Rimush

King of Akkad

King of Akkad
King of Kish
King of Sumer
King of the Universe

Stone jar fragment (BM 127340), with inscription mentioning king Rimush of Akkad, ca 2278-2270 BC. Inscription: "Rimush / LUGAL / KISH". From Tell Brak. British Museum^[1]

King of the Akkadian EmpireReignc. 2279 BC – 2270 BCPredecessorSargon of AkkadSuccessorManishtushu

DynastyDynasty of AkkadFatherSargon of AkkadMotherTashlultum

Rimush (or Rimuš, 𒌷𒈬𒍑 Ri-mu-uš) c. 2279–2270 BC (middle chronology) 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. Naram-Sin posthumously deified Sargon and Manishtushi but not his uncle.^[2] His sister was Enheduana, considered the earliest known named author in world history.^[3] Little is known about his brother Shu-Enlil. There was a city, Dur-Rimuš (Fortress of Rimush), located near Tell Ishchali and Khafajah. It was known to be a cult center of the storm god Adad.^[4]^[5]

Biography

According to the Sumerian King List, his reign lasted 9 years (though variant copies read 7 or 15 years.)^[6] There is one surviving year-name for an unknown year in his reign: "mu ud-nun{ki} / adab{ki} hul-a = Year in which Adab was destroyed".^[7] Tradition gives that he was assassinated, as the Bārûtu, "art of the diviner", a first millennium BC compendium of extispicy, records "If the heart is like a testicle - an omen of king Rimuš, whom his courtiers killed with their cylinder seals".^[8]^[9] He was succeeded by his brother Manishtushu.^[10]^[11] The Ur III version of the Sumerian King List inverts the order of Rimush and Manishtushu.^[12]^[13]

To some extent his reign was typical of a ruler of Mesopotamia with proper attention paid to the various deities and their temples. A number of his votive offerings have been found in excavated temples in several Mesopotamian cities including Ur, Sippar, Khafajah, and Brak.^[14]^[15] After the conquest of Elan he dedicated 30 mana (a mana was about a half kilogram) of gold, 3,600 mana of copper, and 360 slaves to Enlil, the chief deity of Nippur.^[16]^[17] Another example of devotional activity was a statue given by Rimush at Nippur (known only from an inscription). The statue's composition is subject to how it is translated. Tin has been suggested, as well as bronze (a tin and copper alloy) as well as meteoric iron.^[18]^[19]

"[Rimus, king of the world:] [from ancient times n]o one had fashioned a statue (made) of meteoric iron for the god Enlil. (But) Rimus, king of the world, fashioned a statue of himself (made) of meteoric iron Enlil and it (now) stands before the god Enlil. He placed his name at the side of the gods. As for the one who removes this inscription, maygods Enlil and Samas tear out his foundations and destroy his progeny."^[20]

Various texts indicated economic activity continued during his reign, despite military activity, which was possibly encompassed by a short period of time.^[21]^[22]

Most of his short reign was taken up consolidating the empire created by his father, Sargon, first ruler of the Akkadian Empire. This empire stretched in the west to Syria in places like Tell Brak and Tell Leilan, to the east in Elam and associated polities in that region, to southern Anatolia in the north, and to the "lower sea" in the south encompassing all the traditional Sumerian powers like Uruk, Ur, and Lagash. All of these political entities had long histories as independent powers and would periodically re-assert their interests throughout the lifetime of the Akkadian Empire.^[23]

Consolidation of Sumerian cities

According to his inscriptions, he faced widespread revolts, and had to reconquer the cities of Ur, Umma, Adab, Lagash, Der, KI.AN^ki, and Kazallu from rebellious ensis (KI.AN^ki is thought to be at the site of Tell Shmet):^[24]^[25]^[26]

"Rimuš, king of the world, in battle over Adab and Zabalam was victorious, and 15,718 men he struck down, and 14,576 captives he took. Further, Meskigala, governor of Adab, he captured, and Lugalgalzu, governor of Zabalam, he captured. He conqu[ered] their two cities [and destroyed the walls of both of them]. [Further], he expelled [so many men from their two cities] and annihilated them. As for the one who removes this inscription], may the [gods] Enlil and Samas [tear out his foundations] and destroy his [pro]geny."^[20]^[27]

"RImus, [k]in[g] of the wor[ld], was victor[iou]s over Umma and KI.AN in battle and struck down 8,900 men. He [took] 3,540 captives. Further, he captured En-x, governor of Umma, and Lugal-KA, governor of KI.AN. Further, he conquered their two cities and destroyed the walls of both of them. Further, he expelled 3,600 men from their two cities and annihilated them. As for the one who removes this inscription, may the gods Enlil and [Samas tear out his foundations and destroy his progeny]."^[20]^[28]

Rimush introduced mass slaughter and large scale destruction of the Sumerian city-states, and maintained meticulous records of his destructions. Most of the major Sumerian cities were destroyed, and Sumerian human losses were enormous:^[24] It appears that the city of Shuruppak was spared.^[29]

Sumerian casualties from the campaigns of Rimush^[24]^[30]
Destroyed cities:	Adab and Zabala	Umma and KI.AN	Ur and Lagash	Kazallu	(Three battles in Sumer)	TOTAL
Killed	15,718	8,900	8,049	12,052	11,322	56,041
Captured and enslaved	14,576	3,540	5,460	5,862	_	29,438
"Expelled and annihilated"	_	5,600	5,985	_	14,100	25,685

