The Rebellion of Nabopolassar and the Early Reign of Sinsharishkun
This thread, is a minor tl, which could develop into a full-time creation, exploring the geopolitical schematics in a world wherein the Assyrian empire defeats the Medo-Babylonian alliance and contends itself with the changing situation in the Middle East. This is also a thought experiment regarding an evolution of Assyro-Akkadian political culture and world outlook. As an aside and disclaimer, my expertise is not within this period, but it is an area that I have great interest in and through writing am honing some of my skills. If there is holes in my reasoning or my positions are off when respective to Assyrian history, please call me out in the thread or send a dm and I will respond shortly. Thank you!
The Early Reign of Sinsharishkun
The reign of Sinshariskun began in late 627 or 626 BCE , after his brother Ashuretililani (627-627), the eldest of the children of Ahsurbanipal I (668-627), who succeeded his father was deposed and likely killed by the usurper general, Sinshumulishir who placed himself as king of Assyria. This civil war, was not unheard of in the records of Assyrian history, upon the death of Shalmaneser V (727-722), Sargon II was faced with a crippling situation in Assyria, with rebellions, usurpation and the loss of much of the empire conquered after years of war during the reign of Tiglath Pileser III (745-727). Yet, from the ashes, Assyria regained lands and during Sargon II, reached a pinnacle in sustainable power, which was extended by great kings such as Sennarcherib I (705-681) and Esarhaddon I (681-669). In the period of Ashurbanipal I, we find the empire gain immensely in fortune and power, including the conquest of Egypt, the silencing of Elam among other achievements, however, the latter period of Ashurbanipal I, was one wherein the power of Assyria experienced some contractions. The nature of this, is only partly known, but most prominently was the spectre of the Scythians which raided Assyria in the latter 630s.
Within this millieu, a difficult situation was left for Sinshariskun when his brother and thus his dynasty was ousted by the usurper Sinshumulishir in 627. This rebellion in Assyria proper pitted Sinshariskun, the true heir of Assyria against the usurper Sinshumulishir, the war for the throne of Assyria, would rage in the vicinity of Ninevah, Assur, Arrapakh, Nizu, Kalah, etc for the entirety of 627 and the very early section of 626. Ultimately, Sinsharishkun would defeat the usurper in 626, asserting for himself sole rulership over the throne of Assur. Despite the triumph in Ninevah, troubles were mounting and the fabric of the empire was ripping apart.
Babylonia, a present danger was always existing from this region, long held as a vassal and or dual possession of Assyria (the dual monarchy of Assyria-Babylonia) had rebelled several times in the recent 200 years. The most dangerous two being in the reign of Sargon III and under Ashurbanipal I, with both cases having to do with a Elamite support of a Chaldo-Babylonian ruler with ties of some sort of the Elamite crown (Hitalmti). Thus, in each case, it was the support of the Elamite rulers to a Chaldaen, an Aramaen group residing in ancient Sumer, ultimately against the interests of the Akkado-Babylonians whose support between Assyria and or Elam varied, but generally leaned toward the Assyrian hegemony, at least during the reign of Sargon II and in the reign of Ashurbanipal I. In the period of Sinsharishkun however, the situation is a bit different, in that the Chaldaens under a new leader of Nabopolassar, who it seems was self supported by his own Chaldaen connections and fair relations within the city of Babylon, weakness from Assyria may be the ultimate reason for the success of Nabopolasser in regards to rising without assistance from Elam as previous occasions. In 631, unlike in the regimes of Sargon II or Ashurbanipal I, the Assyrian heartland was threatened by the Scythians or Medes, while in times earlier, the main northern threat, Urartu (Biailini/Biai) was seemingly comepting for general regional supremacy over buffer regimes, instead of outright conquest of Assyria.
