Kadashman-Enlil II

Kadašman-Enlil II, typically rendered dka-dáš-man-dEN.LÍL in contemporary inscriptions, meaning “he believes in Enlil” (1263-1255 BC short chronology) was the 25th king of the Kassite or 3rd dynasty of Babylon. He succeeded Kadašman-Turgu as a child and political power was exercised at first by an influential vizier, Itti-Marduk-balatu, “whom the gods have caused to live far too long and [from] whose mouth unfavourable words never cease”, according to Ḫattušili III. The vizier seems to have adopted a sharply antagonistic position towards the Hittites, favoring the appeasement of their belligerent Assyrian northerly neighbor. Correspondence with Ḫattušili III In the first place the Hittite king, Ḫattušili III, wrote to Itti-Marduk-balatu (“With-Marduk-[there is]-Life”) to reestablish relations with Kadašman-Turgu's successor, because “my brother (Kadašman-Enlil) was a child in those days, and they did not read out the tablets in your presence.” Itti-Marduk-balatu seems to have adopted the part of viceroy and, on one hand, Ḫattušili tried to renew the alliance entered into by the late king and, on the other, warn him – “If you do not protect my brother’s progeny in the kingship, I shall become your enemy.” This drew an angry response from the vizier, who accused Ḫattušili of treating them like vassals.