Short chronology timeline
Encyclopedia
The short chronology is one chronology of the Near Eastern Bronze and Early Iron Age
, which fixes the reign of Hammurabi
to 1728 BC – 1686 BC and the sack of Babylon to 1531 BC.
The absolute 2nd millennium BC
dates resulting from this decision have very little support in academia, particularly after more recent research. The middle chronology (reign of Hammurabi 1792 BC – 1750 BC) is still commonly encountered in literature and the most recent work has essentially disproved this ultra-short chronology.
For the first half of the 3rd millennium, only very rough chronological matching of archaeological dates with written records is possible.
(in modern Syria
) contested for power at this time. Eventually, under Irkab-Damu, Ebla defeats Mari for control of the region just in time to face the rise of Uruk
and Akkad. After years of back and forth, Ebla is destroyed by the Akkadian Empire. Pottery seals of the Egypt
ian pharaoh Pepi I have been found in the wreckage of the city.
Lugal-zage-si of Umma
briefly rules from Uruk after defeating Lagash
, eventually falling to the emerging Akkadian Empire.
Dynasty of Akkad
Since Akkad (or Agade), the capital of the Akkadian Empire has not yet been found, available chronological data comes from outlying locations like Ebla
, Tell Brak, Nippur
, Susa
and Tell Leilan
. Clearly, the expansion of Akkad came under the rules of Sargon and Naram-sin. The last king of the empire, Shar-kali-sharri managed to mostly hold things together but upon his death, the empire fragmented. Finally, the city of Akkad itself is destroyed by the Guti
.
Gutian Kings
First appearing in the area during the reign of Sargon
of Akkad
, the Guti
became a regional power after the decline of the Akkadian Empire following Shar-kali-sharri
. The dynasty ends with the defeat of the last king, Tirigan, by Uruk
.
Only a handful of the Guti kings are attested to by inscriptions, aside from the Sumerian king list
.
Second Dynasty of Lagash
Following the collapse of the Akkadian Empire after Shar-kali-sharri
of Akkad under pressure from the invading Gutians, Lagash gradually regained prominence. As a client state to the Gutian Kings, Lagash was extremely successful, peaking under the rule of Gudea. After the last Gutian King, Tirigan, was defeated, by Utu-hengal
, Lagash came under the control of Ur under Ur-Namma. Note that there is some indication that the order of the last two rulers of Lagash should be reversed.
Fifth Dynasty of Uruk
Uniting various Sumerian city-states, Utu-hengal frees the
region from the Gutians. Note that the Sumerian king list
records a preceding 4th Dynasty of Uruk which is as
yet unattested.
Third Dynasty of Ur (Sumerian Renaissance)
In an apparently peaceful transition, Ur
came to power after the end of the reign of Utu-hengal
of Uruk
, with the first king, Ur-Namma, solidifying his power with the defeat of Lagash
. By the dynasty's end with the destruction of Ur by Elam
ites and Shimashki, the dynasty included little more than the area around Ur.
First Dynasty of Isin
After Ishbi-Erra of Isin breaks away from the declining Third Dynasty of Ur
under Ibbi-Suen, Isin reaches its peak under Ishme-Dagan. Weakened by attacks from the upstart Babylonia
ns, Isin eventually falls to its rival Larsa
under Rim-Sin I
.
Kings of Larsa
The chronology of the Kingdom of Larsa is based mainly on the Larsa King List (Larsa Dynastic List), the Larsa Date Lists, and a number of royal inscriptions and commercial records. The Larsa King List was compiled in Babylon
during the reign of Hammurabi
, conqueror of Larsa. It is suspected that the list elevated the first several Amorite
Isin
ite governors of Larsa to kingship so as to legitimize the rule of the Amorite Babylonians over Larsa. After a period of Babylonian occupation, Larsa briefly breaks free in a revolt ended by the death of the last king, Rim-Sin II.
First Babylonian Dynasty (Dynasty I)
Following the fall of the Ur III Dynasty, the resultant power vacuum was contested by Isin
and Larsa
, with Babylon and Assyria
later joining the fray. In the second half of the reign of Hammurabi
, Babylon
became the preeminent power, a position it largely maintained until the sack by Mursili I
in 1531 BC. Note that there are no contemporary accounts of the sack of Babylon. It is inferred from much later documents.
1st Sealand Dynasty (2nd Dynasty of Babylon)
When the names of Sealand Dynasty kings were found on cuneiform records
like the Babylonian Kings Lists, Chronicle 20, Chronicle of the
Early Kings, and the Synchronistic King List, it was assumed that the
dynasty slotted in between the First Dynasty of Babylon and the
Kassites
.
Later discoveries changed this to the assumption that the dynasty ran
entirely in parallel to the others. Modern scholarship has made it
clear that the Sealand Dynasty did in fact control Babylon and the
remnants of its empire for a time after its sack by the Hittites
in 1531 BC.
Hittite Old Kingdom
The absolute chronology of the Hittite Old Kingdom hinges entirely on the date of the sack of Babylon
. In 1531 BC, for reasons that are still extremely unclear, Mursili I marched roughly 500 miles from Aleppo
to Babylon, sacked it, and then promptly returned home, never to return. Other than that event, all the available chronological synchronism
s are local to the region in and near Anatolia
.
Third Babylon Dynasty (Kassite)
The Kassites
first appeared during the reign of Samsu-iluna
of the First Babylonian Dynasty
and after being defeated by Babylon
, moved to control the city-state of Mari
. Some undetermined amount of time after the fall of Babylon
, the Kassites established a new Babylonian dynasty. The Babylonian king list identifies 36 kings reigning 576 years, however, only about 18 names are legible. A few more were identified by inscriptions. There is some confusion in the middle part of the dynasty because of conflicts between the Synchronistic Chronicle
and Chronicle P
. The later kings are well attested from kudurru
stele
s. Relative dating is from sychronisms with Egypt
, Assyria
and the Hittites
. The dynasty ends with the defeat of Enlil-nadin-ahi
by Elam
.
Mitanni
Perhaps because the capital of Mitanni, Washukanni
, has not yet been found, there are no available king lists, year lists, or royal inscriptions. Fortunately, a fair amount of diplomatic, Hittite
, and Assyria
n sources exist to firm up the chronology. Having become powerful under Shaushtatar, Mitanni eventually falls into the traditional trap of dynasties, the contest for succession. Tushratta and Artatama II both claim the kingship and the Hittites and Assyrians take advantage of the situation. After that, Mitanni was no longer a factor in the region.
Assyrian Middle Kingdom
Long a minor player, after the defeat of its neighbor Mitanni
by the Hittites
, Assyria rises to the ranks of a major power under Ashur-uballit I.
The period is marked by conflict with rivals Babylon
and the Hittites
as well as diplomatic exchanges with Egypt
, in the Amarna letters
.
Note that after the excavation, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, of various Neo-Assyrian documents, such as the Assyrian king list, scholars assumed that the chronological data for earlier Assyria
n periods could be taken as accurate history. That view has changed over the years and the early Assyria
n chronology is being re-assessed. Since there is yet no consensus, the traditional order and regnal lengths will be followed.
Hittite New Kingdom
Beginning under his father, Suppiluliuma I brought the Hittites from obscurity into an empire that lasts for almost 150 years. The Hittite New Kingdom reaches its height after the defeat of Mitanni
, an event which ironically leads to the rise of Assyria
. The dynasty ends with the destruction of Hattusa
by parties undetermined but which may have included the Sea People and the Kaskians.
Kings of Ugarit
A client state of Mitanni
and later the Hittites
, Ugarit was nonetheless a significant player in the region. While regnal lengths and an absolute chronology for Ugarit are not yet available, the known order of kings and some firm synchronisms make it reasonably placeable in time. The fall of Ugarit has been narrowed down to the range from the reign of Pharaoh
Merneptah
to the 8th year of Pharaoh
Rameses III of Egypt
. This is roughly the same time that Hattusa
is destroyed.
the long versus short dating issue, chronology in the Ancient Near East is not on a firm footing until the rise of the Neo-Babylonian and Neo-Assyrian rulers in their respective regions. The dates, regnal lengths, and even the names of a number of rulers from that interim period are still unknown. To make matters worse, the few surviving records, such as the Synchronistic Chronicle, give conflicting data.
Second Dynasty of Isin
After the fall of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon to Elam
, power
in the region, and control of Babylon, swung to the city-state of Isin. Assyria at this time was extremely weak, except during the reign of the powerful Assyrian ruler Tiglath-Pileser I
. Other polities in the area had yet to recover from the Bronze Age collapse
.
Middle-Assyrian period
After the Middle Assyrian Kingdom there is an uncertain period in Assyrian history. The current cornerstone of chronology for this time is the Assyrian King List which, unfortuneately, conflicts with other records such as the Synchronised King List and the Babylonian King List. In any event, the rulers of Assyria in this time were all fairly weak, except for Tiglath-Pileser I. Note too that this chronology is based on assumed synchronisms with Egypt in the previous period.
Babylon
Dynasties V to IX of Babylon (post-Kassite):
Neo-Assyrian Empire
The Assyria
n empire rises to become the dominant power in the
ancient Near East for over two centuries. This occurs despite the
efforts of various other strong groups that existed in this period, including Babylon
, Urartu
, Damascus
, Elam
, and Egypt
.
Babylon
Dynasties X of Babylon (Assyrian):
Babylon was under the direct control of Neo-Assyrian rulers or
their appointed governors for much of this period.
Classical Antiquity
For times after Assurbanipal (died 627 BC), see:
The Hellenistic period
begins with the conquests of Alexander the Great in 330 BC.
Chronology of the ancient Near East
The chronology of the Ancient Near East provides a framework of dates for various events, rulers and dynasties. Individual inscriptions and texts customarily record events in terms of a succession of officials or rulers, taking forms like "in the year X of king Y". Thus by piecing together many...
, which fixes the reign of Hammurabi
Hammurabi
Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c...
to 1728 BC – 1686 BC and the sack of Babylon to 1531 BC.
The absolute 2nd millennium BC
2nd millennium BC
The 2nd millennium BC marks the transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age.Its first half is dominated by the Middle Kingdom of Egypt and Babylonia. The alphabet develops. Indo-Iranian migration onto the Iranian plateau and onto the Indian subcontinent propagates the use of the chariot...
dates resulting from this decision have very little support in academia, particularly after more recent research. The middle chronology (reign of Hammurabi 1792 BC – 1750 BC) is still commonly encountered in literature and the most recent work has essentially disproved this ultra-short chronology.
Early Bronze Age
Estimation of absolute dates becomes possible for the 2nd half of the 3rd millennium BC.For the first half of the 3rd millennium, only very rough chronological matching of archaeological dates with written records is possible.
Kings of Ebla
The city-states of Ebla and MariMari, Syria
Mari was an ancient Sumerian and Amorite city, located 11 kilometers north-west of the modern town of Abu Kamal on the western bank of Euphrates river, some 120 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor, Syria...
(in modern Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
) contested for power at this time. Eventually, under Irkab-Damu, Ebla defeats Mari for control of the region just in time to face the rise of Uruk
Uruk
Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer and later Babylonia, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river, on the ancient dry former channel of the Euphrates River, some 30 km east of modern As-Samawah, Al-Muthannā, Iraq.Uruk gave its name to the Uruk...
and Akkad. After years of back and forth, Ebla is destroyed by the Akkadian Empire. Pottery seals of the Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
ian pharaoh Pepi I have been found in the wreckage of the city.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Igrish-Halam | circa 2300 BC | |
| Irkab-Damu Irkab-Damu Irkab-Damu was a king of the ancient city-state of Ebla.He sent the commander of his army Enna-Dagan to overthrow the powerful coalition formed by Iblul-Il, king of Mari. This was successful and Enna-Dagan took the title of Lugal - the title lugal, literally "great man", meant king in other parts... |
Contemporary of Iblul-Il of Mari Mari, Syria Mari was an ancient Sumerian and Amorite city, located 11 kilometers north-west of the modern town of Abu Kamal on the western bank of Euphrates river, some 120 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor, Syria... |
|
| Ar-Ennum or Reshi-Ennum | ||
| Ibrium Ibrium Ibrium was an ancient ruler of the Kingdom of Ebla. He dominated Ebla and its subordinate cities and became its most powerful ruler. Ibrium introduced absolute, hereditary monarchy in the kingdom and was succeeded by his son Ibbi-Sipish.... or Ebrium |
Contemporary of Tudiya Tudiya Tudiya is the earliest recorded Assyrian king. According to Georges Roux and the Assyrian King List he would have lived in the 23rd century BC. Tudiya concluded a treaty with king Ibrium of Ebla for the use of a trading post officially controlled by Ebla. He was suceeded by Adamu.... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... (treaty) |
|
| Ibbi-Sipish Ibbi-Sipish Ibbi-Sipish was the fifth king of Ebla. He was the son of the most powerful king of Ebla, Ibrium, and the first to succeed in a dynastic line, breaking with the tradition of an elected 7 year rule.... or Ibbi-Zikir |
Son of Ibrium | |
| Dubuhu-Ada | Ebla destroyed by Naram-Sin of Akkad or Sargon of Akkad Sargon of Akkad Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great "the Great King" , was an Akkadian emperor famous for his conquest of the Sumerian city-states in the 23rd and 22nd centuries BC. The founder of the Dynasty of Akkad, Sargon reigned in the last quarter of the third millennium BC... |
|
Sumer
Third Dynasty of UrukLugal-zage-si of Umma
Umma
Umma was an ancient city in Sumer. Note that there is some scholarly debateabout the Sumerian and Akkadian names for this site.-History:...
briefly rules from Uruk after defeating Lagash
Lagash
Lagash is located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Ash Shatrah. Lagash was one of the oldest cities of the Ancient Near East...