Campaigns against Elam and Marhashi

There are also records of victorious campaigns against Elam and Marhashi (Sumerian name for the Akkadian "Parahshum") in a longer (CBS 13972 and Ni 3200) and shorter (AO 5476) version.^[31]^[32] According to the account, troops from (Meluhha) also participated in the conflict:^[24] After the victorious campaigns of Rimush, under his successor Manishtushu, Elam would be ruled by Akkadian Military Governors, starting with Eshpum, and Pashime, on the Iranian coast, was ruled by an Akkadian Governor named Ilshu-rabi.^[33] IN another version of the text Rimush is called "king of Kish" like his father.^[34]^[35]

"<Rimus, king of the world, in battle> was victorious over Abalgamas, king of Parahsum. Zahar, Elam, [G]upin, and [Me]luhha assembled in Pa[rah]sum for battle, but he, (Rimus) captured S[idga'u], general of [Parahsum] (and) [the king(?) of] Elam i[nbetwe]en (the cities of) [Aw]an and [Susa], by the '[Mid]dle Ri[ver]'. [Further], he [h]eaped up over [them] a [burial mo]und i[n] the [are]a of the city. In addition, he tore out the [fo]undation of Parahsum from the land of Elam and (thereby) Rimus, king of the world, rule[d] Elam. The god Enlil showed (him the way). By the gods [Samas] and [Ilaba] I swe[ar] that (these) are not falsehoods, (but) are indeed [t]ru[e]. As for the o[ne who] re[moves this inscription, may the gods Enlil and Sam]as [te]ar out [his] foundation] an [dest]roy [his progeny]. Caption - Diorite, dusu-stone and (various) stones which I took ... as booty of Parahsum."^[36]^[20]

Inscriptions of Elamite campaign

"Abalgamash, King of Marhashi" (𒀀𒁀𒀠𒂵𒈦 𒈗 𒁀𒊏𒄴𒋳𒆠 Abalgamash Lugal Paraahshum-ki) on Rimush inscription (Louvre, AO 5476)
Prisoner of the Akkadian Empire, nude, fettered, drawn by nose ring, with pointed beard and vertical braid. 2350-2000 BC, Louvre Museum AO 5683.
Seal impression of Liburbeli in the service of Epirmupi Governor of Elam and vassal of Rimush and Manishtushu
Image and transcription of shorter version, AO 5476

Victory Stele of Rimush over Lagash

A Victory Stele in several fragments, possibly three in total. Two (found in Tell K at Girsu) are in the Louvre Museum, AO 2678 (34 cm high, 28 cm wide) for the relief and AO 2679 (9 cm high, 26 cm wide) for the inscriptions are generally thought to be part of the same stele, though this is not certain. The inscription is much damaged and the only readable portion of AO 2679 not pertaining to land distribution reads "after Akkade received the kingship". Another fragment, of unknown provenance but thought to be from the Lagash region, from the Yale Babylonian Collection YBC 2409 (20 cm high, 21 cm wide, 12 cm deep) has been proposed as a join to the first two but this is in dispute.^[39]^[40] The stele has been attributed to Rimush on stylistic and epigraphical grounds but this is also in dispute with a counter proposal dating it to the time of Naram-Sin.^[41] One of the fragments mentions Akkad and Lagash.^[37] One fragment in the main inscription probably contains parts of the name of Rimush himself.^[40]

It is thought that the stele represents the defeat of Lagash by the troops of Akkad.^[38] The prisoners depicted in the relief are visibly Mesopotamian, and their slaughtering at the hand of Akkadian soldiers is consistent with the known accounts of Rimush.^[40] The stele was excavated in ancient Girsu, one of the main cities of the territory of Lagash.^[37] The inscription acts as a land kudurru and describes the attribution of large plots of land (totaling an area of about 40 kilometers by 40 kilometers) from Lagash to the Akkadian nobility, following the victory. Almost all the personal names in the inscription are known from the Lagash and Girsu areas.^[42]

Fragments from stele

Possible victory stele of king Rimush (front) (Louvre AO 2678).
Possible victory stele of king Rimush (back) (Louvre AO 2678)^[43]
Detail of the killing of prisoners by Akkadian troops. (Louvre AO 2678)^[40]
Detail of a soldier escorting a prisoner (Louvre AO 2678)
A prisoner from Lagash on the Victory Stele. The same hairstyle can be seen in other statues from Lagash.^[40]^[38]
Fragment mentioning Akkad and Lagash (Louvre AO 2679)^[40]^[38]

Artifacts in the name of Rimush

Akkadian language cuneiform on Murex shell, with name of Rimush (Louvre AO21404)
Detail of Rimush inscription.(Louvre AO21404)
Vase in the name of "Rimush, King of Kish", albaster, Tello ancient Girsu.
The first known Sumerian-Akkadian bilingual tablet dates from the reign of Rimush. Top column is in Sumerian and bottom column is its translation in Akkadian. (Louvre AO 5477)^[44]^[45]
Jar fragment of Rimush (Ur 116435)

