Ashur-uballit I facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashur-uballit I |
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Tablet from the reign of Ashur-uballit I
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| King of the Middle Assyrian Empire | |
| Reign | 1363–1328 BC 1353-1318 BC |
| Predecessor | Eriba-Adad I |
| Successor | Enlil-nirari |
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| Father | Eriba-Adad I |
Ashur-uballit I (pronounced Ah-shoor-oo-bah-lit) was a very important king of Assyria. He ruled from about 1363 to 1328 BC. He is known as the first king of the Middle Assyrian Empire.
His father, Eriba-Adad I, had already weakened the power of the Mitanni kingdom over Assyria. Ashur-uballit I then completely defeated the Mitanni king Shuttarna III. This victory showed that Assyria was becoming a strong empire. Later, he helped put Kurigalzu II on the throne in Babylonia. This was the start of Assyria getting involved in Babylonian politics.
Family Life
Ashur-uballit I had a daughter named Muballitat-Sherua. She married Burnaburiash II, who was the king of Babylonia. They had a son named Prince Kara-hardash. This marriage helped connect the royal families of Assyria and Babylonia.
Letters to Egypt
Ashur-uballit I sent letters to the pharaohs of Egypt. These letters are part of a collection called the Amarna letters. They show how kings in the Middle East communicated with each other.
In his letters, Ashur-uballit I called an earlier Assyrian king, Ashur-nadin-ahhe II, his "father" or "ancestor." This was a common way for kings to refer to important rulers who came before them. It didn't always mean they were biological sons. Ashur-nadin-ahhe II had also written to Egypt, so Ashur-uballit I was continuing that connection.
Wars with Babylonia
As Assyria grew stronger, Ashur-uballit I began to make friends with other powerful nations. His messages to the Egyptians made the Babylonian king, Burnaburiash II, angry. Burnaburiash II wrote to the Pharaoh, complaining about the Assyrians contacting Egypt without his permission. He saw the Assyrians as his subjects.
Ashur-uballit's Legacy
After Burnaburiash II died, his son, Prince Kara-hardash, became king of Babylonia. But the people of Babylonia didn't like the Assyrians. A rebellion broke out, and Kara-hardash was killed.
Ashur-uballit I was very upset that his grandson was killed. He invaded Babylonia to get revenge. He placed Kurigalzu II on the Babylonian throne. Kurigalzu II was a "puppet king," meaning he was supposed to follow Ashur-uballit's orders.
However, Kurigalzu II soon turned against Ashur-uballit I and invaded Assyria. Ashur-uballit I stopped the Babylonian army near his capital city, Assur. He then fought back, invading Babylonia himself. He took control of some Babylonian land and forced Kurigalzu II to sign a peace treaty that favored Assyria. This showed how powerful Ashur-uballit I had made Assyria.
See Also
- Amarna letter EA 15
- Amarna letter EA 16
