Short chronology timeline

The short chronology is one of the chronologies of the Near Eastern Bronze and Early Iron Age, which fixes the reign of Hammurabi to 1728–1686 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 1792–1750 BC) is still commonly encountered in literature and the most recent work has essentially disproved the short chronology.^[1] For much of the period in question, middle chronology dates can be calculated by adding 64 years to the corresponding short chronology date (e.g. 1728 BC in short chronology corresponds to 1792 in middle chronology).

After the so-called "dark age" between the fall of Babylon and the rise of the Kassite dynasty in Babylonia, absolute dating becomes less uncertain.^[2] While exact dates are still not agreed upon, the 64-year middle/short chronology dichotomy no longer applies from the beginning of the Third Babylon Dynasty onward.

Early Bronze Age

Estimation of absolute dates becomes possible for the second 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 Mari (in modern Syria) competed for power at this time. Eventually, under Irkab-Damu, Ebla defeated Mari for control of the region just in time to face the rise of Uruk and Akkad. After years of back and forth, Ebla was destroyed by the Akkadian Empire. Pottery seals of the Egyptian pharaoh Pepi I have been found in the wreckage of the city. ^[3]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Igrish-Halam	circa 2300 BC
Irkab-Damu		Contemporary of Iblul-Il of Mari
Ar-Ennum or Reshi-Ennum
Ibrium or Ebrium		Contemporary of Tudiya of Assyria (treaty)
Ibbi-Sipish or Ibbi-Zikir		Son of Ibrium
Dubuhu-Ada		Ebla destroyed by Naram-Sin of Akkad or Sargon of Akkad

Sumer

Third Dynasty of Uruk

Lugal-zage-si of Umma rules from Uruk after defeating Lagash, eventually falling to the emerging Akkadian Empire.^[4]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Lugal-zage-si	2295–2271 BC	Defeats Urukagina of Lagash and is in turn defeated by Sargon of Akkad

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 was destroyed by the Guti.^[5][6][7]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Sargon	2270–2215 BC
Rimush	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	2153–2129 BC	Son of Naram-sin
Irgigi
Nanum
Imi
Ilulu
Dudu	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 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.^[8]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Erridupizir	2141–2138 BC	Royal inscription at Nippur
Imta or Nibia (There is no kings for 3 or 5 years)	2138–2135 BC
Inkishush	2135–2129 BC	First Gutian ruler on the Sumerian king list
Sarlagab	2129–2126 BC
Shulme	2126–2120 BC
Elulmesh or Silulumesh	2120–2114 BC
Inimabakesh	2114–2109 BC
Igeshaush or Igeaus	2109–2103 BC
Yarlagab 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	2064–2057 BC	Foundation inscription at Umma
Si-um or Si-u	2057–2050 BC	Foundation inscription at Umma
Tirigan	2050–2050 BC	Contemporary of Utu-hengal of Uruk

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.^[9] Note that there is some indication that the order of the last two rulers of Lagash should be reversed. ^[10]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Lugalushumgal	ca. 2140	ruled under Gutian kings
Puzer-Mama
Ur-Utu
Ur-Mama
Lu-Baba
Lugula
Kaku or Kakug	ended 2093
Ur-Bau or Ur-baba	2093–2080 BC
Gudea	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 records a preceding 4th Dynasty of Uruk which is as yet unattested. ^[11]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Utu-hengal	2055–2048 BC	Appoints Ur-Namma as governor of Ur

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 Elamites and Shimashki, the dynasty included little more than the area around Ur.^{[12] [13] [14]}