References

^ Inscription of Rimush from Tell Brak at British Museum
^ William W. Hallo, "Royal Titles from the Mesopotamian Periphery", Anatolian Studies 30, pp. 89–19, 1980
^ Helle, Sophus, "Enheduana’s World", Enheduana: The Complete Poems of the World's First Author, New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 103-133, 2023 ISBN 9780300264173
^ Harris, Rivkah, "The Archive of the Sin Temple in Khafajah (Tutub)", Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 31–58, 1955
^ Green, Alberto R. W., "Mesopotamia: The Land between Two Rivers", The Storm-God in the Ancient Near East, University Park, USA: Penn State University Press, pp. 8-88, 2003 ISBN 978-1-57506-069-9
^ Poebel, A., "Ein neues Fragment der altbabylonischen Königsliste", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 34, no. Jahresband, pp. 39-53, 1922
^ "Year Names of Rimush [CDLI Wiki]". cdli.ox.ac.uk.
^ Van De Mieroop, Marc, "The Structure of Knowledge of the Universe", Philosophy before the Greeks: The Pursuit of Truth in Ancient Babylonia, Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. 113-140, 2015
^ Ulla Koch-Westenholz (2000). Babylonian Liver Omens: The Chapters Manzazu, Padanu, and Pan Takalti of the Babylonian Extispicy Series Mainly from Assurbanipal's Library. Museum Tusculanum.
^ Samuel Noah Kramer (1963). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-45238-8.
^ Mario Liverani (2002). "Reviewed Work: Mesopotamien. Akkade-Zeit und Ur III-Zeit. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 160/3 by Walther Sallaberger, Aage Westenholz, P. Attinger, M. Wäfler". Archiv für Orientforschung. 48/49: 180–181. JSTOR 41668552.
^ Steinkeller, P., "An Ur III manuscript of the Sumerian King List", in: W. Sallaberger [e.a.] (ed.), Literatur, Politik und Recht in Mesopotamien. Festschrift für Claus Wilcke, OBC 14, Wiesbaden, 267–29, 2003
^ Thomas, Ariane, "The Akkadian Royal Image: On a Seated Statue of Manishtushu", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 105, no. 1-2, pp. 86-117, 2015
^ [1] Henri Frankfort, "Tell Asmar, Khafaje and Khorsabad: Second Preliminary Report of the Iraq Expedition", Oriental Institute Communication 16, 1933
^ Eppihimer, Melissa, "Assembling King and State: The Statues of Manishtushu and the Consolidation of Akkadian Kingship", American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 114, no. 3, pp. 365–80, 2010
^ E. Sollberger and J.R. Kupper, "Inscriptions royales sumeriennes et akkadiennes", Paris, 1971
^ Ratnagar, Shereen F., "Theorizing Bronze-Age Intercultural Trade : The Evidence of the Weights", Paléorient, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 79–92, 2003
^ B. R. Foster, The Age of Agade, Inventing Empire in Ancient Mesopotamia, London, New York 2016 ISBN 978-1138909755
^ Dayton, J. E., "The Problem of Tin in the Ancient World", World Archaeology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 49–70, 1971
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d [2] Douglas R. Frayne, "Akkad", The Sargonic and Gutian Periods (2334–2113), University of Toronto Press, pp. 5-218, 1993 ISBN 0-8020-0593-4
^ Foster, B. R., "Management and Administration in the Sargonic Period", in: M. Liverani (ed.) Akkad, the First World Empire: Structure, Ideology, Traditions HANES 5, Padova: Sargon srl., pp. 25–39, 1993
^ Foster, Benjamin R., "New Light on the 'Mu-Iti' Texts", Orientalia, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 153–62, 1979
^ Weiss, Harvey, "Excavations at Tell Leilan and the Origins of North Mesopotamian cities in the Third Millennium B.C.", Paléorient, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 39–52, 1983
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hamblin, William J. (2006). Warfare in the Ancient Near East to 1600 BC: Holy Warriors at the Dawn of History. Routledge. pp. 93–94. ISBN 978-1-134-52062-6.
^ Foster, B., "Umma in the Sargonic Period", Memoirs of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Science 20, Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1882
^ Salman Fahad, Sa’ad and Abdul-Qadir Abbas, Raghad, "Cuneiform Tablets from Shmet from the Excavation Season of 2001", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 110, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2020
^ "Text of tablets CBS 13972 and Ni 3200 at CDLI". cdli.ucla.edu.
^ "Rimush victory over Umma and KI.AN at CDLI". cdli.ucla.edu.
^ Frahm, Eckart, and Elizabeth E. Payne, "Šuruppak under Rīmuš: A Rediscovered Inscription", Archiv Für Orientforschung, vol. 50, pp. 50–55, 2003
^ Fouts, David M., "Another Look at Large Numbers in Assyrian Royal Inscriptions", Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 205–11, 1994
^ [3] G. A. Barton, "The Royal Inscriptions of Sumer and Akkad", Yale Univ. Press, pp. 100-150, 1939
^ "Rimush victory over Elam at CDLI". cdli.ucla.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
^ Potts, D. T. (2016). The Archaeology of Elam: Formation and Transformation of an Ancient Iranian State. Cambridge University Press. pp. 96–97. ISBN 978-1-107-09469-7.
^ Michalowski, Piotr, "New Sources Concerning the Reign of Naram-Sin", Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 233–46, 1980
^ [4] Maeda, Tohru, "'King of Kish' in Pre-Sargonic Sumer", Orient 17, pp. 1-17, 1981
^ "Rimush victory over Abalgamaš at CDLI View". cdli.ucla.edu.
^ ^a ^b ^c Heuzey, Léon (1895). "Le nom d'Agadé sur un monument de Sirpourla". Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale. 3 (4): 113–117. ISSN 0373-6032. JSTOR 23284246.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
^ "Site officiel du musée du Louvre". cartelfr.louvre.fr.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Foster, Benjamin R. (1985). "The Sargonic Victory Stele from Telloh". Iraq. 47: 15–30. doi:10.2307/4200229. ISSN 0021-0889. JSTOR 4200229.
^ Z. Bahrani, "Rituals of War: The Body and Violence in Mesopotamia", New York: Zone Books, 2008
^ I. J. Gelb, P. Steinkeller, and R. M. Whiting Jr, "OIP 104. Earliest Land Tenure Systems in the Near East: Ancient Kudurrus", Oriental Institute Publications 104 Chicago: The Oriental Institute, 1989, 1991 ISBN 978-0-91-898656-6 Text Plates
^ "Musée du Louvre-Lens - Portail documentaire - Stèle de victoire du roi Rimush (?)". ressources.louvrelens.fr (in French).
^ THUREAU-DANGIN, F. (1911). "Notes Assyriologiques". Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale. 8 (3): 138–141. ISSN 0373-6032. JSTOR 23284567.
^ "Site officiel du musée du Louvre". cartelfr.louvre.fr.

