Marduk-shapik-zeri

Lore & Background

Marduk-šāpik-zēri succeeded Marduk-nādin-aḫḫē, who may have been his father or brother. His reign overlapped that of Assyrian king Aššur-bēl-kala, during a time when Arameans, driven by famine, attacked Assyria. A fragmentary chronicle records these events. A later letter from astrologer Bel-ušezib to Esarhaddon has been misattributed to Marduk-šāpik-zēri; it actually refers to a different figure, and there is no established canon linking Marduk-šāpik-zēri as a son of Nabû-kudurri-uṣur.

Reader's Guide

Marduk-šāpik-zēri's significance lies in his diplomatic and building achievements during a turbulent period. He repaired the E-zida temple at Borsippa, provided gold votive offerings to temples at Ur and Nippur, and rebuilt Babylon's wall Imgur-Enlil. His entente cordiale with Assyrian king Aššur-bēl-kala, confirmed by the Synchronistic Chronicle, was likely forged to counter the Aramean threat. The Eclectic Chronicle notes that during his reign the people enjoyed prosperity and that he conquered the kings of the lands. A kudurru records land grants to officials, and economic texts from his reign survive. His legacy is preserved in later references, such as the letter comparing Esarhaddon favorably to him, and in building inscriptions copied in the Neo-Babylonian period.

Did You Know?

• His name means 'Marduk (is) the outpourer of seed'.
• A kudurru records a land grant from his first year to palace gate officer Širikti-Šuqamuna.
• The Synchronistic Chronicle records his name as Marduk-shapik-zer-mati, possibly a scribal error.