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Ur-Namma or Ur-Engur	2047–2030 BC	Defeated Nammahani of Lagash; Contemporary of Utu-hengal of Uruk
Shulgi	2029–1982 BC	Possible lunar/solar eclipse 2005 BC[15]
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 under Ibbi-Suen, Isin reaches its peak under Ishme-Dagan. Weakened by attacks from the upstart Babylonians, Isin eventually falls to its rival Larsa under Rim-Sin I.^[16][17]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Ishbi-Erra	1953–1921 BC	Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur III
Šu-ilišu	1920–1911 BC	Son of Ishbi-Erra
Iddin-Dagan	1910–1890 BC	Son of Shu-ilishu
Ishme-Dagan	1889–1871 BC	Son of Iddin-Dagan
Lipit-Eshtar	1870–1860 BC	Contemporary of Gungunum of Larsa
Ur-Ninurta	1859–1832 BC	Contemporary of Abisare of Larsa
Bur-Suen	1831–1811 BC	Son of Ur-Ninurta
Lipit-Enlil	1810–1806 BC	Son of Bur-Suen
Erra-Imittī or Ura-imitti	1805–1799 BC
Enlil-bāni	1798–1775 BC	Contemporary of Sumu-la-El of Babylon
Zambīia	1774–1772 BC	Contemporary of Sin-Iqisham of Larsa
Iter-piša	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 during the reign of Hammurabi, conqueror of Larsa. It is suspected that the list elevated the first several Amorite Isinite 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.^{[18] [19] [20]}

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Naplanum	1961–1940 BC	Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur III
Emisum	1940–1912 BC
Samium	1912–1877 BC
Zabaia	1877–1868 BC	Son of Samium, First royal inscription
Gungunum	1868–1841 BC	Gained independence from Lipit-Eshtar of Isin
Abisare	1841–1830 BC
Sumuel	1830–1801 BC
Nur-Adad	1801–1785 BC	Contemporary of Sumu-la-El of Babylon
Sin-Iddinam	1785–1778 BC	Son of Nur-Adad
Sin-Eribam	1778–1776 BC
Sin-Iqisham	1776–1771 BC	Contemporary of Zambiya of Isin, Son of Sin-Eribam
Silli-Adad	1771–1770 BC
Warad-Sin	1770–1758 BC	Possible co-regency with Kudur-Mabuk his father
Rim-Sin I	1758–1699 BC	Contemporary of Irdanene of Uruk, Defeated by Hammurabi of Babylon, Brother of Warad-Sin
Hammurabi of Babylon	1699–1686 BC	Official Babylonian rule
Samsu-iluna of Babylon	1686–1678 BC	Official Babylonian rule
Rim-Sin II	1678–1674 BC	Killed in revolt against Babylon

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.^[21][22]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Sumu-abum or Su-abu	1830–1817 BC	Contemporary of Ilushuma of Assyria
Sumu-la-El	1817–1781 BC	Contemporary of Erishum I of Assyria
Sabium or Sabum	1781–1767 BC	Son of Sumu-la-El
Apil-Sin	1767–1749 BC	Son of Sabium
Sin-muballit	1748–1729 BC	Son of Apil-Sin
Hammurabi	1728–1686 BC	Contemporary of Zimri-Lim of Mari, Siwe-palar-huppak of Elam and Shamshi-Adad I
Samsu-iluna	1686–1648 BC	Son of Hammurabi
Abi-eshuh or Abieshu	1648–1620 BC	Son of Samsu-iluna
Ammi-ditana	1620–1583 BC	Son of Abi-eshuh
Ammi-saduqa or Ammisaduqa	1582–1562 BC	Venus tablet of Ammisaduqa
Samsu-Ditana	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.^[23] 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.^[24][25]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Ilumael or Ilum-ma-ilī	circa 1700 BC	Contemporary of Samsu-iluna and Abi-eshuh of the First Dynasty of Babylon
Itti-ili-nībī
Damqi-ilišu II
Iškibal
Šušši
Gulkišar
^mDIŠ+U-EN (reading unknown)
Pešgaldarameš		Son of Gulkishar
Ayadaragalama		Son (=descendant) of Gulkishar
Akurduana
Melamkurkurra
Ea-gâmil	ca. 1460 BC	Contemporary of Ulamburiash of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon

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 synchronisms are local to the region in and near Anatolia.