, eventually falling to the emerging Akkadian Empire.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lugal-zage-si Lugal-Zage-Si Lugal-Zage-Si of Umma was the last Sumerian king before the conquest of Sumer by Sargon of Akkad and the rise of the Akkadian Empire, and was considered as the only king of the third dynasty of Uruk... |
2295 – 2271 BC | Defeats Urukagina Urukagina Urukagina , alternately rendered as Uruinimgina or Irikagina, was a ruler of the city-state Lagash in Mesopotamia... of Lagash Lagash Lagash is located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Ash Shatrah. Lagash was one of the oldest cities of the Ancient Near East... and is in turn defeated by Sargon of Akkad Sargon of Akkad Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great "the Great King" , was an Akkadian emperor famous for his conquest of the Sumerian city-states in the 23rd and 22nd centuries BC. The founder of the Dynasty of Akkad, Sargon reigned in the last quarter of the third millennium BC... |
Dynasty of Akkad
Since Akkad (or Agade), the capital of the Akkadian Empire has not yet been found, available chronological data comes from outlying locations like Ebla
Ebla
Ebla Idlib Governorate, Syria) was an ancient city about southwest of Aleppo. It was an important city-state in two periods, first in the late third millennium BC, then again between 1800 and 1650 BC....
, Tell Brak, Nippur
Nippur
Nippur was one of the most ancient of all the Sumerian cities. It was the special seat of the worship of the Sumerian god Enlil, the "Lord Wind," ruler of the cosmos subject to An alone...
, Susa
Susa
Susa was an ancient city of the Elamite, Persian and Parthian empires of Iran. It is located in the lower Zagros Mountains about east of the Tigris River, between the Karkheh and Dez Rivers....
and Tell Leilan
Tell Leilan
Tell Leilan is an archaeological site situated near the Wadi Jarrah in the Khabur River basin in Al-Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria. The site has been occupied since the 5th millennium BC. During the late third millennium, the site was known as Shekhna...
. Clearly, the expansion of Akkad came under the rules of Sargon and Naram-sin. The last king of the empire, Shar-kali-sharri managed to mostly hold things together but upon his death, the empire fragmented. Finally, the city of Akkad itself is destroyed by the Guti
Guti (Mesopotamia)
The Gutian dynasty came to power in Mesopotamia around 2150 BC , by destabilising Akkad, according to the Sumerian kinglist at the end of the reign of king Ur-Utu of Uruk. They reigned for perhaps around one century...
.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sargon Sargon of Akkad Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great "the Great King" , was an Akkadian emperor famous for his conquest of the Sumerian city-states in the 23rd and 22nd centuries BC. The founder of the Dynasty of Akkad, Sargon reigned in the last quarter of the third millennium BC... |
2270 – 2215 BC | |
| Rimush Rimush Rimush was the second king of the Akkadian Empire. He was the son of Sargon of Akkad and Queen Tashlultum. He was succeeded by his brother Manishtushu and was an uncle of Naram-Sin of Akkad.... |
2214 – 2206 BC | Son of Sargon |
| Man-ishtishu | 2205 – 2191 BC | Son of Sargon |
| Naram-sin | 2190 – 2154 BC | Grandson of Sargon |
| Shar-kali-sharri Shar-Kali-Sharri Shar-Kali-Sharri was a king of the Akkadian Empire.According to the Sumerian king list, he was the son of Naram-sin and reigned for 25 years - around 2100 BC... |
2153 – 2129 BC | Son of Naram-sin |
| Irgigi | ||
| Nanum | ||
| Imi Imi Imi was a king of the Akkadian Empire from 2257 to BC. He fought for the power in Akkad after the death of Shar-kali-sharri.-See also:*History of Sumer*Akkadian Empire*Sumerian king list*Igigi*Nanum*Ilulu... |
||
| Ilulu Ilulu Ilulu according to the Sumerian king list was a king of the Akkadian Empire. The dates of his reign are unknown, possibly ending approximately 2254 BCE. He fought for power in Akkad after the death of Shar-kali-sharri.-See also:*History of Sumer... |
||
| Dudu Dudu (king) Dudu was a king of Akkad who reigned for 21 years. He became king and ended the period of relative anarchy that had followed the death of Shar-Kali-Sharri. He was succeeded by his son Shu-turul.-See also:*History of Sumer... |
2125 – 2104 BC | |
| Shu-Durul | 2104 – 2083 BC | City of Akkad falls to the Guti |
Gutian Kings
First appearing in the area during the reign of Sargon
Sargon
Sargon is an Assyrian name, originally Šarru-kin , which may refer to:- People :*Sargon of Akkad , also known as Sargon the Great or Sargon I, Mesopotamian king...
of Akkad
Akkad
The Akkadian Empire was an empire centered in the city of Akkad and its surrounding region in Mesopotamia....
, the Guti
Gutium
The Gutians were a tribe that overran southern Mesopotamia when the Akkadian empire collapsed in approximately 2154 BC....
became a regional power after the decline of the Akkadian Empire following Shar-kali-sharri
Shar-Kali-Sharri
Shar-Kali-Sharri was a king of the Akkadian Empire.According to the Sumerian king list, he was the son of Naram-sin and reigned for 25 years - around 2100 BC...
. The dynasty ends with the defeat of the last king, Tirigan, by Uruk
Uruk
Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer and later Babylonia, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river, on the ancient dry former channel of the Euphrates River, some 30 km east of modern As-Samawah, Al-Muthannā, Iraq.Uruk gave its name to the Uruk...
.
Only a handful of the Guti kings are attested to by inscriptions, aside from the Sumerian king list
Sumerian king list
The Sumerian King List is an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer from Sumerian and neighboring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of "official" kingship...
.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Erridupizir Erridupizir Erridupizir was a Gutian ruler in Sumer from ca. 2141 BC to 2138 BC . His reign is attested by a royal inscription at Nippur where he calls himself "King of Guti, King of the Four Quarters."-See also:*Chronology of the ancient Near East... |
2141 – 2138 BC | Royal inscription at Nippur Nippur Nippur was one of the most ancient of all the Sumerian cities. It was the special seat of the worship of the Sumerian god Enlil, the "Lord Wind," ruler of the cosmos subject to An alone... |
| Imta Imta Imta or Nibia was a Gutian ruler in Sumer from ca. 2138 BC to 2135 BC .-See also:*Chronology of the ancient Near East*Sumerian king list*Gutian dynasty of Sumer... or Nibia |
2138 – 2135 BC | |
| Inkishush Inkishush Inkishush or Inkicuc was a Gutian ruler in Sumer from ca. 2135 BC to 2129 BC. Inkishush is the first Gutian ruler mentioned in the Sumerian King List.-See also:*Chronology of the ancient Near East*Sumerian king list... |
2135 – 2129 BC | First Gutian ruler on the Sumerian king list Sumerian king list The Sumerian King List is an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer from Sumerian and neighboring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of "official" kingship... |
| Sarlagab Sarlagab Sarlagab was a Gutian ruler in Sumer from ca. 2129 BC to 2126 BC.-See also:*Chronology of the ancient Near East*Sumerian king list*Gutian dynasty of Sumer... |
2129 – 2126 BC | |
| Shulme Shulme Shulme was a Gutian ruler in Sumer from ca. 2126 BC to 2120 BC.-See also:*Chronology of the ancient Near East*Sumerian king list*Gutian dynasty of Sumer... |
2126 – 2120 BC | |
| Elulmesh or Silulumesh | 2120 – 2114 BC | |
| Inimabakesh | 2114 – 2109 BC | |
| Igeshaush or Igeaus | 2109 – 2103 BC | |
| Yarlagab Yarlagab Yarlagab was a Gutian ruler of Sumer.Yarlagab was preceded by Ilu-An and succeeded by Ibate.... or Yarlaqaba |
2103 – 2088 BC | |
| Ibate | 2088 – 2085 BC | |
| Yarlangab or Yarla | 2085 – 2082 BC | |
| Kurum | 2082 – 2081 BC | |
| Apilkin or Habil-kin or Apil-kin | 2081 – 2078 BC | |
| La-erabum | 2078 – 2076 BC | Mace head inscription |
| Irarum | 2076 – 2074 BC | |
| Ibranum | 2074 – 2073 BC | |
| Hablum | 2073 – 2071 BC | |
| Puzur-Suen | 2071 – 2064 BC | Son of Hablum |
| Yarlaganda Yarlaganda Yarlaganda , and was a Gutian.He was preceded by Puzur-Suen and succeeded by Si-Um.... |
2064 – 2057 BC | Foundation inscription at Umma Umma Umma was an ancient city in Sumer. Note that there is some scholarly debateabout the Sumerian and Akkadian names for this site.-History:... |
| Si-um or Si-u | 2057 – 2050 BC | Foundation inscription at Umma Umma Umma was an ancient city in Sumer. Note that there is some scholarly debateabout the Sumerian and Akkadian names for this site.-History:... |
| Tirigan | 2050 – 2050 BC | Contemporary of Utu-hengal Utu-hengal Utu-hengal was one of the first native kings of Sumer after centuries of Akkadian and Gutian rule.... of Uruk Uruk Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer and later Babylonia, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river, on the ancient dry former channel of the Euphrates River, some 30 km east of modern As-Samawah, Al-Muthannā, Iraq.Uruk gave its name to the Uruk... |
Second Dynasty of Lagash
Following the collapse of the Akkadian Empire after Shar-kali-sharri
Shar-Kali-Sharri
Shar-Kali-Sharri was a king of the Akkadian Empire.According to the Sumerian king list, he was the son of Naram-sin and reigned for 25 years - around 2100 BC...
of Akkad under pressure from the invading Gutians, Lagash gradually regained prominence. As a client state to the Gutian Kings, Lagash was extremely successful, peaking under the rule of Gudea. After the last Gutian King, Tirigan, was defeated, by Utu-hengal
Utu-hengal
Utu-hengal was one of the first native kings of Sumer after centuries of Akkadian and Gutian rule....
, Lagash came under the control of Ur under Ur-Namma. Note that there is some indication that the order of the last two rulers of Lagash should be reversed.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lugalushumgal | ||
| Puzer-Mama Puzer-Mama Puzer-Mama was a ruler of Lagash before Gudea. Though he adopted the title of lugal, Puzer-Mama shows kinship with future Lagashite kings in the religiosity of his inscriptions.... |
||
| Ur-Utu | ||
| Ur-Mama | ||
| Lu-Baba | ||
| Lugula | ||
| Kaku or Kakug | ||
| Ur-Bau or Ur-baba | 2093 – 2080 BC | |
| Gudea Gudea Gudea was a ruler of the state of Lagash in Southern Mesopotamia who ruled ca. 2144 - 2124 BC. He probably did not come from the city, but had married Ninalla, daughter of the ruler Urbaba of Lagash, thus gaining entrance to the royal house of Lagash... |
2080 – 2060 BC | Son-in-law of Ur-baba |
| Ur-Ningirsu | 2060 – 2055 BC | Son of Gudea |
| Pirigme or Ugme | 2055 – 2053 BC | Grandson of Gudea |
| Ur-gar | 2053 – 2049 BC | |
| Nammahani | 2049 – 2046 BC | Grandson of Kaku, defeated by Ur-Namma |
Fifth Dynasty of Uruk
Uniting various Sumerian city-states, Utu-hengal frees the
region from the Gutians. Note that the Sumerian king list
Sumerian king list
The Sumerian King List is an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer from Sumerian and neighboring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of "official" kingship...
records a preceding 4th Dynasty of Uruk which is as
yet unattested.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Utu-hengal Utu-hengal Utu-hengal was one of the first native kings of Sumer after centuries of Akkadian and Gutian rule.... |
2055 – 2048 BC | Appoints Ur-Namma as governor of Ur Ur Ur was an important city-state in ancient Sumer located at the site of modern Tell el-Muqayyar in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate... |
Third Dynasty of Ur (Sumerian Renaissance)
In an apparently peaceful transition, Ur
Ur
Ur was an important city-state in ancient Sumer located at the site of modern Tell el-Muqayyar in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate...
came to power after the end of the reign of Utu-hengal
Utu-hengal
Utu-hengal was one of the first native kings of Sumer after centuries of Akkadian and Gutian rule....
of Uruk
Uruk
Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer and later Babylonia, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river, on the ancient dry former channel of the Euphrates River, some 30 km east of modern As-Samawah, Al-Muthannā, Iraq.Uruk gave its name to the Uruk...
, with the first king, Ur-Namma, solidifying his power with the defeat of Lagash
Lagash
Lagash is located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Ash Shatrah. Lagash was one of the oldest cities of the Ancient Near East...
