Puzur-Inshushinak 𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞
Statue of Puzur-Inshushinak (lower half of seated ruler) with inscription in his name and victories, particularly over the king ofShimashki[1]
King of Elam
Reign	c. 2125 - c. 2110 BC
Predecessor	PossiblyHita'a
Successor	Position abolished
Died	c. 2110 BC
Father	Shinpi-khish-khuk

Susa

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Location ofSusa

Puzur-Inshushinak (Linear Elamite:Puzur Sušinak;Akkadian:𒌋𒌋𒀭𒈹𒂞,puzur₃-^dinšušinak, also𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞,puzur₄-^dinšušinak "Inshushinak (is) protection"; diedc. 2110 BC),[3] also sometimes thought to readKutik-Inshushinak inElamite,^[4] was a king ofElam, and the last from theAwan dynasty according to theSusa kinglist.^[5] He mentions his father's name as Šimpi-išhuk, which, being an Elamite name, suggests that Puzur-Inshuhinak himself was Elamite.^[6] He is also the first historical figure in Elamite history.^[7]

Elam had been a vassal ofAkkad since the time ofSargon. His father was Shinpi-khish-khuk, the crown prince, and most likely a brother ofKhita. Kutik-Inshushinak's first position was as governor of Susa, which he may have held from a young age. Around 2130 BC his father died, and he became crown prince in his stead.

Kutik-Inshushinak accordingly campaigned in theZagros mountains on their behalf. He was greatly successful as his conquests seem to have gone beyond the initial mission.

In the inscription of the "Table au Lion", he appears as "Puzur-Inshushin(ak)Ensi (Governor) ofSusa,Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country ofElam" (𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒈹𒂞𒆠 𒄊𒀴 𒈣𒋾 𒉏𒆠puzur-inshushinak ensi shushi^ki skakkanakku mati NIM^ki), a title used by his predecessorsEshpum,Epirmupi, andIli-ishmani as governors of Akkad for the territory of Elam.^[2][8] In another inscription, he calls himself the "Mighty King of Elam", suggesting an accession to independence from the weakening Kingdom of Akkad.^[9]

Under KingShar-Kali-Sharri, Akkad weakened, allowing Elam to claim independence.^[10] He conqueredAnshan and managed to unite most of Elam into one kingdom.^[10]

Early on his inscriptions were inAkkadian but over time they came to be also inLinear Elamite.^[12] He built extensively on the citadel at Susa, and encouraged the use of theLinear Elamite script to write theElamite language. This may be seen as a reaction against Sargon's attempt to force the use of Akkadian. Most inscriptions in Linear Elamite date from the reign of Kutik-Inshushinak.

At the beginning of Ur III period, inscriptions ofUr-Nammu (r. 2112-2094 BC) refer to Puzur-Inshushinak. He conquered numerous cities in central Mesopotamia, includingEshnunna andAkkad, and probablyAkshak.^[13] His conquests probably encroached considerably onGutian territory, gravely weakening them, and making them unable to withstand the Neo-Sumerian revolt ofUtu-hengal.^[14]

It is now known that his reign in Elam overlapped with that ofUr-Nammu ofUr-III,^[15] although the previous lengthy estimates of the duration of the interveningGutian dynasty and rule ofUtu-hengal of Uruk had not allowed for that synchronism. Ur-Nammu, who styled himself "King of Sumer and Akkad" is probably the one who, early in his reign, reconquered the northern territories that had been occupied by Puzur-Inshushinak, before going on to conquerSusa.^[16]

His achievements were not long-lasting, for after his death the linear script fell into disuse, and Susa was overrun by theThird dynasty of Ur underUr-Nammu and his sonShulgi.^[10] Ur had held control overSusa after the demise of Puzur-Inshushinak, and they built numerous buildings and temples there. This control was continued by Shulgi as shown by his numerous dedications in the city-state.^[17] He also engaged in marital alliances, by marrying his daughters to rulers of eastern territories, such asAnshan,Marhashi andBashime.^[17] Concomitantly, Elam fell under control of theShimashki dynasty (also Elamite of origin).^[18]

The bottom part of a statue, probably representing Puzur-Inshushinak himself, is visible in the Louvre Museum, Sb 55.^[19][20] The statue lists the numerous victories of Puzur-Inshushinak over neighbouring territories, and particularly mentions the submission of the king ofShimashki who "kissed his feet".^[20]

• 
  Right side
• 
  Feet with sandals
• 
  Inscriptions of the statue of Puzur-Inshushinak (left side)

A possible mention of Puzur-Inshushinak appears in one ofPuzer-Mama's inscriptions,^[21][22] but this is considered doubtful by Walter Sommerfeld and Piotr Steinkeller.^[23]

• 
  Dedication by Puzu-Inshunishak in the Akkadian language. Louvre Museum, reference Sb 160.^[24]
• 
  BilingualLinear Elamite-Akkadian inscription of king Puzur-Inshushinak "Ensi ofSusa". Table of the Lion, Louvre Museum Sb 17.^[25]
• 
  Linear Elamite inscription of king Kutik-Inshushinak, "Table du Lion", Louvre Museum Sb 17.
• 
  Door socket with inscription "Puzur-Inshushinak Ensi of Susa" (𒅤𒊭𒀭𒈹𒂞 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒈹𒂞𒆠)
• 
  Statue of goddessNarundi dedicated by Puzur-Inshushinak, with inscriptions in Linear Elamite and in Akkadian,Louvre Museum
• 
  "Puzur-Inshushinak, Governor of Susa", on the statue of the Goddess Narundi
• 
  Perforated stone, with Linear Elamite text. Louvre Museum Sb6 Sb177
• 
  Puzur-Inshushinak on the Awan Kings List^[26]
• 
  A God putting a foundation nail in the ground, protected by a Lama goddess, in front of a roaring lion. Coiled snake on top. Inscriptions inLinear Elamite andAkkadian. Time of Puzur-Inshushinak, circa 2100 BC,Louvre Museum.^[27]
• 
  Clay cone with Linear Elamite text. Louvre Museum Sb 17830. Reign of Puzur-Inshushinak.^[28]

• 22nd-century BC monarchs
• 21st-century BC monarchs
• Awan dynasty
• 3rd-millennium BC births
• 21st-century BC deaths

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