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Year 24 of King Samsu-iluna of Babylon

Related Images

  • Fig. 1 - A hand drawing of LB 800, with the name of Samsu-iluna indicated. Credits: F.E. Peiser, 1910, Orientalistische Literaturzeitung 13, p. 194 (with Step 2)
  • Fig. 2 - Map of southern Iraq during the reign of Samsu-iluna (1749-1712 BCE), the cities of Babylon and Kish are encircled, the Fort-of-Samsu-iluna was near the city of Tutub (on the outskirts of modern day Baghdad) - M. Sauvage and R. de Boer

Year: Samsu-iluna, the king, who has gained wisdom, built the city walls of Kish, the walls whose splendor spreads over the foreign lands, on the banks of the Euphrates river; (and) he built the Fort-of-Samsu-iluna in the land of Warum on the banks of the Diyala river. [last two lines are unclear].

This is the full translation of LB 800. It presents us with the full name of the 24th regnal year of King Samsu-iluna of Babylon, which in our “Christian year counting” is ca. 1725 BCE.

King Samsu-iluna (1749-1712 BCE) was the son of the famous Hammurabi of Babylon (1790-1750 BCE) who had conquered large parts of the Ancient Near East. However, Samsu-iluna struggled with rebellions and wars throughout his reign and this is commemorated by his year names. Many of them talk about battles or the building of fortresses. His 24th year name is no exception and recounts the building of two defensive works: the city walls of Kish and a fortress town called “Fort-of-Samsu-iluna”.