- Sumerian Rulers
Ante-diluvian kings, legendary, or earlier than ca. the 26th century BC. Their rules are measured in sars - periods of 3600 years - the next unit up after 60 in Sumerian counting (3600 = 60x60), and in ners - units of 600.
• Alulim of Eridu(g): 8 sars (28800 years)
• Alalgar of Eridug: 10 sars (36000 years)
• En-Men-Lu-Ana of Bad-Tibira: 12 sars (43200 years)
• En-Men-Ana 1, 2
• En-Men-Gal-Ana of Bad-Tibira: 8 sars (28800 years)
• Dumuzi of Bad-Tibira, the shepherd: 10 sars (36000 years)
• En-Sipad-Zid-Ana of Larag: 8 sars (28800 years)
• En-Men-Dur-Ana of Zimbir: 5 sars and 5 ners (21000 years)
• Ubara-Tutu of Shuruppag: 5 sars and 1 ner (18600 years)
• Zin-Suddu 1
Early Dynastic II
26th century BC. Many rulers known from contemporary inscriptions are not found in the King Lists.
• Jushur of Kish: 1200 years
• Kullassina-bel of Kish: 960 years
• Nangishlishma of Kish: 670 years
• En-Tarah-Ana of Kish: 420 years
• Babum of Kish: 300 years
• Puannum of Kish: 840 years
• Kalibum of Kish: 960 years
• Kalumum of Kish: 840 years
• Zuqaqip of Kish: 900 years
• Atab of Kish: 600 years
• Mashda of Kish: 840 years
• Arwium of Kish: 720 years
• Etana of Kish, the shepherd, who ascended to heaven and consolidated all the foreign countries: 1500 years
• Balih of Kish: 400 years
• En-Me-Nuna of Kish: 660 years
• Melem-Kish of Kish: 900 years
• Barsal-Nuna of Kish: 1200 years
• Zamug of Kish: 140 years
• Tizqar of Kish: 305 years
• Ilku of Kish: 900 years
• Iltasadum of Kish: 1200 years
• En-Men-Barage-Si of Kish, who conquered Elam: 900 years (this is the earliest ruler in the list who is confirmed independently from epigraphical evidence)
• Aga of Kish: 625 years
Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to E-ana.
First Dynasty of Uruk
• Mesh-ki-ang-gasher of E-ana, son of Utu: 324 years.
Mesh-ki-ang-gasher went into the Sea and disappeared.
• Enmerkar, who built Unug: 420 years
• Lugalbanda of Unug, the shepherd: 1200 years
• Dumuzid of Unug, the fisherman: 100 years. Captured En-Me-Barage-Si of Kish.
• Gilgamesh, whose father was a "phantom", lord of Kulaba: 126 years.
• Ur-Nungal of Unug: 30 years
• Udul-Kalama of Unug: 15 years
• La-Ba'shum of Unug: 9 years
• En-Nun-Tarah-Ana of Unug: 8 years
• Mesh-He of Unug: 36 years
• Melem-Ana of Unug: 6 years
• Lugal-Kitun of Unug: 36 years
Then Uruk was defeated and the kingship was taken to Urim.
First dynasty of Ur
ca. 25th century BC
• Mesh-Ane-Pada of Urim: 80 years
• Mesh-Ki-Ang-Nanna of Urim: 36 years
• Elulu of Urim: 25 years
• Balulu of Urim: 36 years
Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to Awan.
Awan
• Three kings of Awan, ruling for a total of 356 years
• Peli (ca. 2450 BC)
• Taar, Tari or Tata
• Ukku-tahish
• Hishur
• Shushun-tarana
• Napil-hush,
• Kiku-siwe-temti
• Luh-ishan
• Hishep-ratep
• Eshpum (?)
• Ilishmani (?)
• Epirmupi (?)
• Helu (ca. 2300-2280 BC)
• Hita (ca. 2280-2250 BC)
• (Akkadian dominion)
• (Shimpishuk)
• Kutik-Inshushinak (ca. 2240-2220 BC)
• (neo-Sumerian dominion)
Second Dynasty Kish
• Susuda of Kish: 201 years
• Dadasig of Kish: 81 years
• Mamagal of Kish, the boatman: 360 years
• Kalbum of Kish: 195 years
• Tuge of Kish: 360 years
• Men-Nuna of Kish: 180 years
• ? of Kish: 290 years
• Lugalngu of Kish: 360 years
Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Hamazi.
Hamazi
• Hadanish of Hamazi: 360 years
Then Hamazi was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug.
Second Dynasty of Uruk
• En-Shakansha-Ana of Unug: 60 years
• Lugal-Ure (or Lugal-Kinishe-Dudu) of Unug: 120 years
• Argandea of Unug: 7 years
Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Urim.
Second Dynasty of Ur
• Nani of Urim: 120 years
• Mesh-Ki-Ang-Nanna of Urim: 48 years
• ? of Urim: 2 years
Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to Adab.
Adab
• Lugal-Anne-Mundu of Adab: 90 years
Then Adab was defeated and the kingship was taken to Mari.
Mari
• Anbu of Mari: 30 years
• Anba of Mari: 17 years
• Bazi of Mari: 30 years
• Zizi of Mari: 20 years
• Limer of Mari, the gudu priest: 30 years
• Sharrum-Iter of Mari: 9 years
Then Mari was defeated and the kingship was taken to Kish.
Third Dynasty of Kish
• Kug-Baba of Kish, the woman tavern-keeper, who made firm the foundations of Kish: 100 years
(the only woman in the King Lists)
Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Akshak.
