Sin-shar-ishkun

Sin-shar-ishkun was a king of Assyria who reigned during a period of significant decline for the empire. He was one of the twin sons of the great Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. Following Ashurbanipal's death, a civil war erupted between Sin-shar-ishkun and his brother Ashur-etel-ilani, weakening the empire. Sin-shar-ishkun eventually secured the kingship around 629 BCE. His reign was marked by conflict with Nabopolassar, the ruler of Babylon, and the Medes. In 612 BCE, the allied forces of the Medes and Babylonians attacked and destroyed the Assyrian capitals of Kalakh and Nineveh. Sin-shar-ishkun died in his burning palace during this final assault, marking the end of Assyrian imperial power.1