Puzur-Inshushinak

His father was Shinpi-khish-khuk, the crown prince, and most likely a brother of king Khita. Kutik-Inshushinak's first position was as governor of Susa, which he may have held from a young age. About 2110 BC, his father died, and he became crown prince in his stead.

Elam had been under the domination of Akkad since the time of Sargon, and Kutik-Inshushinak accordingly campaigned in the Zagros mountains on their behalf. He was greatly successful as his conquests seem to have gone beyond the initial mission.

In 2090 BC, he asserted his independence from king Shar-Kali-Sharri of the Akkadian Empire, which had been weakening ever since the death of Naram-Sin, thus making himself king of Elam.[9] He conquered Anshan and managed to unite most of Elam into one kingdom.[9]

According to the inscriptions of Ur-Nammu, Puzur-Inshushinak conquered numerous cities in central Mesopotamia, including Eshnuna and Akkad, and probably Akshak.[10] His conquests probably encroached considerably on Gutian territory, gravely weakening them, and making them unbable to withstand the Neo-Sumerian revolt of Utu-hengal.[11]

The name "Kutik-Inshushinak" (Elamite name of Puzur-Inshushinak), in Linear Elamite script (right to left).[12]

He built extensively on the citadel at Susa, and encouraged the use of the Linear Elamite script to write the Elamite language. This may be seen as a reaction against Sargon's attempt to force the use of Akkadian. Most inscriptions in Linear Elamite date from the reign of Kutik-Inshushinak.

His achievements were not long-lasting, for after his death the linear script fell into disuse, and Susa was overrun by the Third dynasty of Ur under Ur-Nammu and his son Shulgi.[9] The Ur III dynasty had held control over Susa after the demise of Puzur-Inshushinak, and they built numerous buildings and temples there. This control was continued by Shulgi as shown by his numerous dedications in the city-state.[13] He also engaged in marital alliances, by marrying his daughters to rulers of eastern territories, such as Anshan, Marhashi and Bashime.[13] Concomitantly, Elam fell under control of the Shimashki dynasty (also Elamite of origin).[14]

It is now known that his reign in Elam overlapped with that of Ur-Nammu of Ur-III,[15] although the previous lengthy estimates of the duration of the intervening Gutian dynasty and rule of Utu-hengal of Uruk had not allowed for that synchronism. Ur-Nammu, who styled himself "King of Sumer and Akkad" is probably the one who, early in his reign, reconquered the northern territories that had been occupied by Puzur-Inshushinak, before going on to conquer Susa.[16]

The bottom part of a statue, probably representing Puzur-Inshushinak himself, is visible in the Louvre Museum, Sb 55.[17][18] The statue lists the numerous victories of Puzur-Inshushinak over neighbouring territories, and particularly mentions the submission of the king of Shimashki who "kissed his feet".[19]

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  Right side
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  Feet with sandals
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  Inscriptions of the statue of Puzur-Inshushinak (left side)

Puzur-Inshushinak appears in an inscription as "Puzur-Inshushinak of Susa", where Puzer-Mama is also named "King of Lagash", suggesting the synchronicity of the two rulers.[20][21]

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  Dedication by Puzu-Inshunishak in the Akkadian language. Louvre Museum, reference Sb 160.[22]
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  Bilingual Linear Elamite-Akkadian inscription of king Puzur-Inshushinak "Ensi of Susa". Table of the Lion, Louvre Museum Sb 17.[23]
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  Linear Elamite inscription of king Kutik-Inshushinak, "Table du Lion", Louvre Museum Sb 17.
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  Door socket with inscription "Puzur-Inshushinak Ensi of Susa" (𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒈹𒂞𒆠)
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  Statue of goddess Narundi dedicated by Puzur-Inshushinak, with inscriptions in Linear Elamite and in Akkadian, Louvre Museum
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  Puzur-Inshushinak, Governor of Susa, on the statue of the Goddess Narundi
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  Perforated stone, with Linear Elamite text. Louvre Museum Sb6 Sb177
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  Puzur-Inshushinak on the Awan Kings List.[24]
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  A God putting a foundation nail in the ground, protected by a Lama goddess, in front of a roaring lion. Coiled snake on top. Inscriptions in Linear Elamite and Akkadian. Time of Puzur-Inshushinak, circa 2100 BC, Louvre Museum.[25]