. By the dynasty's end with the destruction of Ur by Elam
Elam
Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq...
ites and Shimashki, the dynasty included little more than the area around Ur.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ur-Namma or Ur-Engur | 2047 – 2030 BC | Defeated Nammahani of Lagash Lagash Lagash is located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Ash Shatrah. Lagash was one of the oldest cities of the Ancient Near East... ; Contemporary of Utu-hengal Utu-hengal Utu-hengal was one of the first native kings of Sumer after centuries of Akkadian and Gutian rule.... of Uruk Uruk Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer and later Babylonia, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river, on the ancient dry former channel of the Euphrates River, some 30 km east of modern As-Samawah, Al-Muthannā, Iraq.Uruk gave its name to the Uruk... |
| Shulgi Shulgi Shulgi of Urim was the second king of the "Sumerian Renaissance". He reigned for 48 years, dated to 2029 BCE–1982 BCE... |
2029 – 1982 BC | Possible lunar/solar eclipse 2005 BC |
| Amar-Suena | 1981 – 1973 BC | Son of Shulgi |
| Shu-Suen | 1972 – 1964 BC | |
| Ibbi-Suen | 1963 – 1940 BC | Son of Shu-Suen |
Middle Bronze Age
The Old Assyrian / Old Babylonian period (20th to 15th centuries)First Dynasty of Isin
After Ishbi-Erra of Isin breaks away from the declining Third Dynasty of Ur
Third Dynasty of Ur
The Third Dynasty of Ur, also known as the Neo-Sumerian Empire or the Ur III Empire refers simultaneously to a 21st to 20th century BC Sumerian ruling dynasty based in the city of Ur and a short-lived territorial-political state that some historians regard as a nascent empire...
under Ibbi-Suen, Isin reaches its peak under Ishme-Dagan. Weakened by attacks from the upstart Babylonia
Babylonia
Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia , with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as a major power when Hammurabi Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as...
ns, Isin eventually falls to its rival Larsa
Larsa
Larsa was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.-History:According to...
under Rim-Sin I
Rim-Sin I
Rim-Sin I ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1758 BC to 1699 BC or 1822 BC to 1763 BC . His sister En-ane-du was high priestess of the moon god in Ur. Rim-Sin I was a contemporary of Hammurabi of Babylon and Irdanene of Uruk.-Reign:Rim-Sin’s reign of Larsa started sometime around...
.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ishbi-Erra Ishbi-Erra Ishbi-Erra was the first king in the Dynasty of Isin. When the Third Dynasty of Ur collapsed during the reign of Ibbi-Sin, and the former empire was overrun by invaders from Elam and elsewhere, Ishbi-Erra, who had until then served as governor of Isin, set-up an independent kingdom. This kingdom... |
1953 – 1921 BC | Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur III |
| Shu-ilishu | 1920 – 1911 BC | Son of Ishbi-Erra |
| Iddin-Dagan | 1910 – 1890 BC | Son of Shu-ilishu |
| Ishme-Dagan Ishme-Dagan Ishme-Dagan I was the son of the Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad I, put on throne of Ekallatum by his father after a successful military attack. He ruled the area of the upper Tigris, including the city-state of Assur. Following Shamshi-Adad's death , Ishme-Dagan I managed to rule Assyria until himself... |
1889 – 1871 BC | Son of Iddin-Dagan |
| Lipit-Eshtar | 1870 – 1860 BC | Contemporary of Gungunum Gungunum Gungunum ruled the ancient Near East city-state of Larsa from 1868 BC to 1841 BC. He was an Amorite, the son of Samium. He was a contemporary of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin, and took control of the city of Ur... of Larsa Larsa Larsa was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.-History:According to... |
| Ur-Ninurta | 1859 – 1832 BC | Contemporary of Abisare Abisare Abisare ruled the ancient Near East city-state of Larsa from 1841 BC to 1830 BC. He was an Amorite. The annals of his 11 year-old reign record that he smote Isin in his 9th regnal year.-External links:*... of Larsa Larsa Larsa was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.-History:According to... |
| Bur-Suen | 1831 – 1811 BC | Son of Ur-Ninurta |
| Lipit-Enlil | 1810 – 1806 BC | Son of Bur-Suen |
| Erra-imitti Erra-imitti Erra-Imittī, 1805 – 1799 BC , was king of Isin, modern Ishan al-Bahriyat, and according to the Sumerian King List ruled for eight years. He succeeded Lipit-Enlil, his father and was a contemporary and rival of Sūmû-El and Nūr-Adad of the parallel dynasty of Larsa... or Ura-imitti |
1805 – 1799 BC | |
| Enlil-bani | 1798 – 1775 BC | Contemporary of Sumu-la-El Sumu-la-El Sumu-la-El was a King in the First Dynasty of Babylon. He reigned ca.1817 BC - 1781 BC.-References:... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Zambiya | 1774 – 1772 BC | Contemporary of Sin-Iqisham Sin-Iqisham Sin-Iqisham ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1776 BC to 1771 BC. He was the son of Sin-Eribam and a contemporary of Zambiya of Isin.... of Larsa Larsa Larsa was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.-History:According to... |
| Iter-pisha | 1771 – 1768 BC | |
| Ur-du-kuga | 1767 – 1764 BC | |
| Suen-magir | 1763 – 1753 BC | |
| Damiq-ilishu | 1752 – 1730 BC | Son of Suen-magir |
Kings of Larsa
The chronology of the Kingdom of Larsa is based mainly on the Larsa King List (Larsa Dynastic List), the Larsa Date Lists, and a number of royal inscriptions and commercial records. The Larsa King List was compiled in Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
during the reign of Hammurabi
Hammurabi
Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c...
, conqueror of Larsa. It is suspected that the list elevated the first several Amorite
Amorite
Amorite refers to an ancient Semitic people who occupied large parts of Mesopotamia from the 21st Century BC...
Isin
Isin
Isin was an ancient city-state of lower Mesopotamia about 20 miles south of Nippur at the site of modern Ishan al-Bahriyat in Iraq's Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate.-History:...
ite governors of Larsa to kingship so as to legitimize the rule of the Amorite Babylonians over Larsa. After a period of Babylonian occupation, Larsa briefly breaks free in a revolt ended by the death of the last king, Rim-Sin II.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naplanum Naplanum Naplanum was the first independent king of the ancient Near East city-state of Larsa ca. 1961 BC to 1940 BC — roughly during the reign of Ibbi-Sin of Ur-III and the great famine — according to the later Larsa King List... |
1961 – 1940 BC | Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur III |
| Emisum Emisum Emisum or Iemsium ruled the ancient Near East city-state of Larsa from 1940 BC to 1912 BC. He was an Amorite.... |
1940 – 1912 BC | |
| Samium Samium Samium ruled the ancient Near Eastern city-state of Larsa from 1912 BC to 1877 BC. He was an Amorite. He had a son called Zabaia.... |
1912 – 1877 BC | |
| Zabaia Zabaia Zabaia ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1877 BC to 1868 BC. He was an Amorite and the son ofSamium.... |
1877 – 1868 BC | Son of Samium, First royal inscription |
| Gungunum Gungunum Gungunum ruled the ancient Near East city-state of Larsa from 1868 BC to 1841 BC. He was an Amorite, the son of Samium. He was a contemporary of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin, and took control of the city of Ur... |
1868 – 1841 BC | Gained independence from Lipit-Eshtar of Isin Isin Isin was an ancient city-state of lower Mesopotamia about 20 miles south of Nippur at the site of modern Ishan al-Bahriyat in Iraq's Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate.-History:... |
| Abisare Abisare Abisare ruled the ancient Near East city-state of Larsa from 1841 BC to 1830 BC. He was an Amorite. The annals of his 11 year-old reign record that he smote Isin in his 9th regnal year.-External links:*... |
1841 – 1830 BC | |
| Sumuel Sumuel Sumuel or Sumu-El ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from c. 1830 BC to 1801 BC. He was an Amorite. Annals for his complete 29 year reign have survived; thus it is known that he campaigned against Akusum and Kazallu in his year 4, Uruk in year 5, Pinaratim in year 8, Sabum in year 10,... |
1830 – 1801 BC | |
| Nur-Adad Nur-Adad Nur-Adad ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1801 BC to 1785 BC. He was a contemporary of Sumu-la-El of Babylon.... |
1801 – 1785 BC | Contemporary of Sumu-la-El Sumu-la-El Sumu-la-El was a King in the First Dynasty of Babylon. He reigned ca.1817 BC - 1781 BC.-References:... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Sin-Iddinam Sin-Iddinam Sin-Iddinam ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1785 BC to 1778 BC. He was the son of Nur-Adad, withwhom there may have been a short co-regency overlap.... |
1785 – 1778 BC | Son of Nur-Adad |
| Sin-Eribam Sin-Eribam Sin-Eribam ruled the ancient Near East Amorite city-stateof Larsa for only two years, from ca. 1778 BC to 1776 BC.-External links:*... |
1778 – 1776 BC | |
| Sin-Iqisham Sin-Iqisham Sin-Iqisham ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1776 BC to 1771 BC. He was the son of Sin-Eribam and a contemporary of Zambiya of Isin.... |
1776 – 1771 BC | Contemporary of Zambiya of Isin Isin Isin was an ancient city-state of lower Mesopotamia about 20 miles south of Nippur at the site of modern Ishan al-Bahriyat in Iraq's Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate.-History:... , Son of Sin-Eribam |
| Silli-Adad Silli-Adad Silli-Adad ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1771 BC to 1770 BC. His reign was less than a full year; the annals state that he was "removed from kingship" and "was no longer king". His successor was Warad-Sin.-External links:*... |
1771 – 1770 BC | |
| Warad-Sin Warad-Sin Warad-Sin ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1770 BC to 1758 BC. There are indications that hisfather Kudur-Mabuk was co-regent or at very least the power behind thethrone. His sister En-ane-du was high priestess of the moon god in Ur.... |
1770 – 1758 BC | Possible co-regency with Kudur-Mabuk Kudur-Mabuk Kudur-Mabuk was a ruler in the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1770 BC to 1754 BC. His sons Warad-Sin andRim-Sin I were kings of Larsa. His daughter En-ane-du was highpriestess of the moon god in Ur.... his father |
| Rim-Sin I Rim-Sin I Rim-Sin I ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1758 BC to 1699 BC or 1822 BC to 1763 BC . His sister En-ane-du was high priestess of the moon god in Ur. Rim-Sin I was a contemporary of Hammurabi of Babylon and Irdanene of Uruk.-Reign:Rim-Sin’s reign of Larsa started sometime around... |
1758 – 1699 BC | Contemporary of Irdanene of Uruk Uruk Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer and later Babylonia, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river, on the ancient dry former channel of the Euphrates River, some 30 km east of modern As-Samawah, Al-Muthannā, Iraq.Uruk gave its name to the Uruk... , Defeated by Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... , Brother of Warad-Sin |
| Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
1699 – 1686 BC | Official Babylonian rule |
| Samsu-iluna Samsu-Iluna Samsu-iluna was the seventh king of the founding Amorite dynasty of Babylon, ruling from 1750 BC to 1712 BC middle chronology. He was the son and successor of Hammurabi by an unknown mother... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
1686 – 1678 BC | Official Babylonian rule |
| Rim-Sin II Rim-Sin II Rim-Sin II ruled the ancient Near East city-stateof Larsa from 1678 BC to 1674 BC. Rim-Sin II was a contemporary of Samsu-iluna of Babylon.-External links:*... |
1678 – 1674 BC | Killed in revolt against Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
First Babylonian Dynasty (Dynasty I)
Following the fall of the Ur III Dynasty, the resultant power vacuum was contested by Isin
Isin
Isin was an ancient city-state of lower Mesopotamia about 20 miles south of Nippur at the site of modern Ishan al-Bahriyat in Iraq's Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate.-History:...
and Larsa
Larsa
Larsa was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.-History:According to...
, with Babylon and Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
later joining the fray. In the second half of the reign of Hammurabi
Hammurabi
Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c...
, Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
became the preeminent power, a position it largely maintained until the sack by Mursili I
Mursili I
Mursili I was a king of the Hittites ca. 1556–1526 BC , and was likely a grandson of his predecessor, Hattusili I. His sister was Harapšili.- Biography :...
in 1531 BC. Note that there are no contemporary accounts of the sack of Babylon. It is inferred from much later documents.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sumu-abum Sumu-abum Sumu-Adama was the first King of the First Dynasty of Babylon. He reigned from 1830-1817 BC. He is credited with founding the city of Babylon .-References:... or Su-abu |
1830 – 1817 BC | Contemporary of Ilushuma Ilushuma Ilushuma was the king of Assyria ca. 1945–1906 BC. He was a powerful king who is best known for founding colonies in Asia Minor and leading an Assyrian army and raiding into southern Mesopotamia, attacking the Sumerian state of Isin and other states. Two of his sons went on to become kings: Erishum... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Sumu-la-El Sumu-la-El Sumu-la-El was a King in the First Dynasty of Babylon. He reigned ca.1817 BC - 1781 BC.-References:... |
1817 – 1781 BC | Contemporary of Erishum I Erishum I Erishum I was the king of Assyria between 1906 BC to 1867 BC. He was the son of the previous Assyrian king, Ilushuma. He built a temple for the deity Assur... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Sabium Sabium Sabium was a King in the First Dynasty of Babylon. He reigned ca.1781 BC - 1767 BC.... or Sabum |
1781 – 1767 BC | Son of Sumu-la-El |
| Apil-Sin Apil-Sin Apil-Sin was a King in the First Dynasty of Babylon. He reigned c. 1767 BC - 1749 BC. Apil-Sin was the grandfather of Hammurabi, who significantly expanded the Babylonian kingdom. Little is known of the details of Apil-Sin or his reign as king of Babylon... |
1767 – 1749 BC | Son of Sabium |
| Sin-muballit Sin-Muballit Sin-Muballit was the father of Hammurabi. He was the fifth king of the first dynasty of Babylonia, reigning c. 1748 to 1729 BC. His son Hammurabi greatly expanded the Babylonian kingdom. Sin-Muballit succeeded Apil-Sin. No inscriptions for either king are known. In Sin-Muballit's 13th year, he... |
1748 – 1729 BC | Son of Apil-Sin |
| Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c... |
1728 – 1686 BC | Contemporary of Zimri-Lim of Mari Mari, Syria Mari was an ancient Sumerian and Amorite city, located 11 kilometers north-west of the modern town of Abu Kamal on the western bank of Euphrates river, some 120 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor, Syria... , Siwe-palar-huppak of Elam Elam Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq... and Shamshi-Adad I Shamshi-Adad I Shamshi-Adad I Shamshi-Adad I Shamshi-Adad I (fl. late 18th century BC (short chronology) was an Assyrian king. He rose to prominence when he carved out an empire encompassing much of Mesopotamia, Syria and Asia Minor... |
| Samsu-iluna Samsu-Iluna Samsu-iluna was the seventh king of the founding Amorite dynasty of Babylon, ruling from 1750 BC to 1712 BC middle chronology. He was the son and successor of Hammurabi by an unknown mother... |
1686 – 1648 BC | Son of Hammurabi |
| Abi-eshuh Abi-Eshuh Abi-Eshuh was an Amorite king of Babylon who reigned from 1711-1684 BC. He was preceded by Samsu-iluna.... or Abieshu |
1648 – 1620 BC | Son of Samsu-iluna |
| Ammi-ditana Ammi-Ditana Ammi-Ditana was a king of Babylon who reigned from 1683-1640s BC. He was preceded by Abi-Eshuh. Year-names survive for the first 37 years of his reign, plus fragments for a few possible additional years... |
1620 – 1583 BC | Son of Abi-eshuh |
| Ammi-saduqa Ammi-Saduqa Ammi-Saduqa was a king of the First Dynasty of Babylon. Some 21 year-names survive for his reign, including the first 17... or Ammisaduqa |
1582 – 1562 BC | Venus tablet of Ammisaduqa Venus tablet of Ammisaduqa The Venus tablet of Ammisaduqa refers to the record of astronomical observations of Venus, as preserved in numerous cuneiform tablets dating from the first millennium BCE. It is believed that this astronomical record was first compiled during the reign of King Ammisaduqa , the fourth ruler after... |
| Samsu-Ditana Samsu-Ditana Samsu-Ditana was the King of Babylon, who reigned from 1626 BC to 1595 BC.Samsu-Ditana is the last king of the First Babylonian Dynasty. After the Hittite army under Mursilis I invaded Babylon, he was overthrown.... |
1562 – 1531 BC | Sack of Babylon |
1st Sealand Dynasty (2nd Dynasty of Babylon)
When the names of Sealand Dynasty kings were found on cuneiform records
like the Babylonian Kings Lists, Chronicle 20, Chronicle of the
Early Kings, and the Synchronistic King List, it was assumed that the
dynasty slotted in between the First Dynasty of Babylon and the
Kassites
Kassites
The Kassites were an ancient Near Eastern people who gained control of Babylonia after the fall of the Old Babylonian Empire after ca. 1531 BC to ca. 1155 BC...