Akshak
• Unzi of Akshak: 30 years
• Undalulu of Akshak: 6 years
• Urur of Akshak: 6 years
• Puzur-Nirah of Akshak: 20 years
• Ishu-Il of Akshak: 24 years
• Shu-Sin of Akshak: 7 years
Then Akshak was defeated and the kingship was taken to Kish.
Fourth Dynasty of Kish
• Puzur-Sin of Kish: 25 years
• Ur-Zababa of Kish: 400 (6?) years
• Zimudar of Kish: 30 years
• Ussi-Watar of Kish: 7 years
• Eshtar-Muti of Kish: 11 years
• Ishme-Shamash of Kish: 11 years
• Shu-Ilishu of Kish: 15 years
• Nanniya of Kish, the jeweller: 7 years.
Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug.
Third Dynasty of Uruk
• Lugal-Zage-Si of Unug: 25 years
(2259 BC–2235 BC short chronology) defeated Lagash.
Akkad
• Sargon, whose father was a gardener, the cupbearer of Ur-Zababa, the king (first emperor) of Agade, who built Agade: 40 years
(ca. 2235 BC short chronology)
• Rimush, younger son of Sargon: 9 years
• Man-Ishtishu, older son of Sargon: 15 years
• Naram-Sin, son of Man-Ishtishu: 56 years
• Shar-Kali-Sharri, son of Naram-Sin: 25 years
Then who was king? Who was the king?
• Irgigi, Imi, Nanum, Ilulu: four of them ruled for only 3 years
• Dudu: 21 years
• Shu-Durul, son of Dudu: 15 years
Then Agade was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug.
Fourth Dynasty of Uruk
(Possibly rulers of lower Mesopotamia contemporary with the dynasty of Akkad)
• Ur-Ningin of Unug: 7 years
• Ur-Gigir of Unug: 6 years
• Kuda of Unug: 6 years
• Puzur-Ili of Unug: 5 years
• Ur-Utu (or Lugal-Melem) of Unug: 25 years
Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to the army of Gutium.
Gutian period
In the army of Gutium, at first no king was famous; they were their own kings and ruled thus for 3 years
• Inkishush of Gutium: 6 years
• Zarlagab of Gutium: 6 years
• Shulme (or Yarlagash) of Gutium: 6 years
• Silulumesh (or Silulu) of Gutium: 6 years
• Inimabakesh (or Duga) of Gutium: 5 years
• Igeshaush (or Ilu-An) of Gutium: 6 years
• Yarlagab of Gutium: 3 years
• Ibate of Gutium: 3 years
• Yarla of Gutium: 3 years
• Kurum of Gutium: 1 year
• Apil-Kin of Gutium: 3 years
• La-Erabum of Gutium: 2 years
• Irarum of Gutium: 2 years
• Ibranum of Gutium: 1 year
• Hablum of Gutium: 2 years
• Puzur-Sin of Gutium: 7 years
• Yarlaganda of Gutium: 7 years
• ? of Gutium: 7 years
• Tiriga of Gutium: 40 days
Uruk
• Utu-hegal of Unug: conflicting dates (427 years / 26 years / 7 years)
drives out the Gutians
Third dynasty of Ur
"Sumerian Renaissance"
• Ur-Nammu of Urim: 18 years
ruled ca. 2065 BC–2047 BC short chronology.
• Shulgi: 46 years
ruled ca. 2047 BC–1999 BC short chronology.
• Amar-Sina of Urim: 9 years
• Shu-Sin of Urim: 9 years
• Ibbi-Sin of Urim: 24 years
Then Urim was defeated. The very foundation of Sumer was torn out (?). The kingship was taken to Isin.
Dynasty of Isin
Independent Amorite states in lower Mesopotamia. The dynasty ends at ca. 1730 BC short chronology.
• Ishbi-Erra of Isin: 33 years
• Shu-ilishu of Isin: 20 years
• Iddin-Dagan of Isin: 20 years
• Ishme-Dagan of Isin: 20 years
• Lipit-Eshtar of Isin 11 years
• Ur-Ninurta of Isin (the son of Ishkur, may he have years of abundance, a good reign, and a sweet life): 28 years
• Bur-Sin of Isin: 5 years
• Lipit-Enlil of Isin: 5 years
• Erra-Imitti of Isin: 8 years
• Enlil-Bani of Isin: 24 years (the king's gardener, to celebrate the New Year was named 'king for a day' then sacrificed, the king died during the celebration. Enlil-Bani remained on the throne.)
• Zambiya of Isin: 3 years
• Iter-Pisha of Isin: 4 years
• Ur-Dul-Kuga of Isin: 4 years
• Suen-magir of Isin: 11 years
• Damiq-ilicu of Isin: 23 years
Assyrian Rulers
Early Period
"The Kings who lived in tents"
• Ikunum (?)
• Tudiya (ca. 2500 BC)
• Adamu
• Yangi
• Suhlamu
• Harharu
• Mandaru
• Imsu
• HAR-su
• Didanu
• Hana
• Zuabu
• Nuabu
• Abazu
• Belu
• Azarah
• Ushpia (ca. 2020 BC?)
"Kings who were forefathers" (listed in reverse order by the Assyrian King List)
• Apiashal son of Ushpia
• Hale son of Apiashal
• Samani son of Hale
• Hayani son of Samani
• Ilu-Mer son of Hayani
• Yakmesi son of Ilu-Mer
• Yakmeni son of Yakmesi
• Yazkur-el son of Yakmeni
• Ila-kabkaba son of Yazkur-el
• Aminu son of Ila-kabkaba
"Kings whose eponyms are destroyed(?)"
