Battle of Halule

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
conflict=Battle of Halule
partof=|date= 691 BC
place=Babylonia
result=battle was indecisive,
generally agreed that Assyrians suffered the greatest losses.
combatant1=Babylonians
Chaldeans
Aramaeans
Babylonia
Elamites
Zagros tribes
combatant2=Assyria
commander1=Mushezib-Marduk
Humban-nimena
Khumban-umena III
commander2=Sennacherib
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=
casualties2=

The Battle of Halule took place in 691 BC between the Assyrian empire and the rebelling forces of the Babylonians, Chaldeans, and Aramaic tribes. [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v5f4/v5f4a006.html "iranica.com"] ] [http://www.clio.fr/BIBLIOTHEQUE/l_elam_et_les_elamites.asp "clio.fr"] ] .

Background

During the reign of king Sennacherib of Assyria Babylonia was in a constant state of revolt. Mushezib-Marduk the Chaldean prince chosen as King of Babylon led the Babylonian populace in revolt against Assyria and King Sennacherib.

Rebellion Forces

Khumma-Menanu recruited a new army to help the Babylonians against the Assyrians, under the leadership of Mushezib-Marduk. [ [http://www.crystalinks.com/elam.html Elam - Crystalinks ] ] . As well as the Babylonians, the Aramaic tribes, the Chaldeans and King Khumban-umena III of the Elamites, and all the Zagros tribes (Parsumash, Anzan, Ellipi, etc.) joined in rebellion against the Assyrians. The nucleus of the army consisted of Elamite and Iranian charioteers, infantry, and cavalrymen. [ [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v5f4/v5f4a006.html] ]

Result

The battle was indecisive, or at least both sides claimed the victory in their annals and all rulers remained on their thrones, but it is generally agreed that the Assyrians suffered the greatest losses. Humban-numena, allied with the Aramaic tribes and Persians, claimed to have defeated Sennacherib at the battle. [ [http://www.bartleby.com/67/122.html "The Encyclopedia of World History"] ]

Mushezib-Marduk lost his ally when the Elamite king Humban-nimena suffered a stroke later that same year, an opportunity King Sennacherib quickly seized by attacking Babylon, and eventually capturing it after a nine-month siege. Babylon was destroyed by Sennacherib. There was further fighting between Elam and Assyria over the next 40 years.

References