.
Later discoveries changed this to the assumption that the dynasty ran
entirely in parallel to the others. Modern scholarship has made it
clear that the Sealand Dynasty did in fact control Babylon and the
remnants of its empire for a time after its sack by the Hittites
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
in 1531 BC.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ilumael or Iluma-ilum | circa 1700 BC | Contemporary of Samsu-iluna Samsu-Iluna Samsu-iluna was the seventh king of the founding Amorite dynasty of Babylon, ruling from 1750 BC to 1712 BC middle chronology. He was the son and successor of Hammurabi by an unknown mother... and Abi-eshuh Abi-Eshuh Abi-Eshuh was an Amorite king of Babylon who reigned from 1711-1684 BC. He was preceded by Samsu-iluna.... of the First Dynasty of Babylon |
| Itti-ili-nibi | ||
| Damiq-ilishu] | ||
| Ishkibal | ||
| Sussi or Shushushi | ||
| Gulkishar | ||
| Mgisen or Gishen | ||
| Peshgaldaramesh | Son of Gulkishar | |
| Ayadaragalama | Son of Gulkishar | |
| Ekurduanna | ||
| Melamkurkurra | ||
| Ea-gamil | Contemporary of Ulamburiash of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
|
Hittite Old Kingdom
The absolute chronology of the Hittite Old Kingdom hinges entirely on the date of the sack of Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
. In 1531 BC, for reasons that are still extremely unclear, Mursili I marched roughly 500 miles from Aleppo
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
to Babylon, sacked it, and then promptly returned home, never to return. Other than that event, all the available chronological synchronism
Chronological synchronism
Chronological synchronism is an event which links two chronologies. It is used for example in Egyptology to ground the Egyptian chronology. The main types of chronological synchronism are synchronisms with other historical chronologies, and synchronisms with precisely datable astronomical...
s are local to the region in and near Anatolia
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pusarruma | ||
| Labarna I | ||
| Hattusili I Hattusili I Hattusili I was a king of the Hittite Old Kingdom. He reigned ca. 1586–1556 BC .He used the title of Labarna at the beginning of his reign... or Labarna II |
1586 – 1556 BC | Grandfather of Mursili I |
| Mursili I Mursili I Mursili I was a king of the Hittites ca. 1556–1526 BC , and was likely a grandson of his predecessor, Hattusili I. His sister was Harapšili.- Biography :... |
1556 – 1526 BC | Sacked Babylon in reign of Samsu-Ditana Samsu-Ditana Samsu-Ditana was the King of Babylon, who reigned from 1626 BC to 1595 BC.Samsu-Ditana is the last king of the First Babylonian Dynasty. After the Hittite army under Mursilis I invaded Babylon, he was overthrown.... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Hantili I Hantili I Hantili I was a king of the Hittites during the Hittite Old Kingdom. His reign lasted for 30 years, from c. 1526-1496 B.C.-Rise to power:According to the Telepinu Proclamation, Hantili was the royal cup-bearer to Mursili I, king of the Hittites. Hantili was married to Harapšili, Mursili's sister... |
1526 – 1496 BC | |
| Zidanta I Zidanta I Zidanta I was a king of the Hittites , ruling for 10 years, ca. 1496–1486 BC . According to the Edict of Telepinu, this king became a ruler by murder.- Biography :... |
1496 – 1486 BC | |
| Ammuna Ammuna Ammuna was a King of the Hittites ca. 1486–1466 BC . The land seems to have suffered badly during his reign, and he lost a considerable amount of territory.- Biography :... |
1486 – 1466 BC | Son of Hantili I |
| Huzziya I Huzziya I Huzziya I was a king of the Hittites , ruling for 5 years, ca. 1466–1461 BC .- Biography :Huzziya was a son of Ammuna and grandson of Zidanta I. He was apparently not first in line to the succession. He had a sister and a brother-in-law, Telipinu.-External links:*... |
1466 – 1461 BC | Son of Ammuna |
Late Bronze Age
The Middle Assyrian period (14th to 12th centuries)Third Babylon Dynasty (Kassite)
The Kassites
Kassites
The Kassites were an ancient Near Eastern people who gained control of Babylonia after the fall of the Old Babylonian Empire after ca. 1531 BC to ca. 1155 BC...
first appeared during the reign of Samsu-iluna
Samsu-Iluna
Samsu-iluna was the seventh king of the founding Amorite dynasty of Babylon, ruling from 1750 BC to 1712 BC middle chronology. He was the son and successor of Hammurabi by an unknown mother...
of the First Babylonian Dynasty
First Babylonian Dynasty
The chronology of the first dynasty of Babylonia is debated as there is a Babylonian King List A and a Babylonian King List B. In this chronology, the regnal years of List A are used due to their wide usage...
and after being defeated by Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
, moved to control the city-state of Mari
Mari, Syria
Mari was an ancient Sumerian and Amorite city, located 11 kilometers north-west of the modern town of Abu Kamal on the western bank of Euphrates river, some 120 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor, Syria...
. Some undetermined amount of time after the fall of Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
, the Kassites established a new Babylonian dynasty. The Babylonian king list identifies 36 kings reigning 576 years, however, only about 18 names are legible. A few more were identified by inscriptions. There is some confusion in the middle part of the dynasty because of conflicts between the Synchronistic Chronicle
Babylonian Chronicles
The Babylonian Chronicles are many series of tablets recording major events in Babylonian history. They are thus one of the first steps in the development of ancient historiography...
and Chronicle P
Babylonian Chronicles
The Babylonian Chronicles are many series of tablets recording major events in Babylonian history. They are thus one of the first steps in the development of ancient historiography...
. The later kings are well attested from kudurru
Kudurru
Kudurru was a type of stone document used as boundary stones and as records of land grants to vassals by the Kassites in ancient Babylonia between the 16th and 12th centuries BCE. The word is Akkadian for "frontier" or "boundary"...
stele
Stele
A stele , also stela , is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected for funerals or commemorative purposes, most usually decorated with the names and titles of the deceased or living — inscribed, carved in relief , or painted onto the slab...
s. Relative dating is from sychronisms with Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
, Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
and the Hittites
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
. The dynasty ends with the defeat of Enlil-nadin-ahi
Enlil-nadin-ahi
Enlil-nādin-aḫe, or Enlil-šuma-uṣur depending on the reading of –MU-ŠEŠ, ca. 1157—1155 BC , was the thirty-sixth and final king of the Kassite dynasty that had ruled over Babylon and the land known as Karduniash since perhaps around 1500 BC.-Biography:Shutruk-Nahhunte, king of Elam, had overrun...
by Elam
Elam
Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq...
.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agum II Agum II Agum IIInscribed A-gu-um-ka-ak-ri-me in his eponymous inscription, elsewhere unattested. was possibly a Kassite ruler who may have become the 8th or more likely the 9th king of the third Babylonian dynasty sometime after Babylonia was defeated and sacked by the Hittite king Mursilis I in 1531 BC ,... or Agum-Kakrime |
||
| Burnaburiash I Burnaburiash I Burna-Buriyåš I, meaning servant of the Lord of the lands, was the first Kassite who really ruled over Babylonia, possibly the first to occupy the city of Babylon proper around 1510 BC, culminating a century of creeping encroachment by the Kassite tribes. He was the tenth king of the Babylonian... |
Treaty with Puzur-Ashur III Puzur-Ashur III Puzur-Ashur III was the king of Assyria from 1503 BC to 1479 BC. According to the Assyrian King List, he was the son and successor of Ashur-nirari I and ruled for 24 years. He is also the first Assyrian king to appear in the synchronistic history, where he is described as a contemporary of... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
|
| Kashtiliash III | ||
| Ulamburiash Ulamburiash Ulam Buriaš was a Kassite king of Sealand, which he conquered during the second half of 16th century BC and may have also become king of Babylon, possibly preceding or succeeding his brother, Kaštiliašu III.... |
Conquers the first Sealand dynasty | |
| Agum III Agum III Agum IIIInscribed mA-gu-um in the Chronicle of Early Kings. was a Kassite king of Babylon ca. mid 15th century BC. Speculatively, he might figure around the 13th position in the dynastic sequence, however, this part of the Kingslist AKingslist A, tablet BM 33332 in the British Museum... |
||
| Karaindash Karaindash Karaindaš was one of the more prominent rulers of the Kassite dynasty and reigned towards the end of the 15th century, BC. An inscription on a tablet detailing building work calls him “Mighty King, King of Babylonia, King of Sumer and Akkad, King of the Kassites, King of Karuduniaš”.Tablet A 3519,... |
Treaty with Ashur-bel-nisheshu Ashur-bel-nisheshu Ashur-Bel-Nisheshu was the king of Assyria from 1407 BC to 1398 BC... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
|
| Kadashman-harbe I Kadashman-harbe I Kadašman-Ḫarbe I was the sixteenth Kassite King of Babylon, and the kingdom contemporarily known as Kar-Duniaš, during the early fourteenth century, BCE.-His provenance:... |
Campaign against the Sutû | |
| Kurigalzu I Kurigalzu I Kurigalzu I , the seventeenth king of the Kassite dynasty that ruled over Babylon, was responsible for one of the most extensive and widespread building programs for which evidence has survived in Babylonia. The autobiography of Kurigalzu is one of the inscriptions which record that he was the son... |
Founder of Dur-Kurigalzu Dur-Kurigalzu Dur-Kurigalzu was a city in southern Mesopotamia near the confluence of the Tigris and Diyala rivers about 30 km west of the center of Baghdad. It was founded by a Kassite king of Babylon, Kurigalzu I, some time in the 14th century BC, and was abandoned after the fall of the Kassite dynasty... and contemporary of Thutmose IV Thutmose IV Thutmose IV was the 8th Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt, who ruled in approximately the 14th century BC... |
|
| Kadashman-Enlil I Kadashman-Enlil I Kadašman-Enlil ITypically rendered mka-dáš-man-dEN.LÍL in contemporary inscriptions. was a Kassite King of Babylon from ca. 1374 BC to 1360 BC , perhaps the 18th of the dynasty. He is known to have been a contemporary of Amenhotep III of Egypt, with whom he corresponded... |
1374 – 1360 BC | Contemporary of Amenophis III of the Egyptian Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... Amarna letters Amarna letters The Amarna letters are an archive of correspondence on clay tablets, mostly diplomatic, between the Egyptian administration and its representatives in Canaan and Amurru during the New Kingdom... |
| Burnaburiash II | 1359 – 1333 BC | Contemporary of Akhenaten Akhenaten Akhenaten also spelled Echnaton,Ikhnaton,and Khuenaten;meaning "living spirit of Aten") known before the fifth year of his reign as Amenhotep IV , was a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt who ruled for 17 years and died perhaps in 1336 BC or 1334 BC... and Ashur-uballit I Ashur-uballit I Ashur-uballit I , was king of the Assyrian empire . His reign marks Assyria's independence from the kingdom of Mitanni, by defeating Shuttarna II; and the beginning of Assyria's emergence as a powerful empire... |
| Kara-hardash | 1333 BC | Grandson of Ashur-uballit I Ashur-uballit I Ashur-uballit I , was king of the Assyrian empire . His reign marks Assyria's independence from the kingdom of Mitanni, by defeating Shuttarna II; and the beginning of Assyria's emergence as a powerful empire... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Nazi-Bugash or Shuzigash | 1333 BC | Usurper “son of a nobody” |
| Kurigalzu II Kurigalzu II Kurigalzu II was the twenty second king of the Kassite dynasty that ruled over Babylon. In more than twelve inscriptions, Kurigalzu names Burna-Buriaš II as his father... |
1332 – 1308 BC | Son of Burnaburiash II, Fought Battle of Sugagi with Enlil-nirari Enlil-nirari Enlil-nirari was King of Assyria from 1330 BC to 1319 BC, or from 1317 BC to 1308 BC . He was the son of Aššur-uballiṭ I... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Nazi-Maruttash Nazi-Maruttash Nazi-Maruttaš, Maruttaš protects him, was a Kassite king of Babylon ca. 1307–1282 BC and self-proclaimed šar kiššati, or “King of the World”. He was the twenty third of the dynasty, the son and successor of Kurigalzu II and reigned for twenty six years... |
1307 – 1282 BC | Contemporary of Adad-nirari I Adad-nirari I Adad-nirari I was a king of Assyria. He is the earliest Assyrian king whose annals survive in any detail. Adad-nirari I achieved major military victories that significantly strengthened the Assyrian kingdom and enabled Assyria to start to play a major role in Mesopotamian politics... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Kadashman-Turgu Kadashman-Turgu Kadašman-Turgu, meaning he believes in Turgu, a Kassite deity, was the twenty-fourth king of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon. He succeeded his father, Nazi-Maruttaš, continuing the tradition of proclaiming himself lugal ki-šár-ra or “king of the world” and went on to reign for eighteen years... |