• Sulili son of Aminu
• Kikkia (ca. 2000-1985)
• Akiya (ca. 1985-1970)
• Puzur-Ashur I (ca. 1970-1960)
• Shallim-ahhe (ca. 1960-1945)
• Ilushuma (ca. 1945-1906) (raids into southern Mesopotamia)
Old Assyrian Period
• Erishum I (ca. 1906-1867 BC)
• Ikunum (ca. 1867-1860 BC)
• Sargon I (ca. 1860-1850 BC) (rule at the Temple / Castle of Nimud, see Nimrud)
• Puzur-Ashur II (ca. 1850-1830 BC)
• Naram-Sin (ca. 1830-1815 BC)
• Erishum II (ca. 1815-1809 BC)
• Shamshi-Adad I (ca. 1809-1781 BC)
• Ishme-Dagan I (ca. 1780-1741 BC)
• Mut-Ashkur (ca. 1730-1720 BC)
• Rimush (ca. 1720-1710 BC)
• Asinum (ca. 1710-1706 BC)
• anarchy, seven usurpers (ca.1706-1700 BC)
o Assur-dugul "son of a nobody, not suitable to the throne"
o Assur-apla-idi (first of "six kings son(s) of a nobody")
o Nasir-Sin
o Sin-namir
o Ibqi-Ishtar
o Adad-salulu
o Adasi
• Belu-bani (ca.1700-1691 BC)
• Libaia (ca.1690-1674 BC)
• Sharma-Adad I (ca.1673-1662 BC)
• Iptar-Sin (ca.1661-1650 BC)
• Bazaia (ca.1649-1622 BC)
• Lullaia (ca.1621-1618 BC)
• Shu-Ninua (ca.1615-1602 BC)
• Sharma-Adad II (ca.1601 BC-1598 BC)
• Erishum III (ca.1598-1586 BC, traditional date, or ca.1580-1567 BC, newer dating)
• Shamshi-Adad II (ca.1567-1561 BC)
• Ishme-Dagan II (1561-1545 BC)
• Shamshi-Adad III (1545-1529 BC)
• Ashur-nirari I (1529-1503 BC)
• Puzur-Ashur III (1503-1479 BC)
• Enlil-nasir I (1479-1466 BC)
• Nur-ili (1466-1454 BC)
• Ashur-shaduni (1454 BC)
• Ashur-rabi I (1453-ca.1435 BC)
• Ashur-nadin-ahhe I (ca.1435-1420 BC)
• Enlil-nasir II (1420-1414 BC)
• Ashur-nirari II (1414-1407 BC)
• Ashur-bel-nisheshu (1407-1398 BC)
• Ashur-rim-nisheshu (1398-1390 BC)
• Ashur-nadin-ahhe II (1390-1380 BC)
Middle Assyrian Period
• Eriba-Adad I (1380-1353 BC)
• Ashur-uballit I (1353-1317 BC)
• Enlil-nirari (1317-1307 BC)
• Arik-den-ili (1307-1295 BC)
• Adad-nirari I (1295-1263 BC)
• Shalmaneser I (1263-1233 BC)
• Tukulti-Ninurta I (1233-1196 BC)
• Ashur-nadin-apli (1196-1193 BC)
• Ashur-nirari III (1193-1187 BC)
• Enlil-kudurri-usur (1187-1182 BC)
• Ninurta-apal-Ekur (1182-1179 BC)
• Ashur-Dan I (1179-1133 BC)
• Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur (1133 BC)
• Mutakkil-nusku (1133 BC)
• Ashur-resh-ishi I (1133-1115 BC)
• Tiglath-Pileser I (1115-1076 BC)
• Asharid-apal-Ekur (1076-1074 BC)
• Ashur-bel-kala (1074-1056 BC)
• Eriba-Adad II (1056-1054 BC)
• Shamshi-Adad IV (1054-1050 BC)
• Ashur-nasir-pal I (1050-1031 BC)
• Shalmaneser II (1031-1019 BC)
• Ashur-nirari IV (1019-1013 BC)
• Ashur-rabi II (1013-972 BC)
• Ashur-resh-ishi II (972-967 BC)
• Tiglath-Pileser II (967-935 BC)
• Ashur-Dan II (935-912 BC)
Neo-Assyrian Period
• Adad-nirari II (912 - 891 BC)
• Tukulti-Ninurta II (891 - 884 BC)
• Ashur-nasir-pal II (884 - 859 BC)
• Shalmaneser III (859 - 824 BC)
• Shamshi-Adad V (822 - 811 BC)
• Adad-nirari III (811 - 783 BC)
o Sammu-ramat (Semiramis), regent, (811 - 805 BC)
• Shalmaneser IV (783 - 773 BC)
• Ashur-Dan III (773 - 755 BC)
• Ashur-nirari V (755 - 745 BC)
• Tiglath-Pileser III (745 - 727 BC)
• Shalmaneser V (727 - 722 BC)
End of the document known as Assyrian King List; the following kings reigned after the list had been composed.
