| Īter-pīša | |
|---|---|
| King ofIsin | |
| Reign | 4 or 3 regnal years c. 1833–1831 BC (MC) |
| Predecessor | Zambiya |
| Successor | Ur-du-kuga |
| House | 1st Dynasty ofIsin |
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Īter-pīša, inscribed incuneiform asi-te-er-pi/pi4-ša and meaning "Her command is surpassing",[1] c. 1833–1831 BC (MC), was the 12th king ofIsin during the Old Babylonian period. TheSumerian King List[i 1] tells us that "the divine Īter-pīša ruled for 4 years."[nb 1] TheUr-Isin King List[i 2] which was written in the 4th year of the reign ofDamiq-ilišu gives a reign of just 3 years.[2] His relationships with his predecessor and successor are uncertain and his reign falls during a period of general decline in the fortunes of the dynasty.
He was a contemporary ofWarad-Sin (ca. 1770 BC to 1758 BC) the king ofLarsa, whose brother and successor,Rim-Sin I would eventually come to overthrow the dynasty, ending the cities' bitter rivalry around 40 years later. He is only known from Kings lists and year-name date formulae in several contemporary legal and administrative texts.[3] Two of his year-names refer to his provision of a copper Lilis forUtu andInanna respectively, where Lilissu is a kettledrum used in temple rituals.[4]
He is perhaps best known for the literary work generally known as theletter from Nabi-Enlil to Īter-pīša formerly designatedletter from Īter-pīša to a deity, when its contents were less well understood. It is extant in seven fragmentary manuscripts[i 3] and seems to be a petition to the king from a subject who has fallen on hard times.[5] It is a 24-line composition that had become abelle letter used in scribal education during the subsequent Old Babylonian period.[6]