1281 – 1264 BC | Contemporary of Hattusili III Hattusili III Hattusili III was a king of the Hittite empire ca. 1267–1237 BC . He was the fourth and last son of Mursili II... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... |
| Kadashman-Enlil II Kadashman-Enlil II Kadašman-Enlil II was the twenty fifth king of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon.He succeeded Kadašman-Turgu as a child and political power was exercised at first by an influential vizier, Itti-Marduk-balatu, “whom the gods have caused to live far too long and in whose mouth unfavourable words never... |
1263 – 1255 BC | Contemporary of Hattusili III Hattusili III Hattusili III was a king of the Hittite empire ca. 1267–1237 BC . He was the fourth and last son of Mursili II... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... |
| Kudur-Enlil Kudur-Enlil Kudur-Enlil was the twenty sixth king of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon.-Biography:He succeeded Kadašman-Enlil II and was possibly the first Kassite king to have a wholly Babylonian name, or one containing an Elamite derived word, from kudurru, which might be middle Assyrian... |
1254 – 1246 BC | Time of Nippur Nippur Nippur was one of the most ancient of all the Sumerian cities. It was the special seat of the worship of the Sumerian god Enlil, the "Lord Wind," ruler of the cosmos subject to An alone... renaissance |
| Shagarakti-Shuriash Shagarakti-Shuriash Šagarakti-Šuriaš, Šuriaš gives me life, was the twenty seventh king of the Third or Kassite dynasty of Babylon and ascended the throne early in the month of Nisan... |
1245 – 1233 BC | “Non-son of Kudur-Enlil” according to Tukulti-Ninurta I Tukulti-Ninurta I Tukulti-Ninurta I was a king of Assyria.He succeeded Shalmaneser I, his father, as king and won a major victory against the Hittites at the Battle of Nihriya in the first half of his reign... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Kashtiliashu IV | 1232 – 1225 BC | Contemporary of Tukulti-Ninurta I Tukulti-Ninurta I Tukulti-Ninurta I was a king of Assyria.He succeeded Shalmaneser I, his father, as king and won a major victory against the Hittites at the Battle of Nihriya in the first half of his reign... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Enlil-nadin-shumi | 1224 BC | Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... installed vassal king |
| Kadashman-Harbe II | 1223 BC | Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... installed vassal king |
| Adad-shuma-iddina | 1222 – 1217 BC | Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... installed vassal king |
| Adad-shuma-usur Adad-shuma-usur Adad-šuma-uṣur, dated very tentatively ca. 1216—1187 BC , was the thirty second king of the Third or Kassite dynasty of Babylon and the country contemporarily known as Karduniaš... |
1216 – 1187 BC | Contemporary of Ashur-nirari III Ashur-nirari III Ashur-nirari III was king of Assyria . He was the grandson of Tukulti-Ninurta I and may have succeeded his uncle Ashur-nadin-apli on the throne. Ashur-nirari's father Ashur-nasir-pal participated in a conspiracy against Tukulti-Ninurta I which led to his murder... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... |
| Meli-Shipak II | 1186 – 1172 BC | Correspondence with Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ninurta-apal-Ekur, meaning “Ninurta is the heir of the Ekur,” was a King of Assyria in the early 12th Century BC who usurped the throne and styled himself king of the universe and priest of the gods Enlil and Ninurta... confirming foundation of Near East chronology Chronology of the ancient Near East The chronology of the Ancient Near East provides a framework of dates for various events, rulers and dynasties. Individual inscriptions and texts customarily record events in terms of a succession of officials or rulers, taking forms like "in the year X of king Y". Thus by piecing together many... |
| Marduk-apla-iddina I | 1171 – 1159 BC | |
| Zababa-shuma-iddin Zababa-shuma-iddin Zababa-šuma-iddina was the thirty-fifth and penultimate king of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon, who reigned for just one year, ca. 1158 BC... |
1158 BC | Defeated by Shutruk-Nahhunte of Elam Elam Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq... |
| Enlil-nadin-ahi Enlil-nadin-ahi Enlil-nādin-aḫe, or Enlil-šuma-uṣur depending on the reading of –MU-ŠEŠ, ca. 1157—1155 BC , was the thirty-sixth and final king of the Kassite dynasty that had ruled over Babylon and the land known as Karduniash since perhaps around 1500 BC.-Biography:Shutruk-Nahhunte, king of Elam, had overrun... |
1157 – 1155 BC | Defeated by Kutir-Nahhunte of Elam Elam Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq... |
Mitanni
Perhaps because the capital of Mitanni, Washukanni
Washukanni
Washukanni was the capital of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni, from c. 1500 BC to the 13th century BC. Its precise location is unknown, but it is widely thought to have existed on one of the tributaries of the Khabur River. Some scholars believe it is identical with the later, ancient city of Sikan...
, has not yet been found, there are no available king lists, year lists, or royal inscriptions. Fortunately, a fair amount of diplomatic, Hittite
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
, and Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
n sources exist to firm up the chronology. Having become powerful under Shaushtatar, Mitanni eventually falls into the traditional trap of dynasties, the contest for succession. Tushratta and Artatama II both claim the kingship and the Hittites and Assyrians take advantage of the situation. After that, Mitanni was no longer a factor in the region.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kirta Kirta Kirta is a legendary Hurrian king. He is thought to have founded the dynasty of Mitanni, but no contemporary inscriptions from his time are known to exist. He may have lived around 1500 BC.... |
ca. 1500 BC | |
| Parshatatar Parshatatar Parshatatar, or Paršatar, the name of a Hurrian king of Mitanni in the fifteenth century BC. He may be the same individual as king Barattarna.-Barattarna:... or Parrattarna |
Son of Kirta | |
| Shaushtatar Shaushtatar Shaushtatar also spelled Šauštatar , was a king of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni in the fifteenth century BC.- Invasion of Assyria :Shaushtatar was the son of Parshatatar. By the time he ascended the throne ca. the 15th century BC, his father had installed Hurrian client kings in a number of... |
Contemporary of Idrimi Idrimi Idrimi was the king of Alalakh in the 15th century BC.Idrimi was a Hurrianised Semitic son of the king of Aleppo who had been deposed by the new regional master, Barattarna, king of the Mitanni. Nevertheless he succeeded in regaining his seat and was recognized as a vassal by Barattarna. Idrimi... of Alalakh Alalakh Alalakh is the name of an ancient city-state near modern Antakya in the Amuq River valley of Turkey's Hatay Province.Now represented by an extensive mound, the name of the modern archaeological site is Tell Atchana.-History:... , Sacks Ashur Ashur Ashur |Shin]]) in the Masoretic text, which doubles the 'ש'), was the second son of Shem, the son of Noah. Ashur's brothers were Elam, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.... |
|
| Artatama I Artatama I Artatama I was a king of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni in the late fifteenth century BC. His reign coincided with the reigns of Egyptian pharaohs Amenhotep II and Thutmose IV.... |
Treaty with Pharaoh Pharaoh Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace... Thutmose IV Thutmose IV Thutmose IV was the 8th Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt, who ruled in approximately the 14th century BC... of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... , Contemporary of Pharaoh Pharaoh Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace... Amenhotep II Amenhotep II Amenhotep II was the seventh Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt. Amenhotep inherited a vast kingdom from his father Thutmose III, and held it by means of a few military campaigns in Syria; however, he fought much less than his father, and his reign saw the effective cessation of hostilities... of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... |
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| Shuttarna II Shuttarna II Shuttarna II was a king of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni in the early 14th century BC.Shuttarna was a descendant and probably a son of the great Mitannian king Artatama I. He was an ally of the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III and the diplomatic dealings of the kings are briefly recorded in the... |
Daughter marries Pharaoh Pharaoh Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace... Amenhotep III Amenhotep III Amenhotep III also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent was the ninth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty. According to different authors, he ruled Egypt from June 1386 to 1349 BC or June 1388 BC to December 1351 BC/1350 BC after his father Thutmose IV died... of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... in his year 10 |
|
| Artashumara Artashumara Artashumara was a Hurrian pretender to the throne of Mitanni in the fourteenth century BC. His reign was very short, or non-existent, before he was murdered. He was the brother of Tushratta, who succeeded him.-See also:*Mitanni... |
Son of Shutarna II, brief reign | |
| Tushratta Tushratta Tushratta was a king of Mitanni at the end of the reign of Amenhotep III and throughout the reign of Akhenaten -- approximately the late 14th century BC. He was the son of Shuttarna II... |
ca. 1350 BC | Contemporary of Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I was king of the Hittites . He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... and Pharaohs Amenhotep III Amenhotep III Amenhotep III also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent was the ninth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty. According to different authors, he ruled Egypt from June 1386 to 1349 BC or June 1388 BC to December 1351 BC/1350 BC after his father Thutmose IV died... and Amenhotep IV of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... , Amarna letters Amarna letters The Amarna letters are an archive of correspondence on clay tablets, mostly diplomatic, between the Egyptian administration and its representatives in Canaan and Amurru during the New Kingdom... |
| Artatama II Artatama II Artatama II was an usurper to the throne of king Tushratta of Mitanni in the fourteenth century BC. He may have been a brother of Tushratta or belonged to a rival line of the royal house. The Hittite king Suppiluliuma I made a treaty with Artatama following his invasion of Mitanni. His son,... |
Treaty with Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I was king of the Hittites . He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... , ruled same time as Tushratta |
|
| Shuttarna III Shuttarna III Shuttarna III was a Mitanni king who reigned for a short period in the 14th century BC. He was the son of Artatama II, an usurper to the throne of Tushratta. Shuttarna sought support from the Assyrians, but was defeated when a Hittite army marched towards the capital and installed Shattiwaza on the... |
Contemporary of Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I was king of the Hittites . He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... |
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| Shattiwaza Shattiwaza Shattiwaza , was a king of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni in the fourteenth century BC.Shattiwaza was the brother of king Tushratta. His Hurrian name was Kili-Tešup. In the political turmoil following the death of his predecessor, the usurper Shuttarna tried to murder Shattiwaza... |
Mitanni becomes vassal of the Hittite Empire | |
| Shattuara I | Mittani becomes vassal of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... under Adad-nirari I Adad-nirari I Adad-nirari I was a king of Assyria. He is the earliest Assyrian king whose annals survive in any detail. Adad-nirari I achieved major military victories that significantly strengthened the Assyrian kingdom and enabled Assyria to start to play a major role in Mesopotamian politics... |
|
| Wasashatta Wasashatta Wasashatta, also spelled Wasašatta, was a king of the Hurrian kingdom of Hanigalbat ca. the early thirteenth century BC.Like his father Shattuara, Wasashatta was an Assyrian vassal. He revolted against his master Adad-nirari I and sought in vain help from the Hittites. The Assyrians crushed his... |
Son of Shattuara I | |
Assyrian Middle Kingdom
Long a minor player, after the defeat of its neighbor Mitanni
Mitanni
Mitanni or Hanigalbat was a loosely organized Hurrian-speaking state in northern Syria and south-east Anatolia from ca. 1500 BC–1300 BC...
by the Hittites
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
, Assyria rises to the ranks of a major power under Ashur-uballit I.
The period is marked by conflict with rivals Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
and the Hittites
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
as well as diplomatic exchanges with Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
, in the Amarna letters
Amarna letters
The Amarna letters are an archive of correspondence on clay tablets, mostly diplomatic, between the Egyptian administration and its representatives in Canaan and Amurru during the New Kingdom...
.
