King of Babylonia (667-648), but subject to his brother Assurbanipal, who was the ruler of the Assyrian Empire. Frictions between the two brothers led to the revolt of Šamaš-šumu-ukīn and the Great Babylonian Rebellion. Defeated in 648 BCE, Šamaš-šumu-ukīn is said to have perished amidst his burning palace at Babylon. Traits of both Šamaš-šumu-ukīn and Assurbanipal have inspired Diodorus’ story on Sardanapalus (Dio II.27).