Ekallatum

Ekallatum is an ancient city of High Mésopotamie. Its exact site was not identified, but one locates it on the course of the Tigre, undoubtedly in the south of Assur.

Ekallātum (of which the name means “the palates”), is the capital of a dynasty amorrite, relationship of that of Babylon, important with and, period for which the history High-Mésopotamie is documented by the files of Mari.

Its first king who is known for us is Ila-kabkabu, which seems to be entered in conflict with the king Yaggid-Lim of Husband. His/her son Samsi-Addu (Shamshi-Adad), which goes up on the throne about 1810, continues this conflict and tries to extend towards the valley from the Khabur, where it is stopped by the king Yakhdun-Lim, the son of Yaggid-Lim. It undergoes then a defeat vis-a-vis the king Naram-Sin d' Eshnunna, who causes his escape in Babylon, from where it returns once the king of Eshnunna evacuated the area. A military series of victories of Samsi-Addu is followed, which seizes all north mésopotamien, and founds from there what the historians call the Royaume of High-Mésopotamie. It installs its own capital with Shubat-Enlil, and entrusts Ekallātum to his oldest son Ishme-Dagan (its other wire Yasmakh-Addu being placed on the throne of Husband). This one appears a king related to the military action, but once his/her father died, about 1775, it proves to be unable to maintain the kingdom of this one. He manages nevertheless to keep Ekallātum, while his/her brother loses Mari and is killed.

The reign of Ishme-Dagan is chaotic. Incompetent to restore the power of his city in spite of many attempts, it faces the aimings of the close kings on his area, in particular Zimri-Lim of Husband. When the Élam ites take Ekallātum about 1765, it takes refuge at its traditional ally, Hammurabi of Babylon, which helps it to go up on the throne. Consequently, Ekallātum becomes vassal of king de Babylone, who places all Mésopotamie under his cut. With died of Ishme-Dagan, his/her son Drove-Asqur succeeds to him. It is last king d' Ekallātum who is known, this city disappearing thereafter from the history mésopotamienne.

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