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{{short description|Royal dynasty in Mesopotamia}}
], possible founder of the First Dynasty of Ur.]]
{{Infobox family
|name =First dynasty of Ur
|native_name ={{native name|sux|𒉆𒈗𒋀𒀕𒆠}}<br /><span style="font-weight: normal">{{transl|sux|nam-lugal urim<sub>2</sub><sup>KI</sup>}}</span>
|other_names =Ur I
|image ={{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=275|caption_align=center
|align =right
|direction =Vertical
|image1 =Ancient Near East 2600BC.svg
|caption1 =A map of the ] detailing the approximated territorial extent of the Sumerian empire during the first dynasty of Ur
|footer=
{{Location map {{Location map
| West Asia |West Asia#Iraq
| width = 260px |width =275px
| float = |float =center
| border = |border =none
| caption = Location of Ur, in Western Asia, modern ]. |caption =Location of ], in ], modern ].
| alt = |relief =yes
| relief = yes |label =]
|position =left
| AlternativeMap =
|lat_deg =30.963056
| overlay_image =
| label = ] |lon_deg =46.103056
}}}}
| label_size =
|country =]
| position = left
|founded ={{Start date|c. 2600 BC}}
| background =
| mark = |founder =]
|final_ruler =]
| marksize =
| link = |historic_seat =]
|titles ={{Collapsible list
| lat_deg = 30.963056
| lon_deg = 46.103056 |bullets =on
|1 =] of ]
|2 =King of ]
|3 =] of Ur
|4 =]
|5 =King of ] and Ur
|6 =] of Ur
|7 =] of ]
}} }}
|other_families =]
].]]
|dissolution ={{End date|c. 2340 BC}}
The '''First Dynasty of Ur''' was a 26th century-25th century BCE dynasty of rulers of the city of ] in ancient ].<ref name="CAH">{{cite book |title=The Cambridge Ancient History |date=1970 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521070515 |page=228 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pMoF0SbMKd4C&pg=PA228 |language=en}}</ref> It is part of the ] of the ]. It was preceeded by the earlier ] and ].<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=9781438126760 |page=664 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA664 |language=en}}</ref>
}}

The '''first dynasty of Ur''' (abbreviated '''Ur I''') was a dynasty of rulers from the city of ] in ancient ] who {{reign|c. 2600|c. 2340 BC|show=lword}}. Ur I is part of the ] period of ]. <ref name="CAH">{{cite book |title=The Cambridge Ancient History |date=1970 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521070515 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/cambridgeancient02edwa |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref> It was preceded by the earlier ] and the ].<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=9781438126760 |page=664 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA664 |language=en}}</ref>
==Rule== ==Rule==
], possible founder of the First Dynasty of Ur.]]
According to the ], there were four kings in this dynasty: ], Mes-kiagnun, Elulu, and Balulu.<ref name="DF">{{cite book |last1=Frayne |first1=Douglas |title=Pre-Sargonic Period: Early Periods, Volume 1 (2700-2350 BC) |date=2008 |publisher=University of Toronto Press |isbn=9781442690479 |pages=901-902 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8PNAnIome3AC&pg=PT901 |language=en}}</ref> Two other kings earlier than Mes-Anepada are known from other sources, namely ] and A-Kalam-du.<ref name="DF"/> It would seem that Mes-Anepada was the son of Mes-kalam-du, according to the inscription found on a bead in ], and Mes-kalam-du was the founder of the dynasty.<ref name="DF"/> A probable Queen ] is also known from her lavish tomb at the ]. The First Dynasty of Ur had a lot of influence over the area of ], and apparently led a union of south Mesopotamian polities.<ref name="DF"/><ref name="IMD"/>
].]]

].]]
].]]
According to the '']'', the final ruler of the First Dynasty of ] ] was overthrown by ] of ]. There were then four kings in the First Dynasty of Ur: ], Mes-kiagnuna, Elulu, and Balulu.<ref name="DF">{{cite book |last1=Frayne |first1=Douglas |title=Pre-Sargonic Period: Early Periods, Volume 1 (2700-2350 BC) |date=2008 |publisher=University of Toronto Press |isbn=9781442690479 |pages=901–902 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8PNAnIome3AC&pg=PT901 |language=en}}</ref> Two other kings earlier than Mes-Anepada are known from other sources, namely ] and A-Kalam-du.<ref name="DF"/> It would seem that Mes-Anepada was the son of Mes-kalam-du, according to the inscription found on a bead in ], and Mes-kalam-du was the founder of the dynasty.<ref name="DF"/> A probable Queen ] is also known from her lavish tomb at the ]. The First Dynasty of Ur had extensive influence over the area of ], and apparently led a union of south Mesopotamian polities.<ref name="DF"/><ref name="IMD"/>
] (items and positions in ]), circa 2600 BCE (reconstitution).]]
===Ethnicity and language=== ===Ethnicity and language===
Like other ], the people of ] were a non-] who may have come from the east circa 3300 BCE, and spoke a ].<ref>"The Sumerians, a non-Semitic people who perhaps came from the east" in {{cite book |last1=Curtis |first1=Adrian |title=Oxford Bible Atlas |date=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191623325 |page=16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bTyeXEicBfkC&pg=RA1-PR16 |language=en}}. Mention of "And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there." (English Standard Version)</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bromiley |first1=Geoffrey W. |title=The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia |date=1979 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=9780802837813 |page=392 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wo8csizDv0gC&pg=PA392 |language=en}}</ref>
As other ], the people of ] were non-] West-Asians, and spoke a ]. But during the 3rd millennium BC, a close cultural symbiosis developed between the Sumerians and the East-Semitic ],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hasselbach |first1=Rebecca |title=Sargonic Akkadian: A Historical and Comparative Study of the Syllabic Texts |date=2005 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=9783447051729 |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eiHXt0yIWiIC&pg=PA2 |language=en}}</ref> which gave rise to widespread bilingualism.<ref name="Deutscher">{{cite book|title=Syntactic Change in Akkadian: The Evolution of Sentential Complementation|author=Deutscher, Guy|authorlink=Guy Deutscher (linguist)|publisher=]|year=2007|isbn=978-0-19-953222-3|pages=20–21|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XFwUxmCdG94C}}</ref> The reciprocal influence of the ] and the ] is evident in all areas, from ] on a massive scale, to ], ], and ] convergence.<ref name="Deutscher"/> This has prompted scholars to refer to Sumerian and Akkadian in the 3rd millennium BC as a '']''.<ref name="Deutscher"/> Sumer was conquered by the ] kings of the ] around 2270 BC (]), but Sumerian continued as a sacred language. Native Sumerian rule re-emerged for about a century in the ] at approximately 2100–2000 BC, but the Akkadian language also remained in use.<ref name="Leick, Gwendolyn 2003">Leick, Gwendolyn (2003), "Mesopotamia, the Invention of the City" (Penguin)</ref>

