Kaštaritu (;[: "In an inscription dated in 678 B.C., Kash-tariti, according to Boscawen, is called "King of the Medes".] His lands were presumably located along the northeastern border of Assyria. Amongst his possessions was the city of Kār-Kaššî.[: "KASHTARITI (kaš-ta-ri-ti, the Old Iranian Khshathrita), a city lord of Karkashshi which was located in the Central Zagros mountains."] Kaštariti forged an alliance of the Medes with the Cimmerians, Mannaeans, and Scythians against Assyria.
Identification
It has been suggested that Kaštaritu can be identified as Median king
Phraortes. Some scholars, however, deny such a connection based on historical evidence and linguistic differences in the native Iranian names of the two rulers.
Reign
Assyrian texts mention Kaštaritu's incursions into Assyria, then under leadership of
Esarhaddon. Oracles were commonly sought by Assyrian rulers for such occasions, invoking the gods to assess the situation and guide them towards help. Esarhaddon was no stranger to such practice, frequently turning to these oracles for advice. Before decisions could be made by these oracles, animals would be sacrificed and omens would then be interpreted based on the positions of the carcasses. Decisions would then be made based on these omens.
In this instance, Esarhaddon turned to a priest of the sun god,
Shamash, for guidance.
[: "Esarhaddon, being hard pressed by a group of nations to the northeast of Assyria, led by a certain Kashtariti, and among whose followers the Gimirrites, the Medes, and Manneans are the most prominent, asks for an oracle from Shamash as to the outcome of the situation."] Tablets dating from the 7th-century BCE, mostly found in
Nineveh, describe multiple "oracle requests" in relation to Kaštaritu in particular.
[: "... All come from Nineveh (Kouyundjik) and belong to the category of 'oracle requests' addressed to the Mesopotamian sun god, Shamash.] Among the questions raised to Shamash during these oracle requests were whether Kaštaritu was a threat to the Assyrians, and whether he would conquer several Assyrian cities.
[: "In one query Esarhaddon asks whether a Median chieftain by the name of Mamitiarshu and Kashtariti would become hostile to the Assyrians ... In several questions Esarhaddon asks whether Kashtariti with his troops, as well as his Cimmerian, Median and Mannean allies would conquer some particular cities."] Kaštaritu had asked another Median chieftain,
Mamitiarshu, for assistance in attacking the Assyrian city of
Kishsassu.
[: "On one occasion it was Kashtariti, the regent of Karkashshi, who wrote to Mamitiarshu, one of the Median princes, to induce him to make common cause with himself in attacking the fortress of Kishshashshu on the eastern border of the empire."] One recorded oracle request purports that Esarhaddon feared the loss of the city to the Medians.
Kaštaritu also planned a raid on the Assyrian town of Kilmân with the Mannaeans and
Saparda.
[: "At another time we find the same chief plotting with the Mannai and the Saparda to raid the town of Kilmân, and Esarhaddon implores the god to show him how the place may be saved from their machinations."]
It is clear that Kaštaritu's incursions were not a sole occurrence as Esarhaddon had constantly sought oracles to help deal with his bothersome campaign into Assyrian territories.[: "Shamasht lord,irm, positive answer to what I am askingdon, king the messenger of his choice totaritu, of Karkashshi? Andn , king of Assyria, sendsashtaritu, willsors, seize that messenger, question, kill him?"] A subsequent oracle request suggests that peace was never achieved. Instead, the Assyrians possibly mounted a retaliation against Kaštaritu and his forces, with the intention of finally ending attacks from Kaštaritu.
Sources
