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Why did Esarhaddon appoint Ashurbanipal as crown prince of Assyria?

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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.

Esarhaddon appointed his son Ashurbanipal as crown prince of Assyria in 672 BCE primarily to avert a potential dynastic struggle.1

At the time, Esarhaddon faced significant internal court factions and instability. His eldest son had died early, and the national party in Assyria suspected his second son, Shamash-shum-ukin, of being too sympathetic toward the Babylonians and potentially unequal to the demands of kingship. Consequently, Esarhaddon designated Ashurbanipal as the successor to the Assyrian throne, while Shamash-shum-ukin was appointed crown prince of Babylonia.21

This decision was likely influenced by the queen mother, Zakutu, who held significant political sway and helped ensure Ashurbanipal was given administrative responsibilities early in his life. Despite the potential for conflict inherent in this divided succession, Esarhaddon secured the arrangement by requiring Assyrian nobles, priests, city leaders, and vassal princes to swear detailed, binding oaths of allegiance to Ashurbanipal.21