Ushpia

Ushpia (also spelled Ushpaya) was an early king of Assyria, traditionally listed as reigning during the 21st century BCE (Middle Chronology). He is mentioned in the Assyrian King List as the successor to Apishal and the predecessor of Alia.

While Ushpia is considered a historical ruler, very little is definitively known about his reign. He is primarily known from later, often legendary, Assyrian texts. He is credited by some, particularly in later traditions attributed to King Ashurbanipal, with having founded the city of Ashur. However, archaeological evidence and earlier inscriptions do not support this claim. The earliest phases of the city predate the traditional timeframe assigned to Ushpia.

The association of Ushpia with the founding of Ashur likely reflects a later attempt to create a lineage connecting the Assyrian monarchy to a legendary past. As a result, the details of his life and actions remain obscure and largely legendary. He is considered part of a group of early Assyrian rulers whose historicity is debated, but generally accepted, despite the limited direct evidence available. He represents an important figure in the constructed history of Assyria, even if the accuracy of his attributed actions is uncertain.