• Sargon II (722 - 705 BC)
• Sennacherib (705 - 681 BC)
• Esarhaddon (681 - 669 BC)
• Ashurbanipal (669 - c.631 or 627 BC)
• Ashur-etil-ilani (631/627 - 623 BC) (631-627 "regent" for his father Ashurbanipal)
• Sin-shumu-lishir (623 BC)
• Sin-shar-ishkun (623 - 612 BC)
In 612 BC, Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, fell to the Medes and Babylonians; supported by the Egyptians, an Assyrian general continued to rule for a few years from Harran as
• Ashur-uballit II (612- c.609 BC)
Babylonian Rulers
First Dynasty of Babylon
• Sumu-abum 1894-1881 BC
• Sumu-la-El 1880-1845 BC
• Sabium 1844-1831 BC
• Apil-Sîn 1830-1813 BC
• Sin-muballit 1812-1793 BC
• Hammurabi 1792-1750 BC
• Samsu-Iluna 1749-1712 BC
• Abi-Eshuh 1711-1684 BC
• Ammi-Ditana 1683-1647 BC
• Ammi-Saduqa 1646-1626 BC
• Samsu-Ditana 1625-1595 BC
Early Kassite Monarchs
These rulers did not rule Babylon itself, but their numbering scheme was continued by later Kassite Kings of Babylon, and so they are listed here.
• Gandash fl. c.1730 BC
• Agum I
• Kashtiliash I
• Ushshi
• Abirattash
• Kashtiliash II
• Urzigurumash
• Harbashihu
• Tiptakzi
Sealand Dynasty (Dynasty II of Babylon)
• Iluma-ilum fl. c.1732 BC
• Itti-ili-nibi
• Damiq-ilishu
• Ishkibal
• Shushushi
• Gulkishar
• Peshgaldaramash
• Adarakalamma
• Ekurduanna
• Melamkurkukka
• [1 unnamed king between Gulkishar and Ea-gamil(?)]
• Ea-gamil fl. c. 1460 BC
Kassite Dynasty (Third Dynasty of Babylon)
• Agum II fl. c.1570 BC
• Burna-Buriaš I
• Kaštiliaš III
• Ulam-Buriaš
• Agum III
• Kadašman-harbe I
• Karaindaš
• Kurigalzu I d.1377 BC
• Kadašman-Enlil I 1377-1361 BC
• Burna-Buriaš II 1361-1333 BC
• Karahardaš 1333-1331 BC
• Nazibugaš 1331 BC
• Kurigalzu II 1331-1306 BC
• Nazimaruttaš 1306-1280 BC
• Kadašman-Turgu 1280-1262 BC
• Kadašman-Enlil II 1262-1254 BC
• Kudur-Enlil 1254-1245 BC
• Šagarakti-Šuriaš 1245-1232 BC
• Kaštiliaš IV 1232-1224 BC
• Enlil-nadin-šumi 1224-1221
• Adad-šuma-iddina 1221-1215
• Adad-šuma-usur 1215-1185 BC
• Melišipak 1185-1170 BCE
• Marduk-apal-iddina I 1170-1157 BC
• Zababa-šuma-iddina 1157-1156 BC
• Enlil-nadin-ahhe 1156-1153 BC
Dynasty IV of Babylon, from Isin
• Marduk-kabit-ahhešu 1155-1146 BCE
• Itti-Marduk-balatu 1146-1132 BCE
• Ninurta-nadin-šumi 1132-1126 BCE
• Nabu-kudurri-usur (Nebuchadnezzar I) 1126-1103 BCE
• Enlil-nadin-apli 1103-1100 BCE
• Marduk-nadin-ahhe 1100-1082 BCE
• Marduk-šapik-zeri 1082-1069 BCE
• Adad-apla-iddina 1069-1046 BCE
• Marduk-ahhe-eriba 1046 BCE
• Marduk-zer-X 1046-1033 BCE
• Nabu-šum-libur 1033-1025 BCE
Dynasty V of Babylon
• Simbar-šipak 1025-1008 BCE
• Ea-mukin-šumi 1008 BCE
• Kaššu-nadin 1008-1004 BCE
Dynasty VI of Babylon
• Eulma-šakin-šumi 1004-987 BCE
• Ninurta-kudurri-usur 987-985 BCE
• Širiqti-šuqamunu 985 BCE
Dynasty VII of Babylon
• Mar-biti-apla-usur 985-979 BCE
Dynasty VIII of Babylon
• Nabu-mukin-apli 979-943 BCE
Dynasty IX of Babylon
• Ninurta-kudurri-usur 943 BCE
• Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina 943-c.920 BCE
• Šamaš-mudammiq c.920-900 BCE
• Nabu-šuma-ukin 900-888 BCE
• Nabu-apla-iddina 888-855 BCE
• Marduk-zakir-šumi I 855-819 BCE
• Marduk-balassu-iqbi 819-813 BCE
• Baba-aha-iddina 813-811 BCE
• 5 kings 811-c.800 BCE
• Ninurta-apla-X c.800-c.790 BCE
• Marduk-bel-zeri c.790-c.780 BCE
• Marduk-apla-usur c.780-769 BCE
• Eriba-Marduk 769-761 BCE
• Nabu-šuma-iškun 761-748 BCE
Dynasty IX of Babylon
From this point on, the Babylonian chronology is securely known via Ptolemy's Canon of Kings and other sources.
