Archaic Mesopotamian statue of an orant dated to c. 2700 BCE, rededicated by Eshpum, governor de Susa and vassal the king of Akkad, Manishtusu (2275–2260 BCE), to Elamite goddess Narundi. Found in Susa. Louvre Museum, Sb 82.[1]
While Eshpum was in charge of Elam, another Governor of Manistushu named Ilshu-rabi was in charge of Pashime, in the coastal area.[3]
Votive statue
An archaic statue of an orant is known, which was re-dedicated about 500 years later by Eshpum.[4] It reads:
Eshpum votive statue inscription
𒈠𒀭𒅖𒌅𒋢 / 𒈗 / 𒆧 / 𒀹𒅗 / 𒀵𒋢 / 𒀀𒈾 / 𒀭𒈾𒊒𒋾 / 𒀀𒈬𒈾𒊒
"ma-an-isz-tu-su / lugal / kish / esh18-pum / ARAD2-su / a-na / {d}na-ru-ti / a mu-na-ru
For Manishtushu king of Kish, Eshpum his servant, dedicated this statue to Narundi"
— Inscription of Eshpum on the statue of the orant. Louvre Museum Sb 82.[5][6][7]
Archaic votive statue (circa 2700 BCE) dedicated by Eshpum, with his inscription in the back
Detail of the statue.
Seal inscriptions
"Eshpum, Governor of Elam"
Another inscription of Eshpum is known, which reads "Eshpum, Governor of Elam" (𒀹𒅗 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒉏𒈠𒆠esz18-pum ensi2 elam{ki}).[8]
Seal impression with inscription "Eshpum Governor of Elam" (𒀹𒅗 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒉏𒈠𒆠esz18-pum ensi2 elam{ki}). Louvre Museum, Sb 6675.[9]
Detail of the seal impression with inscription "Eshpum Governor of Elam" (𒀹𒅗 𒑐𒋼𒋛 𒉏𒈠𒆠esz18-pum ensi2 elam{ki}). Louvre Museum, Sb 6675.[10]
Seal of Eshpum
Seal impression, with inscription "Eshpum, Governor of Elam" (Eshpum Ensi Nim-ki)[11][12][13]
"Egigi, servant of Eshpum"
A seal only known from fragments, was made in the name of "Egigi, the fortune teller, servant of Eshpum".[14][15]
"Egigi the fortune teller, servant of Eshpum".[16]
"Egigi the fortune teller, servant of Eshpum".[17][18]
Egigi the fortune teller, servant of Eshpum (fragments).[19]