Puzur-Inshushinak (Linear Elamite: Puzur Sušinak; Akkadian: , puzur3-dinšušinak, also , puzur4-dinšušinak "Inshushinak (is) protection"; died 2110 BC),or from about 2240 to 2220 BC according to the (long chronology) also sometimes thought to read Kutik-Inshushinak in Elamite, was a king of Elam, and the last from the Awan dynasty according to the Susa kinglist.Daniel T. Potts (1999). The Archaeology of Elam. Cambridge University Press. p. 122. He mentions his father's name as Šimpi-išhuk, which, being an Elamite name, suggests that Puzur-Inshuhinak himself was Elamite. He is also the first historical figure in Elamite history.
Early life Elam had been a vassal of Akkad since the time of Sargon. His father was Šimpi-išhuk, the crown prince, and most likely a brother of Khita. 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.
Reign Kutik-Inshushinak accordingly campaigned in the Zagros mountains on their behalf. He was greatly successful as his conquests seem to have gone beyond the initial mission.
Akkadian period In the inscription of the "Table au Lion", he appears as "Puzur-Inshushin(ak) Ensi (Governor) of Susa, Shakkanakku (Military Governor) of the country of Elam" ( , a title used by his predecessors Eshpum, Epirmupi, and Ili-ishmani as governors of Akkad for the territory of Elam.Translation into French in In another inscription, he calls himself the "Mighty King of Elam", suggesting an accession to independence from the weakening Kingdom of Akkad.
Inscribed blocks found in the early excavations at Susa, apparently from a staircase, had separate partly fragmentary Akkadian language and Linear Elamite inscriptions on two separate topics.André, B. & Salvini, M., "Réflexions sur Puzur-Inšušinak", Iranica Antiqua, vol. XXIV, pp. 53-72, 1989 The Akkadian text mentions Puzur-Inshushinak described as "šakkanakku of the land of Elam".d'Istria, Laurent Colonna, and François Desset, "Akkadian Texts on stone blocks from the ‘staircase’of Puzur-Sušinak", Magur, pp. 23-25, 2026
Under King Shar-Kali-Sharri, Akkad weakened, allowing Elam to claim independence. He conquered Anshan and managed to unite most of Elam into one kingdom. Early on his inscriptions were in Akkadian but over time they came to be also in Linear Elamite. Hall, Harry R., "The Ancient History of the Near East: From the Earliest Times to the Battle of Salamis", Meuthen & Company Limited, 1932 He built extensively on the citadel at Susa, and encouraged the use of the Linear Elamite script to write the Elamite language. Most inscriptions in Linear Elamite date from the reign of Kutik-Inshushinak.
Ur III period At the beginning of Ur III period, inscriptions of Ur-Nammu (r. 2112-2094 BC) refer to Puzur-Inshushinak. He conquered numerous cities in central Mesopotamia, including Eshnunna and Akkad, and probably Akshak."According to one of Ur-Namma's inscriptions, which describes his conflict with Puzur-Inˇsuˇsinak, the latter occupied the cities of Awal, Kismar, and Maˇskan-ˇsarrum, and the lands of Eˇsnuna, Tutub, Zimudar, and Akkade. The prolog to Ur-Namma's code adds to list the northern Babylonian cities of Marda, GIRkal, Kazalu, and probably Ak ˇsak?, plus their rural settlements." in His conquests probably encroached considerably on Gutian territory, gravely weakening them, and making them unable to withstand the Neo-Sumerian revolt of Utu-hengal.
It is now known that his reign in Elam overlapped with that of Ur-Nammu of Ur-III,Wilcke; See Encyclopedia Iranica articles AWAN, ELAM although the previous lengthy estimates of the duration of the intervening Gutian dynasty and rule of Utu-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 conquer Susa.
Death His achievements were not long-lasting, for after his death the linear script fell into disuse, and Susa was overrun by the Third dynasty of Ur under Ur-Nammu and his son Shulgi. Ur had held control over Susa 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. He also engaged in marital alliances, by marrying his daughters to rulers of eastern territories, such as Anshan, Marhashi and Bashime. Subsequently, Elam fell under control of the Shimashki dynasty.Encyclopedia Iranica: Elam - Simashki dynasty, F. Vallat
Attestations Statue of Puzur-Inshushinak The bottom part of a statue, probably representing Puzur-Inshushinak himself, is visible in the Louvre Museum, Sb 55. The statue lists the numerous victories of Puzur-Inshushinak over neighbouring territories, and particularly mentions the submission of the king of Shimashki who "kissed his feet".
Inscriptions A possible mention of Puzur-Inshushinak appears in one of Puzer-Mama's inscriptions,Inscription Puzur-Mama E2.12.5.1 in but this is considered doubtful by Walter Sommerfeld and Piotr Steinkeller.
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