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Pusarruma
Labarna I
Hattusili I or Labarna II	1586–1556 BC	Grandfather of Mursili I
Mursili I	1556–1526 BC	Sacked Babylon in reign of Samsu-Ditana of Babylon
Hantili I	1526–1496 BC
Zidanta I	1496–1486 BC
Ammuna	1486–1466 BC	Son of Hantili I
Huzziya I	1466–1461 BC	Son of Ammuna

Late Bronze Age

The Middle Assyrian period (14th to 12th centuries)

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 steles. Relative dating is from sychronisms with Egypt, Assyria and the Hittites. The dynasty ends with the defeat of Enlil-nadin-ahi by Elam.^{[26][27][28][29]}

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Agum II or Agum-Kakrime
Burnaburiash I		Treaty with Puzur-Ashur III of Assyria
Kashtiliash III
Ulamburiash		Conquers the first Sealand dynasty
Agum III
Karaindash		Treaty with Ashur-bel-nisheshu of Assyria
Kadashman-harbe I		Campaign against the Sutû
Kurigalzu I		Founder of Dur-Kurigalzu and contemporary of Thutmose IV
Kadashman-Enlil I	1374–1360 BC	Contemporary of Amenophis III of the Egyptian Amarna letters
Burnaburiash II	1359–1333 BC	Contemporary of Akhenaten and Ashur-uballit I
Kara-hardash	1333 BC	Grandson of Ashur-uballit I of Assyria
Nazi-Bugash or Shuzigash	1333 BC	Usurper "son of a nobody"
Kurigalzu II	1332–1308 BC	Son of Burnaburiash II, Fought Battle of Sugagi with Enlil-nirari of Assyria
Nazi-Maruttash	1307–1282 BC	Contemporary of Adad-nirari I of Assyria
Kadashman-Turgu	1281–1264 BC	Contemporary of Hattusili III of the Hittites
Kadashman-Enlil II	1263–1255 BC	Contemporary of Hattusili III of the Hittites
Kudur-Enlil	1254–1246 BC	Time of Nippur renaissance
Shagarakti-Shuriash	1245–1233 BC	"Non-son of Kudur-Enlil" according to Tukulti-Ninurta I of Assyria
Kashtiliashu IV	1232–1225 BC	Contemporary of Tukulti-Ninurta I of Assyria
Enlil-nadin-shumi	1224 BC	Assyria installed vassal king
Kadashman-Harbe II	1223 BC	Assyria installed vassal king
Adad-shuma-iddina	1222–1217 BC	Assyria installed vassal king
Adad-shuma-usur	1216–1187 BC	Contemporary of Ashur-nirari III of Assyria
Meli-Shipak II	1186–1172 BC	Correspondence with Ninurta-apal-Ekur confirming foundation of Near East chronology
Marduk-apla-iddina I	1171–1159 BC
Zababa-shuma-iddin	1158 BC	Defeated by Shutruk-Nahhunte of Elam
Enlil-nadin-ahi	1157–1155 BC	Defeated by Kutir-Nahhunte of 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 Assyrian 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.^[30][31]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Kirta	ca. 1500 BC
Parshatatar or Parrattarna		Son of Kirta
Shaushtatar		Contemporary of Idrimi of Alalakh, Sacks Ashur
Artatama I		Treaty with Pharaoh Thutmose IV of Egypt, Contemporary of Pharaoh Amenhotep II of Egypt
Shuttarna II		Daughter marries Pharaoh Amenhotep III of Egypt in his year 10
Artashumara		Son of Shutarna II, brief reign
Tushratta	ca. 1350 BC	Contemporary of Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites and Pharaohs Amenhotep III and Amenhotep IV of Egypt, Amarna letters
Artatama II		Treaty with Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites, ruled same time as Tushratta
Shuttarna III		Contemporary of Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites
Shattiwaza		Mitanni becomes vassal of the Hittite Empire
Shattuara I		Mittani becomes vassal of Assyria under Adad-nirari I
Wasashatta		Son of Shattuara I

