Rimush, King of the Akkadian Empire

Photo is a Murex shell bearing the name of "Rimush, King of Kish", ca. 2270 BC, Louvre

Rimush (or Rimuš) was the second king of the Akkadian Empire. He was the son of Sargon of Akkad and Queen Tashlultum. He was succeeded by his brother Manishtushu, and was an uncle of Naram-Sin of Akkad.

According to his inscriptions, he faced widespread revolts, and had to reconquer the cities of Ur, Umma, Adab, Lagash, Der, and Kazallu from rebellious ensis. There are also records of victorious campaigns against Elam and Barakhshe. A number of his votive offerings have been found in excavated temples in several Mesopotamian cities.

According to the Sumerian King List, his reign lasted 9 years (though variant copies read 7 or 15 years.) There is one surviving year-name for an unknown year in his reign: "Year in which Adab was destroyed". Tradition gives that he was assassinated, as the Bārûtu, “art of the diviner”, a first millennium compendium of extispicy, records “Omen of king Rimuš, whom his courtiers killed with their seals”. He was succeeded by his "elder" brother Manishtushu, leading to speculation by Mario Liverani that the two were twins, as in: man ištuśu? rïmuš! “Who is with him? His beloved!”, as apparently the second born was thought to be the first conceived.

Photo is a Murex bearing the name of "Rimush, king of Kish", ca. 2270 BC, Louvre

Rimush (or Rimuš) was the second king of the Akkadian Empire. He was the son of Sargon of Akkad and Queen Tashlultum. He was succeeded by his brother Manishtushu, and was an uncle of Naram-Sin of Akkad.

According to his inscriptions, he faced widespread revolts, and had to reconquer the cities of Ur, Umma, Adab, Lagash, Der, and Kazallu from rebellious ensis. There are also records of victorious campaigns against Elam and Barakhshe. A number of his votive offerings have been found in excavated temples in several Mesopotamian cities.

According to the Sumerian King List, his reign lasted 9 years (though variant copies read 7 or 15 years.) There is one surviving year-name for an unknown year in his reign: "Year in which Adab was destroyed". Tradition gives that he was assassinated, as the Bārûtu, “art of the diviner”, a first millennium compendium of extispicy, records “Omen of king Rimuš, whom his courtiers killed with their seals”. He was succeeded by his "elder" brother Manishtushu, leading to speculation by Mario Liverani that the two were twins, as in: man ištuśu? rïmuš! “Who is with him? His beloved!”, as apparently the second born was thought to be the first conceived.