Regardless, in 627, Nabopolassar claims kingship over Babylon and in 625 despite being repulsed by the Assyrian garrison at Nippur, is able to take the city of Babylon, massacring the Assyrian soldiers stationed therein. Whilst this is occurring, while Sinshariskun has killed Sinshumulishir, persistent strife remained in Assyria proper, and Median, Cimmerian and Scythian strikes upon Mannaea and Syria remove much of the Assyrian ability to rapidly deal with the claimant in 626. Assyrian field armies however existed in Babylonia, defending Nippur, varied fortresses and travelling the region attempting to dethrone the claimant Nabopolassar.
In 625 however, after Nabopolassar captures Bablyon, the situation in Assyria calms and Sinsharishkun defeats all remaining threats to his claim form the former usurpers old supporters. 625, the Assyrian dominion faces the ongoing war in Babylonia and invasions from the north and east; despite this, we find Assyria (otl) facing down this threat with phenomenal staying power and at many times is holding the initiative, this being a sign of the efficiency of the Assyrian military and also the skill of Sinsharishkun.
A survey of the region in 625 and the pace of the wars may thus be efficient:
Assyria currently holds its Assyrian holdings more or less intact after the crushing of Sinshumulishir, the prestige defensive points of Nippur, Ur, Sippar, Arrapakha and Opis,, Syria, Palestine and its vassal of Egypt.
Babylon meanwhile, in 625, has control over Babylon, the southern sector of Babylonia (including Uruk) aside from Ur, Borsippa, Kish and much of the areas to the south near the deserts of Arabia are its partisans, both Arab/Qedar and Chaldaen. Babylonian goals and necessary achievements to gain victory are ultimately three, the first is capture of Sippar and Nippur, the second is capture of Arrapakha and after those two are completed, seek an existing ally against the Assyrians in Media, Scythia or Urartu.
Nearby in the north of Assyria; Media, Scythia, Cimmeria, Urartu and Lydia exist. All excluding Lydia, are hostile to the interests of Assyria, Sythia in 625 for instance, though at poor terms with Cimmerians and Medians, are continually attacking Syria and inflicting wounds upon Assyria and most heavily, to Urartu. Scythian demands are likely the acquisition of loot and plunder, while its similar neighbor nomads, the Cimmerians are causing equal havoc in Anatolia and western Syria and seem more interested in the ultimate establishment of a powerbase in Anatolia. Median interests holdings are the most presently endangering the Assyrian position; at 625, Media has conquered or subjugated Mannaea and forced the Scythians out of the region south of the Zagros mountains, their raids further extend into Urartu, Assyria and Elam. The Median king, Cyaxeres is further a capable monarch and military commander. Urartu by contrast to the others mentioned, may simply be attempting to survive the chaos and conflagration. Long bested by Assyria in the reign of Sargon II, Urartu has suffered enormously upon the invasion of the Cimmerians and Scythians and similar to Elam, are likely already being rapidly replaced in their townships by Indo-European Armenians and Medians.
With all of these interests and holdings in mind, we move to the year 624
-----------------------------------------------------
The First Battle of Uruk
As was stated earlier, Babylonian interests lie in taking Ur, but also in holding what it currently possesses, especially those areas that ensure that the Assyrians cannot launch a frontal assault upon Babylon. Knowing this, in 624, Sinsharishkun sends his army toward Uruk and in 624, the Assyrian army arrives at the city and in unison, the populace not loyal to Nabopolassar rebels and gifts the city to the Assyrian army, meanwhile, a Babylonian force arrives near the city and threatens a counter attack. In response, the two days later, the Assyrian force sallies forth under a general named Ashurakhinimbha and defeats the Babylonian army in a decisive setting. With this major victory, the roads to Babylon lay open.
Sinsharishkun through the rest of 624, prepares an army to ride southward to Babylon and destroy the rebellion; however, to do so, shrewd diplomacy is required. In the times of Sargon II, the Assyrian state surrendered lands to Elam and Babylon, in order to deal with the rebellion of Yahu-Bidhi (king of Hamath, 720-719-18?) and allied Syrian states, Israel and the encroaching Egyptians, which was crushed and checked, before Assyria could turn its attention toward Babylonia and Elam once more. Once more, Assyria will embark upon this strategy of 'one war at a time'. In the middle of 624, Sinsharishkun concludes a deal with Cyarexes which amounts to tribute gifted by Assyria to Media and surrender of Mannaea to the Medes and an agreement with Media to combat Scythian raids (a note, it is not necessary to have Media be stayed by a treaty, but it is a fair option in my view, and is known occurrence in Assyrian history in times of strife).