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 Assyrian periods could be taken as accurate history. That view has changed over the years and the early Assyrian chronology is being re-assessed. Since there is yet no consensus, the traditional order and regnal lengths will be followed.^[32][33][34]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Eriba-Adad I	1380–1353 BC
Ashur-uballit I	1353–1318 BC	Contemporary of Burnaburiash II of Babylon and Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites
Enlil-nirari	1317–1308 BC	Fought Battle of Sugagi with Kurigalzu II of Babylon, Son of Ashur-uballit I
Arik-den-ili	1307–1296 BC
Adad-nirari I	1295–1264 BC	Contemporary of Shattuara I and Wasashatta of Mitanni
Shalmaneser I	1263–1234 BC	Son of Adad-nirari I
Tukulti-Ninurta I	1233–1197 BC	Contemporary of Kashtiliashu IV of Babylon
Ashur-nadin-apli	1196–1194 BC	Son of Tukulti-Ninurta I
Ashur-nirari III	1193–1188 BC	Contemporary of Adad-shuma-usur of Babylon and Son of Ashur-nadin-apli
Enlil-kudurri-usur	1187–1183 BC	Son of Tukulti-Ninurta I
Ninurta-apal-Ekur	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, 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.^{[35][36][37][38]}

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Tudhaliya III	1360–1344 BC	Son of Tudhaliya II
Suppiluliuma I	1344–1322 BC	Son of Tudhaliya III, Contemporary of Tushratta of Mitanni
Arnuwanda II	1322–1321 BC	Son of Suppiluliuma I
Mursili II	1321–1295 BC	Son of Suppiluliuma I; Mursili's eclipse
Muwatalli II	1295–1272 BC	Son of Mursili II, Battle of Kadesh in year 5 of Ramses II of Egypt,
Mursili III or Urhi-Teshub	1272–1267 BC	Son of Muwatalli II
Hattusili III	1267–1237 BC	Son of Mursili II, Treaty in year 21 of Ramses II of Egypt, Contemporary of Shalmaneser I of Assyria & Kadashman-Turgu of Babylon
Tudhaliya IV	1237–1209 BC	Son of Hattusili III, Battle of Nihriya
Arnuwanda III	1209–1207 BC	Son of Tudhaliya IV
Suppiluliuma II	1207–1178 BC	Son of Tudhaliya IV, Fall of Hattusa

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.^[39][40]

Ruler	Proposed reign	Notes
Ammittamru I	ca. 1350 BC
Niqmaddu II		Contemporary of Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites
Arhalba
Niqmepa		Treaty with Mursili II of the Hittites, Son of Niqmadu II,
Ammittamru II		Contemporary of Bentisina of Amurru, Son of Niqmepa
Ibiranu
Niqmaddu III
Ammurapi	ca. 1200 BC	Contemporary of Chancellor Bay of Egypt, Ugarit is destroyed

Iron Age

The Early Iron Age (12th to 7th centuries BC). While not subject to 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.^[41]

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.^[42][43]

Ruler	Reign	Notes
Marduk-kabit-aḫḫēšu	1157–1140 BC
Itti-Marduk-balāṭu	1139–1132 BC
Ninurta-nādin-šumi	1131–1126 BC	Contemporary of Ashur-resh-ishi I of Assyria
Nebuchadnezzar I	1125–1104 BC	Orig. Nabu-kudurri-usur, Contemporary of Ashur-resh-ishi I
Enlil-nadin-apli	1103–1100 BC	Son of Nebuchadnezzar I
Marduk-nadin-ahhe	1099–1082 BC	Contemporary of Tiglath-Pileser I of Assyria
Marduk-šāpik-zēri	1081–1069 BC	Contemporary of Ashur-bel-kala of Assyria
Adad-apla-iddina	1168–1147 BC	Contemporary of Ashur-bel-kala
Marduk-aḫḫē-erība	1046 BC
Marduk-zer-X	1045–1034 BC
Nabû-šuma-libūr	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	1179–1133 BC	Son of Ninurta-apal-Ekur
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

