Irridu (Irrite) was a city in northwestern Mesopotamia, likely located between Harran and Carchemish. It flourished in the middle and late Bronze Age before being destroyed by Assyria.
History
Middle Bronze IIA
Yamhad Period
The city was first mentioned in a letter from the king of Carchemish to
Zimri-Lim of Mari. The letter suggested that Irridu had been a subject of Carchemish, and subsequently it came under the rule of
Yamhad.
In the late 18th century BC, Zitraddu, the governor of the city, rebelled against its overlord Yarim-Lim. Consequently, Yarim-Lim's brother, the Great King Abba-El I of Yamhad (c. 1750-1720 BC) quashed the rebels violently to the extent of destroying the city and he compensated his brother by giving him Alalakh.
Late Bronze
Mitanni Empire
After the fall of
Aleppo, the capital of Yamhad, to the Hittite king
Mursili I (c. 1590 BC), Irridu came under the control of
Mittani.
Hittite Empire
During the reign of Šuppiluliuma I of Hatti (c. 1350 BC), under prince
Piyassili,
occupied Irridu in their advance upon the Mittanian capital
Washukanni and after the Hittites retreated, it became a regional center for Mittani until it was conquered by
Adad-nirari I, king of Assyria.
Assyrian Empire
King
Wasashatta of Mittani rebelled against the Assyrians and sought the help of the Hittites, but received none.
Adad-nirari I attacked Mittani and conquered most of its cities. The royal family of Mittani escaped to Irridu but the Assyrians found them and deported them to Assyria.
Irridu and many cities in its area were set on fire, destroyed, and sowed with salty plants.
See also
Citations