Note that after the excavation, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, of various Neo-Assyrian documents, such as the Assyrian king list, scholars assumed that the chronological data for earlier Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
n periods could be taken as accurate history. That view has changed over the years and the early Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
n chronology is being re-assessed. Since there is yet no consensus, the traditional order and regnal lengths will be followed.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eriba-Adad I Eriba-Adad I Eriba-Adad was king of Assyria from 1392 BC to 1366 BC.He was probably a vassal of Mitanni. However, this kingdom got tangled up in a dynastic battle between Tushratta and his brother Artatama II and after this his son Shuttarna II, who called himself king of the Hurri, while seeking support from... |
1380 – 1353 BC | |
| Ashur-uballit I Ashur-uballit I Ashur-uballit I , was king of the Assyrian empire . His reign marks Assyria's independence from the kingdom of Mitanni, by defeating Shuttarna II; and the beginning of Assyria's emergence as a powerful empire... |
1353 – 1318 BC | Contemporary of Burnaburiash II of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... and Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I was king of the Hittites . He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... |
| Enlil-nirari Enlil-nirari Enlil-nirari was King of Assyria from 1330 BC to 1319 BC, or from 1317 BC to 1308 BC . He was the son of Aššur-uballiṭ I... |
1317 – 1308 BC | Fought Battle of Sugagi with Kurigalzu II of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... , Son of Ashur-uballit I |
| Arik-den-ili Arik-den-ili Arik-den-ili was an Assyrian king who succeeded Enlil-nirari, his father, and was to rule for twelve years and inaugurate the tradition of annual military campaigns against Assyria’s neighbors.-Biography:Our sources are slim for his reign, less than ten inscriptions, a fragmentary chronicle... |
1307 – 1296 BC | |
| Adad-nirari I Adad-nirari I Adad-nirari I was a king of Assyria. He is the earliest Assyrian king whose annals survive in any detail. Adad-nirari I achieved major military victories that significantly strengthened the Assyrian kingdom and enabled Assyria to start to play a major role in Mesopotamian politics... |
1295 – 1264 BC | Contemporary of Shattuara I and Wasashatta Wasashatta Wasashatta, also spelled Wasašatta, was a king of the Hurrian kingdom of Hanigalbat ca. the early thirteenth century BC.Like his father Shattuara, Wasashatta was an Assyrian vassal. He revolted against his master Adad-nirari I and sought in vain help from the Hittites. The Assyrians crushed his... of Mitanni Mitanni Mitanni or Hanigalbat was a loosely organized Hurrian-speaking state in northern Syria and south-east Anatolia from ca. 1500 BC–1300 BC... |
| Shalmaneser I Shalmaneser I Shalmaneser I was a king of Assyria.Son of Adad-nirari I, he succeeded his father as king in 1265 BC.... |
1263 – 1234 BC | Son of Adad-nirari I |
| Tukulti-Ninurta I Tukulti-Ninurta I Tukulti-Ninurta I was a king of Assyria.He succeeded Shalmaneser I, his father, as king and won a major victory against the Hittites at the Battle of Nihriya in the first half of his reign... |
1233 – 1197 BC | Contemporary of Kashtiliashu IV of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Ashur-nadin-apli Ashur-nadin-apli Ashur-nadin-apli was king of Assyria . The alternate dating is due to uncertainty over the length of reign of a later monarch, Ninurta-apal-Ekur, where conflicting king lists differ by ten years. His name meant “Ashur has given an heir” in the Akkadian language... |
1196 – 1194 BC | Son of Tukulti-Ninurta I |
| Ashur-nirari III Ashur-nirari III Ashur-nirari III was king of Assyria . He was the grandson of Tukulti-Ninurta I and may have succeeded his uncle Ashur-nadin-apli on the throne. Ashur-nirari's father Ashur-nasir-pal participated in a conspiracy against Tukulti-Ninurta I which led to his murder... |
1193 – 1188 BC | Contemporary of Adad-shuma-usur of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... and Son of Ashur-nadin-apli |
| Enlil-kudurri-usur Enlil-kudurri-usur Enlil-kudurri-usur was King of Assyria. Depending on the length of reign one gives to his successor, Ninurta-apal-Ekur, this would have been either from 1187 to 1183 BC or from 1197 to 1193 BC. The former dates are more common in recent studies. Enlil-kudurri-usur was the son of Tukulti-Ninurta... |
1187 – 1183 BC | Son of Tukulti-Ninurta I |
| Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ninurta-apal-Ekur, meaning “Ninurta is the heir of the Ekur,” was a King of Assyria in the early 12th Century BC who usurped the throne and styled himself king of the universe and priest of the gods Enlil and Ninurta... |
1182 – 1180 BC | |
Hittite New Kingdom
Beginning under his father, Suppiluliuma I brought the Hittites from obscurity into an empire that lasts for almost 150 years. The Hittite New Kingdom reaches its height after the defeat of Mitanni
Mitanni
Mitanni or Hanigalbat was a loosely organized Hurrian-speaking state in northern Syria and south-east Anatolia from ca. 1500 BC–1300 BC...
, an event which ironically leads to the rise of Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
. The dynasty ends with the destruction of Hattusa
Hattusa
Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age. It was located near modern Boğazkale, Turkey, within the great loop of the Kızıl River ....
by parties undetermined but which may have included the Sea People and the Kaskians.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tudhaliya III Tudhaliya III Tudhaliya III was a short-lived king of the Hittite Empire ca. 1344 BC ; he may have been the son and successor of Hattusili II, however he is normally viewed as the son and immediate successor of Tudhaliya II . He is never explicitly known to have been king at all... |
1360 – 1344 BC | Son of Tudhaliya II |
| Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I was king of the Hittites . He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.... |
1344 – 1322 BC | Son of Tudhaliya III, Contemporary of Tushratta Tushratta Tushratta was a king of Mitanni at the end of the reign of Amenhotep III and throughout the reign of Akhenaten -- approximately the late 14th century BC. He was the son of Shuttarna II... of Mitanni Mitanni Mitanni or Hanigalbat was a loosely organized Hurrian-speaking state in northern Syria and south-east Anatolia from ca. 1500 BC–1300 BC... |
| Arnuwanda II Arnuwanda II Arnuwanda II was a king of the Hittite Empire ca. 1322–1321 BC . He succeeded his father Suppiluliuma I, who succumbed to the plague which Egyptian captives from his Canaan campaign had brought with them to the Hittite heartland.... |
1322 – 1321 BC | Son of Suppiluliuma I |
| Mursili II Mursili II Mursili II was a king of the Hittite Empire ca. 1321–1295 BC .-Family:Mursili II was the younger son of Suppiluliuma I, one of the most powerful rulers of the Hittite Empire... |
1321 – 1295 BC | Son of Suppiluliuma I; Mursili's eclipse Mursili's eclipse The solar eclipse mentioned in a text dating to the reign of Mursili II could be of great importance for the absolute chronology of the Hittite Empire within the chronology of the Ancient Near East.... |
| Muwatalli II Muwatalli II Muwatalli II was a king of the New kingdom of the Hittite empire .- Biography :He was the eldest son of Mursili II and Queen Gassulawiya, and he had several siblings.... |
1295 – 1272 BC | Son of Mursili II, Battle of Kadesh Battle of Kadesh The Battle of Kadesh took place between the forces of the Egyptian Empire under Ramesses II and the Hittite Empire under Muwatalli II at the city of Kadesh on the Orontes River, in what is now the Syrian Arab Republic.... in year 5 of Ramses II of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... , |
| Mursili III Mursili III Mursili III, also known as Urhi-Teshub, was a king of the Hittites who assumed the throne of the Hittite empire at Tarhuntassa upon his father's death around 1272 BCE. He was a cousin of Tudhaliya IV and Queen Maathorneferure.- Biography :... or Urhi-Teshub |
1272 – 1267 BC | Son of Muwatalli II |
| Hattusili III Hattusili III Hattusili III was a king of the Hittite empire ca. 1267–1237 BC . He was the fourth and last son of Mursili II... |
1267 – 1237 BC | Son of Mursili II, Treaty in year 21 of Ramses II of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... , Contemporary of Shalmaneser I Shalmaneser I Shalmaneser I was a king of Assyria.Son of Adad-nirari I, he succeeded his father as king in 1265 BC.... of Assyria Assyria Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur... & Kadashman-Turgu of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Tudhaliya IV Tudhaliya IV Tudhaliya IV was a king of the Hittite Empire , and the younger son of Hattusili III. He reigned ca. 1237 BCE–1209 BCE. His mother was called Puduhepa... |
1237 – 1209 BC | Son of Hattusili III, Battle of Nihriya Battle of Nihriya The Battle of Nihriya was the culminating point of the hostilities between Hittites and Assyrians for control over the remnants of the former empire of Mitanni.... |
| Arnuwanda III Arnuwanda III Arnuwanda III was the penultimate king of the Hittite empire Arnuwanda III was the penultimate king of the Hittite empire (New kingdom) Arnuwanda III was the penultimate king of the Hittite empire (New kingdom) (ca. 1209–1207 BC (short chronology).- Family :Arnuwanda was a son of Tudhaliya IV and... |
1209 – 1207 BC | Son of Tudhaliya IV |
| Suppiluliuma II Suppiluliuma II Suppiluliuma II, the son of Tudhaliya IV, was the last known king of the New Kingdom of the Hittite Empire, ruling ca. 1207–1178 BC , contemporary with Tukulti-Ninurta I of Assyria.... |
1207 – 1178 BC | Son of Tudhaliya IV, Fall of Hattusa Hattusa Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age. It was located near modern Boğazkale, Turkey, within the great loop of the Kızıl River .... |
Kings of Ugarit
A client state of Mitanni
Mitanni
Mitanni or Hanigalbat was a loosely organized Hurrian-speaking state in northern Syria and south-east Anatolia from ca. 1500 BC–1300 BC...
and later the Hittites
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
, Ugarit was nonetheless a significant player in the region. While regnal lengths and an absolute chronology for Ugarit are not yet available, the known order of kings and some firm synchronisms make it reasonably placeable in time. The fall of Ugarit has been narrowed down to the range from the reign of Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...
Merneptah
Merneptah
Merneptah was the fourth ruler of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. He ruled Egypt for almost ten years between late July or early August 1213 and May 2, 1203 BC, according to contemporary historical records...
to the 8th year of Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...
Rameses III of Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
. This is roughly the same time that Hattusa
Hattusa
Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age. It was located near modern Boğazkale, Turkey, within the great loop of the Kızıl River ....
is destroyed.
| Ruler | Proposed reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ammittamru I | ca. 1350 BC | |
| Niqmaddu II Niqmaddu II Niqmaddu II was the second ruler and king of the Ancient Syrian city of Ugarit, reigning ca. 1350-15 BC and succeeding his father Ammishtamru I... |
Contemporary of Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I Suppiluliuma I was king of the Hittites . He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... |
|
| Arhalba | ||
| Niqmepa Niqmepa Niqmepa was the fourth King of Ugarit, a city-state in northwestern Syria. Niqmepa was a contemporary of Mursili II and Hattusili III, the great Hittite kings, as well as Horemheb and Seti I of Egypt. His reign is well documented by cuneiform texts found at Ugarit. He ruled for about fifty years ... |
Treaty with Mursili II Mursili II Mursili II was a king of the Hittite Empire ca. 1321–1295 BC .-Family:Mursili II was the younger son of Suppiluliuma I, one of the most powerful rulers of the Hittite Empire... of the Hittites Hittites The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c... , Son of Niqmadu II, |
|
| Ammittamru II | Contemporary of Bentisina of Amurru Amurru Amurru and Martu are names given in Akkadian and Sumerian texts to the god of the Amorite/Amurru people, often forming part of personal names. He is sometimes called Ilu Amurru . He was the patron god of the Mesopotamian city of Ninab, whose exact location is unknown.-Description:Amurru/Martu was... , Son of Niqmepa |
|
| Ibiranu Ibiranu The letter of prince Piha-walwi of Hatti to Ibiranu of Ugarit is a Hittite diplomatic text of the 13th century BC.Piha-walwi complains to Ibiranu, the ruler of Ugarit, that he had not seek an audience with the Hittite king, presumably Tudhaliya IV, asking him to rectify this immediately and to... |
||
| Niqmaddu III | ||
| Ammurapi Ammurapi Ammurapi was the last Bronze Age ruler and king of the Ancient Syrian city of Ugarit, from ca. 1215 to 1180 BC. Ammurapi was a contemporary of the Hittite King Suppiluliuma II. He wrote a vivid letter in response to a plea for assistance from the king of Alashiya which has been preserved... |
ca. 1200 BC | Contemporary of Chancellor Bay Chancellor Bay Chancellor Bay was an important Asiatic official in ancient Egypt, who rose to prominence and high office under Seti II Userkheperure Setepenre and later became an influential powerbroker in the closing stages of the 19th Dynasty. He is generally identified with Irsu Chancellor Bay (died 1192 BC)... of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... , Ugarit is destroyed |
Iron Age
The Early Iron Age (12th to 7th centuries BC). While not subject tothe long versus short dating issue, chronology in the Ancient Near East is not on a firm footing until the rise of the Neo-Babylonian and Neo-Assyrian rulers in their respective regions. The dates, regnal lengths, and even the names of a number of rulers from that interim period are still unknown. To make matters worse, the few surviving records, such as the Synchronistic Chronicle, give conflicting data.
Second Dynasty of Isin
After the fall of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon to Elam
Elam
Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq...
, power
in the region, and control of Babylon, swung to the city-state of Isin. Assyria at this time was extremely weak, except during the reign of the powerful Assyrian ruler Tiglath-Pileser I
Tiglath-Pileser I
Tiglath-Pileser I was a king of Assyria during the Middle Assyrian period . According to Georges Roux, Tiglath-Pileser was "one of the two or three great Assyrian monarchs since the days of Shamshi-Adad I"...
. Other polities in the area had yet to recover from the Bronze Age collapse
Bronze Age collapse
The Bronze Age collapse is a transition in southwestern Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age that some historians believe was violent, sudden and culturally disruptive...