• Nabonassar (Nabu-nasir) 748-734 BCE
• Nabu-nadin-zeri 734-732 BCE
• Nabu-šuma-ukin II 732 BCE
Dynasty X of Babylon (Assyrians and Chaldeans)
• Nabu-mukin-zeri, 732-729 BCE
• Pulu (Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria) 729-727 BCE
• Ululayu (Shalmaneser V of Assyria) 727-722 BCE
• Marduk-apal-iddina II (the Biblical Merodach-Baladan), 722-710 BCE
• Šarrukin (Sargon) II of Assyria, 710-705 BCE
• Sin-ahhe-eriba (Sennacherib) of Assyria, 705-703 BCE
• Marduk-zakir-šumi II, 703 BCE
• Marduk-apal-iddina II, 703 BCE (restored)
• Bel-ibni, 703-700 BCE
• Aššur-nadin-šumi (son of Sennacherib of Assyria), 700-694 BCE
• Nergal-ušezib, 694-693 BCE
• Mušezib-Marduk, 693-689 BCE
Assyrian Sack of Babylon, 689 BCE; Babylon is rebuilt by Esarhaddon of Assyria in the 670s BCE
• Sin-ahhe-eriba (Sennacherib) of Assyria, 689-681 BCE
• Aššur-ahha-iddina (Esarhaddon) of Assyria, 681-669 BCE
• Šamaš-šum-ukin (son of Esarhaddon), 668-648 BCE
• Kandalanu (possibly Ashurbanipal of Assyria or else a viceroy), 648-627 BCE
Dynasty XI of Babylon (Neo-Babylonian or Chaldean)
• Nabu-apla-usur (Nabopolassar) 626 - 605 BCE
• Nabu-kudurri-usur (Nebuchadrezzar) II 605 - 562 BCE
• Amel-Marduk 562 - 560 BCE
• Nergal-šar-usur (Nergal-sharezer) 560 - 556 BCE
• Labaši-Marduk 556 BCE
• Nabu-na'id (Nabonidus) 556 - 539 BCE
• Kambyses 538 - 522 BCE
In 539 BCE, Babylon was captured by Cyrus the Great of Persia, and lost its independence. His son was crowned one year later formaly as King of Babylonia
• Culture
The Ancient World Culture
Mesopotamia
9000-500 BC
Sumer, Babylonia, Assyrian
Government
Devine ownership of all entrusted to kings as divine representatives of gods' will; Hammurabic Code, laws governing civil laws governing civil and criminal acts; Conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia
Religion
Heirarchy of gods; Enlil, god of air and storms, supreme ruler of Sumerian pantheon; ziggurat temples
Literature
cuneiform (trans. by H. Creswicke, 1835); Epic of Gilgamesh; Noah and Job myths
Art
Standard of Ur; panels depicting all classes of Sumerian society
Daily Life
hydraulic society - based on irrigation control and flood management; small but powerful aristocracy; large middle class; a minority population of slaves who could transact business and purchase their freedom
________________________________________
Egypt
3200-30BC
Government
Heirarchy with the pharaohs having absolute power; Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms' stability interrupted by long periods of instability and chaos; Alexander conquers
Religion
preoccupation with life after death; elaborate efforts to duplicate life on earth with life in the netherworld; pyramids; power of gods linked to natural forces
Literature
hieroglyphics, not translated until the Rosetta Stone, 1820; Egyptian Book of the Dead
Art
Movement from realism to highly stylized figures, found in tombs murals and artifacts; Tut = least pillaged pyramid
Daily Life
hydraulic society religion = most powerful social force; dependent upon huge slave population, often Hebrews, who did not have social mobility; records indicating strong family ties
________________________________________
Israel
1800 - 70AD
Moses, Saul, David, Solomon
Government
rule of prophets and reign of kings split by civil war and eventual destruction of Jerusalem; Theocractic rule; final destruction of temple by Titus; Jews sent into exile.
Religion
belief in invisible, omnipotent god, in collective + personal responsibility, repentance, and salvation; Mosaic Law - 10; Commandments and Torah; Talmud = commentaries
Literature
Old Testament: Torah, histories, prophetic writings, Psalms
Art
Did not believe in "craven" imagery; implements were often decorated
Daily Life
temple as social-religious center for community religious laws determined behavior, diet, hygiene, etc.; literacy required for confirmation (bar mitzvah)
The First Sumerian Cities
One of the first cities... of the Sumerians, was the very "Lagash", of whose conquest... Sargon of Akkad, had boasted! Their dynasty started circa 2900 BC, and lasted for 650 years. During this time 43 "EN.SI’s" (Righteous Rulers)... reigned without interruption in Lagash: Their names, genealogies, and lengths of rule, were all neatly recorded.
The "Ziggurat" Temple - tower... was used in Mesopotamian religions,being the foremost religious edifice. Ziggurats... were erected from around 2200 BCE until 500 BCE, and there are about 25 left today, covering the area... from southern Babylonia (Baghad, Iraq), all the way north to Assyria.
Chronology of Events
8000 BC City of Jericho founded, the oldest inhabited settlement on earth.
6000 BC Migration of northern farmers settle in region from Babylon to Persian Gulf. Hassuna culture introduces irrigation, fine pottery, permanent dwellings; dominates culture for 1000 years, develops tradefrom Persian Gulf to Mediterranean.
5600 BC Postulated time of the Biblical Noah's Flood in the Black Sea region
5508 BC Byzantine equivalent date for the Creation of the World
5500 BC Evidence of prehistoric culture in Sumeria region of southern Mesopotamia
5000 BC Ubaidians develop first divisions of labor, mud brick villages, first religious shrines. Small temple at Eridu - earliest example of an offering table and niche for cult object.
4977 BC Birth of the Universe according to Johannes Kepler
4000 BC Semitic nomads from Syria and Arabian peninsula invade southern Mesopotamia, intermingle with Ubaidian population. Temple at Tepe Gawra built - setting style for later examples.