External links

Complete Rimush inscriptions

Regnal titles
Preceded by Sargon of Akkad	King of Akkad ca. 2214 - 2206 BC (short)	Succeeded by Manishtushu
Preceded by Sargon of Akkad	King of Kish, Uruk, Lagash, and Umma ca. 2214 - 2206 BC (short)
Preceded by Luh-ishan of Awan	Overlord of Elam ca. 2214 - 2206 BC (short)

Rulers of the Ancient Near East

Territories/ dates ^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]	Egypt		Canaan	Ebla	Mari	Kish/ Assur	Akshak/ Akkad	Uruk	Adab	Umma	Lagash	Ur	Elam
4000–3200 BCE	Naqada I Naqada II		Egypt-Mesopotamia relations	Pre-Dynastic period (4000–2900 BCE)									Susa I
4000–3200 BCE	Naqada I Naqada II			Uruk period (4000–3100 BCE) (Anu Ziggurat, 4000 BCE) (Anonymous "King-priests")									Susa II (Uruk influence or control)
3200–3100 BCE	Proto-Dynastic period (Naqada III) Early or legendary kings:
3200–3100 BCE	Upper Egypt Finger Snail Fish Pen-Abu Animal Stork Canide Bull Scorpion I Shendjw Iry-Hor Ka Scorpion II Narmer / Menes	Lower Egypt Hedju Hor Ny-Hor Hsekiu Khayu Tiu Thesh Neheb Wazner Nat-Hor Mekh Double Falcon Wash
3100–2900 BCE	Early Dynastic Period First Dynasty of Egypt Narmer Palette Narmer Menes Neithhotep^♀ (regent) Hor-Aha Djer Djet Merneith^♀ (regent) Den Anedjib Semerkhet Qa'a Sneferka Horus Bird		Canaanites	Jemdet Nasr period (3100–2900 BCE)									Proto-Elamite period (Susa III) (3100–2700 BCE)
2900 BCE	Second Dynasty of Egypt Hotepsekhemwy Nebra/Raneb Nynetjer Ba Nubnefer Horus Sa Weneg-Nebty Wadjenes Senedj Seth-Peribsen Sekhemib-Perenmaat Neferkara I Neferkasokar Hudjefa I Khasekhemwy			Early Dynastic Period I (2900–2700 BCE)
2900 BCE				First Eblaite Kingdom	First kingdom of Mari	Kish I dynasty Jushur, Kullassina-bel Nangishlishma, En-tarah-ana Babum, Puannum, Kalibum
2800 BCE						Kalumum Zuqaqip Atab Mashda Arwium Etana Balih En-me-nuna Melem-Kish Barsal-nuna		Uruk I dynasty Mesh-ki-ang-gasher
2800 BCE								Enmerkar ("conqueror of Aratta")
2700 BCE				Early Dynastic Period II (2700–2600 BCE)
						Zamug, Tizqar, Ilku Iltasadum		Lugalbanda Dumuzid, the Fisherman
						Enmebaragesi ("made the land of Elam submit")^[6]
						Aga of Kish		Gilgamesh					Old Elamite period (2700–1500 BCE) Indus-Mesopotamia relations
2600 BCE	Third Dynasty of Egypt Djoser (First Egyptian pyramids) Sekhemkhet Sanakht Nebka Khaba Qahedjet Huni			Early Dynastic Period III (2600–2340 BCE)
				Sagisu Abur-lim Agur-lim Ibbi-Damu Baba-Damu		Kish II dynasty (5 kings) Uhub Mesilim		Ur-Nungal Udulkalama Labashum			Lagash En-hegal Lugal- shaengur	Ur A-Imdugud Ur-Pabilsag Meskalamdug (Queen Puabi) Akalamdug
						Kish II dynasty (5 kings) Uhub Mesilim		Enun-dara-anna Mes-he Melamanna Lugal-kitun	Adab Nin-kisalsi Me-durba Lugal-dalu		Lagash En-hegal Lugal- shaengur
2575 BCE	Old Kingdom of Egypt Fourth Dynasty of Egypt Snefru Khufu Djedefre Khafre Bikheris Menkaure Shepseskaf Thamphthis				Ur I dynasty Mesannepada "King of Ur and Kish", victorious over Uruk
2500 BCE			Phoenicia (2500-539 BCE)		Second kingdom of Mari Ikun-Shamash Iku-Shamagan Ansud Sa'umu Ishtup-Ishar Ikun-Mari Iblul-Il Nizi	Kish III dynasty Ku-Baba^♀	Akshak dynasty Unzi Undalulu	Uruk II dynasty Ensha- kushanna	Mug-si	Umma I dynasty Pabilgagaltuku	Lagash I dynasty Ur-Nanshe Akurgal	A'annepada Meskiagnun Elulu Balulu	Awan dynasty Peli Tata Ukkutahesh Hishur
2450 BCE	Fifth Dynasty of Egypt Userkaf Sahure Neferirkare Kakai Neferefre Shepseskare Nyuserre Ini Menkauhor Kaiu Djedkare Isesi Unas			Enar-Damu Ishar-Malik						Ush Enakalle		A'annepada Meskiagnun Elulu Balulu	Awan dynasty Peli Tata Ukkutahesh Hishur
2450 BCE				Enar-Damu Ishar-Malik						Ush Enakalle		Elamite invasions (3 kings)^[6]	Shushun- tarana Napilhush
