Sarra-El

Sarra-El also written Šarran (reigned Early 16th century BC - Middle chronology) was a prince of Yamhad who might have regained the throne after the assassination of the Hittite king Mursili I.

Sarra-El is known through the Seal of his son Abba-El II used by Niqmepa king of Alalakh as a dynastic seal, the seal describe Abba-El II as the beloved of Hadad the title used by the kings of Yamhad, Niqmepa was the son of Idrimi who was a descendent of the old Kings of Yamhad, Idrimi father Ilim-Ilimma I was probably the son of Abba-El II.

these facts confirms that Sarra-El was a prince of Yamhad, Sarra-El name is also mentioned in two Alalakh Tablets (AlT 79 and AlT 95) in the later tablet his name came after the name of princess Bintikidiya and prince Hammurabi the heir of Alalakh indicating the royal status of Sarra-El which led prof. Michael C. Astour to believe that Sarra-EL is the probable son of Yarim-Lim III.

Idrimi and Niqmepa inscriptions indicate that Sarra-El was a prince of Yamhad but he is not confirmed as king, prof. Trevor R. Bryce believes him to be the king who restored the royal family of Yamhad, others such as Astour and prof. Eva Von Dassow attribute this to his son Abba-El II.

Aleppo was rebuilt and became the capital again soon after the assassination of Mursili I, but the name Yamhad went out of use, the monarch title became the King of Halab.

Mursili died around ca. 1590 BC Middle chronology, the restoration happened not very long after his death, which would put Sarra-EL (if he was a king) reign in the first quarter of the 16th-century BC

the date of Sarra-El death is not known, Abba-EL II is confirmed as Sarra-El son and successor through his royal seal, in the next decades Aleppo regained Niya, Mukis (Alalakh region) and Ama'u.