Ishma-Dagan

Ishma-Dagan (𒅖𒈣𒀭𒁕𒃶, Ish-ma-^Dda-gan; died c. 2154 BC) was a ruler of the city of Mari, one of the military governors known as Shakkanakku in northern Mesopotamia, in the later period of Akkad.^[2] According to the dynastic lists, he ruled for 45 years, after Shu-Dagan, and was the third Shakkanakku ruler.^[3] Ishma-Dagan was probably contemporary with the Akkadian ruler Shar-Kali-Sharri.^[4] He had two sons who succeeded him in turn as Shakkanakkus of Mari: Nûr-Mêr and Ishtup-Ilum.^[3]

Ishma-Dagan 𒅖𒈣𒀭𒁕𒃶
Tablet of Ishtup-Ilum mentioning his father Ishma-Dagan. Obverse: "Ishtup-Ilum Shakkanakku of Mari, son of Ishma-Dagan, Shakkanakku". Reverse (hidden from view): "of Mari, the Temple of the King of the Country has built". Louvre Museum.[1]
King of Mari
Reign	c. 2200 - c. 2154 BC
Predecessor	Shu-Dagan
Successor	Nûr-Mêr
Died	c. 2154 BC
Issue	Nur-Mer Ishtup-Ilum
Dynasty	Shakkanakku dynasty

Mari

Location of Mari

He is also known from inscriptions by his son Ishtup-Ilum mentioning his father, in dedication tablets for the building of a temple:^[2]

"Ishtup-Ilum, Shakkanakku of Mari, son of Ishma-Dagan, Shakkanakku of Mari, built the Temple for the "King of the country"

— Dedication tablet of Ishtup-Ilum.^[5]

• 
  "Ishma-Dagan, Shakkanakku" on the tablet of his son Ishtup-Ilum. The character at the top right corner is 𒌉 dumu, "son of..."
• 
  Another tablet of Ishtup-Ilum. Obverse: "Ishtup-Ilum Shakkanakku of Mari, son of Ishma-Dagan, Shakkanakku of Mari". Louvre Museum.
• 
  Ishtup-Ilum foundation deposit for the Temple of Lions, Mari. Tablet inscription: "Ishtup-Ilum Shakkanakku of Mari, son of Ishma-Dagan, Shakkanakku of Mari, the Temple of the King of the Country he has built". Louvre Museum AO 19827^[6]

Ishma-Dagan Mari
Regnal titles
Preceded by Shu-Dagan	King of Mari c. 2200 - c. 2154 BC	Succeeded by Nûr-Mêr