2425 BCE				Kun-Damu		Eannatum (King of Lagash, Sumer, Akkad, conqueror of Elam)
2400 BCE				Adub-Damu Igrish-Halam Irkab-Damu		Kish IV dynasty Puzur-Suen Ur-Zababa	Urur	Lugal-kinishe-dudu Lugal-kisalsi	E-iginimpa'e Meskigal	Ur-Lumma Il Gishakidu (Queen Bara-irnun)	Enannatum Entemena Enannatum II Enentarzi	Ur II dynasty Nanni Mesh-ki-ang-Nanna II	Kiku-siwe-tempti
2380 BCE	Sixth Dynasty of Egypt Teti Userkare Pepi I Merenre Nemtyemsaf I Pepi II Merenre Nemtyemsaf II Netjerkare Siptah			Adab dynasty Lugalannemundu "King of the four quarters of the world"
2370 BCE				Isar-Damu	Enna-Dagan Ikun-Ishar Ishqi-Mari	Invasion by Mari Anbu, Anba, Bazi, Zizi of Mari, Limer, Sharrum-iter^[6]				Ukush	Lugalanda Urukagina		Luh-ishan
2350 BCE				Isar-Damu	Enna-Dagan Ikun-Ishar Ishqi-Mari		Puzur-Nirah Ishu-Il Shu-Sin	Uruk III dynasty Lugalzagesi (Governor of Umma, King of all Sumer)					Luh-ishan
2340 BCE					Akkadian Period (2340–2150 BCE)
2340 BCE				Akkadian Empire Sargon of Akkad Rimush Manishtushu									Akkadian Governors: Eshpum Ilshu-rabi Epirmupi Ili-ishmani
2250 BCE				Naram-Sin							Lugal-ushumgal (vassal of the Akkadians)
2200 BCE	First Intermediate Period Seventh Dynasty of Egypt Eighth Dynasty of Egypt Menkare Neferkare II Neferkare Neby Djedkare Shemai Neferkare Khendu Merenhor Neferkamin Nikare Neferkare Tereru Neferkahor Neferkare Pepiseneb Neferkamin Anu Qakare Ibi Neferkaure Neferkauhor Neferirkare			Second Eblaite Kingdom	Third kingdom of Mari (Shakkanakku dynasty) Ididish Shu-Dagan Ishma-Dagan (Vassals of the Akkadians)	Shar-Kali-Sharri					Lugal-ushumgal (vassal of the Akkadians)
2200 BCE						Igigi, Imi, Nanum, Ilulu (3 years) Dudu Shu-turul		Uruk IV dynasty Ur-nigin Ur-gigir			Lagash II dynasty Puzer-Mama Ur-Ningirsu I Pirig-me Lu-Baba Lu-gula Ka-ku		Hishep-Ratep Helu Khita Puzur-Inshushinak
2150 BCE	Ninth Dynasty of Egypt Meryibre Khety Neferkare VII Nebkaure Khety Setut				Ur III period (2150–2000 BCE)
					Nûr-Mêr Ishtup-Ilum Ishgum-Addu Apil-kin	Gutian dynasty (21 kings) La-erabum Si'um		Kuda (Uruk) Puzur-ili Ur-Utu		Umma II dynasty Lugalannatum (vassal of the Gutians)	Ur-Baba Gudea Ur-Ningirsu Ur-gar Nam-mahani
						Tirigan					Ur-Baba Gudea Ur-Ningirsu Ur-gar Nam-mahani
2125 BCE	Tenth Dynasty of Egypt Meryhathor Neferkare VIII Wahkare Khety Merykare					Uruk V dynasty Utu-hengal
2100 BCE				(Vassals of UR III)	Iddi-ilum Ili-Ishar Tura-Dagan Puzur-Ishtar (Vassals of Ur III)^[7]	Ur III dynasty "Kings of Ur, Sumer and Akkad" Ur-Nammu Shulgi Amar-Sin Shu-Sin
2025-1763 BCE				Amorite invasions							Ibbi-Sin	Elamite invasions Kindattu (Shimashki Dynasty)
	Middle Kingdom of Egypt Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt Mentuhotep I Intef I Intef II Intef III Mentuhotep II Mentuhotep III Mentuhotep IV
				Third Eblaite Kingdom (Amorites) Ibbit-Lim Immeya Indilimma	(Amorite Shakkanakkus) Hitial-Erra Hanun-Dagan (...) Lim Dynasty of Mari (Amorites) Yaggid-Lim Yahdun-Lim Yasmah-Adad Zimri-Lim (Queen Shibtu)	Old Assyria Puzur-Ashur I Shalim-ahum Ilu-shuma Erishum I Ikunum Sargon I Puzur-Ashur II Naram-Sin Erishum II	Isin-Larsa period (Amorites) Dynasty of Isin: Ishbi-Erra Shu-Ilishu Iddin-Dagan Ishme-Dagan Lipit-Eshtar Ur-Ninurta Bur-Suen Lipit-Enlil Erra-imitti Enlil-bani Zambiya Iter-pisha Ur-du-kuga Suen-magir Damiq-ilishu Dynasty of Larsa: Naplanum Emisum Samium Zabaia Gungunum Abisare Sumuel Nur-Adad Sin-Iddinam Sin-Eribam Sin-Iqisham Silli-Adad Warad-Sin Rim-Sin I (...) Rim-Sin II Uruk VI dynasty: Alila-hadum Sumu-binasa Naram-Sin of Uruk Sîn-kāšid Sîn-iribam Sîn-gāmil Ilum-gamil Anam of Uruk Irdanene Rim-Anum Nabi-ilišu						Sukkalmah dynasty Siwe-Palar-Khuppak
	Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt Amenemhat I Senusret I Amenemhat II Senusret II Senusret III Amenemhat III Amenemhat IV Sobekneferu^♀
1800–1595 BCE	Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt		Abraham (Biblical) Kings of Byblos Kings of Tyre Kings of Sidon	Yamhad (Yamhad dynasty) (Amorites)	Old Assyria (Shamshi-Adad dynasty 1808–1736 BCE) (Amorites) Shamshi-Adad I Ishme-Dagan I Mut-Ashkur Rimush Asinum Ashur-dugul Ashur-apla-idi Nasir-Sin Sin-namir Ipqi-Ishtar Adad-salulu Adasi (Non-dynastic usurpers 1735–1701 BCE) Puzur-Sin Ashur-dugul Ashur-apla-idi Nasir-Sin Sin-namir Ipqi-Ishtar Adad-salulu Adasi (Adaside dynasty 1700–722 BCE) Bel-bani Libaya Sharma-Adad I Iptar-Sin Bazaya Lullaya Shu-Ninua Sharma-Adad II Erishum III Shamshi-Adad II Ishme-Dagan II Shamshi-Adad III Ashur-nirari I Puzur-Ashur III Enlil-nasir I Nur-ili Ashur-shaduni Ashur-rabi I Ashur-nadin-ahhe I Enlil-Nasir II Ashur-nirari II Ashur-bel-nisheshu Ashur-rim-nisheshu Ashur-nadin-ahhe II		First Babylonian dynasty ("Old Babylonian Period") (Amorites) Sumu-abum Sumu-la-El Sin-muballit Sabium Apil-Sin Sin-muballit Hammurabi Samsu-iluna Abi-eshuh Ammi-ditana Ammi-saduqa Samsu-Ditana Early Kassite rulers				Second Babylonian dynasty ("Sealand Dynasty") Ilum-ma-ili Itti-ili-nibi Damqi-ilishu Ishkibal Shushushi Gulkishar ^mDIŠ+U-EN Peshgaldaramesh Ayadaragalama Akurduana Melamkurkurra Ea-gamil
1800–1595 BCE	Second Intermediate Period Sixteenth Dynasty Abydos Dynasty Seventeenth Dynasty	Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt ("Hyksos") Pharaoh Ahmose I slaying a Hyksos Semqen 'Aper-'Anati Sakir-Har Khyan Apepi Khamudi		Mitanni (1600–1260 BCE) Kirta Shuttarna I Parshatatar
1531–1155 BCE	Tutankhamun New Kingdom of Egypt Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt Ahmose I Amenhotep I			Mitanni (1600–1260 BCE) Kirta Shuttarna I Parshatatar			Third Babylonian dynasty (Kassites) Agum-Kakrime Burnaburiash I Kashtiliash III Ulamburiash Agum III Karaindash Kadashman-harbe I Kurigalzu I Kadashman-Enlil I Burnaburiash II Kara-hardash Nazi-Bugash Kurigalzu II Nazi-Maruttash Kadashman-Turgu Kadashman-Enlil II Kudur-Enlil Shagarakti-Shuriash Kashtiliashu IV Enlil-nadin-shumi Kadashman-Harbe II Adad-shuma-iddina Adad-shuma-usur Meli-Shipak II Marduk-apla-iddina I Zababa-shuma-iddin Enlil-nadin-ahi						Middle Elamite period (1500–1100 BCE) Kidinuid dynasty Igehalkid dynasty Untash-Napirisha
	Thutmose I Thutmose II Hatshepsut^♀ Thutmose III
	Amenhotep II Thutmose IV Amenhotep III Akhenaten Smenkhkare Neferneferuaten^♀ Tutankhamun Ay Horemheb			Hittite Empire Ugarit
	Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt Ramesses I Seti I Ramesses II Merneptah Amenmesses Seti II Siptah Twosret^♀			Hittite Empire Ugarit			Elamite Empire Shutrukid dynasty Shutruk-Nakhunte
1155–1025 BCE	Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt Setnakhte Ramesses III Ramesses IV Ramesses V Ramesses VI Ramesses VII Ramesses VIII Ramesses IX Ramesses X Ramesses XI Third Intermediate Period Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt Smendes Amenemnisu Psusennes I Amenemope Osorkon the Elder Siamun Psusennes II		Phoenicia Kings of Byblos Kings of Tyre Kings of Sidon Kingdom of Israel Saul Ish-bosheth David Solomon	Syro-Hittite states	Middle Assyria Eriba-Adad I Ashur-uballit I Enlil-nirari Arik-den-ili Adad-nirari I Shalmaneser I Tukulti-Ninurta I Ashur-nadin-apli Ashur-nirari III Enlil-kudurri-usur Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ashur-dan I Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur Mutakkil-Nusku Ashur-resh-ishi I Tiglath-Pileser I Asharid-apal-Ekur Ashur-bel-kala Eriba-Adad II Shamshi-Adad IV Ashurnasirpal I Shalmaneser II Ashur-nirari IV Ashur-rabi II Ashur-resh-ishi II Tiglath-Pileser II Ashur-dan II		Fourth Babylonian dynasty ("Second Dynasty of Isin") Marduk-kabit-ahheshu Itti-Marduk-balatu Ninurta-nadin-shumi Nebuchadnezzar I Enlil-nadin-apli Marduk-nadin-ahhe Marduk-shapik-zeri Adad-apla-iddina Marduk-ahhe-eriba Marduk-zer-X Nabu-shum-libur						Neo-Elamite period (1100–540 BCE)