.
| Ruler | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marduk-kabit-aḫḫēšu Marduk-kabit-ahheshu Marduk-kabit-aḫḫēšu, "Marduk is the most important among his brothers", ca. 1157–1140 BC, was the founder of the 2nd Dynasty of Isin, which was to rule Babylon until around 1025 BC. He apparently acceded in the aftermath of the Elamite overthrow of the Kassite Dynasty. His name and length of reign... |
1157 - 1140 BC | |
| Itti-Marduk-balatu Itti-Marduk-balatu -Known period:* Itti-Marduk-balāṭu , vizier to Kassite Babylonian king Kadašman-Enlil II, ca. 1263 BC* Itti-Marduk-balāṭu , Kassite Babylonian king Meli-Šipak’s eunuch and witness to a land grant to Hasardu, kudurru BM 90829... |
1139 - 1132 BC | |
| Ninurta-nadin-šumi | 1131 - 1126 BC | Contemporary of Ashur-resh-ishi I Ashur-resh-ishi I Ashur-resh-ishi I was King of Assyria from 1133 to 1115 BC. He succeeded his father, Mutakkil-Nusku, and was succeeded by his son Tiglath-Pileser I.... of Assyria |
| Nebuchadnezzar I | 1125 - 1104 BC | Orig. Nabu-kudurri-usur , Contemporary of Ashur-resh-ishi I Ashur-resh-ishi I Ashur-resh-ishi I was King of Assyria from 1133 to 1115 BC. He succeeded his father, Mutakkil-Nusku, and was succeeded by his son Tiglath-Pileser I.... |
| Enlil-nadin-apli Enlil-nadin-apli Enlil-Nadin-Apli was the king of Babylon from 1103 to 1100 BC. He is sometimes also called Enlil-Nadin-Ahhe. He was the son of Nebuchadnezzar I.... |
1103 - 1100 BC | Son of Nebuchadnezzar I |
| Marduk-nadin-ahhe Marduk-nadin-ahhe Marduk-nādin-aḫḫē,mdmar-duk-nādin-áḫḫēmeš ca. 1099-1082 BC, was the 6th king of the 2nd Dynasty of Isin and the 4th Dynasty of Babylon.Babylonian King List C, line 6... |
1099 - 1082 BC | Contemporary of Tiglath-Pileser I Tiglath-Pileser I Tiglath-Pileser I was a king of Assyria during the Middle Assyrian period . According to Georges Roux, Tiglath-Pileser was "one of the two or three great Assyrian monarchs since the days of Shamshi-Adad I"... of Assyria |
| Marduk-šāpik-zēri Marduk-shapik-zeri Marduk-šāpik-zēri,mdmar-duk-šá-pi-ik-zēri. ca. 1082–1069 BC, was the 7th king of the 2nd dynasty of Isin and 4th dynasty of Babylon and he ruled for 13 years.Babylonian King List C 7. His relationship with his predecessor, Marduk-nādin-aḫḫē is uncertain... |
1081 - 1069 BC | Contemporary of Ashur-bel-kala Ashur-bel-kala Ashur-bel-kala was King of Assyria from 1074 to 1056 BC. He was the son of Tiglath-Pileser I and succeeded after the brief reign of his brother, Asharid-apal-Ekur. After a 18 years reign, he prematurely died and was buried in the city of Ashur.He was succeeded by his son, Eriba-Adad... of Assyria |
| Adad-apla-iddina Adad-apla-iddina Adad-apla-iddina,mdAdad-àpla-idinnana. meaning the storm god “Adad gave a son/heir”, was the 8th king of the 2nd Dynasty of Isin and the 4th Dynasty of Babylon and ruled 1067-1046 BC... |
1168 - 1147 BC | Contemporary of Ashur-bel-kala Ashur-bel-kala Ashur-bel-kala was King of Assyria from 1074 to 1056 BC. He was the son of Tiglath-Pileser I and succeeded after the brief reign of his brother, Asharid-apal-Ekur. After a 18 years reign, he prematurely died and was buried in the city of Ashur.He was succeeded by his son, Eriba-Adad... |
| Marduk-aḫḫē-erība Marduk-ahhe-eriba Marduk-aḫḫē-erība, "Marduk has replaced the brothers,” ca. 1046 BC, ruled as 9th king of the 2nd Dynasty of Isin and the 4th Dynasty of Babylon, but only for around 6 months.The Kinglist A, iii 2 gives 1 year 6 months together with the beginning of his name, mdŠÚ-ŠEŠ- According to the Synchronistic... |
1046 BC | |
| Marduk-zer-X | 1045 - 1034 BC | |
| Nabû-šuma-libūr Nabu-shum-libur Nabû-šuma-libūr, "O Nabû, may the son stay in good health," was the 11th and last king of the 2nd Dynasty of Isin, the 4th Dynasty of Babylon. He ruled during a period of instability due to incursions of Aramean nomadic tribesmen in Northwest Babylonia.-Biography:There is very little extant... |
1033 - 1026 BC | |
Middle-Assyrian period
After the Middle Assyrian Kingdom there is an uncertain period in Assyrian history. The current cornerstone of chronology for this time is the Assyrian King List which, unfortuneately, conflicts with other records such as the Synchronised King List and the Babylonian King List. In any event, the rulers of Assyria in this time were all fairly weak, except for Tiglath-Pileser I. Note too that this chronology is based on assumed synchronisms with Egypt in the previous period.
| Ruler | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ashur-Dan I Ashur-dan I Ashur-dan I was one of the longest-reigning Kings of Assyria, reigning for some 46 years according to the Assyrian King List. According to one of the short chronology of the middle Assyrian period, he reigned from 1179 BC to 1133 BC.... |
1179–1133 BC | Son of Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ninurta-apal-Ekur, meaning “Ninurta is the heir of the Ekur,” was a King of Assyria in the early 12th Century BC who usurped the throne and styled himself king of the universe and priest of the gods Enlil and Ninurta... |
| Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur was briefly King of Assyria in 1133 BC. He succeeded his father, the long-reigning Ashur-dan I, but the throne was very quickly usurped by his brother, Mutakkil-Nusku. Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur was forced to go into exile in Babylonia, with which he had maintained friendly... |
1133 BC | |
| Mutakkil-nusku Mutakkil-Nusku Mutakkil-Nusku was King of Assyria briefly in 1133 BC. The son of Ashur-dan I, Mutakkil-Nusku usurped the throne from his brother, Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur, apparently only shortly after their father's death. Mutakkil-Nusku died soon after this act of usurpation, leaving the throne to his son,... |
1133 BC | |
| Ashur-resh-ishi I Ashur-resh-ishi I Ashur-resh-ishi I was King of Assyria from 1133 to 1115 BC. He succeeded his father, Mutakkil-Nusku, and was succeeded by his son Tiglath-Pileser I.... |
1133–1115 BC | |
| Tiglath-Pileser I Tiglath-Pileser I Tiglath-Pileser I was a king of Assyria during the Middle Assyrian period . According to Georges Roux, Tiglath-Pileser was "one of the two or three great Assyrian monarchs since the days of Shamshi-Adad I"... |
1115–1076 BC | |
| Asharid-apal-Ekur Asharid-apal-Ekur Asharid-apal-Ekur was King of Assyria from 1076 to 1074 BC. He succeeded his father, Tiglath-Pileser I, and was succeeded by a brother, Ashur-bel-kala.-References:... |
1076–1074 BC | |
| Ashur-bel-kala Ashur-bel-kala Ashur-bel-kala was King of Assyria from 1074 to 1056 BC. He was the son of Tiglath-Pileser I and succeeded after the brief reign of his brother, Asharid-apal-Ekur. After a 18 years reign, he prematurely died and was buried in the city of Ashur.He was succeeded by his son, Eriba-Adad... |
1074–1056 BC | |
| Eriba-Adad II Eriba-Adad II Eriba-Adad II was King of Assyria from 1055 BC to 1054 BC. He succeeded his father, Assur-bel-kala, but reigned for only two years before the throne was usurped by his uncle, Samshi-Adad IV, who later ruled for four years. Beyond this, little is known of his reign.-References:... |
1056–1054 BC | |
| Shamshi-Adad IV Shamshi-Adad IV Shamshi-Adad IV was a King of Assyria from 1054 to 1050 BC. He was the son of Tiglath-Pileser I and usurped the throne from his nephew, Eriba-Adad II. The throne passed at his death to his son, Ashurnasirpal I.... |
1054–1050 BC | |
| Ashur-nasir-pal I Ashur-nasir-pal I Ashurnasirpal I was king of Assyria from 1050 BCE to 1031 BCE. Ashurnasirpal ruled during a troubled period of Assyrian history, marked by famine and war with nomads from the deserts to the west. He succeeded his father Shamshi-Adad IV and was succeeded by his son Shalmaneser II. He was also the... |
1050–1031 BC | |
| Shalmaneser II Shalmaneser II Shalmaneser II was King of Assyria from 1031 BC to 1019 BC. He succeeded his father, Ashurnasirpal I and was succeeded by his son, Ashur-nirari IV, but beyond this little is known of his reign.- References :... |
1031–1019 BC | |
| Ashur-nirari IV Ashur-nirari IV Ashur-nirari IV was a King of Assyria. He succeeded his father Shalmaneser II in 1019 BC, and reigned for six years, until 1013 BC, when he was succeeded by his uncle Ashur-rabi II. Beyond this, almost nothing is known about his brief reign.... |
1019–1013 BC | |
| Ashur-rabi II Ashur-rabi II Ashur-rabi II was one of the longest-reigning kings of Assyria, reigning for 41 years. Little is known about his reign, of which few records survive. He was apparently a younger son of Ashurnasirpal I. Following the reigns of his elder brother, Shalmaneser II, and his nephew Ashur-nirari IV, he... |
1013 – 972 BC | |
| Ashur-resh-ishi II Ashur-resh-ishi II Ashur-resh-ishi II was King of Assyria for five years. He succeeded his long-reigning father Ashur-rabi II in 972 and reigned until his death in 967 BC, when he was succeeded by his son, Tiglath-Pileser II. Little is known about his reign, which was a time of political eclipse for Assyria... |
972 – 967 BC | |
| Tiglath-Pileser II Tiglath-Pileser II Tiglath-Pileser II was King of Assyria from 967 BCE, when he succeeded his father Ashur-resh-ishi II until his death in 935 BCE, when he was succeeded by his son Ashur-dan II. Little is known about his reign.-References:... |
967 – 935 BC | |
| Ashur-Dan II Ashur-dan II Ashur-Dan II was a King of Assyria .-Biography:Ashur-Dan II succeeded his father, Tiglath-Pileser II. He was succeeded by his son Adad-nirari II.He reigned from 935 BC until his death in 912 BC.... |
935 – 912 BC |
Babylon
Dynasties V to IX of Babylon (post-Kassite):
| Ruler | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simbar-šipak Simbar-shipak Simbar-Šipak, or more frequently Simbar-Šiḫu,Earlier readings render his name as Simmash-Shipak. ca.1025-1008 BC, founded the 2nd Dynasty of the Sealand, Babylon’s 6th Dynasty and conducted a program of restoration of a number of temples that had been destroyed earlier by the marauding Arameans and... |
1025 - 1008 BC | Dynasty V - Second Sealand Dynasty |
| Ea-mukin-zēri Ea-mukin-zeri Ea-mukin-zēri, mdé-a-mu-kin-zēri, son of Hašmar,Dynastic Chronicle v 5-6: E2-mu-kin-NUMUN LUGAL … ina ra-qa-ti ša2 E2Iḫaš-mar qi2-bir. was the 2nd king of the bῑt-Bazi or 5th Dynasty of Babylon, ca. 1008 BC, but only for 3 months.Babylonian King List A, iii 7.-Biography:His predecessor was... |
1008 BC | |
| Kaššu-nādin-aḫi Kashshu-nadin-ahi Kaššu-nādin-aḫi, mkaš-šú-u-nādìn-aḫi.Babylonian King List A, BM 33332, iii 8. was the 3rd and final king of the 2nd Sealand Dynasty of Babylon, ca 1006-1004 BC... |
1008 - 1004 BC | |
| Eulma-šakin-šumi | 1004 - 987 BC | Dynasty VI - Bῑt-Bazi Dynasty |
| Ninurta-kudurri-usur I | 987 - 985 BC | |
| Širiqti-šuqamunu | 985 BC | |
| Mâr-bîti-apla-uṣur Mar-biti-apla-usur Mâr-bîti-apla-uṣur,Chronicle 24:16 dmār-a-bīti-[àp]la-úṣur. 983-978 BC, was the sole king of Babylon’s short-lived 7th or Elamite Dynasty.Babylonian Kinglist A, BM 33332, iii 14. According to the Synchronistic King List,Synchronistic King List iii 8 and fragments KAV 10 ii 2 + KAV 182 iii 5... |
985 - 979 BC | Dynasty VII - Dynasty of "Elam" |
| Nabû-mukin-apli Nabû-mukin-apli Nabû-mukin-apli, 978-943 BC, founded Babylon’s 8th dynasty, the so-called Dynasty of E, and ruled for 36 years.Babylonian King List A, tablet BM 33332 iii 15. The Synchronistic Kings List records him as a contemporary of Assyrian king Tukultī-apil-Ešarra II.The Synchronistic Kings List A.117, KAV... |
979 - 943 BC | Dynasty VIII - Dynasty of E |
| Ninurta-kudurri-usur | 943 BC | Dynasty IX |
| Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina | 943 - 920 BC | |
| Šamaš-mudammiq | circa 900 BC | |
| Nabu-šuma-ukin | ||
| Nabu-apla-iddina Nabu-apla-iddina Nabu-apla-iddina was a Babylonian king who reigned ca. 888 – 855 BC. His father was King Nabu-shuma-ukin. During much of Nabu-apla-iddina's reign Babylon faced a significant rival in Assyria under the rule of Ashurnasirpal II... |
||
| Marduk-zakir-šumi I | ||
| Marduk-balassu-iqbi | ||
| Baba-aha-iddina | ||
| 5 unnamed kings | circa 800 BC | |
| Ninurta-apla-X | ||
| Marduk-bel-zeri | ||
| Marduk-apla-usur | ||
| Eriba-Marduk | 769 - 761 BC | |
| Nabu-šuma-iškun | 761 - 748 BC | |
| Nabonassar Nabonassar Nabonassar founded a kingdom in Babylon in 747 BC. This is now considered as the start of the Neo-Babylonian Dynasty. At the time the Assyrian Empire was in disarray through civil war and the ascendancy of other kingdoms such as Urartu... (Nabu-nasir) |
748 - 734 BC | Contemporary of Tiglath-Pileser III Tiglath-Pileser III Tiglath-Pileser III was a prominent king of Assyria in the eighth century BC and is widely regarded as the founder of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Tiglath-Pileser III seized the Assyrian throne during a civil war and killed the royal family... |
| Nabu-nadin-zeri | 734 - 732 BC | |
| Nabu-šuma-ukin II | 732 BC | |
Neo-Assyrian Empire
The Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
n empire rises to become the dominant power in the
ancient Near East for over two centuries. This occurs despite the
efforts of various other strong groups that existed in this period, including Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
, Urartu
Urartu
Urartu , corresponding to Ararat or Kingdom of Van was an Iron Age kingdom centered around Lake Van in the Armenian Highland....
, Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Elam
Elam
Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq...
, and Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
.
| Ruler | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adad-nirari II Adad-nirari II Adad-nirari II is generally considered to be the first King of Assyria in the Neo-Assyrian period. He firmly subjugated the areas previously under only nominal Assyrian vassalage, conquering and deporting troublesome Aramean, Neo-Hittite and Hurrian populations in the north to far-off places... |
912 – 891 BC | |
| Tukulti-Ninurta II Tukulti-Ninurta II Tukulti-Ninurta II was King of Assyria from 891 BC to 884 BC. He was the second king of the Neo Assyrian Empire.-Family:His father was Adad-nirari II, the second king of the Neo-Assyrian period. His son succeeded him and was named Ashurnasirpal II... |
890 – 884 BC | Son of Adad-nirari II |
| Assur-nasir-pal II | 883 – 859 BC | Son of Tukulti-Ninurta II |
| Shalmaneser III Shalmaneser III Shalmaneser III was king of Assyria , and son of the previous ruler, Ashurnasirpal II.... |
858 – 824 BC | Battle of Qarqar Battle of Qarqar The Battle of Qarqar was fought in 853 BC when the army of Assyria led by king Shalmaneser III encountered an allied army of 12 kings at Qarqar led by Hadadezer of Damascus and King Ahab of Israel... |
| Shamshi-Adad V Shamshi-Adad V Shamshi-Adad V was the King of Assyria from 824 to 811 BC.-Biography:He was the son and successor of Shalmaneser III, the husband of Shammuramat , and the father of Adad-nirari III, who succeeded him as king.... |
823 – 811 BC | Treaty with Marduk-zakir-sumi I of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Adad-nirari III Adad-nirari III Adad-nirari III was King of Assyria from 811 to 783 BC. He was the son and successor of Shamshi-Adad V, and was apparently quite young at the time of his accession, because for the first five years of his reign his mother Shammuramat acted as regent, which may have given rise to the legend of... |
810 – 783 BC | Regent Shammu-ramat |
| Shalmaneser IV Shalmaneser IV Shalmaneser IV was king of Assyria . He succeeded his father Adad-nirari III, and was succeeded by his brother Ashur-dan III. Very little information about his reign has survived.... |
782 – 773 BC | Son of Adad-nirari III |
| Ashur-Dan III Ashur-dan III Ashur-dan III was King of Assyria from 773 to 755 BC.Ashur-dan III was the son of Adad-nirari III, and succeeded his brother Shalmaneser IV in 773 BC. Ashur-dan's reign was a difficult age for the Assyrian monarchy. The rulership was severely limited by the influence of court dignitaries,... |
772 – 755 BC | Eclipse on June 15 763 BC Assyrian eclipse The Assyrian eclipse is also known as Bur-Sagale eclipse. It was recorded in Assyrian eponym lists, most likely in the 9th year of king Ashur-dan III... |
| Ashur-nirari V Ashur-nirari V Ashur-nirari V was King of Assyria from 755 to 745 BC. He was succeeded by Tiglath-Pileser III.Ashur-nirari V was a son of Adad-nirari III, and succeeded his brother, Ashur-dan III. He inherited a difficult situation from his predecessor... |
754 – 745 BC | |
| Tiglath-Pileser III Tiglath-Pileser III Tiglath-Pileser III was a prominent king of Assyria in the eighth century BC and is widely regarded as the founder of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Tiglath-Pileser III seized the Assyrian throne during a civil war and killed the royal family... |
744 – 727 BC | Contemporary of Nabonassar Nabonassar Nabonassar founded a kingdom in Babylon in 747 BC. This is now considered as the start of the Neo-Babylonian Dynasty. At the time the Assyrian Empire was in disarray through civil war and the ascendancy of other kingdoms such as Urartu... of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Shalmaneser V Shalmaneser V Shalmaneser V was king of Assyria from 727 to 722 BC. He first appears as governor of Zimirra in Phoenicia in the reign of his father, Tiglath-Pileser III.... |
726 – 722 BC | Contemporary of Rusas I Rusas I of Urartu Rusa I was an Armenian King of Ararat . He succeeded his father, king Sarduri II.Before Rusa's reign had begun, his father, King Sarduri II, had already expanded the kingdom as far south as Nineveh and had annexed various Assyrian and Anatolian territories... of Urartu Urartu Urartu , corresponding to Ararat or Kingdom of Van was an Iron Age kingdom centered around Lake Van in the Armenian Highland.... |
| Sargon II Sargon II Sargon II was an Assyrian king. Sargon II became co-regent with Shalmaneser V in 722 BC, and became the sole ruler of the kingdom of Assyria in 722 BC after the death of Shalmaneser V. It is not clear whether he was the son of Tiglath-Pileser III or a usurper unrelated to the royal family... |
721 – 705 BC | Contemporary of Marduk-apla-iddina II of Babylon Babylon Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad... |
| Sennacherib Sennacherib Sennacherib |Sîn]] has replaced brothers for me"; Aramaic: ) was the son of Sargon II, whom he succeeded on the throne of Assyria .-Rise to power:... |
704 – 681 BC | Contemporary of Shutruk-Nahhunte II of Elam Elam Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq... |
| Esarhaddon Esarhaddon Esarhaddon , was a king of Assyria who reigned 681 – 669 BC. He was the youngest son of Sennacherib and the Aramean queen Naqi'a , Sennacherib's second wife.... |
680 – 669 BC | Contemporary of Pharaoh Pharaoh Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace... Taharqa Taharqa Taharqa was a pharaoh of the Ancient Egyptian 25th dynasty and king of the Kingdom of Kush, which was located in Northern Sudan.Taharqa was the son of Piye, the Nubian king of Napata who had first conquered Egypt. Taharqa was also the cousin and successor of Shebitku. The successful campaigns of... of Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh... |
| Assurbanipal | 668 – 631 BC | |
Babylon
Dynasties X of Babylon (Assyrian):
Babylon was under the direct control of Neo-Assyrian rulers or
their appointed governors for much of this period.
| Ruler | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nabu-mukin-zeri Nabu-mukin-zeri Nabu-mukin-zeri was the King of Babylon 732-729 BC. He was an Aramean chief who seized the throne. The Assyrians tried to bring the people to rebel against him, but they were unsuccessful. He was killed during the Assyrian siege of Babylon. .- Sources :*... of Assyria |
732 - 729 BC | |
| Tiglath-Pileser III Tiglath-Pileser III Tiglath-Pileser III was a prominent king of Assyria in the eighth century BC and is widely regarded as the founder of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Tiglath-Pileser III seized the Assyrian throne during a civil war and killed the royal family... of Assyria |
729 - 727 BC | |
| Shalmaneser V Shalmaneser V Shalmaneser V was king of Assyria from 727 to 722 BC. He first appears as governor of Zimirra in Phoenicia in the reign of his father, Tiglath-Pileser III.... of Assyria |
727 - 722 BC | |
| Marduk-apla-iddina II | 722 - 710 BC | |
| Sargon II Sargon II Sargon II was an Assyrian king. Sargon II became co-regent with Shalmaneser V in 722 BC, and became the sole ruler of the kingdom of Assyria in 722 BC after the death of Shalmaneser V. It is not clear whether he was the son of Tiglath-Pileser III or a usurper unrelated to the royal family... of Assyria |
710 - 705 BC | |
| Sennacherib Sennacherib Sennacherib |Sîn]] has replaced brothers for me"; Aramaic: ) was the son of Sargon II, whom he succeeded on the throne of Assyria .-Rise to power:... of Assyria |
705 - 703 BC | |
| Marduk-zakir-shumi II Marduk-zakir-shumi II Marduk-zakir-shumi II was a Babylonian nobleman who served briefly as King of Babylon for a few months in 703 BC, following a revolt against the rule of the Assyrian king Sennacherib. He was soon overthrown and replaced by the former Chaldean king, Marduk-apal-iddina II.... |
703 BC | |
| Marduk-apla-iddina II | 703 BC | |
| Bel-ibni Bel-ibni Bel-ibni was a Babylonian nobleman who served as King of Babylon for several years as the nominee of the Assyrian king Sennacherib.Sennacherib, believing that direct Assyrian rule was too costly, appointed Bel-ibni, a young Babylonian nobleman raised at the Assyrian court, King of Babylon in 703... |
703 - 700 BC | Assyrian appointed governor |
| Ashur-nadin-shumi Ashur-nadin-shumi Ashur-nadin-shumi was an ancient King of Babylon. The son of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, Ashur-nadin-shumi was installed by his father as King of Babylon in 700 BC. He reigned for six years, until he was murdered by the Elamites following their capture of the city in 694 BC.... |
700 - 694 BC | Son of Sennacherib of Assyria |
| Nergal-ushezib Nergal-ushezib Nergal-ushezib, originally Shuzub, was a Babylonian nobleman who was installed as King of Babylon by the Elamites in 694 BC, after their capture of Babylon and deposition and murder of the previous king Ashur-nadin-shumi, son of King Sennacherib of Assyria.Nergal-ushezib reigned as King for little... |
694 - 693 BC | |
| Mushezib-Marduk Mushezib-Marduk Mushezib-Marduk , Chaldean prince chosen as King of Babylon after Nergal-ushezib.He led the Babylonian populace in revolt against Assyria and King Sennacherib in 689 BC, with the support of Elam and King Humban-nimena , at the Battle of Halule... |
693 - 689 BC | |
| Sennacherib Sennacherib Sennacherib |Sîn]] has replaced brothers for me"; Aramaic: ) was the son of Sargon II, whom he succeeded on the throne of Assyria .-Rise to power:... of Assyria |
689 - 681 BC | |
| Esarhaddon Esarhaddon Esarhaddon , was a king of Assyria who reigned 681 – 669 BC. He was the youngest son of Sennacherib and the Aramean queen Naqi'a , Sennacherib's second wife.... of Assyria |
681 - 669 BC | |
| Shamash-shum-ukin Shamash-shum-ukin Shamash-shum-ukin was the Assyrian king of Babylon from 668-648 BC.He was the second son of the Assyrian King Esarhaddon. His elder brother, crown prince Sin-iddina-apla had died in 672, and in his stead the third son Ashurbanipal was invested as crown prince and later king of Assyria, while... |
668 - 648 BC | Son of Esarhaddon of Assyria |
| Kandalanu Kandalanu - Territory :Kandalanu was king over Babylonia, with exception of the city Nippur. His reign began in 648 B.C. when he was appointed by his overlord King Ashurbanipal of Assyria after the latter had crushed the Babylonian rebellion by Kandalanu’s predecessor, Shamash-shum-ukin.- Identity :Because... |
648 - 627 BC | |
| Sin-shumu-lishir Sin-shumu-lishir Sin-shumu-lishir , was a usurper king of a part of the Assyrian empire during 626 BC. Little is known about this king due to the lack of sources covering this time.-Reign :... |
626 BC | |
| Sinsharishkun Sinsharishkun Sinsharishkun , who seems to have been the Saràkos of Berossus, was one of the last kings of the Assyrian empire.-Early years:... |
ca. 627 - 620 BC | Son of Assurbanipal of Assyria |
Classical Antiquity
For times after Assurbanipal (died 627 BC), see:
- Median Empire (728 – 549 BC), see List of Kings of the Medes
- Neo-Babylonian EmpireNeo-Babylonian EmpireThe Neo-Babylonian Empire or Second Babylonian Empire was a period of Mesopotamian history which began in 626 BC and ended in 539 BC. During the preceding three centuries, Babylonia had been ruled by their fellow Akkadian speakers and northern neighbours, Assyria. Throughout that time Babylonia...
(626 – 539 BC) - Achaemenid EmpireAchaemenid EmpireThe Achaemenid Empire , sometimes known as First Persian Empire and/or Persian Empire, was founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great who overthrew the Median confederation...
(550 – 330 BC)
The Hellenistic period
Hellenistic period
The Hellenistic period or Hellenistic era describes the time which followed the conquests of Alexander the Great. It was so named by the historian J. G. Droysen. During this time, Greek cultural influence and power was at its zenith in Europe and Asia...
begins with the conquests of Alexander the Great in 330 BC.
See also
- Timeline of the Middle East
- Chronology of the ancient Near EastChronology of the ancient Near EastThe chronology of the Ancient Near East provides a framework of dates for various events, rulers and dynasties. Individual inscriptions and texts customarily record events in terms of a succession of officials or rulers, taking forms like "in the year X of king Y". Thus by piecing together many...