Shakkanakku (Sumerian: 𒄊𒀴, GIR.NITA or šagina,[1] Akkadian: 𒇽𒃻𒃶𒅘𒆪, Shakkanakku), was an Akkadian-language title designating a military governor.[2] Mari was ruled by a dynasty of hereditary Shakkanakkus which was originally set by the Akkadian Empire and gained independence following Akkad's collapse.[3] It is considered that the Shakkanakkus gained some form of independence and came to be considered as "Kings" from the time of Apil-Kin.[4] A critical analysis of the Shakkanakku List of Mari has been published.[5]
The title is also known around the same time in Elam, where several "Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam" with typically Akkadian names ruled for the Akkadian kings.[6]
The title also existed in Qatna in the 14th century BC,[7] and Dilmun under the Kassites.[8]
Shakkanakkus, or Shagina military governors are known from the time of the Akkadian Empire. For example, Shar-kali-sharri had a military governor in Nippur taking charge of the construction of the temple of Enlil. One of his year names reads: "Year in which Szarkaliszarri appointed Puzur-Esztar the shagina (general)" to build the temple of Enlil "Year Szarkaliszarri appointed Puzur-Eshtar, the shagina, to build the temple of Enlil".[9][10]
Several Shakkanakkus of Mari are known from archaeological artifacts:
Ruler | Length of reign | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Ididish | c. 2266–2206 BC | ||
Shu-Dagan | c. 2206–2200 BC | He was the son of Ididish.[11] | |
Ishma-Dagan | c. 2199–2154 BC | He ruled for 45 years.[12][13] | |
Nûr-Mêr | c. 2153–2148 BC | He was the son of Ishme-Dagan.[12] | |
Ishtup-Ilum | c. 2147–2136 BC | He was the son of Ishme-Dagan and the brother of Nûr-Mêr.[12] | |
Ishgum-Addu | c. 2135–2127 BC | He reigned for eight years.[12] | |
Apîl-kîn | c. 2126–2091 BC | He was the son of Ishme-Dagan.[12][14] Was designated with the royal title Lugal in a votive inscription set by his daughter.[15] | |
Iddi-ilum | c. 2090–2085 BC | His name is also read as Iddin-El; his name was inscribed on his votive statue.[16] | |
Ili-Ishar | c. 2084–2072 BC | His name is inscribed on a brick.[17] | |
Tura-Dagan | c. 2071–2051 BC | He was the son of Apîl-kîn and the brother of Ili-Ishar.[18] | |
Puzur-Ishtar | c. 2050–2025 BC | He was the son of Turam-Dagan.[12] Used the royal title.[19] | |
Hitlal-Erra | c. 2024–2017 BC | He was the son of Puzur-Ishtar.[20] Used the royal title.[19] | |
Hanun-Dagan | c. 2016–2008 BC | He was the son of Puzur-Ishtar.[21] Used the royal title.[19] | |
Isi-Dagan | c. 2000 BC | This name is inscribed on a seal.[22] | |
Ennin-Dagan | He was the son of Isi-Dagan.[23] | ||
Itur-(...) | This name is damaged, a gap separate him from Ennin-Dagan.[24] | ||
Amer-Nunu | This name is inscribed on a seal.[25][26] | ||
Tir-Dagan | He was the son of Itur-(...).[27] | ||
Dagan-(...) | This name is damaged and is the last attested Shakkanakku.[28] |
The title is also known around the same time in Elam, as in the inscription of the "Table au Lion", Puzur-Inshushinak appears as "Puzur-Inshushin(ak) Ensi (Governor) of Susa, Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam" (𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒈹𒂞𒆠 𒄊𒀴 𒈣𒋾 𒉏𒆠 kutik-inshushinak ensi shushiki skakkanakku mati NIMki).[6] A ruler with an Akkadian name, Ili-ishmani, at the time of Naram-Sin of Akkad or Shar-Kali-Sharri, also used the same title of "Skakkanakku of the country of Elam".[29][30][31] This suggest that Ili-ishmani was a vassal of the Akkadian Empire.[32]
Ruler | Length of reign | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Eshpum | c. 2300 BC | He was a dependent of the Akkadian Empire ruler Manishtushu.[33] | |
Ilshu-rabi | c. 2206–2200 BC | Shakkanakku in the Province of Parashime | |
Epirmupi | c. 2199–2154 BC | ||
Ili-ishmani | c. 2200 BC | He was in charge of Elam at the time of Naram-Sin and/or Shar-Kali-Sharri, and probably their vassal.[34][35] | |
Puzur-Inshushinak | c. 2150 BC | Shakkanakku, who gained independence from the Akkadians. He appears as "Puzur-Inshushin(ak) Ensi (Governor) of Susa, Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam".[6] |