DUDU
![](530px-Dudu_the_Great_King_of_Akkad_on_an_alabaster_vase_fragment_Louvre_Museum_AO_6773.jpg)
"Dudu
the Great King of Akkad" du-du da-num lugal a-ga-de3 {ki} on
an alabaster vase fragment, Louvre Museum AO 6773
|
|
King
of the Akkadian Empire |
Reign |
: |
c. 2189 BC – 2169 BCE |
Predecessor |
: |
Ilulu |
Successor |
: |
Shudur-Kib
/ Shu-turul |
Issue |
: |
Shu-turul |
![](441px-The_Gutians_capturing_a_Babylonian_city.jpg)
The
rule of Dudu corresponds to a weakening of the Akkadian Empire,
and increasing troubles with the Gutians. 19th century illustration
Dudu
(Sumerian: du-du), was a 22nd-century BCE king of the Akkadian Empire,
who reigned for 21 years according to the Sumerian king list.
He
is depicted as becoming king during the time of relative anarchy
that had followed the death of Shar-Guni
/Shar-Kali-Sharri. The king list mentions four other figures
who had been competing for the throne during a three-year period
after Sharkalisharri's death. There are no other surviving records
referencing any of these competitors, but a few artifacts with inscriptions
confirming Dudu's rule over a rump Akkadian state that may have
included little more than the capital, Akkad itself. His inscriptions
present him simply as "King of Akkad" :
"Dudu
the mighty, king of Agade: Amar-šuba the scribe (is) his servant."
-
Seal inscription of Amar-šuba.
He also seems to have campaigned against former Akkadian subjects
to the south, including Girsu, Umma and Elam. Dudu is said to have
campaigned against Umma (vicinity of Girsu). One inscription relates
directly to his destruction of Girsu:
"To
inanna Ištar,
Dudu, king of Agade, when Girsu he smote, from the booty of Girsu
he dedicated it."
-
Nippur fragment of Dudu.
Dudu may also have campaigned against Elam, but this depends on
a dubious interpretation of one of his year names. Unlike preceding
Akkadian kings, there are no certain "year names" known
from this time, thus it is unlikely that Dudu could have actually
reigned so long.
An
alabaster vase in the Louvre Museum, since the year 2000, has the
following inscription :
![](425px-Alabaster_vase_of_Dudu_of_Akkad_Louvre_Museum_AO_31549.jpg)
Alabaster vase of Dudu of Akkad, Louvre Museum AO 31549
du-du da-num lugal a-ga-de3{ki} a-na {d}ne3-iri11-gal a-pi5-ak{ki}
a mu-ru
"Dudu, the Great king of Akkad, for Nergal of Apiak has dedicated
this"
-
Vase of Dudu, King of Akkad, circa 2170 BCE. Louvre Museum, AO 31549
The inroads of the Gutians seem to have caused a fairly rapid collapse
of Akkadian power during this period of instability, and it has
even been suggested that one of the four named rivals for the throne,
Ilulu, was himself a Gutian ruler. After this period, it seems Agade
became much less important.
Dudu
was succeeded by his son Shu-turul per the king list, who became
the last known king of the Akkadian Empire.
![](640px-Alabaster_vase_of_Dudu_of_Akkad-AO_31549_(transcription).jpg)
"Dudu,
Great King of Akkad" (Du-du da-num lugal a-ga-de (ki)) on the
Dudu alabaster vase
![](640px-King_Dudu_of_Agade,_alabaster_vase_inscription_for_Nergal.jpg)
King
Dudu of Agade, complete alabaster vase inscription (transcription
in standard Sumero-Akkadian cuneiform): "Dudu, the Great king
of Akkad, for Nergal of Apiak has dedicated this"
![](640px-Akkadkings.jpg)
Dudu
in the Akkadian family tree
Source
:
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Dudu_of_Akkad