===International trade=== ===International trade===
{{main|Indus-Mesopotamia relations|Egypt-Mesopotamia relations}}
The artifacts found in the royal tombs of the dynasty show that foreign trade was particularly active during this period, with many materials coming from foreign lands, such as ] likely coming from the ] or ], ] from ], silver from ], copper from ], and gold from several locations such as ], ], ] or ].<ref name="BM">British Museum notice "]"</ref> Carnelian beads from the Indus were found in ] tombs dating to 2600-2450, in an example of ].<ref name="JMI">{{cite book |last1=McIntosh |first1=Jane |title=The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives |date=2008 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9781576079072 |pages=182–190 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AJO2A-CbccC&pg=PA189 |language=en}}</ref> In particular, carnelian beads with an etched design in white were probably imported from the Indus Valley, and made according to a technique developped by the ]ns.<ref name="BM Carnelian">British Museum notice: "Gold and carnelians beads. The two beads etched with patterns in white were probably imported from the Indus Valley. They were made by a technique developped by the Harappan civilization" ]</ref> These materials were used into the manufacture of beautiful objects in the worshops of Ur.<ref name="BM"/>
] in this necklace from the ] dating to the First Dynasty of Ur were probably imported from the Indus Valley. ].<ref name="BM Carnelian">British Museum notice: "Gold and carnelians beads. The two beads etched with patterns in white were probably imported from the Indus Valley. They were made by a technique developed by the Harappan civilization" ]</ref>]]

The Ur I dynasty had enormous wealth as shown by the lavishness of its tombs. This was probably due to the fact that Ur acted as the main harbour for trade with ], which put her in a strategic position to import and trade vast quantities of gold, carnelian or lapis lazuli.<ref name="IMD">{{cite book |last1=Diakonoff |first1=I. M. |title=Early Antiquity |date=2013 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=9780226144672 |pages=78-79 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JU8pegs94uoC&pg=PA78 |language=en}}</ref> In comparison, the burials of the kings of ] were much less lavish.<ref name="IMD"/> High-prowed Summerian ships may have traveled as far as ], thought to be the ] region, for trade.<ref name="IMD"/> The artifacts found in the royal tombs of the dynasty show that foreign trade was particularly active during this period, with many materials coming from foreign lands, such as ] likely coming from the ] or ], ] from the ] area of ], silver from ], copper from ], and gold from several locations such as ], ], ] or ].<ref name="BM">British Museum notice "]"</ref> Carnelian beads from the Indus were found in ] tombs dating to 2600-2450, in an example of ].<ref name="JMI">{{cite book |last1=McIntosh |first1=Jane |title=The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives |date=2008 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9781576079072 |pages=182–190 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AJO2A-CbccC&pg=PA189 |language=en}}</ref> In particular, carnelian beads with an etched design in white were probably imported from the Indus Valley, and made according to a technique developed by the ]ns.<ref name="BM Carnelian" /> These materials were used into the manufacture of beautiful objects in the workshops of Ur.<ref name="BM"/>


