian Trade

Eshnunna also Ašnunna Išnun Ašnunnak Ešnunak modern Tell Asmar in Diyala Governorate Iraq was ancient Sumerian and later Akkadian city and city-state in central Mesopotamia 12.6 miles northwest of Tell Agrab and 15 miles northwest of Tell Ishchali. Although situated in Diyala Valley northwest of Sumer proper city nonetheless belonged securely within Sumerian cultural milieu. Inhabited since Jemdet Nasr period around 3000 BC, major city during Early Dynastic period, built Late 4th Millennium BC, identified when bricks with name started found on antiquities market Baghdad in 1928.

Bricks From The Market

Site of Tell Asmar located about 50 miles northeast of Baghdad where statue hoard was found selected because of appearance of bricks with name of site of Eshnunna that started to be found on antiquities market in Baghdad in 1928. Archaeological work revealed inscribed bricks with ancient city name at site thus confirming hypothesis that Eshnunna and Tell Asmar were same place. Excavation dates 1930 to 1936, 2001-2002 by Henri Frankfort, Seton Lloyd, Thorkild Jacobsen, Salah Rumaid found literally thousands of objects.

Tutelary deity of city was Tishpak Tišpak though other gods including Sin, Adad, and Inanna of Kiti Kitītum were also worshiped there. Personal goddesses of rulers were Belet-Šuḫnir and Belet-Terraban. Areas of Northern Palace date to Akkadian period and show some of earliest examples of widespread sewage disposal engineering including toilets in private homes. Occupied from Jemdet Nasr period about 3000 BC, Eshnunna was major city during Early Dynastic period. Beginning with rise of Akkadian Empire, Eshnunna oscillated between periods of independence and domination by empires such as Third Dynasty of Ur and Isin.

Because of its promise of control over lucrative trade routes, Eshnunna could function somewhat as gateway between Mesopotamian and Elamite culture. Merchandise traded in international market of Ešnunna during Old Babylonian period — powerful city states in this period have been expanding sovereignty over environs not only having conquered neighbours with weapon but also having keened to control international caravan routes passing through their domains. City was significant cultural and political center, archaeological importance due to well-preserved architectural features and artifacts such as Tell Asmar Hoard collection of statues depicting gods and worshipers.

Hoard, Laws, And Kingdom Of Warum

Temple where these were buried was in city called Eshnunna in northern part of ancient Mesopotamia, what is now called Tell Asmar. Figures from Tell Asmar are widely considered to be expression of Early Dynastic Sumerian art. Sumerian male worshiper in alabaster with shell eyes is one of twelve statues found in Tell Asmar Hoard. Standing male worshipper temple burial reveals devotional practice where statues stood in place of worshippers.

First known rulers were series of vassal governors under Third Dynasty of Ur. Eshnunna may have had special relationships to royal family. For example Shulgi’s wife Shulgi-Simtum showed devotion to two goddesses closely connected with governor’s dynasty at Eshnunna, and Shu-Sin’s uncle Babati temporarily lived in Eshnunna. Ituria attested as governor under Ur from at least Su-Sin year 9 to Ibbi-Sin year 2 erected temple to Shu-Sin in new lower town. Soon after Shu-Sin’s death Ituria followed by son Šu-ilišu who in 2026 BC got rid of Ur III calendar and replaced it with local one. He also stopped calling himself ensi governor instead referring to himself as lugal king and beloved of Tishpak. Seal shows him facing god Tishpak holding rod and ring in one hand and axe in other while standing on two subdued enemies, deities Belat-Shuhnir and Belat-Terraban mentioned.

