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Who was Ashurbanipal’s brother Shamash-shum-ukin?

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Lion Hunt of Ashurbanipal — Ashurbanipal Ashurbanipal depicted in a lion hunt in an Assyrian relief from his northern palace in Nineveh; now in the British Museum.

Shamash-shum-ukin was the son of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon and the brother of Ashurbanipal. Appointed by his father as the crown prince of Babylonia, he served as the local ruler of Babylon for 16 years with restricted powers while remaining under the authority of the Assyrian king.12

Over time, Shamash-shum-ukin became influenced by local nationalist sentiments and sought to increase his status. He orchestrated a coalition against his brother, involving various groups such as Elam, Egypt, and several Arab and Chaldean tribes. When Ashurbanipal discovered the plot, a protracted conflict ensued. Following a three-year siege of Babylon that resulted in severe famine, the rebellion collapsed. According to tradition, Shamash-shum-ukin committed suicide in 648 BCE by setting fire to his palace.12