Aššur-etil-ilāni facts for kids

Aššur-etil-ilāni (also spelled Ashur-etel-ilani) was a king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. His name means "Ashur is the lord of the Tree." He ruled from 631 BC to 627 BC.

Aššur-etil-ilāni became king after his father, Ashurbanipal, passed away. His time as king was quite short. We don't have many records or writings from his reign. Because of this, historians don't know much about him or what happened during his rule.

Some historians think Aššur-etil-ilāni might have been a less powerful ruler. Unlike earlier Assyrian kings, there are no records of him leading armies into battle or going on hunts. This might have encouraged some smaller kingdoms, like Judah, to become more independent from Assyria. His brother, Sîn-šar-iškun, became king after him. We don't know exactly how this happened, but it wasn't necessarily through violence.

Understanding the Past: How We Know About Kings

It's hard to find information about the last years of King Ashurbanipal's rule. It's also tough to learn about Aššur-etil-ilāni's time as king. The main historical records from Ashurbanipal's reign stop around 636 BC.

Some old writings from nearly a century later say Ashurbanipal died in 627 BC. However, more recent evidence suggests he died earlier. A contract from 631 BC shows Ashurbanipal was still alive and ruling then. Most experts now agree that Ashurbanipal died in 631 BC. This date helps us understand the reigns of the kings who came after him.

If Ashurbanipal had ruled until 627 BC, it would be impossible for his sons to have ruled in Babylon. This is because the city was taken by the Neo-Babylonian king Nabopolassar in 626 BC. After that, Babylon never returned to Assyrian control.

Ashurbanipal had chosen his successor quite early, around 660 BC. He had at least two sons, likely Aššur-etil-ilāni and Sîn-šar-iškun. Some people thought Aššur-etil-ilāni was very young when he became king. This idea came from a phrase in one of his writings: "my father did not rear me." However, this phrase was also used by Ashurbanipal himself. Also, Aššur-etil-ilāni had sons during his reign, which suggests he wasn't extremely young.

Aššur-etil-ilāni's Time as King

Aššur-etil-ilāni became king after his father, Ashurbanipal, died in 631 BC. A special land gift from Aššur-etil-ilāni to his general, Sîn-šumu-līšir, suggests that Ashurbanipal died naturally.

Like many changes in power in Assyrian history, Aššur-etil-ilāni's start as king faced some challenges. The same land gift mentions that two officials, Nabu-riḫtu-uṣur and Sîn-šar-ibni, tried to take the throne. Sîn-šumu-līšir likely helped the new king stop this plot. Since there are no records saying otherwise, it seems the rebellion was quickly put down. However, some old ruins in Nineveh, the capital city, show fire damage from around that time. This suggests there might have been some fighting or unrest in the capital.

Control Over Babylonia

Aššur-etil-ilāni's writings found in Babylonia show that he controlled the southern areas just like his father. He had a local king there, Kandalanu, but Aššur-etil-ilāni held the real power. His writings have been found in important cities like Babylon, Dilbat, Sippar, and Nippur.

His Palace and Rule

We don't have enough of Aššur-etil-ilāni's writings to know much about his personality. His palace in Kalhu, an important city and former capital, might give us a clue. It didn't have the large carvings or statues that earlier kings used to show their power. This might mean he was less boastful than his father.

There are no records of Aššur-etil-ilāni leading military campaigns or going on hunts. These were common activities for Assyrian kings. His palace in Kalhu was also quite small, with unusually tiny rooms for a royal building.

Some smaller kingdoms might have seen Aššur-etil-ilāni as a weak ruler. They may have used this chance to break free from Assyrian control. For example, around 628 BC, Josiah, the king of Judah, expanded his territory. He captured the city of Ashdod and settled his own people there.

How His Reign Ended

Many people have thought that Aššur-etil-ilāni's brother, Sîn-šar-iškun, fought him for the throne. However, there's no proof of this. We don't know exactly how Aššur-etil-ilāni died or how his brother became king. But there's nothing to suggest he was overthrown or killed in a rebellion.

Royal Titles

Very few writings from Aššur-etil-ilāni's short reign have survived. On bricks from the temple of Nabu in Kalhu, we can read some of his titles:

I am Aššur-etil-ilāni, King of the Universe, King of Assyria, son of Ashurbanipal, King of the Universe, King of Assyria, grandson of Esarhaddon, King of the Universe, King of Assyria.

See also

• Sargonid dynasty
• List of Assyrian kings