Idrimi Upper

Idrimi Upper

View of the upper portion of the statue of the idrimi, king of Alalakh, seated on his throne that was discovered by Sir Leonard Woolley in the spring of 1939.  It is 41 in. [1.04 m.] high.  Note the high conical headdress and the simple garment.  A cuneiform inscription, describing the life of Idrimi, is carved on much of the body.

On his right cheek and neck is a postscript that reads: "I was king for 30 years.  I wrote my achievements on my statue.  Let people [read it] and ble[ss me]." (Oppenheim)

Idrimi was the founder of the kingdom of Mukish and ruled as a vassal to the kingdom of Mitanni during the 15th century B.C.

The statue is on display in the British Museum.

A translation of the 101 line text can be found in:  Oppenheim, A. Leo.  "The Story of Idrimi, King of Alalakh." Pages 557–58 in The Ancient Near East Supplementary Texts and Pictures Relating to the Old Testament. Edited by Pritchard, James B. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1969.