3761 BC Jewish equivalent date for the Creation of the World
3550 BC Megiddo (Armageddon- N. Israel) established, prophesized in "Revelations"to be the site of the ultimate battle between the forces of Good and Evil on the Final Day of God
3500 BC First pyramids, made of earth, constructed in Peru.
Sumerians settle on banks of Euphrates. Temple at Eridu – ziggurat prototype
3400 BC The Bronze (copper + tin) Age begins following the end of the Neolithic (new stone) Age (from 10,000BC)
3300 BC Sumerians have the first kings, develop cuneiform writing, the wheel, the plow, the 60 second minute - Sumerian city-states emerge
3200 BC Menes (Narmer) King of Upper Egypt conquers Lower Egypt forming single (Old) Kingdom - Development of hieroglyphics in Egypt. Embalming of the dead developed in Egypt.
3100 BC First Dynasty of Egypt - Mesopotamia inhabited - Grapes first crushed and fermented to produce wine
3000 BC Ur and Uruk, the first recognized city-states on Earth, are established in the Sumer region of Southern Mesopotamia (Iraq) in the south end of the Fertile Crescent, where records for the first Kings, the wheel and the plow are found.
Democratic assemblies give way to kingships, evolve into hereditary monarchies.
Kish - leading Sumerian city
Introduction of pictographs to keep administrative records.
3-D statues, e.g. Warka head.
White Temple - ziggurat traditional design.
Temple at Tell Uqair - mosaic decorations.
cuneiform land sales formal contracts.
Eridu and Kish - simple palaces.
"Standard of Ur" - war-peace plaque, religious statues, gold and silver artifacts buried in tombs of Ur.
Sumerians of Abu Salabikh - first poetry.
3000 BC Potatos first cultivated in S.America - Corn grown as a crop in Mexico - Cotton grown in the Indus Valley - Ox-Plow used in Europe
2950 BC Jericho developed in Palestine - The oldest known inhabited city on Earth
2800 BC Ancient Minoan Culture on Island of Crete in Aegean Sea
2800 BC First phase of Stonehenge construction of wood
2750 BC Imhotep, the first great physician and architect in history, constructs the first (stepped) stone pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt under ruler Zoser; the first great monumental building built by man.
Gilgamesh, hero of Sumerian legends, reigns as king of Erech
2700 BC Sumerian culture develops in Mesopotamia - Temples and Palaces built of brick
2700 BC Spoked wheels come into use
2550 BC Khufu (Cheops-4th Dynasty) completes first Great Pyramid at Giza, Egypt; which reigns as the tallest structure on Earth until completion of the Eiffel Tower in 1889
2500 BC The horse is domesticated in China
2500 BC Egyptian warriors in chariots using composite bows of horn and wood, and half-once arrows with hollow reed shafts with a range of 400 yards
Lugalannemudu of Abab unites city states which vie for domination for 200 years.
2340 BC Akkadian Dynasty, the worlds first empire, established by Sargon of Sumeria; which falls in 2180BC.
2279 BC Sargon the Great of Sumeria dies
2250 BC Ur-Nammu founds Ur's 3rd. dynasty; dedicates ziggurat at Ur moon-god Nanna, sets up early law code. Gudea, Prince of Lagsh, art and lit patron,magnificant statues produced in his honor.
2200 BC Development of Troy II, III, IV
2197 BC Fall of Akkad in Sumeria to invading barbarians from Persia and northeast
2180 BC Babylonians build first underwater tunnel under the Euphrates River using bricks and "cut and cover" method
2060 BC Sumeria has revival under the third dynasty of UR which falls to the Babylonians c.1950BC
2080 BC "Middle" Kingdom (2080-1640) begins in Egypt
2050 BC Gilgamesh Epic of 3000 lines on 12 tablets, set down, telling of the Babylonian King of Uruk.
1991 BC 12th Dynasty in Egypt - Capitol Thebes - Expansion of the Empire
1950 BC Third Dynasty of UR falls to the Babylonians and the Sumerian era ends.
1920 BC Cannantites and beginning of religious monotheistic (one God) beliefs - Time of Abraham, founder of Judaism.
1900 BC Postulated time for the biblical destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, the wicked "cities of the plain" in the Dead Sea region, also of Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar, of which Zoar was spared.
Amorites from Syrian desert conquer Sumer.
1800 BC Smelted (bloom) Iron comes into use - Bronze Age fades into the Iron Age
Hammurabi asccends Babylonian throne.
1792 BC Hammurabi founds and rules, until 1750 BC, over the original Empire of Babylonia (Mesopotamia), which was eventually destroyed by raiders from Asia Minor.
1760 BC Alphabetic writing emerges as simpler way of recording information than Egyptian hieroglyphics
1750 BC First Babylonian Dynasty arises after Hammurabi cedes power in Mesopotamia
1650 BC Hittite culture develops in the Lower Euphrates River Region
1640 BC "Middle" Kingdom (2080-1640) ends in Egypt
1622 BC 16th Dynasty begins in Egypt - Capitol Thebes - Re-conquest of power throughout Egypt
1600 BC Minoan culture on Crete at its zenith.
Hittite invasion from Turkey ends Hammurabi's dynasty.
1580 BC 18th Dynasty in Egypt - Capitols Thebes & Akhetaten - Triumph of Egyptian Empire over known world
1570 BC "New" Kingdom (1570-1075) in Egypt begins
1538 BC Island of Thera, (Atlantis?) now Santorini, destroyed by massive volcanic eruption. The resulting wave surge from this eruption was also responsible for the demise of the Manoan Civilization on Crete.
1525 BC 18th Dynasty in Egypt - Temple at Karnak, Egypt enriched to maximum glory
1500 BC Mayan civilization arises in Central America
1500 BC Irrigation from the Nile River in use in Egypt
1500 BC First bronze swords in use - Sundial in use in Egypt - Chinese invent the crossbow
Assyria conquered by Hurrians from Anatolia.
