Puqudu

The term Puqudu or Piqudu (or in the Bible, Peqod or Pekod) refers to a prominent Aramean tribe^[1] and its associated region in southern^[2] or eastern Babylonia.^[3] They lived along the eastern edge of Elam^[4] and in the area near Uruk^[5] and the Tigris.^[2] Their tribal name is sometimes spelled with an accent mark as Puqūdu, and the members of the tribe are sometimes referred to as Puqūdian, Puqūdians,^[5] or Puqudaeans (e.g. in the Nimrud Letters).^[6] Some older publications use Pukud.

The Puqudu, known from governmental archives of Assyria, were "prominent between the mid-8th century and 626 B.C.",^[7] although their presence is documented in Babylonia at least as early as the ninth century. It is not certain when they migrated into the area.^[8]

They appear to have been a loosely associated set of clans, forming alliances for war but not governed under any form of permanent centralized government.^[9] In common with other Aramean tribes of the area, including the Gambūlu, Ruʾa, and Gurasimmu, the Puqudu had multiple leaders at the same time.^[5] There is not enough surviving evidence to speak more specifically about their political organization.^[10] Their way of life appears to have been largely rural, with many caring for herds.^[11] The surviving records concerning Puqudu and other groups point to an ongoing tension between the largely rural Aramean tribes, including the Puqudu, and the rural elite of Assyria.^[5]