Kirikiri then ousted Nur-ahum from power likely usurper and fire destroyed northwestern part of Su-Sin temple however still called himself ensi of Eshnunna on behalf of Tishpak. Alternative view brother of Nur-ahum. Kirikiri established new line rulers with son Bilalama. Bilalama formed diplomatic marriage with Elam giving daughter Me-Kubi to Tan-Ruhuratir. Name non-Semitic possibly Elamite. Bilalama attempted maintain good relationships with Ilum-muttabbil of Der and Elam although Der and Elam were at war. Successor Ishar-ramassu palace destroyed in fire may have been result foreign invasion. Ilum-mutabbil of Der may have taken Eshnunna and replaced Ishar-ramassu with Usur-awasu which if case would have meant Der attempted to break up alliance between Elam and Eshnunna.

Ipiq-Adad II was first king to put divine determinative before name since Shu-Iliya and took titles mighty king king of world and king who enlarged kingdom of Eshnunna. Mari Chronicles mentions he defeated Aminum of Assur but was defeated by Elam. Later effectively brought Diyala region under control of Eshnunna. Eventually through ambitions of both Sumu-la-El of Babylon and Ipiq-Adad II line of demarcation between two kingdoms formed running somewhere along Sippar-Amnanum boundary changed multiple times Apil-Sin conquering Ashtabala and other cities along Tigris reversed by Naram-Sin of Eshnunna. Naram-Sin successor also continued divine determinative and ambitious epithets mentioned in Assyrian King List section on Shamshi-Adad being one who forced Shamshi-Adad into exile. Laws of Eshnunna and building of Naram-Sin audience hall were from reign of Naram-Sin. Mari during reign Yahdum-Lim adopted writing system from Eshnunna with sign usage and tablet shape, letter from Ibal-pi-El II to Zimri-Lim at beginning latter’s reign mentioned Yahdun-Lim called king of Eshnunna father which indicates superior position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Eshnunna Located Today?

Modern Tell Asmar Diyala Governorate Iraq 50 miles northeast Baghdad 12.6 miles northwest Tell Agrab 15 miles northwest Tell Ishchali central Mesopotamia Diyala Valley northwest Sumer proper but securely within Sumerian cultural milieu sometimes called Ashnunnak or Tupliaš.

How Was Eshnunna Identified At Tell Asmar?

Bricks with name Eshnunna appeared antiquities market Baghdad 1928 site selected archaeological work revealed inscribed bricks ancient city name confirming hypothesis Eshnunna Tell Asmar same place excavations 1930-1936 2001-2002 Henri Frankfort Seton Lloyd Thorkild Jacobsen Salah Rumaid thousands objects.

Why Was Eshnunna A Gateway For Trade?

Because promise control lucrative trade routes functioned as gateway between Mesopotamian and Elamite culture strategic location vital trade hub linking Mesopotamian Elamite cultures powerful city states expanding sovereignty controlling international caravan routes merchandise traded international market during Old Babylonian period.

What Is Tell Asmar Hoard And Early Engineering?

Hoard 12 statues alabaster shell eyes depicting gods worshippers widely considered expression Early Dynastic Sumerian art found temple at Eshnunna northern Mesopotamia. Northern Palace areas show earliest examples widespread sewage disposal engineering toilets private homes Akkadian period.

How Did Eshnunna Become Kingdom Of Warum?

Inhabited Jemdet Nasr around 3000 BC major city Early Dynastic. After fall Ur III chaos established itself about 15 years independent state Warum. First known rulers vassal governors Third Dynasty Ur. Ituria governor Su-Sin year 9 to Ibbi-Sin year 2 erected temple Shu-Sin lower town son Shu-ilišu 2026 BC replaced Ur III calendar local one called lugal king beloved Tishpak. Tutelary deity Tishpak Sin Adad Inanna Kiti Kititum Belet-Shuhnir Belet-Terraban.

Eshnunna endures because it learned to be between. Diyala Valley northwest of Sumer yet Sumerian, steward on behalf of Tishpak yet lugal, Mesopotamian yet Elamite marriage. Its twelve worshippers with shell eyes stared for millennia in temple debris, while its laws and sewage engineering anticipated cities far larger. Gateway is not geography alone but habit — control routes by writing them down and by being indispensable to both sides.