Manishtushu


Manishtushu was a king of the Akkadian Empire from 2270 to 2255 BC.

Biography

Manishtushu was the third king of the Akkadian Empire. He was the son of Sargon of Akkad and Queen Tashlultum, brother of En-hedu-ana, Rimush, and Shu-Enlil, and the father of Naram-Sin.
He became king in c. 2270 BC after the death of his brother Rimush. Manishtushu, freed of the rebellions of his brother's reign, led campaigns to distant lands. According to a passage from one of his inscriptions, he led a fleet down the Persian Gulf where 32 kings allied to fight him. Manishtushu was victorious and consequently looted their cities and silver mines, along with other expeditions to kingdoms along the Persian Gulf. He also sailed a fleet down the Tigris River that eventually traded with 37 other nations, conquered the city of Shirasum in Elam, and rebuilt the destroyed temple of Inanna in Nineveh in c. 2260 BC. In Elam and Pashime, in the coastal area of Iran, Manishtushu had governors installed for the Akkadian Empire: Eshpum was in charge of Elam, while Ilshu-rabi was in charge of Pashime.
In c. 2255 BC Manishtushu died, assassinated by members of his own court, and was succeeded by his son Naram-Sin. A pyramidal stele erected by Manishtushu bearing a long cuneiform inscription in Akkadian is featured in the Louvre.
He held the title "King of Kish" in some of his inscriptions.

Manishtushu trampling enemies

A probable statue of Manishtushu discovered in Susa, Elam, shows him trampling vanquished enemies. There are inscriptions on the bodies of the enemies, identifying them. The statue is in the Louvre Museum.

Other artifacts