Shakkanakku

Shakkanakku (Sumerian: 𒄊𒀴, GIR.NITA or šagina,^[1] Akkadian: 𒇽𒃻𒃶𒅘𒆪, Shakkanakku), was an Akkadian-language title designating a military governor.^[2] Mari was ruled by a dynasty of hereditary Shakkanakkus which was originally set by the Akkadian Empire and gained independence following Akkad's collapse.^[3] It is considered that the Shakkanakkus gained some form of independence and came to be considered as "Kings" from the time of Apil-Kin.^[4] A critical analysis of the Shakkanakku List of Mari has been published.^[5]

Shakkanakku

Inscription on the statue of Ishtup-Ilum with the word "Shakkanakku" (red): "Ishtup-Ilum, Shakkanakku of Mari" (𒅖𒁾𒀭 𒄊𒀴 𒈠𒌷𒆠)

Inscription "Iddi-Ilum, shakkanakku of Mari", using the Sumerian: 𒄊𒀴, šagina, on the Statue of Iddi-Ilum.

The title is also known around the same time in Elam, where several "Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam" with typically Akkadian names ruled for the Akkadian kings.^[6]

The title also existed in Qatna in the 14th century BC,^[7] and Dilmun under the Kassites.^[8]

Shakkanakkus under the Akkadians

Shakkanakkus, or Shagina military governors are known from the time of the Akkadian Empire. For example, Shar-kali-sharri had a military governor in Nippur taking charge of the construction of the temple of Enlil. One of his year names reads: "Year in which Szarkaliszarri appointed Puzur-Esztar the shagina (general) to build the temple of Enlil."^[9][10]

Main Shakkanakkus of Mari

Several Shakkanakkus of Mari are known from archaeological artifacts:

• 
  Statue of Ishtup-Ilum, Shakkanakku of Mari. (c.2150 BC)
• 
  Statue of Iddi-Ilum, Shakkanakku of Mari. (c. 2090 BC)
• 
  Puzur Ishtar, Shakkanakku of Mari. (c. 2050 BC)
• 
  Tura-Dagan, Shakkanakku of Mari. Originally from Mari (c. 2071–2051 BC).

List of Shakkanakku rulers of Mari

Ruler		Length of reign	Notes
Ididish		c. 2266–2206 BC
Shu-Dagan		c. 2206–2200 BC	He was the son of Ididish.[11]
Ishma-Dagan		c. 2199–2154 BC	He ruled for 45 years.[12][13]
Nûr-Mêr		c. 2153–2148 BC	He was the son of Ishme-Dagan.[12]
Ishtup-Ilum		c. 2147–2136 BC	He was the son of Ishme-Dagan and the brother of Nûr-Mêr.[12]
Ishgum-Addu		c. 2135–2127 BC	He reigned for eight years.[12]
Apîl-kîn		c. 2126–2091 BC	He was the son of Ishme-Dagan.[12][14] Was designated with the royal title Lugal in a votive inscription set by his daughter.[15]
Iddi-ilum		c. 2090–2085 BC	His name is also read as Iddin-El; his name was inscribed on his votive statue.[16]
Ili-Ishar		c. 2084–2072 BC	His name is inscribed on a brick.[17]
Tura-Dagan		c. 2071–2051 BC	He was the son of Apîl-kîn and the brother of Ili-Ishar.[18]
Puzur-Ishtar		c. 2050–2025 BC	He was the son of Turam-Dagan.[12] Used the royal title.[19]
Hitlal-Erra		c. 2024–2017 BC	He was the son of Puzur-Ishtar.[20] Used the royal title.[19]
Hanun-Dagan		c. 2016–2008 BC	He was the son of Puzur-Ishtar.[21] Used the royal title.[19]
Isi-Dagan		c. 2000 BC	This name is inscribed on a seal.[22]
Ennin-Dagan			He was the son of Isi-Dagan.[23]
Itur-(...)			This name is damaged, a gap separate him from Ennin-Dagan.[24]
Amer-Nunu			This name is inscribed on a seal.[25][26]
Tir-Dagan			He was the son of Itur-(...).[27]
Dagan-(...)			This name is damaged and is the last attested Shakkanakku.[28]

Main Shakkanakkus of Elam

The title is also known around the same time in Elam, as in the inscription of the "Table au Lion", Puzur-Inshushinak appears as "Puzur-Inshushin(ak) Ensi (Governor) of Susa, Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam" (𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒈹𒂞𒆠 𒄊𒀴 𒈣𒋾 𒉏𒆠 kutik-inshushinak ensi shushi^ki skakkanakku mati NIM^ki).^[6] A ruler with an Akkadian name, Ili-ishmani, at the time of Naram-Sin of Akkad or Shar-Kali-Sharri, also used the same title of "Skakkanakku of the country of Elam".^[29][30][31] This suggest that Ili-ishmani was a vassal of the Akkadian Empire.^[32]

List of the Shakkanakkus of Elam

Ruler		Length of reign	Notes
Eshpum		c. 2300 BC	He was a dependent of the Akkadian Empire ruler Manishtushu.[33]
Ilshu-rabi		c. 2206–2200 BC	Shakkanakku in the Province of Parashime
Epirmupi		c. 2199–2154 BC
Ili-ishmani		c. 2200 BC	He was in charge of Elam at the time of Naram-Sin and/or Shar-Kali-Sharri, and probably their vassal.[34][35]
Puzur-Inshushinak		c. 2150 BC	Shakkanakku, who gained independence from the Akkadians. He appears as "Puzur-Inshushin(ak) Ensi (Governor) of Susa, Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam".[6]