[3] The king list mentions four other figures who had been competing for the throne during a three-year period after Sharkalisharri's death.

There are no other surviving records referencing any of these competitors, but a few artifacts with inscriptions confirming Dudu's rule over a reduced Akkadian Empire.

Given activity at Umma and Girsu, and at Apiak whose location is unknown but which lay near the Tigris river to the East of Nippur, the Akkadian Empire maintained some level of control to the south at least.

The find of a seal at Adab, lying further East that Apiak, of a servant of Dudu supports this view.

"He also seems to have campaigned against former Akkadian subjects to the south, including Girsu, Umma (where the governor of Lagash appointed by Shar-Kali-Sharri, Puzer-Mama, had declared independence at the end of that rule) and possibly Elam.