Suhum Explained

Suhum (Sūḫu, or Suhi^[1]) was an ancient geographic region around the middle course of the Euphrates River, in modern Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq.^[2]

History

Its known history covers the period from the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000-1700/1600 BCE) to the Iron Age (c. 1200–700 BCE).^[3]

Middle Bronze

During the Bronze Age, Suhum was divided into an Upper Suhum, with its capital in Hanat, and a Lower Suhum with its capital in Jabliji. Several ancient letters place the Sutean people as having lived in the region of Suhum.^[4]

Iron Age

Neo-Babylonian period

In 616 BCE, Suhum subordinated themselves to the king of Babylon, Nabopolassar (ruled 626-605 BCE). Three years later, in 613 BCE, Suhum rebelled against him, which led Nabopolassar to send an expedition against Suhum.

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Book: Bryce. Trevor. The Routledge Handbook of the Peoples and Places of Ancient Western Asia. 2013. Routledge. 9781134159086., pp. 666-668

Notes and References

1. Russell . H. F. . The Historical Geography of the Euphrates and Habur According to the Middle- and Neo-Assyrian Sources . Iraq . 1985 . 47 . 57–74 . 10.2307/4200232 . 4200232 .
2. Edmonds, Alexander Johannes, "New Light on the Land of Sūḫu: A Review Article and new Political History", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 114, no. 1, pp. 58-83, 2024
3. Web site: A Short Introduction on the Sūḫu Texts. Bartelmus. Alexa. 2016. oracc.museum.upenn.edu. 2019-05-22.
4. Book: Heimpel. Wolfgang. Letters to the King of Mari: A New Translation, with Historical Introduction, Notes, and Commentary. 2003. Eisenbrauns. 9781575060804. p.26