1486-1468 BC Hatshepsut (1505-1486) regent for her son, reigns in Egypt wearing male attire and the pharaoh's false beard
1469 BC Battle of Megiddo, Esdraelon, Palestine where Egyptians destroyed a rebel army and captured Megiddo after a siege of 3 weeks.
1450 BC Term "Pharoh" for Egyptian rulers comes into use. It is a hebrew term for "great house"
1450 BC Stonehenge third phase completed to present layout and form
1400 BC Knosses on Crete finally destroyed and the Minoan civilization fades into obscurity
Kurigalzu assumes Babylonian throne.
1354-1345 Tutankhamen, the "Boy-King" on the throne of Egypt
1350 BC Forged (tempered) Iron comes into use by the Hittites - "Iron Age" continues into modern times
1350 BC Biblical Walls of Jericho fall (due to earthquake?)
1350 BC First known outbreak of Smallpox when Hittite warriors catch disease from Egyptian prisoners
1314 BC 19th Dynasty in Egypt - Capitols Tanis & Thebes - Military power in recurrent wars
1300 BC Conquest of Jericho from the Canaanites by Joshua (dated between 1400BC to 1250BC)
1294 BC Battle of Kadesh (Qadesh, on Orontes River, Syria), between Rameses II of Egypt and Hittite King Muwatalis. Ramses was unable to capture Kadesh and eventually made peace.
1292 BC Ramses II begins reign of 67 years in Egypt till his death in 1225 - Egypt reaches its zeneth during his reign
1280 BC Troy sacked by the Greeks
1274 BC Ramses' Battle of Kadesh
1259 BC Non-aggression peace treaty established between Egypt and Hettites after long conflict.
1230 BC Exodus of the Jews from Egypt by Moses, during the reign of Ramses-II
1200 BC 20th Dynasty in Egypt - Capitol Thebes - Recovery and Decadence of Central Power
Nebuchadrezzar I expels Elamites.
1185 BC Beginning of the Ionian immigration in the Aegean Sea region
1184 BC Ramses III comes to power in Egypt
1180 BC First Babylonian Dynasty falls into anarchy.
1100 BC The YoYo comes into use in Greece as the 2nd oldest known toy - Only the doll is older.
King Tiglath-Pileser I leads Assyria to new era of power.
Iron, introduced originally by Hittites, is used extensively in Assyria for tools and weapons.
1085 BC 21st Dynasty in Egypt - Capitols Tanis & Thebes - Power splits with Lower Egypt ruled from Tanis and Upper Egypt ruled from Thebes
1075 BC "New" Kingdom (1570-1075) in Egypt ends
1075 BC Stonehenge fourth and final phase completed
1012-922 Kings: Saul, David and Solomon reign over United 12 Hebrew Tribes (Kingdoms)
1010 BC Saul and Israelites defeat Philistines at Mount Gilboa
1000 BC A cult of "Zeus" formed at Olympia in the valley of the River Alpheus, where locals sacrificed animals to the God Zeus and hosted festivals.
Assyrian empire shattered by Aramaean and Zagros tribes. 150 Assyrian decline halted by Adadnirari II.
970-931 BC Reign of King Solomon who rules over the 12 Tribes of Israel
966 BC King Solomon begins construction of First Temple on Mount Mariah in Jerusalem
958 BC Temple (first) on Mount Mariah in Jerusalem completed by King Solomon
930 BC Death of King Solomon - Division of the 12 Hebrew Tribes, Israel (10) 922-721 Judah (2) 922-586
814 BC Traditional time for the founding of Carthage on the North Coast of Africa (modern day Tunisia)
800-750 BC Iron Age settlement on Palatine Hill, along the Tiber River, the site of future Rome, cremation of the dead becomes common.
Tiglath-Pileser II creates great empire extending from the Persian Gulf to the borders of Egypt.
Sargon II builds new capitol at Dur-Sharrukin
776 BC Olympic Games instituted in Greece with the Stadion, a 192 meter (600 ft) footrace. The Games were a 5-day athletic festival to honor Zeus, King of the Gods
EARLY ROMAN (Etruscan) PERIOD 753 BC to 510 BC
753 BC Traditional year for the founding of Rome by Romulus
753-715 BC ROMULUS - King of Rome
745-612 BC Assyrian Empire - Time of Jewish prophet Isaiah
727 BC Hezekiah becomes King of Judah
724 BC The Diaulos (384 meter foot race) added to Olympic Games
722 BC Israelite capitol of Samaria falls to Sargon, King of Assyria, resulting in the dispersion of the "Ten Tribes of Israel" into Assyria and Persia-Media, where their history is said to have ended
720 BC The Dolichos (long distance run) added to Olympic Games
718 BC The Eternal Flame of Rome is ignited, tended by the Vestal Virgins. It was the longest lasting fire, continuing to burn for 1112 years until it was allowed to die-out in 394 AD
715-673 NUMA POMPILIUS - King of Rome
708 BC The Pentathion (wrestling, stadion, long-jump, discus, javelin) becomes a part the Olympic Games
705 BC Death of Sargon II, King of Assyria
704 BC Sennacherib (Senake-riba) comes to power over Syria / Babylon
701 BC First invasion of Judah by Sennacherib (Senake-riba), which routed rebellious Jews and exacted a heavy toll upon them.
700 BC Early Rome at odds with its neighbors, the "Sabines"; with later compromises
Assurbanipal extends empire from Nile to Caucasus Mountains. Chaldeans and Iranian Medes overrun Assyria - Neo-Babylonian empire.
