| Mār-bīti-apla-uṣur | |
|---|---|
| King of Babylon | |
| Reign | c. 980–975 BC |
| Predecessor | Širikti-šuqamuna Bīt-Bazi Dynasty |
| Successor | Nabû-mukin-apli Dynasty ofE |
| House | Elamite Dynasty |
Mār-bīti-apla-uṣur, inscribedDUMU-É-A-PAB on contemporary inscriptions onLorestān bronze arrowheads ordA-É-AxA-ŠEŠ in theDynastic Chronicle, means “OMarbīti, protect the heir.”[1] Marbīti was a deity associated withDēr with a sanctuary inBorsippa.[2] Mārbītiaplauṣur reigned fromc. 980 to 975 BC and was the sole king ofBabylon’s short-lived seventh orElamite Dynasty.[i 1] He was a contemporary ofAssyrian kingAššur-reš-iši II.[i 2]
The circumstances surrounding the fall of the previous Bazi dynasty and his ascendancy are unknown. His name was whollyAkkadian and he was described as a remote descendant ofElam, šà.bal.bal ˹libirNIM.˺MA.KI (Akkadian:liplippi Elamti Labīru), in theDynastic Chronicle.[i 3] There are no known rulers of Elam bearing Akkadian titles, but his reign coincides with a blank period in Elamite political history. His rule endured for six years and he was buried in the palace ofSargon or “a legitimate king,” depending on the interpretation ofinaÉ-GAL LUGAL(-)GI.NAqé.bir, suggesting an interment suitable for a rightful king.[1] TheEclectic Chronicle records the month of Nisānu in his fourth year but the event is not preserved. It may be concerning the suspension of theAkitu festival due toAramean incursions, as this is the typical subject of the chronicle.[i 4][3]
Four bronze arrowheads from Lorestān have been recovered inscribed with his name and the royal titlešar kiššati, “king of the world.”[4] They were held as part of the Foroughi collection in Tehran.