1025–934 BCE							Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Babylonian dynasties ("Period of Chaos") Simbar-shipak Ea-mukin-zeri Kashshu-nadin-ahi Eulmash-shakin-shumi Ninurta-kudurri-usur I Shirikti-shuqamuna Mar-biti-apla-usur Nabû-mukin-apli						Neo-Elamite period (1100–540 BCE)
911–745 BCE	Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt Shoshenq I Osorkon I Shoshenq II Takelot I Osorkon II Shoshenq III Shoshenq IV Pami Shoshenq V Pedubast II Osorkon IV Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt Harsiese A Takelot II Pedubast I Shoshenq VI Osorkon III Takelot III Rudamun Menkheperre Ini Twenty-fourth Dynasty of Egypt Tefnakht Bakenranef		Kingdom of Samaria Kingdom of Judah		Neo-Assyrian Empire Adad-nirari II Tukulti-Ninurta II Ashurnasirpal II Shalmaneser III Shamshi-Adad V Shammuramat^♀ (regent) Adad-nirari III Shalmaneser IV Ashur-Dan III Ashur-nirari V		Ninth Babylonian Dynasty Ninurta-kudurri-usur II Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina Shamash-mudammiq Nabu-shuma-ukin I Nabu-apla-iddina Marduk-zakir-shumi I Marduk-balassu-iqbi Baba-aha-iddina (five kings) Ninurta-apla-X Marduk-bel-zeri Marduk-apla-usur Eriba-Marduk Nabu-shuma-ishkun Nabonassar Nabu-nadin-zeri Nabu-shuma-ukin II Nabu-mukin-zeri						Humban-Tahrid dynasty Urtak Teumman Ummanigash Tammaritu I Indabibi Humban-haltash III
745–609 BCE	Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt Taharqa ("Black Pharaohs") Piye Shebitku Shabaka Taharqa Tanutamun		Neo-Assyrian Empire (Sargonid dynasty) Tiglath-Pileser^† Shalmaneser^† Marduk-apla-iddina II Sargon^† Sennacherib^† Marduk-zakir-shumi II Marduk-apla-iddina II Bel-ibni Ashur-nadin-shumi^† Nergal-ushezib Mushezib-Marduk Esarhaddon^† Ashurbanipal Ashur-etil-ilani Sinsharishkun Sin-shumu-lishir Ashur-uballit II
745–609 BCE	Assyrian conquest of Egypt												Assyrian conquest of Elam
626–539 BCE	Late Period Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt Necho I Psamtik I Necho II Psamtik II Wahibre Ahmose II Psamtik III		Neo-Babylonian Empire Nabopolassar Nebuchadnezzar II Amel-Marduk Neriglissar Labashi-Marduk Nabonidus										Median Empire Deioces Phraortes Madyes Cyaxares Astyages
539–331 BCE	Twenty-seventh Dynasty of Egypt (First Achaemenid conquest of Egypt)		Kings of Byblos Kings of Tyre Kings of Sidon	Achaemenid Empire Cyrus Cambyses Darius I Xerxes Artaxerxes I Darius II Artaxerxes II Artaxerxes III Artaxerxes IV Darius III
	Twenty-eighth Dynasty of Egypt Twenty-ninth Dynasty of Egypt Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt
	Thirty-first Dynasty of Egypt
331–141 BCE	Argead dynasty and Ptolemaic Egypt Ptolemy I Soter Ptolemy Keraunos Ptolemy II Philadelphus Arsinoe II^♀ Ptolemy III Euergetes Berenice II Euergetis^♀ Ptolemy IV Philopator Arsinoe III Philopator^♀ Ptolemy V Epiphanes Cleopatra I Syra^♀ Ptolemy VI Philometor Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator Cleopatra II Philometor Soter^♀ Ptolemy VIII Physcon Cleopatra III^♀ Ptolemy IX Lathyros Cleopatra IV^♀ Ptolemy X Alexander Berenice III^♀ Ptolemy XI Alexander Ptolemy XII Auletes Cleopatra V^♀ Cleopatra VI Tryphaena^♀ Berenice IV Epiphanea^♀ Ptolemy XIII Ptolemy XIV Cleopatra VII Philopator^♀ Ptolemy XV Caesarion Arsinoe IV^♀		Hellenistic Period Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm from Babylon Argead dynasty: Alexander III Philip III Alexander IV Antigonid dynasty: Antigonus I Seleucid Empire: Seleucus I Antiochus I Antiochus II Seleucus II Seleucus III Antiochus III Seleucus IV Antiochus IV Antiochus V Demetrius I Alexander III Demetrius II Antiochus VI Dionysus Diodotus Tryphon Antiochus VII Sidetes