] was likely imported from the ] area of ].<ref name="BM"/>]]
The Ur I dynasty had enormous wealth as shown by the lavishness of its tombs. This was probably due to the fact that Ur acted as the main harbour for trade with ], which put her in a strategic position to import and trade vast quantities of gold, carnelian or lapis lazuli.<ref name="IMD">{{cite book |last1=Diakonoff |first1=I. M. |title=Early Antiquity |date=2013 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=9780226144672 |pages=78–79 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JU8pegs94uoC&pg=PA78 |language=en}}</ref> In comparison, the burials of the kings of ] were much less lavish.<ref name="IMD"/> High-prowed Sumerian ships may have traveled as far as ], thought to be the ] region, for trade.<ref name="IMD"/>
===Demise=== ===Demise===
According to the ], the First Dynasty of Ur was finally defeated, and power went to the ] ].<ref>''"Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to ]."'' in {{cite book |last1=Kriwaczek |first1=Paul |title=Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization |date=2014 |publisher=Atlantic Books |isbn=9781782395676 |page=136 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqiWAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT136&lpg=PT136 |language=en}}</ref> The Sumerian king ] (c.2500–2400 BCE) of ], then came to dominate the whole region, and established one of the first verifiable empires in history.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Incorporated |first1=Facts On File |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=9781438126760 |page=664 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA664 |language=en}}</ref> According to the '']'', the First Dynasty of Ur was finally defeated, and power went to the ]ite ].<ref>''"Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to ]."'' in {{cite book |last1=Kriwaczek |first1=Paul |title=Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization |date=2014 |publisher=Atlantic Books |isbn=9781782395676 |page=136 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqiWAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT136 |language=en}}</ref> The Sumerian king ] (c.2500–2400 BCE) of ], then came to dominate the whole region, and established one of the first verifiable empires in history.<ref name="Infobase Publishing">{{cite book |last1=Incorporated |first1=Facts On File |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=9781438126760 |page=664 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA664 |language=en}}</ref>


The power of Ur would only revive a few centuries later with the ] for a short ''Sumerian Renaissance''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Incorporated |first1=Facts On File |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=9781438126760 |page=664 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA664 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Knapp |first1=Arthur Bernard |title=The history and culture of ancient Western Asia and Egypt |date=1988 |publisher=Wadsworth |isbn=9780534106454 |page=92 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lHXiAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref> The power of Ur would only revive a few centuries later with the ].<ref name="Infobase Publishing"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Knapp |first1=Arthur Bernard |title=The history and culture of ancient Western Asia and Egypt |date=1988 |publisher=Wadsworth |isbn=9780534106454 |page=92 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lHXiAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
==List of rulers==

{|class="wikitable"border="1"style="width:100%;text-align:center"
===List of rulers===
{| class="nowraplinks" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="600px" rules="all" style="background:#fbfbfb; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; font-size:90%; empty-cells:show; border-collapse:collapse"
|- bgcolor="#F6E6AE"
! Ruler !! Epithet !! Length&nbsp;of&nbsp;reign !! Approx.&nbsp;dates !! Mentions
|- |-
!width="1%"|#
| ] || || ? || c. 26th century BC ||Dynastic beads, tomb inscriptions at the ]
!width="16.5%"|Depiction
!width="16.5%"|Ruler
!width="16.5%"|Succession
!width="16.5%"|]
!width="16.5%"|{{abbr|Approx.|approximately}} dates
!width="16.5%"|Notes
|- |-
|colspan="7"align="center"style="background-color:palegoldenrod"|'''] ({{circa|2600|2500 BC|lk=yes}})'''
| A-Kalam-du || || ? || c. 26th century BC ||Dynastic beads
|- |-
!colspan="7"|] ({{circa|2600|2500 BC}})
| ] || || 80 years || c. 26th century BC ||], ]
|- |-
|
| Mesh-ki-ang-Nuna || ''"the son of Mesh-Ane-pada"'' || 36 years || ||], ]
|]
|]<br>𒀀𒀭𒅎𒂂
|
|
|{{fl.|{{c.|2600 BC}}}}
|
*Historicity certain
*His name does not appear on the ''SKL''
*Known from an inscribed ] bearing the title of, ''"] of Ur"'' (found in tomb PG 1236 located in the ])<ref>{{cite report|last1=Woolley|first1=Leonard|author-link=Leonard Woolley|last2=Hall|first2=Henry|author-link2=Henry Hall (Egyptologist)|last3=Legrain|first3=L.|date=1900|title=Ur excavations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GygcAQAAMAAJ|publisher=Trustees of the British Museum and of the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania by the aid of a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York|isbn=9780598629883|archive-url=https://archive.org/embed/urexcavations186385join|volume=II|archive-date=2010-07-01}}</ref>
|- |-
|
| ] || || 25 years || ||]
|]
|]<br>𒌨𒀭𒉺𒉋𒊕
|Son of A-Imdugud (?)<ref>{{cite book|last1=Aruz|first1=J.|last2=Wallenfels|first2=R.|date=2003|title=Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=czZmQgAACAAJ|series=Metropolitan Museum of Art Series|location=New York|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|isbn=9780300098839}}</ref>
|
|{{died-in|{{c.|2550 BC}}}}
|
*'']'' of Ursangpae<ref name="Marchesi2015">{{cite journal|last=Marchesi|first=Gianni|editor-last=Sallaberger|editor-first=Walther|editor-link=Walther Sallaberger|editor-last2=Schrakamp|editor-first2=Ingo|date=January 2015|title=Toward a Chronology of Early Dynastic Rulers in Mesopotamia|url=https://www.academia.edu/10655886|journal=History and Philology (ARCANE 3; Turnhout)|pages=139–156}}</ref>
*Known from an inscription fragment bearing the title of, ''"] of Ur"'' (found in tomb PG 779 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
|- |-
!width="1%"|#
| ] || || 36 years || ||]
!width="16.5%"|Depiction
!width="16.5%"|Ruler
!width="16.5%"|Succession
!width="16.5%"|Epithet
!width="16.5%"|{{abbr|Approx.|approximately}} dates
!width="16.5%"|Notes
|- |-
|colspan="7"align="center"style="background-color:palegoldenrod"|'''Early Dynastic IIIb period ({{circa|2500|2350 BC}})'''
| colspan="5" |
|-
:''"Then Urim ''(])'' was defeated and the kingship was taken to ]."''
|
|]
|]<br>𒀀𒌦𒄭
|Son of ] (?)
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2500 BC|show=lword}}
|
*Son of ] (?)
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Known from dynastic beads and tomb inscriptions bearing the title of, ''"King of Ur"'' (found in tomb PG 1332 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
|-
|
|]
|]<br>𒈩𒌦𒄭
|Son of Akalamdug (?)
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2500|era=BC}}
|
*Son of Akalamdug (?)
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Known from dynastic beads and tomb inscriptions bearing the title of, ''"]"'' (found in tomb PG 755 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
|-
|
|]
|]<br>𒅤𒀜
|colspan="3"|{{married-in|{{c.|2500}}}} to Meskalamdug (?)
|
*Known from inscriptions bearing the title of, ''"]"'' (found in tomb PG 800 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
*She may have ruled in her own right as ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.penn.museum/collections/highlights/neareast/puabi.php |title=Queen Puabi's Headdress from the Royal Cemetery at Ur|website=]|access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|colspan="7"align="left"|{{quotation|''"Then ] was defeated and the ] was taken to ]."''|''SKL''}}
|-
|1st
|]
|]<br>𒈩𒀭𒉌𒅆𒊒𒁕
|Son of Meskalamdug (?)
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2500|era=BC}}<br><small>(80 years)</small>
|
*Son of Meskalamdug (?)
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Known from the ''SKL'', '']'', and an inscribed seal bearing the title of, ''"King of Kish"'' (found in tomb PG 1232/1237 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
|-
|2nd
|]
|]<br>𒈩𒆠𒉘𒉣
|Son of Mesannepada (?)
|
|{{reign|c. 2485|c. 2450|era=BC}}<br><small>(30 or 36 years)</small>
|
*Son of Mesannepada (?)
*''temp.'' of Epa'e<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Said on the ''SKL'' to have been the son of Mesannepada and to have held the title of, ''"King"'' of not just Ur; but, all of Sumer
*Known from the ''Tummal Chronicle'' his tomb PG 1157 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur
|-
|3rd
|]
|]<br>𒂊𒇻𒇻
|
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2445|era=BC}}<br><small>(25 years)</small>
|
*Historicity certain.<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Said on the ''SKL'' to have held the title of ''"king"'' of not just Ur; but, all of Sumer.<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|-
|4th
|]
|]<br>𒁀𒇻𒇻
|
|
|''Uncertain''<br><small>(36 years)</small>
|
*Historicity uncertain.
*Known from the ''SKL''; very little otherwise.
*Said on the ''SKL'' to have held the title of ''"king"'' of not just Ur; but, all of Sumer.
|-
|colspan="7"align="left"|{{quotation|''"4 kings; they ruled for 171 years. Then Ur was defeated and the kingship was taken to ]."''|''SKL''}}
|-
|
|]
|]<br>𒂗𒊮𒊨𒀭𒈾
|Son of Elulu (?)<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2430|era=BC}}<br><small>(60 years)</small>
|
*Son of Elulu (?)<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Held the title of ''"]"''.<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|-
|
|]
|]<br>𒈗𒆠𒉌𒂠𒌌𒌌
|
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2400|era=BC}}<br><small>(120 years)</small>
|
*Originally from Uruk
*Held the title of ''"King of Uruk and Ur"''
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|-
|
|]
|]<br>𒈗𒆦𒋛
|Son of Lugal-kinishe-dudu<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|
|{{reign|single=c. 2400|era=BC}}
|
*Son of Lugal-kinishe-dudu.<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Held the title of ''"king of Uruk and Ur"''.<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|-
|
|]
|]<br>𒀀𒀭𒉌𒅆𒊒𒁕
|Son of Mesannepada
|
|''Uncertain''; this ruler may have {{reign|c. 2500|c. 2350|era=BC}} sometime during the EDIIIb period<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|
*Son of Mesannepada
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*Known from dedication tablets with inscriptions bearing the title ''"King of Ur"'' (found in tomb PG 580 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
|-
!width="1%"|#
!width="16.5%"|Depiction
!width="16.5%"|Ruler
!width="16.5%"|Succession
!width="16.5%"|Epithet
!width="16.5%"|{{abbr|Approx.|approximately}} dates
!width="16.5%"|Notes
|-
|colspan="7"align="center"style="background-color:palegoldenrod"|'''Proto-Imperial period ({{circa|2350|2112 BC}})'''
|-
|
|
|Lunanna
|
|
|''Uncertain''; this ruler may have {{reign|c. 2350|c. 2112|era=BC}} sometime during the Proto-Imperial period<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|
*Historicity certain.<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
*''temp.'' of ]<ref name="Marchesi2015"/>
|} |}
===Sumerian King List===
Only the final kings of the First Dynasty of Ur, from ] to ] and possibly 4 unnamed kings, are mentioned in the '']'':<ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref>
{{quote|"... ] with weapons was struck down, the kingship to Ur was carried off. In Ur ] was king, 80 years he ruled; ], son of ], was king, 36 years he ruled; ], 25 years he ruled; Balulu, 36 years he ruled; 4 kings, the years: 171(?) they ruled. Ur with weapons was struck down; the kingship to ] was carried off.|], 137-147.<ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref>}}
{{clear}}


==Artifacts== ==Artifacts==
{{main|Royal Cemetery of Ur}} {{main|Royal Cemetery of Ur}}
The Royal Cemetery of Ur held the tombs of several rulers of the First Dynasty of Ur.<ref name="DF"/> The tombs are particularly lavish, and testify to the wealth of the First Dynasty of Ur.<ref name="IMD"/> One of the most famous tombs is that of Queen ].<ref name="IMD"/> The Royal Cemetery of Ur held the tombs of several rulers of the First Dynasty of Ur.<ref name="DF"/> The tombs are particularly lavish, and testify to the wealth of the First Dynasty of Ur.<ref name="IMD"/> One of the most famous tombs is that of Queen ].<ref name="IMD"/>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4"> <gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:A gold dagger and a dagger with a gold-plated handle, Ur excavations (1900) (14581033499).jpg|thumb|A gold dagger and a dagger with a gold-plated handle, Ur excavations (1900). File:A gold dagger and a dagger with a gold-plated handle, Ur excavations (1900) (14581033499).jpg|A gold dagger and a dagger with a gold-plated handle, Ur excavations (1900).
File:Reconstructed sumerian headgear necklaces british museum.JPG|thumb|Reconstructed Sumerian headgear necklaces found in the tomb of ], housed at the British Museum File:Reconstructed sumerian headgear necklaces british museum.JPG|Reconstructed Sumerian headgear necklaces found in the tomb of ], housed at the British Museum
File:Queen's Lyre Ur Royal Cemetery.jpg|Queen's Lyre, one of the ], Ur Royal Cemetery.
File:Flickr - Nic's events - British Museum with Cory and Mary, 6 Sep 2007 - 185.jpg|thumb|left|Cylinder seal of Queen ], found in her tomb. Inscription 𒅤𒀀𒉿 𒊩𒌆''Pu-A-Bi-]'' "Queen Puabi".<ref></ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Crawford |first1=Harriet |title=The Sumerian World |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136219115 |page=622 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SKYAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT622 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Anthropology |first1=University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and |last2=Hansen |first2=Donald P. |last3=Pittman |first3=Holly |title=Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur |date=1998 |publisher=UPenn Museum of Archaeology |isbn=9780924171550 |page=78 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h8j76olVKloC&pg=PA78 |language=en}}</ref> The last word "𒊩𒌆" can either be pronounced ''Nin'' “lady”, or ''Eresh'' “queen”.<ref>{{cite book |last1=James |first1=Sharon L. |last2=Dillon |first2=Sheila |title=A Companion to Women in the Ancient World |date=2015 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=9781119025542 |page=9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0NYdCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |language=en}}</ref>
File:Flickr - Nic's events - British Museum with Cory and Mary, 6 Sep 2007 - 185.jpg|Cylinder seal of Queen ], found in her tomb. Inscription 𒅤𒀀𒉿 𒊩𒌆''Pu-A-Bi-]'' "Queen Puabi".<ref></ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Crawford|first1=Harriet|author-link=Harriet Crawford|title=The Sumerian World|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781136219115|page=622|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SKYAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT622|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Anthropology|first1=University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and|last2=Hansen|first2=Donald P.|last3=Pittman|first3=Holly|title=Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur|date=1998|publisher=UPenn Museum of Archaeology|isbn=9780924171550|page=78|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h8j76olVKloC&pg=PA78|language=en}}</ref> The last word "𒊩𒌆" can either be pronounced ''Nin'' “lady”, or ''Eresh'' “queen”.<ref>{{cite book|last1=James|first1=Sharon L.|last2=Dillon|first2=Sheila|title=A Companion to Women in the Ancient World|date=2015|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9781119025542|page=13|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0NYdCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|language=en}}</ref>
File:Ur Grave gold and carnelian beads necklace.jpg|thumb|left|Some of the beads in this necklace from the Royal Tombs of Ur are thought to have come from the Indus Valley.<ref name="BM Carnelian"/>
File:Standard of Ur - War.jpg|300px|thumb|The ] File:Standard of Ur - War.jpg|The ]
File:Raminathicket2.jpg|200px|thumb|] File:Raminathicket2.jpg|]
File:Bull's head of the Queen's lyre from Pu-abi's grave PG 800, the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. The British Museum, London..JPG|200px|thumb|Lyre of a Bull's Head from Queen ]'s tomb. (British Museum) File:Bull's head of the Queen's lyre from Pu-abi's grave PG 800, the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. The British Museum, London..JPG|Lyre of a Bull's Head from Queen ]'s tomb. (British Museum)
File:Nacre plate with anthropomorphic animals.jpg|Nacre plate with anthropomorphic animals, circa 2600 BCE File:Lyre detail (Royal Cemetery of Ur).jpg|Nacre plate with anthropomorphic animals, circa 2600 BCE
</gallery> </gallery>

==See also== ==See also==
{{Commons category|First Dynasty of Ur}} {{Commons category|First Dynasty of Ur}}
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
{{Rulers of Sumer}}

]
{{Notable Rulers of Sumer}}
]

Latest revision as of 21:17, 24 December 2024

Royal dynasty in Mesopotamia
First dynasty of Ur
𒉆𒈗𒋀𒀕𒆠 (Sumerian)
nam-lugal urim2
Ur I
A map of the Near East detailing the approximated territorial extent of the Sumerian empire during the first dynasty of UrUr is located in West and Central AsiaUrUrclass=notpageimage| Location of Ur, in Western Asia, modern Iraq.Show map of West and Central AsiaUr is located in IraqUrUrUr (Iraq)Show map of Iraq
CountrySumer
Foundedc. 2600 BC (c. 2600 BC)
FounderMesannepada
Final rulerBalulu
Historic seatUr
Titles List
Connected familiesThird dynasty of Ur
Dissolutionc. 2340 BC (c. 2340 BC)

The first dynasty of Ur (abbreviated Ur I) was a dynasty of rulers from the city of Ur in ancient Sumer who reigned c. 2600 – c. 2340 BC. Ur I is part of the Early Dynastic III period of ancient Mesopotamia. It was preceded by the earlier First Dynasty of Kish and the First Dynasty of Uruk.

Rule

Golden helmet of Meskalamdug, possible founder of the First Dynasty of Ur.
Gold objects from tomb PG 580, Royal Cemetery at Ur.
King at peace, with attendants, from the Standard of Ur.
King at war, with soldiers, from the Standard of Ur.

According to the Sumerian King List, the final ruler of the First Dynasty of Uruk Lugal-kitun was overthrown by Mesannepada of Ur. There were then four kings in the First Dynasty of Ur: Mesannepada, Mes-kiagnuna, Elulu, and Balulu. Two other kings earlier than Mes-Anepada are known from other sources, namely Mes-kalam-du and A-Kalam-du. It would seem that Mes-Anepada was the son of Mes-kalam-du, according to the inscription found on a bead in Mari, and Mes-kalam-du was the founder of the dynasty. A probable Queen Puabi is also known from her lavish tomb at the Royal Cemetery at Ur. The First Dynasty of Ur had extensive influence over the area of Sumer, and apparently led a union of south Mesopotamian polities.

Funeral procession at the Royal Cemetery of Ur (items and positions in PG 789), circa 2600 BCE (reconstitution).

Ethnicity and language

Like other Sumerians, the people of Ur were a non-Semitic people who may have come from the east circa 3300 BCE, and spoke a language isolate.

International trade

Main articles: Indus-Mesopotamia relations and Egypt-Mesopotamia relations
The etched carnelian beads in this necklace from the Royal Cemetery dating to the First Dynasty of Ur were probably imported from the Indus Valley. British Museum.

The artifacts found in the royal tombs of the dynasty show that foreign trade was particularly active during this period, with many materials coming from foreign lands, such as Carnelian likely coming from the Indus or Iran, Lapis Lazuli from the Badakhshan area of Afghanistan, silver from Turkey, copper from Oman, and gold from several locations such as Egypt, Nubia, Turkey or Iran. Carnelian beads from the Indus were found in Ur tombs dating to 2600-2450, in an example of Indus-Mesopotamia relations. In particular, carnelian beads with an etched design in white were probably imported from the Indus Valley, and made according to a technique developed by the Harappans. These materials were used into the manufacture of beautiful objects in the workshops of Ur.

Lapis lazuli was likely imported from the Badakhshan area of Afghanistan.

The Ur I dynasty had enormous wealth as shown by the lavishness of its tombs. This was probably due to the fact that Ur acted as the main harbour for trade with India, which put her in a strategic position to import and trade vast quantities of gold, carnelian or lapis lazuli. In comparison, the burials of the kings of Kish were much less lavish. High-prowed Sumerian ships may have traveled as far as Meluhha, thought to be the Indus region, for trade.

Demise

According to the Sumerian King List, the First Dynasty of Ur was finally defeated, and power went to the Elamite Awan dynasty. The Sumerian king Eannatum (c.2500–2400 BCE) of Lagash, then came to dominate the whole region, and established one of the first verifiable empires in history.

The power of Ur would only revive a few centuries later with the Third Dynasty of Ur.

List of rulers

# Depiction Ruler Succession Epithet Approx. dates Notes
Early Dynastic IIIa period (c. 2600 – c. 2500 BC)
Predynastic Ur (c. 2600 – c. 2500 BC)
A-Imdugud
𒀀𒀭𒅎𒂂 		fl. c. 2600 BC
Ur-Pabilsag
𒌨𒀭𒉺𒉋𒊕 		Son of A-Imdugud (?) d. c. 2550 BC
  • temp. of Ursangpae
  • Known from an inscription fragment bearing the title of, "King of Ur" (found in tomb PG 779 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
# Depiction Ruler Succession Epithet Approx. dates Notes
Early Dynastic IIIb period (c. 2500 – c. 2350 BC)
Akalamdug
𒀀𒌦𒄭 		Son of Meskalamdug (?) reigned c. 2500 BC
  • Son of Meskalamdug (?)
  • temp. of Akurgal
  • Known from dynastic beads and tomb inscriptions bearing the title of, "King of Ur" (found in tomb PG 1332 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
Meskalamdug
𒈩𒌦𒄭 		Son of Akalamdug (?) r. c. 2500 BC
  • Son of Akalamdug (?)
  • temp. of Enakalle
  • Known from dynastic beads and tomb inscriptions bearing the title of, "King of Kish" (found in tomb PG 755 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
Puabi
𒅤𒀜 		m. c. 2500 to Meskalamdug (?)
  • Known from inscriptions bearing the title of, "Queen" (found in tomb PG 800 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
  • She may have ruled in her own right as queen regnant

"Then Uruk was defeated and the kingship was taken to Ur."

— SKL
1st Mesannepada
𒈩𒀭𒉌𒅆𒊒𒁕 		Son of Meskalamdug (?) r. c. 2500 BC
(80 years)
  • Son of Meskalamdug (?)
  • temp. of Ur-Lumma
  • Known from the SKL, Tummal Chronicle, and an inscribed seal bearing the title of, "King of Kish" (found in tomb PG 1232/1237 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
2nd Meskiagnun
𒈩𒆠𒉘𒉣 		Son of Mesannepada (?) r. c. 2485 – c. 2450 BC
(30 or 36 years)
  • Son of Mesannepada (?)
  • temp. of Epa'e
  • Said on the SKL to have been the son of Mesannepada and to have held the title of, "King" of not just Ur; but, all of Sumer
  • Known from the Tummal Chronicle his tomb PG 1157 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur
3rd Elulu
𒂊𒇻𒇻 		r. c. 2445 BC
(25 years)
  • Historicity certain.
  • Said on the SKL to have held the title of "king" of not just Ur; but, all of Sumer.
  • temp. of Lugalanda
4th Balulu
𒁀𒇻𒇻 		Uncertain
(36 years)
  • Historicity uncertain.
  • Known from the SKL; very little otherwise.
  • Said on the SKL to have held the title of "king" of not just Ur; but, all of Sumer.

"4 kings; they ruled for 171 years. Then Ur was defeated and the kingship was taken to Awan."

— SKL
Enshakushanna
𒂗𒊮𒊨𒀭𒈾 		Son of Elulu (?) r. c. 2430 BC
(60 years)
Lugal-kinishe-dudu
𒈗𒆠𒉌𒂠𒌌𒌌 		r. c. 2400 BC
(120 years)
  • Originally from Uruk
  • Held the title of "King of Uruk and Ur"
  • temp. of Enannatum II
Lugal-kisal-si
𒈗𒆦𒋛 		Son of Lugal-kinishe-dudu r. c. 2400 BC
  • Son of Lugal-kinishe-dudu.
  • Held the title of "king of Uruk and Ur".
  • temp. of Enentarzi
A'annepada
𒀀𒀭𒉌𒅆𒊒𒁕 		Son of Mesannepada Uncertain; this ruler may have r. c. 2500 – c. 2350 BC sometime during the EDIIIb period
  • Son of Mesannepada
  • temp. of Entemena
  • Known from dedication tablets with inscriptions bearing the title "King of Ur" (found in tomb PG 580 located in the Royal Cemetery at Ur)
# Depiction Ruler Succession Epithet Approx. dates Notes
Proto-Imperial period (c. 2350 – c. 2112 BC)
Lunanna Uncertain; this ruler may have r. c. 2350 – c. 2112 BC sometime during the Proto-Imperial period
  • Historicity certain.
  • temp. of Sargon

Sumerian King List

Only the final kings of the First Dynasty of Ur, from Mesannepada to Balulu and possibly 4 unnamed kings, are mentioned in the Sumerian King List:

"... Uruk with weapons was struck down, the kingship to Ur was carried off. In Ur Mesannepada was king, 80 years he ruled; Mesh-ki-ang-Nanna, son of Mesannepada, was king, 36 years he ruled; Elulu, 25 years he ruled; Balulu, 36 years he ruled; 4 kings, the years: 171(?) they ruled. Ur with weapons was struck down; the kingship to Awan was carried off.

— Sumerian King List, 137-147.

Artifacts

Main article: Royal Cemetery of Ur

The Royal Cemetery of Ur held the tombs of several rulers of the First Dynasty of Ur. The tombs are particularly lavish, and testify to the wealth of the First Dynasty of Ur. One of the most famous tombs is that of Queen Puabi.

  • A gold dagger and a dagger with a gold-plated handle, Ur excavations (1900). A gold dagger and a dagger with a gold-plated handle, Ur excavations (1900).
  • Reconstructed Sumerian headgear necklaces found in the tomb of Puabi, housed at the British Museum Reconstructed Sumerian headgear necklaces found in the tomb of Puabi, housed at the British Museum
  • Queen's Lyre, one of the Lyres of Ur, Ur Royal Cemetery. Queen's Lyre, one of the Lyres of Ur, Ur Royal Cemetery.
  • Cylinder seal of Queen Puabi, found in her tomb. Inscription 𒅤𒀀𒉿 𒊩𒌆Pu-A-Bi-Nin "Queen Puabi". The last word "𒊩𒌆" can either be pronounced Nin “lady”, or Eresh “queen”. Cylinder seal of Queen Puabi, found in her tomb. Inscription 𒅤𒀀𒉿 𒊩𒌆Pu-A-Bi-Nin "Queen Puabi". The last word "𒊩𒌆" can either be pronounced Nin “lady”, or Eresh “queen”.
  • The Standard of Ur The Standard of Ur
  • Ram in a Thicket Ram in a Thicket
  • Lyre of a Bull's Head from Queen Puabi's tomb. (British Museum) Lyre of a Bull's Head from Queen Puabi's tomb. (British Museum)
  • Nacre plate with anthropomorphic animals, circa 2600 BCE Nacre plate with anthropomorphic animals, circa 2600 BCE

See also

References

  1. The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge University Press. 1970. p. 228. ISBN 9780521070515.
  2. Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East. Infobase Publishing. 2009. p. 664. ISBN 9781438126760.
  3. ^ Frayne, Douglas (2008). Pre-Sargonic Period: Early Periods, Volume 1 (2700-2350 BC). University of Toronto Press. pp. 901–902. ISBN 9781442690479.
  4. ^ Diakonoff, I. M. (2013). Early Antiquity. University of Chicago Press. pp. 78–79. ISBN 9780226144672.
  5. "The Sumerians, a non-Semitic people who perhaps came from the east" in Curtis, Adrian (2009). Oxford Bible Atlas. Oxford University Press. p. 16. ISBN 9780191623325.. Mention of Gen 11:2 "And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there." (English Standard Version)
  6. Bromiley, Geoffrey W. (1979). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 392. ISBN 9780802837813.
  7. ^ British Museum notice: "Gold and carnelians beads. The two beads etched with patterns in white were probably imported from the Indus Valley. They were made by a technique developed by the Harappan civilization" Photograph of the necklace in question
  8. ^ British Museum notice "Grave goods from Ur"
  9. McIntosh, Jane (2008). The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives. ABC-CLIO. pp. 182–190. ISBN 9781576079072.
  10. "Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to Awan." in Kriwaczek, Paul (2014). Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization. Atlantic Books. p. 136. ISBN 9781782395676.
  11. ^ Incorporated, Facts On File (2009). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East. Infobase Publishing. p. 664. ISBN 9781438126760.
  12. Knapp, Arthur Bernard (1988). The history and culture of ancient Western Asia and Egypt. Wadsworth. p. 92. ISBN 9780534106454.
  13. Woolley, Leonard; Hall, Henry; Legrain, L. (1900). Ur excavations (Report). Vol. II. Trustees of the British Museum and of the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania by the aid of a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. ISBN 9780598629883. Archived from the original on 2010-07-01.
  14. Aruz, J.; Wallenfels, R. (2003). Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus. Metropolitan Museum of Art Series. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 9780300098839.
  15. ^ Marchesi, Gianni (January 2015). Sallaberger, Walther; Schrakamp, Ingo (eds.). "Toward a Chronology of Early Dynastic Rulers in Mesopotamia". History and Philology (ARCANE 3; Turnhout): 139–156.
  16. "Queen Puabi's Headdress from the Royal Cemetery at Ur". Penn Museum. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  17. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  18. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  19. British Museum notice WA 121544
  20. Crawford, Harriet (2013). The Sumerian World. Routledge. p. 622. ISBN 9781136219115.
  21. Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and; Hansen, Donald P.; Pittman, Holly (1998). Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur. UPenn Museum of Archaeology. p. 78. ISBN 9780924171550.
  22. James, Sharon L.; Dillon, Sheila (2015). A Companion to Women in the Ancient World. John Wiley & Sons. p. 13. ISBN 9781119025542.
Rulers of the ancient Near East
Territories/
dates
 Egypt Canaan Ebla Mari Kish/
Assur		 Akshak/
Akkad		 Uruk Adab Umma
 Lagash Ur Elam
4000–3200 BCE Naqada I
Naqada II
Gebel el-Arak Knife 		Egypt-Mesopotamia relations Pre-Dynastic period (4000–2900 BCE) Susa I

Uruk period
(4000–3100 BCE)


(Anu Ziggurat, 4000 BCE)

(Anonymous "King-priests") 		Susa II
Susa II Priest-King with bow and arrows
(Uruk influence or control)
3200–3100 BCE Proto-Dynastic period
(Naqada III)
Early or legendary kings:
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 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
Khasekhemwy 		Early Dynastic Period I (2900–2700 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
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")
Aga of Kish Aga of Kish Gilgamesh Old Elamite period
(2700–1500 BCE)

Indus-Mesopotamia relations
2600 BCE Third Dynasty of Egypt

Djoser
Saqqarah Djeser pyramid
(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
Enun-dara-anna
Mes-he
Melamanna
Lugal-kitun 		Adab
Nin-kisalsi
Me-durba
Lugal-dalu
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
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
Elamite invasions
(3 kings) 		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
Kneeling statuette of Pepy I 		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 		Ukush Lugalanda
Urukagina 		Luh-ishan
2350 BCE Puzur-Nirah
Ishu-Il
Shu-Sin 		Uruk III dynasty
Lugalzagesi
(Governor of Umma, King of all Sumer)
2340 BCE Akkadian Period (2340–2150 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
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
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) 		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 An-am Irdanene Rîm-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-muballitSabium 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
DIŠ+U-EN Peshgaldaramesh Ayadaragalama
Akurduana Melamkurkurra Ea-gamil

Second Intermediate Period
Sixteenth
Dynasty
Abydos
Dynasty
Seventeenth
Dynasty

Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt
("Hyksos")
Pharaoh Ahmose I slaying a 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
Tutankhamun
New Kingdom of Egypt
Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Ahmose I Amenhotep I
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 		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, 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
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
Eight 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
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

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
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
(Roman conquest of Egypt)
Province of Egypt 		Judea Syria
116–117 CE 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 Sasanian Empire
Province of Asoristan
Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint.
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
Province of Egypt Syria Palaestina Syria Province of Mesopotamia
395–618 CE Byzantine Empire
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
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
  1. Rulers with names in italics are considered fictional.
  2. Hallo, W.; Simpson, W. (1971). The Ancient Near East. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich. pp. 48–49.
  3. "Rulers of Mesopotamia". cdli.ox.ac.uk. University of Oxford, CNRS.
  4. Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
  5. Roux, Georges (1992). Ancient Iraq. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 532–534 (Chronological Tables). ISBN 978-0-14-193825-7.
  6. ^ Per Sumerian King List
  7. 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.
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