Median ascent to the treaty is temporary, the view of Cyarexes is that, if Nabopolassar defeats Sinsharishkun, there is no binding with which Media should continue to stay her armies from invading Assyria. However, should Sinsharishkun gain victory, the peace with Assyria could allow Media the time to consolidate itself to the ever present Scythian nemesis and also move southward, conquer Elam and Anshan-Persia, as well as possibly subjugate Urartu.
In Chaldo-Babylonian terms, this was the worst outcome possible. Thus, Nabopolassar tries once more in late 624 whilst Sinsharishkun is preparing his forces, to retake Uruk. Thus, the second battle of Uruk erupts beneath the walls in the plains near Uruk, between Nabopolassar and Ashurrakhinimbha. The Babylonian force, composed of Chaldaens, Arabs from Qedaria, Philistine and Jewish mercenaries and a large contingent of Akkado-Babylonians; meanwhile their enemy is the Assyrian garrison force, made up of Assyrian professional warriors station in Sumer, Gurreans and Ituu archers/light infantry. In this eventful day, the fate of a hopeful empire is placed against the old yet ever young empire of Assyria and in the mayhem and carnage of a strike of cavalry/chariots and the hail of Ituean arrows, the Chaldo-Babylonian army is routed decisively.
Following this monumental defeat, Nabopolassar travels north in an attempt to ensure no rebellion overthrows his early rule and to prepare to raise more troops and mercenary to possibly harass existing Assyrian strongholds in Nippur and consolidate for the very near invasion from Assyria. At the beginning of the year of 623, Sinsharishkun has gathered an army and set his existing field armies and garrisons in Babylonia on alert, as he prepares to move southward to end this blasphemous claimants pretension to kingship.
Thus we end this start here, I hope to hear some feedback and if you are interested at all or some advice. Thank you, I will give the next update soon, which will be titled, "The Fated Campaign".
The Early Reign of Sinsharishkun
The reign of Sinshariskun began in late 627 or 626 BCE , after his brother Ashuretililani (627-627), the eldest of the children of Ahsurbanipal I (668-627), who succeeded his father was deposed and likely killed by the usurper general, Sinshumulishir who placed himself as king of Assyria. This civil war, was not unheard of in the records of Assyrian history, upon the death of Shalmaneser V (727-722), Sargon II was faced with a crippling situation in Assyria, with rebellions, usurpation and the loss of much of the empire conquered after years of war during the reign of Tiglath Pileser III (745-727). Yet, from the ashes, Assyria regained lands and during Sargon II, reached a pinnacle in sustainable power, which was extended by great kings such as Sennarcherib I (705-681) and Esarhaddon I (681-669). In the period of Ashurbanipal I, we find the empire gain immensely in fortune and power, including the conquest of Egypt, the silencing of Elam among other achievements, however, the latter period of Ashurbanipal I, was one wherein the power of Assyria experienced some contractions. The nature of this, is only partly known, but most prominently was the spectre of the Scythians which raided Assyria in the latter 630s.
Within this millieu, a difficult situation was left for Sinshariskun when his brother and thus his dynasty was ousted by the usurper Sinshumulishir in 627. This rebellion in Assyria proper pitted Sinshariskun, the true heir of Assyria against the usurper Sinshumulishir, the war for the throne of Assyria, would rage in the vicinity of Ninevah, Assur, Arrapakh, Nizu, Kalah, etc for the entirety of 627 and the very early section of 626. Ultimately, Sinsharishkun would defeat the usurper in 626, asserting for himself sole rulership over the throne of Assur. Despite the triumph in Ninevah, troubles were mounting and the fabric of the empire was ripping apart.