Sennacherib's son, Esaraddon, rebuilds Babylon.
600 BC Nebuchadrezzar II rules Neo-Babylonian empire. Razes Jerusalem, takes Jews into captivity in Babylon.
Builds "Tower of Babel," temple to Marduk
500 BC Cyrus the Great, Persian warrior and statesman, conquers Babylon.
730-790 Roman and Sabine Kings alternately rule over Roman territories
690 BC Second invasion of Judah by Sennacherib thwarted by a plague in the 185,000 man Assyrian Army.
689 BC City of Babylon (Mesopotamia on Euphrates River) destroyed by the Assyrians under Sennacherib.
688 BC Boxing added to the Olympic Games during the XXIII Olympiad
688 BC Sennacherib (Senake-riba) ends 2nd siege of Jeruselem after sudden deaths of 185,000 soldiers within his Assyrian Army due to disease plaque (smallpox, black death, anthrax?)
681 BC Sennacherib (Senake-riba) , King of Assyria, assassinated by two of his sons. Esarhaddon comes to power
680 BC Four horse Chariot Race becomes a part of the Olympic Games
680 BC Estruscan Tarquins take control of Rome
673-642 TULLUS HOSTILIUS - King of Rome
670 BC First major bridge "Pons Sublicius" (wood piles) built across the Tiber River to the Temple to Jupiter
669 BC Esarhaddon, King of Assyria-Mesopotamia, dies - Ashurbonipal comes to power
667 BC Byzantium City (future Constantinople) founded by Megara Greeks
666 BC Ashurbonipal establishes world's first library
665 BC Traditional date for founding of Cyrene by Greeks from Thera
650-550 Celtic tribes from central Europe encrouch on northern Italy
648 BC The Pankration (boxing, wrestling, general free-for-all) and a Horse Race become a part of the Olympic Games
642-617 ANCUS MARTIUS - King of Rome
627 BC Ashurbonipal, King of Assyria-Mesopotamia dies - Nabopolassar vies for thrown of Babylonia.
626 BC Nabopolasser of Babylonia begins campaign to conquer Assyria.
616-510 Rome dominated by the Etruscan culture in northern Italy
616-579 Lucius TARQUINIUS PRISCUS (Tarquin I) - First Etruscan King of Rome, takes peacful control of Rome
612 BC City of Ninevah captured by Nabopolassar allied with the Medes and Persians bringing the downfall of Assyrian Empire. New Babylonian (Chaldaean) Empire established.
605 BC Nebuchadnezzar-II defeats Pharoh Necho at Carchemish to become ruler of Western Asia (Babylonia)
605 BC Nabopolassar of Babylonia dies, succeded by Nebuchadnezzar-II
605-562 Nebuchadnezzar, reigns as King of Babylonia; builds "Hanging Gardens"
600 BC Public Square "The Forum Romanum" is created in Rome
600 BC Tradition of Cremation becomes a part of Roman Culture
597-586 Nebuchadnezzar crushes Judian revolt and places Zedekiah, as puppit king, who reigns as the Last King of Judah for nine years until 586 BC.
586 BC Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple of Solomon by Nebuzarradan, under orders of King Nebuchadnezzar - The Babylonian Captivity and Exile of Judah begins
580 BC Birth of Cyrus the Great of Persia
578-535 Servius TARQUINIUS TULLIUS - Latin King of Rome, son in law of Tarquinius Priscus
575 BC City of Babylon becomes largest city in the ancient world of that time
570 BC Tower of Babal constructed in City of Babylon
562 BC Nebuchadnezzar age 84, King of Babylonia, dies.
559 BC Cyres the Great comes to power in Persia
550 BC Cyrus the Great founds Persian Empire - Temple of Artemis (called Temple of Diana by the Romans) built in Ephesus (Kucuk Menderes), W. Turkey.
550 BC Gold coins come into use in Sardis, Western Turkey
549 BC Belshazzar comes to power in Babylonia
546 BC Cyrus captures Croeses and Lydia becomes a satrapy under Persian government.
538 BC Cyrus the Great of Persia, conquers Babylonia, deposing King Belshazzar who saw "the writing on the wall" -" Mene Mene Tekel Upharson" - "Weighed in the balance and found wanting").
537 BC Cyrus King of Persia issues the famous edict ending the Babylonian Captivity of Judah, who return to Jerusalem to build 2nd (Zerubbabel's) Temple - Cuniform writing declines in use.
535 BC Construction on Isle of Samos of oldest known tunnel still in use, originally for water, now used by pedestrians between Greece and Turkey
535-510 Lucius TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, "The Proud" (Tarquin II) - Last Etruscan King of Rome
529 BC Death of Cyrus the Great of Persia
525 BC Persian conquest of Egypt - Cambyses becomes Pharaoh
525 BC Foot race, in armor, added to Olympic Games
522 BC Darius-I, "The Great" rules over Persia till 484BC
521 BC First written reference to Iron in China
515 BC Second (Zerubbabel's) Temple on Mount Moriah completed at Jerusalem, of which only the sacred "Western Wall" remains today
510 BC Tarquinius Superbus and other "Tarquins" expelled from Rome
Sources:
http://www.usfca.edu/westciv/Mesochro.html
http://www.usfca.edu/westciv/Anculture.html
http://www.legionxxiv.org/etruscantimeline/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Assyria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Babylon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerian_king_list
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Assignment ko to sa Area Studies 124.. bara bara lang..tsk tsk.. wala ng time eh.. late ko na nga ito isusubmit eh.. Hay, wat's happening to me again? nagiging iresponsible na naman ako.