141–30 BCE			Kingdom of Judea Simon Thassi John Hyrcanus Aristobulus I Alexander Jannaeus Salome Alexandra^♀ Hyrcanus II Aristobulus II Antigonus II Mattathias	Alexander II Zabinas Seleucus V Philometor Antiochus VIII Grypus Antiochus IX Cyzicenus Seleucus VI Epiphanes Antiochus X Eusebes Antiochus XI Epiphanes Demetrius III Eucaerus Philip I Philadelphus Antiochus XII Dionysus Antiochus XIII Asiaticus Philip II Philoromaeus	Parthian Empire Mithridates I Phraates Hyspaosines Artabanus Mithridates II Gotarzes Mithridates III Orodes I Sinatruces Phraates III Mithridates IV Orodes II Phraates IV Tiridates II Musa Phraates V Orodes III Vonones I Artabanus II Tiridates III Artabanus II Vardanes I Gotarzes II Meherdates Vonones II Vologases I Vardanes II Pacorus II Vologases II Artabanus III Osroes I
30 BCE–116 CE	Roman Empire
30 BCE–116 CE	(Roman conquest of Egypt) Province of Egypt		Judea	Syria
116–117 CE			Judea		Province of Mesopotamia under Trajan			Parthamaspates of Parthia
117–224 CE			Syria Palaestina		Province of Mesopotamia	Sinatruces II Mithridates V Vologases IV Osroes II Vologases V Vologases VI Artabanus IV
224–270 CE			Syria Palaestina		Province of Mesopotamia	Sasanian Empire Province of Asoristan Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint. Ardashir I Shapur I Hormizd I Bahram I Bahram II Bahram III Narseh Hormizd II Adur Narseh Shapur II Ardashir II Shapur III Bahram IV Yazdegerd I Shapur IV Khosrow Bahram V Yazdegerd II Hormizd III Peroz I Balash Kavad I Jamasp Kavad I Khosrow I Hormizd IV Khosrow II Bahram VI Chobin Vistahm
270–273 CE	Palmyrene Empire Vaballathus Zenobia^♀ Antiochus
273–395 CE	Roman Empire
273–395 CE	Province of Egypt		Syria Palaestina	Syria	Province of Mesopotamia
395–618 CE	Byzantine Empire
395–618 CE	Byzantine Egypt		Palaestina Prima, Palaestina Secunda	Byzantine Syria	Byzantine Mesopotamia
618–628 CE	(Sasanian conquest of Egypt) Province of Egypt Shahrbaraz Sahralanyozan Shahrbaraz		Sasanian Empire Province of Asoristan Khosrow II Kavad II
628–641 CE	Byzantine Empire					Ardashir III Shahrbaraz Khosrow III Boran^♀ Shapur-i Shahrvaraz Azarmidokht^♀ Farrukh Hormizd Hormizd VI Khosrow IV Boran Yazdegerd III Peroz III Narsieh
628–641 CE	Byzantine Egypt		Palaestina Prima, Palaestina Secunda	Byzantine Syria	Byzantine Mesopotamia
639–651 CE	Muslim conquest of Egypt		Muslim conquest of the Levant		Muslim conquest of Mesopotamia and Persia
Chronology of the Neolithic period							Rulers of Ancient Central Asia
^ Rulers with names in italics are considered fictional. ^ Hallo, W.; Simpson, W. (1971). The Ancient Near East. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich. pp. 48–49. ^ "Rulers of Mesopotamia". cdli.ox.ac.uk. University of Oxford, CNRS. ^ Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2. ^ Roux, Georges (1992). Ancient Iraq. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 532–534 (Chronological Tables). ISBN 978-0-14-193825-7. ^ ^a ^b ^c Per Sumerian King List ^ Unger, Merrill F. (2014). Israel and the Aramaeans of Damascus: A Study in Archaeological Illumination of Bible History. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-62564-606-4.