Babylonia, a present danger was always existing from this region, long held as a vassal and or dual possession of Assyria (the dual monarchy of Assyria-Babylonia) had rebelled several times in the recent 200 years. The most dangerous two being in the reign of Sargon III and under Ashurbanipal I, with both cases having to do with a Elamite support of a Chaldo-Babylonian ruler with ties of some sort of the Elamite crown (Hitalmti). Thus, in each case, it was the support of the Elamite rulers to a Chaldaen, an Aramaen group residing in ancient Sumer, ultimately against the interests of the Akkado-Babylonians whose support between Assyria and or Elam varied, but generally leaned toward the Assyrian hegemony, at least during the reign of Sargon II and in the reign of Ashurbanipal I. In the period of Sinsharishkun however, the situation is a bit different, in that the Chaldaens under a new leader of Nabopolassar, who it seems was self supported by his own Chaldaen connections and fair relations within the city of Babylon, weakness from Assyria may be the ultimate reason for the success of Nabopolasser in regards to rising without assistance from Elam as previous occasions. In 631, unlike in the regimes of Sargon II or Ashurbanipal I, the Assyrian heartland was threatened by the Scythians or Medes, while in times earlier, the main northern threat, Urartu (Biailini/Biai) was seemingly comepting for general regional supremacy over buffer regimes, instead of outright conquest of Assyria.
Regardless, in 627, Nabopolassar claims kingship over Babylon and in 625 despite being repulsed by the Assyrian garrison at Nippur, is able to take the city of Babylon, massacring the Assyrian soldiers stationed therein. Whilst this is occurring, while Sinshariskun has killed Sinshumulishir, persistent strife remained in Assyria proper, and Median, Cimmerian and Scythian strikes upon Mannaea and Syria remove much of the Assyrian ability to rapidly deal with the claimant in 626. Assyrian field armies however existed in Babylonia, defending Nippur, varied fortresses and travelling the region attempting to dethrone the claimant Nabopolassar.
In 625 however, after Nabopolassar captures Bablyon, the situation in Assyria calms and Sinsharishkun defeats all remaining threats to his claim form the former usurpers old supporters. 625, the Assyrian dominion faces the ongoing war in Babylonia and invasions from the north and east; despite this, we find Assyria (otl) facing down this threat with phenomenal staying power and at many times is holding the initiative, this being a sign of the efficiency of the Assyrian military and also the skill of Sinsharishkun.
A survey of the region in 625 and the pace of the wars may thus be efficient:
Assyria currently holds its Assyrian holdings more or less intact after the crushing of Sinshumulishir, the prestige defensive points of Nippur, Ur, Sippar, Arrapakha and Opis,, Syria, Palestine and its vassal of Egypt.
Babylon meanwhile, in 625, has control over Babylon, the southern sector of Babylonia (including Uruk) aside from Ur, Borsippa, Kish and much of the areas to the south near the deserts of Arabia are its partisans, both Arab/Qedar and Chaldaen. Babylonian goals and necessary achievements to gain victory are ultimately three, the first is capture of Sippar and Nippur, the second is capture of Arrapakha and after those two are completed, seek an existing ally against the Assyrians in Media, Scythia or Urartu.
Nearby in the north of Assyria; Media, Scythia, Cimmeria, Urartu and Lydia exist. All excluding Lydia, are hostile to the interests of Assyria, Sythia in 625 for instance, though at poor terms with Cimmerians and Medians, are continually attacking Syria and inflicting wounds upon Assyria and most heavily, to Urartu. Scythian demands are likely the acquisition of loot and plunder, while its similar neighbor nomads, the Cimmerians are causing equal havoc in Anatolia and western Syria and seem more interested in the ultimate establishment of a powerbase in Anatolia. Median interests holdings are the most presently endangering the Assyrian position; at 625, Media has conquered or subjugated Mannaea and forced the Scythians out of the region south of the Zagros mountains, their raids further extend into Urartu, Assyria and Elam. The Median king, Cyaxeres is further a capable monarch and military commander. Urartu by contrast to the others mentioned, may simply be attempting to survive the chaos and conflagration. Long bested by Assyria in the reign of Sargon II, Urartu has suffered enormously upon the invasion of the Cimmerians and Scythians and similar to Elam, are likely already being rapidly replaced in their townships by Indo-European Armenians and Medians.
