Hammurabi's Narcissism

In the chapter entitled “Supremacy of the North,” Mieroop finally gives us insight into King Hammurabi’s personality. Up until this point, the biography has only talked about his achievements (and one of his blunders). However, this is the first time we are actually given any insight into his character. We see an example of King Hammurabi’s narcissism in his dealings with Ishme-Dagan, of Ekallatum.

When Ishme-Dagan comes to Babylon, a diviner accuses Ishme-Dagan of stealing from the temple, and therefore from the God Marduk. Mieroop states that these are very serious accusations, but Hammurabi still forgave him. However, Hammurabi did not forgive him out of the goodness of his heart, but because he was useful to him; he provided Hammurabi with troops in his campaigns against surrounding regions.

Also, later on, Ishme-Dagan’s kingdom was attacked once again, and he needed Hammurabi’s assistance. However, Hammurabi was frankly “getting annoyed” by his ally in the west. Ishme-Dagan sent messengers to Babylon to ask Hammurabi for troops, and in order to get this help they reminded Hammurabi of all of the ways in which Ishme-Dagan had aided Babylon. Ishme-Dagan also brings up the point that Hammurabi has still not given him troops, yet he has sent troops to others in the area. At this, Hammurabi becomes angry, as can be sensed in the way he speaks to the messengers. Then, Hammurabi finds out that Ishme-Dagan does not consider Hammurabi to be at the same level as Zimri-Lim, another king. Hammurabi becomes even angrier, and claims that he alone can determine which king is important; no others can do this. This same egotism can also be seen as how he was “exasperated” with all of the constant clashes that took place in Babylonia, and he saw it as his responsibility to “pacify the area.”