Babylon

Dynasties V to IX of Babylon (post-Kassite):

Ruler	Reign	Notes
Simbar-šipak	1025–1008 BC	Dynasty V – Second Sealand Dynasty
Ea-mukin-zēri	1008 BC
Kaššu-nādin-aḫi	1008–1004 BC
Eulmaš-šākin-šumi	1004–987 BC	Dynasty VI – Bῑt-Bazi Dynasty
Ninurta-kudurrῑ-uṣur I	987–985 BC
Širikti-šuqamuna	985 BC
Mâr-bîti-apla-uṣur	985–979 BC	Dynasty VII – Dynasty of "Elam"
Nabû-mukin-apli	979–943 BC	Dynasty VIII – Dynasty of E
Ninurta-kudurri-usur II	943 BC	Dynasty IX
Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina	943–920 BC
Šamaš-mudammiq	circa 900 BC
Nabû-šuma-ukin I
Nabu-apla-iddina
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 (Nabu-nasir)	748–734 BC	Contemporary of Tiglath-Pileser III
Nabu-nadin-zeri	734–732 BC
Nabu-šuma-ukin II	732 BC

Neo-Assyrian Empire

The Assyrian 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.^[44][45][46]

Ruler	Reign	Notes
Adad-nirari II	912–891 BC
Tukulti-Ninurta II	890–884 BC	Son of Adad-nirari II
Assur-nasir-pal II	883–859 BC	Son of Tukulti-Ninurta II
Shalmaneser III	858–824 BC	Battle of Qarqar
Shamshi-Adad V	823–811 BC	Treaty with Marduk-zakir-sumi I of Babylon
Adad-nirari III	810–783 BC	Regent Shammu-ramat
Shalmaneser IV	782–773 BC	Son of Adad-nirari III
Ashur-Dan III	772–755 BC	Eclipse on June 15 763 BC
Ashur-nirari V	754–745 BC
Tiglath-Pileser III	744–727 BC	Contemporary of Nabonassar of Babylon
Shalmaneser V	726–722 BC	Contemporary of Rusas I of Urartu
Sargon II	721–705 BC	Contemporary of Marduk-apla-iddina II of Babylon
Sennacherib	704–681 BC	Contemporary of Shutruk-Nahhunte II of Elam
Esarhaddon	680–669 BC	Contemporary of Pharaoh Taharqa of Egypt
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 of Assyria	732–729 BC
Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria	729–727 BC
Shalmaneser V of Assyria	727–722 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina II	722–710 BC
Sargon II of Assyria	710–705 BC
Sennacherib of Assyria	705–703 BC
Marduk-zakir-shumi II	703 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina II	703 BC
Bel-ibni	703–700 BC	Assyrian appointed governor
Ashur-nadin-shumi	700–694 BC	Son of Sennacherib of Assyria
Nergal-ushezib	694–693 BC
Mushezib-Marduk	693–689 BC
Sennacherib of Assyria	689–681 BC
Esarhaddon of Assyria	681–669 BC
Shamash-shum-ukin	668–648 BC	Son of Esarhaddon of Assyria
Kandalanu	648–627 BC
Sin-shumu-lishir	626 BC
Sinsharishkun	ca. 627–620 BC	Son of Assurbanipal of Assyria

Classical Antiquity

For times after Assurbanipal (died 627 BC), see:

• Median Empire (c.615–549 BC), see List of Kings of the Medes
• Neo-Babylonian Empire (626–539 BC)
• Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC)