With all of these interests and holdings in mind, we move to the year 624
-----------------------------------------------------
The First Battle of Uruk
As was stated earlier, Babylonian interests lie in taking Ur, but also in holding what it currently possesses, especially those areas that ensure that the Assyrians cannot launch a frontal assault upon Babylon. Knowing this, in 624, Sinsharishkun sends his army toward Uruk and in 624, the Assyrian army arrives at the city and in unison, the populace not loyal to Nabopolassar rebels and gifts the city to the Assyrian army, meanwhile, a Babylonian force arrives near the city and threatens a counter attack. In response, the two days later, the Assyrian force sallies forth under a general named Ashurakhinimbha and defeats the Babylonian army in a decisive setting. With this major victory, the roads to Babylon lay open.
Sinsharishkun through the rest of 624, prepares an army to ride southward to Babylon and destroy the rebellion; however, to do so, shrewd diplomacy is required. In the times of Sargon II, the Assyrian state surrendered lands to Elam and Babylon, in order to deal with the rebellion of Yahu-Bidhi (king of Hamath, 720-719-18?) and allied Syrian states, Israel and the encroaching Egyptians, which was crushed and checked, before Assyria could turn its attention toward Babylonia and Elam once more. Once more, Assyria will embark upon this strategy of 'one war at a time'. In the middle of 624, Sinsharishkun concludes a deal with Cyarexes which amounts to tribute gifted by Assyria to Media and surrender of Mannaea to the Medes and an agreement with Media to combat Scythian raids (a note, it is not necessary to have Media be stayed by a treaty, but it is a fair option in my view, and is known occurrence in Assyrian history in times of strife).
Median ascent to the treaty is temporary, the view of Cyarexes is that, if Nabopolassar defeats Sinsharishkun, there is no binding with which Media should continue to stay her armies from invading Assyria. However, should Sinsharishkun gain victory, the peace with Assyria could allow Media the time to consolidate itself to the ever present Scythian nemesis and also move southward, conquer Elam and Anshan-Persia, as well as possibly subjugate Urartu.
In Chaldo-Babylonian terms, this was the worst outcome possible. Thus, Nabopolassar tries once more in late 624 whilst Sinsharishkun is preparing his forces, to retake Uruk. Thus, the second battle of Uruk erupts beneath the walls in the plains near Uruk, between Nabopolassar and Ashurrakhinimbha. The Babylonian force, composed of Chaldaens, Arabs from Qedaria, Philistine and Jewish mercenaries and a large contingent of Akkado-Babylonians; meanwhile their enemy is the Assyrian garrison force, made up of Assyrian professional warriors station in Sumer, Gurreans and Ituu archers/light infantry. In this eventful day, the fate of a hopeful empire is placed against the old yet ever young empire of Assyria and in the mayhem and carnage of a strike of cavalry/chariots and the hail of Ituean arrows, the Chaldo-Babylonian army is routed decisively.
Following this monumental defeat, Nabopolassar travels north in an attempt to ensure no rebellion overthrows his early rule and to prepare to raise more troops and mercenary to possibly harass existing Assyrian strongholds in Nippur and consolidate for the very near invasion from Assyria. At the beginning of the year of 623, Sinsharishkun has gathered an army and set his existing field armies and garrisons in Babylonia on alert, as he prepares to move southward to end this blasphemous claimants pretension to kingship.
Thus we end this start here, I hope to hear some feedback and if you are interested at all or some advice. Thank you, I will give the next update soon, which will be titled, "The Fated Campaign".
Last edited: