Amar-Sin

Amar-Sin (Akkadian: 𒀭𒀫𒀭𒂗𒍪: DAmarDSîn, after the Moon God Sîn", the "𒀭" being a silent honorific for "Divine"), initially misread as Bur-Sin (c. 2046–2037 BC middle chronology, or possibly ca. 1982–1973 BC short chronology) was the third ruler of the Ur III Dynasty. He succeeded his father Shulgi (c. 2030–1982 BC). His name translates to 'bull calf of the moon-god'.

"Bur-Sin" redirects here. For for the 7th king of the 1st Dynasty of Isin, see Bur-Suen.
Amar-Sin
𒀭𒀫𒀭𒂗𒍪
An architectural foundation-nail figurine depicting king Amar-Sin himself carrying the builder's wicker traybasket, and a cuneiform dedication tablet of Amar-Sin
King of the Neo-Sumerian Empire
Reignc. 2046  BC – 2037  BC

(Middle Chronology)

c. 1982  BC – 1973  BC

(Short Chronology)
PredecessorShulgi
SuccessorShu-Sin
Dynasty3rd Dynasty of Ur
FatherShulgi

Reign

Year-names are known for all nine years of his reign. These record campaigns conducted against Urbilum, and several other regions with obscure names: Shashrum, Shurudhum, Bitum-Rabium, Jabru, and Huhnuri.[1] Amar-Sin is otherwise known to have campaigned against Elamite rulers such as Arwilukpi of Marhashi, and the Ur Empire under his reign extended as far as the northern provinces of Lullubi and Hamazi, with their own governors. He also ruled over Assur through the Akkadian governor Zariqum, as confirmed by his monumental inscription.[lower-alpha 1]

Amar-Sin's reign is notable for his attempt at regenerating the ancient sites of Sumer. He apparently worked on the unfinished ziggurat at Eridu.[3]

The Babylonian Weidner Chronicle records the following: "Amar-Sin ... changed the offerings of large oxen and sheep of the Akitu festival in Esagila. It was foretold that he would die from goring by an ox, but he died from the [scorpion?] 'bite' of his shoe."

Attempted Coup

The administrative documentation from Amar-Sin's reign suggests that in his final years, he was confronted with some internal strife, and it is likely that his brother, Shu-Sin, was behind an effort to ovethrow him. The imperial guard, the agà-ús, were replaced in Amar-Sin's seventh year with a unit called the gàr-du, often the gàr-du of Amar-Sin.[4] This unit disappears from the record in his ninth year shortly after his death. Also in his seventh year, the king hosted military officials from throughout the empire at a banquet in Ur, where they were required to swear an oath of loyalty.[5] Cylinder seals bearing dedications to the king Shu-Sin appear towards the end of Amar-Suen's reign, but certainly before his death.[6] The provincial governors also see some unusual transitions during this time, including being ousted during the middle of Amar-Sin's reign, only to return to their post after his death.[7] Taken together, it seems likely that Shu-Sin attempted to take power during his brother's reign. It is unclear if Amar-Sin was assassinated during this period, or if he died of natural causes.

Year names of Amar-Sin

All the year names of Amar-Sin are known, and, as was standard for the time, document events during that king's reign. While some events are military conquests, most of Amar-Sin's years record cultic activities. Some examples include:

1a. Year: "Amar-Suen is king"
1b. Year: "Harshi and Kimaš were destroyed"
2a. Year: "Amar-Suen, the king, destroyed Urbilum"
5a. Year: "Enunugalanna was installed as en-priest of Inanna in Uruk"
6b. Year: "Amar-Suen, the king, destroyed Shashrum for the second time and Shurudhum"
7b: Year: "Amar-Suen, the king, destroyed Bitum-rabium, Jabru, their territories and Huhnuri"

— Some year names of Amar-Sin.[8]

Artifacts
  • Statue fragment bearing incised cuneiform inscription of Amar-Sin, ca. 2046–2038 B.C. Neo-Sumerian
    Statue fragment bearing incised cuneiform inscription of Amar-Sin, ca. 2046–2038 B.C. Neo-Sumerian
  • Stamped mud-brick of Amar-Sin
    Stamped mud-brick of Amar-Sin
  • Fired clay brick stamped with the name of Amar-Sin, Ur III, from Eridu. British Museum.
    Fired clay brick stamped with the name of Amar-Sin, Ur III, from Eridu. British Museum.
  • Cuneiform tablet impressed with cylinder seal. Receipt of goats, ca. 2040 BC, year 7 of Amar-Sin. Neo-Sumerian.
    Cuneiform tablet impressed with cylinder seal. Receipt of goats, ca. 2040 BC, year 7 of Amar-Sin. Neo-Sumerian.[9]
  • Cuneiform tablet impressed with cylinder seal. Receipt of goats, ca. 2040 BC, Neo-Sumerian (drawing).
    Cuneiform tablet impressed with cylinder seal. Receipt of goats, ca. 2040 BC, Neo-Sumerian (drawing).[9]
  • Inscription with the name "Amar-Sin"
    Inscription with the name "Amar-Sin"
  • Dedication tablet of Amar-Sin
    Dedication tablet of Amar-Sin

See also
Wikiquote has quotations related to Amar-Sin.

Notes
  1. Zariqum does not appear on the Assyrian King List tablets, but is usually placed by archaeologists between Akkiya and Puzur-Ashur I. He is well known from contemporary documents as a career governor who was also appointed over Susa at various times between Shulgi year 40 and Shu-Sin year 4.[2]

References
  1. Year-names for Amar-Sin
  2. Potts, The Archaeology of Elam, p. 132.
  3. Mallowan, Max, "The Development of Cities from Al-U'baid to the end of Uruk 5" (Cambridge Ancient History)
  4. "CDLI-Archival View". cdli.ucla.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  5. Steinkeller, Piotr. "Joys of Cooking in Ur III Babylonia". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Allred, Lance (2010-06-01). "More Šu-Suen Seals During the Reign of Amar-Suen". Cuneiform Digital Library Notes. 2010 (3). ISSN 1546-6566.
  7. Allred, Lance (2013). "The Tenure of Provincial Governors: Some Observations". From the 21st Century B.C. To the 21st Century A.D.: 115.
  8. "Amar-Sin year names".
  9. Spar, Ira (1988). Cuneiform Texts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art Volume I Tablets Cones and Bricks of the Third Ur Dynasty (PDF). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 38, Nb 35.
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