The Hellenistic period begins with the conquests of Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

See also

• Timeline of the Middle East
• Chronology of the ancient Near East

Notes

1. Manning, S. W.; Kromer, B.; Kuniholm, P. I.; and Newton, M. W. 2001 Anatolian tree-rings and a new chronology for the east Mediterranean Bronze-Iron Ages. Science 294: 2532-35.
2. , Schwartz, Glenn, 2008. "Problems of Chronology: Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Syro-Levantine Region." In Beyond Babylon: Art, Trade, and Diplomacy in the Second Millennium B.C., edited by Joan Aruz, Kim Benzel, and Jean M. Evans: 450-452.
3. A Victory over Mari and the Fall of Ebla, Alfonso Archi, Maria Giovanna Biga, Journal of Cuneiform Studies, Vol. 55, 2003, pp. 1-44
4. Sumerian and Akkadian Royal Inscriptions: Presargonic Inscriptions, Jerold S. Cooper, Eisenbrauns, 1986, ISBN 0-940490-82-X
5. The Genesis and Collapse of Third Millennium North Mesopotamian Civilization, H. Weiss et al., Science, Aug 20, pp. 995-1004, 1993
6. Historical Perception in the Sargonic Literary Tradition. The Implication of Copied Texts, Rosetta 1, pp 1-9, 2006
7. The Sargonic and Gutian Periods (2334-2113), Douglas R. Frayne, University of Toronto Press, 1993, ISBN 0-8020-0593-4
8. Reallexikon der Assyriologie by Erich Ebling, Bruno Meissner, 1993, Walter de Gruyter, ISBN 3-11-003705-X
9. Gudea and His Dynasty, Dietz Otto Edzard, 1997, University of Toronto Press ISBN 0-8020-4187-6
10. The Calendar of Neo-Sumerian Ur and Its Political Significance, Magnus Widell, University of Chicago, 2004
11. A Sumerian reading-book, C.J Gadd, The Clarendon Press, 1924
12. The Ancient Near East: C.3000-330 B.C. By Amélie Kuhrt, Routledge, 1995, ISBN 0-415-16762-0
13. Ur III Period (2112-2004 BC) by Douglas Frayne, University of Toronto Press, 1997, ISBN 0-8020-4198-1
14. The ruling family of Ur III Umma. A Prosopographical Analysis of an Elite Family in Southern Iraq 4000 Years ago, J.L. Dahl, UCLA dissertation, 2003
15. "Ancient Eclipses and Dating the Fall of Babylon", Boris Banjevic, Publ. Astron. Obs. Belgrade No. 80 (2006), 251 – 257
16. Kings of Isin Year Names
17. The Old Babylonian Period (2003-1595), Douglas R. Frayne, University Of Toronto Press, 1990, ISBN 0-8020-5873-6
18. The Rulers of Larsa, M. Fitzgerald, Yale University Dissertation, 2002
19. Larsa Year Names, Marcel Segrist, Andrews University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-943872-54-5
20. Chronology of the Larsa Dynasty, E.M. Grice, C.E. Keiser, M. Jastrow, AMS Press, 1979, ISBN 0-404-60274-6
21. Chronicle of early kings at Livius.org
22. The Proclamation of Telipinu
23. Albert Kirk Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian chronicles, Eisenbrauns, 2000 ISBN 1-57506-049-3
24. W. G. Lambert, The Home of the First Sealand Dynasty, Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 208-210, 1974
25. Stephanie Dalley, Babylonian Tablets from The First Sealand Dynasty in the Schoyen Collection, CDL Press, 2009 ISBN 1-934309-08-7
26. The Collapse of a Complex State, A Reappraisal of the End of the First Dynasty of Babylon 1683–1597 B.C., Seth Richardson, dissertation, Columbia University, 2002
27. J. A. Brinkman (1976). Materials for the Study of Kassite History, Vol. I (MSKH I). Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.
