Shu-Sin

Shu-Sin, also Šu-Suen (Akkadian: 𒀭𒋗𒀭𒂗𒍪: ^DŠu^DSîn, after the Moon God Sîn", the "𒀭" being a silent honorific for "Divine", formerly read Gimil-Sin) (died c. 2028 BC) was king of Sumer and Akkad, and was the fourth king of the Ur III dynasty. He succeeded his father Amar-Sin,^[1] and reigned 2037–2028 BC (Middle Chronology).

Shu-Sin 𒀭𒋗𒀭𒂗𒍪
King of Ur King of Sumer and Akkad King of the Four Corners of the World
5-mina weight with the name of Shu-Sin, with his regnal titles, from Girsu, Louvre Museum
King of the Neo-Sumerian Empire
Reign	c. 2037–2028 BC (Middle Chronology)
Predecessor	Amar-Sin
Successor	Ibbi-Sin
Died	c. 2028 BC
Issue	Ibbi-Sin
Dynasty	3rd Dynasty of Ur
Father	Amar-Sin

Reign

Following an open revolt of his Amorite subjects, he directed the construction of a fortified wall between the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers in his fourth year, intending it to hold off any further Amorite attacks. He was succeeded by his son Ibbi-Sin.

An erotic poem addressed to Shu-Sin by a female speaker is preserved in a cuneiform tablet called Istanbul 2461.^[2] The poem's speaker expresses her strong desires and longings for the king.^[3][4][5]

An inscription states that he gave his daughter in marriage to the ruler of Šimānum "His daughter was given as a bride to Simanum. Simanum, Habura, and the surrounding districts rebelled against the king, they chased his daughter away from her residence." Shu-Sin subsequently conquered Šimānum and restored his daughter there.^[6]

Year names of Shu-sin

The year names for the reign of Shu-sin are all known and give an information about the events of his reign. The most important ones are:^[7]

1 Year Szu-Sin became king
2 Year Szu-Sin the king of Ur made / caulked the boat of Enki (called the) 'ibex of the abzu'
3 Year Szu-Sin the king of Ur destroyed Simanum
4 Year Szu-Sin the king of Ur built the amurru wall (called) 'muriq-tidnim / holding back the Tidanum'
6 Year Szu-Sin the king of Ur erected a magnificent stele for Enlil and Ninlil
7 Year Szu-Sin, the king of Ur, king of the four quarters, destroyed the land of Zabszali
9 Year Szu-Sin the king of Ur built the temple of Szara in Umma

Artifacts

There is vast number of artifacts with inscriptions in the name of Shu-sin.^[8]

• 
  Door socket inscribed with the name of Shu-Sin, king of Ur, Ur III. From Mesopotamia, Erbil Civilization Museum.
• 
  Inscription with the name of Shu-Sin
• 
  Seal of Shu-Sin: "Shu-sin, the Great King, King of Ur, King of the four world quarters..."
• 
  Inscribed stone ring of a fountain, in the name of king Shu-Sin. Pergamon Museum.
• 
  Inscription of King Shu-Sîn, commemorating the construction of the temple of the god Shara at Umma. Musée national d'histoire et d'art, Luxembourg, Cabinet des Médailles.
• 
  Seal of Abbakalla of Ur, riding a horse (reign of Shu-Sin, UR III, 2037–2028 BCE), one of the first known such depiction.^[9][10]

See also

• A Love Song of Shu-Sin (B)
• History of Sumer
• Sumerian king list