28. The Kassites of Ancient Mesopotamian: Origins, Politics, and Culture, Walter Sommerfield, vol 2 of J. M. Sasson ed. Civilizations of the Ancient Near East, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1995
29. "The Kassites and Near Eastern Chronology," Albrecht Goetze, Journal of Cuneiform Studies, Vol. 18, No. 4, 1964, pp. 97–101.
30. Pharaoh and his Brothers, S Jakob
31. Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Near East, Trevor Bryce, Routledge, 2003, ISBN 0-415-25857-X
32. "Comments on the Nassouhi Kinglist and the Assyrian Kinglist Tradition," J.A. Brinkman, Orientalia N.S 42, 1973
33. Assyrian Rulers of the Third and Second Millennia BC, A.K. Grayson, University of Toronto Press, 1987, ISBN 0-8020-2605-2
34. "The Chronology of Ancient Assyria Re-assessed," B. Newgrosh, JACF, vol. 08, pp. 78–106, 1999
35. Bryce, T., 'The 'Eternal Treaty' from the Hittite perspective', BMSAES 6 (2006), 1–11
36. Sürenhagen, D., 'Forerunners of the Hattusili-Ramesses treaty', BMSAES 6 (2006), 59–67
37. Hittite Studies in Honor of Harry A. Hoffner Jr. on the Occasion of His 65th Birthday. Eisenbrauns, 2003, ISBN 1-57506-079-5
38. Hittite Diplomatic Texts, G Brinkman, Scholars Press, 1999, ISBN 0-7885-0551-3
39. Handbook of Ugaritic Studies, edited by Wilfred G. E. Watson and Nicolas Wyatt, Brill, 1999, ISBN 90-04-10988-9
40. The City of Ugarit at Tell Ras Shamra, Marguerite Yon, Eisenbrauns, 2006, ISBN 1-57506-029-9
41. John Anthony Brinkman, A Political History of Post-Kassite Babylonia, 1158–722 B.C., Biblical Institute Press, 1968, ISBN 88-7653-243-9
42. A Poebel, "The Second Dynasty of Isin According to a New King-List Tablet," Assyriological Studies 15, Oriental Institute of Chicago, 1955
43. J. A. Brinkman, "Foreign Relations of Babylonia from 1600 to 624 B. C.: The Documentary Evidence," American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 76, no. 3, pp. 271–281, 1972
44. "Landscape and Settlement in the Neo-Assyrian Empire," T. J. Wilkinson, E. B. Wilkinson, J. Ur, M. Altaweel, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, Nov 2005
45. Neo-Assyrian Eponym List Livius.org
46. Empires and Exploitation: The Neo-Assyrian Empire, P Bedford, WA Perth, 2001

References

• Schwartz, Glenn (2008). "Problems of Chronology: Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Syro-Levantine Region". In Aruz, Joan; Benzel, Kim; Evans, Jean M. Beyond Babylon: Art, Trade, and Diplomacy in the Second Millennium B.C. Metropolitan Museum of Art. pp. 450–452. ISBN 978-0300141436.
• Newgrosh, Bernard (2007). Chronology at the Crossroads: The Late Bronze Age in Western Asia. Troubador Publishing. ISBN 1-906221-62-6.
• Bryce, Trevor (2005). The Kingdom of the Hittites (New ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-928132-7.
• Van De Mieroop, Marc (2006). A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000 - 323 BC. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 1-4051-4911-6.
• Leick, Gwendolyn (2003). Mesopotamia: The Invention of the City. Penguin. ISBN 0-14-026574-0.
• Gasche, H.; Armstrong, J.A.; Cole, S.W.; Gurzadyan, V.G. (1998). Dating the Fall of Babylon: A Reappraisal of Second-Millennium Chronology. University of Ghent and the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. ISBN 978-1885923103.

External links

• Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative
• Chronicles at Livius.org
• Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature