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Sumerian king list

Ancient Mesopotamia
Euphrates • Tigris
Cities / Empires
Sumer: Eridu • Kish • Uruk • Ur • Lagash • Nippur • Ngirsu
Elam: Susa
Akkadian Empire: Akkad • Mari
Amorites: Isin • Larsa
Babylonia: Babylon • Chaldea
Hittites • Kassites • Hurrians/Mitanni
Assyria: Assur • Nimrud • Dur-Sharrukin • Nineveh
Chronology
History of Mesopotamia
History of Sumer • Kings of Sumer
Kings of Assyria
Kings of Babylon
Mythology
Enûma Elish • Gilgamesh
Assyro-Babylonian religion
Language
Sumerian • Elamite
Akkadian • Aramaic
Hurrian • Hittite

The Sumerian king list is an ancient text in the Sumerian language listing kings of Sumer from Sumerian and foreign dynasties. The later Babylonian king list and Assyrian king list were similar.

Contents

Description

The list records the location of the "official" kingship, along with the rulers with the lengths of their rule. The kingship was believed to be handed down by the gods, and could be passed from one city to another by military conquest. The list mentions only one female ruler: Kug-Bau, the tavern-keeper, who alone accounts for the third dynasty of Kish.

The list blends earlier, possibly mythical kings who have exceptionally long reigns with later more plausibly historical dynasties. It cannot be ruled out that earlier names in the list correspond to historic rulers who later became legendary figures.

The earliest name on the list whose existence has been authenticated through recent archaeological discoveries is that of En-me-barage-si of Kish (ca. 2600 BC). The fact that his name is also mentioned in the Gilgamesh epics has led to speculation that Gilgamesh himself could be historic.

Three dynasties are notably not included in this list: the Larsa dynasty from the Isin-Larsa period, when Larsa was vying for power with Isin, and the two dynasties of Lagash from before and after the Akkadian Empire, when Lagash exerted considerable influence in the region. Lagash in particular is known directly from archeological artifacts beginning ca. 2500 BC.

The list is central, for lack of a more accurate source, to the chronology of the 3rd millennium BC. However the fact that a number of the dynasties in the list probably reigned simultaneously in different cities makes it difficult to produce a strict chronology.

Some of the earliest known inscriptions containing the list date from the early 3rd millennium BC; for example, the Weld-Blundell Prism[1][2] [3] is dated to 2170 BC. The later Babylonian and Assyrian king lists that were based on it still preserved the earliest portions of the list well into the 3rd century BC, when Berossus popularised the list in the Hellenic world.

The list

Early Bronze Age I

Uruk period

"Pre-dynastic" rulers
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Pre-dynastic kings before ca. 2900 BC or legendary Their rules are measured in sars - periods of 3600 years - the next unit up after 60 in Sumerian counting (3600 = 60x60), and in ners - units of 600.
"After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug (Eridu). In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years."
Alulim 8 sars (28800 years)
Alalngar 10 sars (36000 years)
"Then Eridug fell and the kingship was taken to Bad-tibira."
En-men-lu-ana 12 sars (43200 years)
En-men-gal-ana 8 sars (28800 years)
Dumuzid, the Shepherd (Dumuzi) "the shepherd" 10 sars (36000 years)
"Then Bad-tibira fell and the kingship was taken to Larag (Larsa)."
En-sipad-zid-ana 8 sars (28800 years)
"Then Larag fell and the kingship was taken to Zimbir (Sippar)."
En-men-dur-ana 5 sars and 5 ners (21000 years)
"Then Zimbir fell and the kingship was taken to Shuruppag (Shuruppak)."
Ubara-Tutu 5 sars and 1 ner (18600 years)
"Then the flood swept over."
Excavations in Iraq have shown evidence of a flood at Shuruppak and other Sumerian cities: a layer of riverine sediment interrupting the continuity of settlement, which was radiocarbon dated to about 2900 BC,[4] and which extended as far north as the city of Kish. Polychrome pottery from the Jemdet Nasr Period (3000-2900 BCE) was found immediately below the Shuruppak flood layer.

Early Bronze Age II

Early Dynastic I and II periods

First Dynasty of Kish
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
First Dynasty of Kish after ca. 2900 BC
"After the flood had swept over, and the kingship had descended from heaven, the kingship was in Kish."
Ngushur 1200 years
Kullassina-bel 960 years
Nangishlishma 670 years
En-tarah-ana 420 years
Babum 300 years
Puannum 840 years
Kalibum 960 years
Kalumum 840 years
Zuqaqip 900 years
Atab (or A-ba) 600 years
Mashda "the son of Atab" 840 years
Arwium "the son of Mashda" 720 years
Etana "the shepherd, who ascended to heaven and consolidated all the foreign countries" 1500 years
Balih "the son of Etana" 400 years
En-me-nuna 660 years
Melem-Kish "the son of En-me-nuna" 900 years
Barsal-nuna ("the son of En-me-nuna")* 1200 years
Zamug "the son of Barsal-nuna" 140 years
Tizqar "the son of Zamug" 305 years
Ilku 900 years
Iltasadum 1200 years
En-me-barage-si "who made the land of Elam submit" 900 years ca. 2600 BC

This is the earliest ruler on the list who is confirmed independently from epigraphical evidence.
Aga of Kish "the son of En-me-barage-si" 625 years ca. 2600 BC Contemporary with Gilgamesh of Uruk according to legend.
"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to E-ana."

First Dynasty of Uruk
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
First Dynasty of Uruk ca. 27th – 26th century BC
Mesh-ki-ang-gasher of E-ana "the son of Utu" 324 years
"Mesh-ki-ang-gasher entered the sea and disappeared."
Enmerkar "the son of Mesh-ki-ang-gasher, the king of Unug, who built Unug (Uruk)" 420 years
Lugalbanda "the shepherd" 1200 years
Dumuzid (Dumuzi) "the fisherman whose city was Kuara."
("He captured En-me-barage-si single-handed.")*		 100 years ca. 2600 BC
Gilgamesh "whose father was a phantom (?), the lord of Kulaba" 126 years ca. 2600 BC Contemporary with Aga of Kish according to legend.
Ur-Nungal "the son of Gilgamesh" 30 years
Udul-kalama "the son of Ur-Nungal" 15 years
La-ba'shum 9 years
En-nun-tarah-ana 8 years
Mesh-he "the smith" 36 years
Melem-ana 6 years
Lugal-kitun 36 years
"Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Urim (Ur)."

Early Bronze Age III

Early Dynastic IIIa period

First dynasty of Ur
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
First Dynasty of Ur ca. 26th century BC
Mesh-Ane-pada 80 years
Mesh-ki-ang-Nanna "the son of Mesh-Ane-pada" 36 years
Elulu 25 years
Balulu 36 years
"Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to Awan."

Dynasty of Awan
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Dynasty of Awan ca. 26th century BC
Three kings of Awan 356 years
"Then Awan was defeated and the kingship was taken to Kish."

Second Dynasty of Kish
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Second Dynasty of Kish ca. 26th century BC
Susuda "the fuller" 201 years
Dadasig 81 years
Mamagal "the boatman" 360 years
Kalbum "the son of Mamagal" 195 years
Tuge 360 years
Men-nuna "the son of Tuge" 180 years
(Enbi-Ishtar) 290 years
Lugalngu 360 years
"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Hamazi."

Early Dynastic IIIb period

(ca. 2500 – ca. 2271 BC)

The First Dynasty of Lagash (also ca. 2500 – ca. 2271 BC) is not mentioned in the King List, though it is well known from inscriptions

Dynasty of Hamazi
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Dynasty of Hamazi ca. 2500 BC
Hadanish 360 years
"Then Hamazi was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug (Uruk)."

Second Dynasty of Uruk
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Second Dynasty of Uruk ca. 25th century BC
En-shag-kush-ana 60 years Conquered parts of Sumer, then Eannatum of Lagash took over Sumer, Kish, and all Mesopotamia. Kug-Bau of Kish gained independance from Lagash, and his Uruk, after Entemena's death.
Lugal-kinishe-dudu or Lugal-ure 120 years Contemporary with Entemena of Lagash
Argandea 7 years
"Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Urim (Ur)."

Second Dynasty of Ur
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Second Dynasty of Ur ca. 25th century BC
Nanni 120 years
Mesh-ki-ang-Nanna II "the son of Nanni" 48 years
(?) 2 years
"Then Urim was defeated and the kingship was taken to Adab."

Dynasty of Adab
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Dynasty of Adab ca. 25th century BC
Lugal-Ane-mundu 90 years Said to have conquered all Mesopotamia from the Persian Gulf to the Zagros Mountains and Elam
"Then Adab was defeated and the kingship was taken to Mari."

Dynasty of Mari
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Dynasty of Mari ca. 25th century BC
Anbu 30 years
Anba "the son of Anbu" 17 years
Bazi "the leatherworker" 30 years
Zizi of Mari "the fuller" 20 years
Limer "the 'gudug' priest" 30 years
Sharrum-iter 9 years
"Then Mari was defeated and the kingship was taken to Kish."

Third Dynasty of Kish
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Third Dynasty of Kish ca. 25th century BC
Kug-Bau (Kubaba) "the woman tavern-keeper, who made firm the foundations of Kish" 100 years The only woman in the King Lists. Gained independance from En-anna-tum I of Lagash and En-shag-kush-ana of Uruk. Possibly contemporary with Puzur-Nirah of Akshak
"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Akshak."

Dynasty of Akshak
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Dynasty of Akshak ca. 25th – 24th century BC
Unzi 30 years
Undalulu 6 years
Urur 6 years
Puzur-Nirah 20 years Possibly contemporary with Kug-Bau of Kish
Ishu-Il 24 years
Shu-Suen of Akshak "the son of Ishu-Il" 7 years
"Then Akshak was defeated and the kingship was taken to Kish."

Fourth Dynasty of Kish
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Fourth Dynasty of Kish ca. 24th – 23rd century BC
Puzur-Suen "the son of Kug-Bau" 25 years
Ur-Zababa "the son of Puzur-Suen" 400 (6?) years ca. 2300 BC Sargon of Akkad was said to have been his cup-bearer.
Zimudar 30 years
Usi-watar "the son of Zimudar" 7 years
Eshtar-muti 11 years
Ishme-Shamash 11 years
(Shu-ilishu)* (15 years)*
Nanniya "the jeweller" 7 years
"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug (Uruk)."

Third Dynasty of Uruk
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Lugal-zage-si 25 years ca. 2296 – 2271 BC (short) Defeated Urukagina of Lagash, as well as Kish and other Sumerian cities, creating a unified kingdom. He was in turn overthrown by Sargon of Akkad.
"Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Agade (Akkad)"

Akkadian Empire

Dynasty of Akkad
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Sargon of Akkad "whose father was a gardener, the cupbearer of Ur-Zababa, became king, the king of Agade, who built Agade" 40 years ca. 2270 – 2215 BC (short) He defeated Lugal-zage-si of Uruk, took over Sumer and created the Akkadian Empire.
Rimush of Akkad "the son of Sargon" 9 years ca. 2214 – 2206 BC (short)
Man-ishtishu "the older brother of Rimush, the son of Sargon" 15 years ca. 2205 – 2191 BC (short)
Naram-Suen of Akkad "the son of Man-ishtishu" 56 years ca. 2190 – 2154 BC (short)
Shar-kali-sharri "the son of Naram-Suen" 25 years ca. 2153 – 2129 BC (short)
"Then who was king? Who was the king?"
"and the 4 of them ruled for only 3 years" ca. 2128 – 2125 BC (short)
Dudu of Akkad 21 years ca. 2125 – 2104 BC (short)
Shu-Durul "the son of Dudu" 15 years ca. 2104 – 2083 BC (short) City of Akkad falls to the Gutians
"Then Agade was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug (Uruk)."

Fourth Dynasty of Uruk
(Possibly rulers of lower Mesopotamia contemporary with the Dynasty of Akkad)
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Fourth Dynasty of Uruk ca. 2091? – 2061? BC (short)
Ur-ningin 7 years
Ur-gigir "the son of Ur-ningin" 6 years
Kuda 6 years
Puzur-ili 5 years
Ur-Utu (or Lugal-melem) ("the son of Ur-gigir")* 25 years
"Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to the army of Gutium."

Early Bronze Age IV

Gutian period

The 2nd Dynasty of Lagash (before ca. 2093 – 2046 BC (short)) is not mentioned in the King List, though it is well known from inscriptions.

Gutian Rule
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Gutian Rule ca. 2147 – 2050 BC (short)
"In the army of Gutium, at first no king was famous; they were their own kings and ruled thus for 3 years."
Inkishush 6 years
Zarlagab 6 years
Shulme (or Yarlagash) 6 years
Silulumesh (or Silulu) 6 years
Inimabakesh (or Duga) 5 years
Igeshaush (or Ilu-An) 6 years
Yarlagab 3 years
Ibate of Gutium 3 years
Yarla (or Yarlangab) 3 years
Kurum 1 year
Apilkin 3 years
La-erabum 2 years Mace head inscription
Irarum 2 years
Ibranum 1 year
Hablum 2 years
Puzur-Suen "the son of Hablum" 7 years
Yarlaganda 7 years Foundation inscription at Umma
(?) 7 years Si-um or Si-u? - Foundation inscription at Umma
Tirigan 40 days Defeated by Utu-hengal of Uruk
"Then the army of Gutium was defeated and the kingship taken to Unug (Uruk)."

Fifth Dynasty of Uruk
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Utu-hengal conflicting dates (427 years / 26 years / 7 years) ca. 2055 – 2048 BC (short) Defeats Tirigan and the Gutians, appoints Ur-Namma governer of Ur
"Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Urim (Ur)."

Ur III period

"Sumerian Renaissance"
(ca. 2047 – 1940 BC (short))

Third Dynasty of Ur
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Ur-Namma (Ur-Nammu) 18 years ca. 2047 – 2030 BC (short) Defeats Nammahani of Lagash, contemporary of Utu-hengal of Uruk
Shulgi "the son of Ur-Namma" 46 years ca. 2029 – 1982 BC (short) Possible lunar/solar eclipse 2005 BC
Amar-Suena "the son of Shulgi" 9 years ca. 1981 – 1973 BC (short)
Shu-Suen "the son of Amar-Suena" 9 years ca. 1972 – 1964 BC (short)
Ibbi-Suen "the son of Shu-Suen" 24 years ca. 1963 – 1940 BC (short)
"Then Urim was defeated. The very foundation of Sumer was torn out. The kingship was taken to Isin."

Middle Bronze Age I

Isin-Larsa period

Independent Amorite states in lower Mesopotamia.

The Dynasty of Larsa (ca. 1961 – 1674 BC (short)) from this period is not mentioned in the King List.

Dynasty of Isin
Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments
Dynasty of Isin ca. 1953 – 1730 BC (short)
Ishbi-Erra 33 years Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur
Shu-ilishu "the son of Ishbi-Erra" 20 years
Iddin-Dagan "the son of Shu-ilishu" 20 years
Ishme-Dagan "the son of Iddin-Dagan" 20 years
Lipit-Eshtar "the son of Ishme-Dagan (or Iddin-Dagan)" 11 years Contemporary of Gungunum of Larsa
Ur-Ninurta ("the son of Ishkur, may he have years of abundance, a good reign, and a sweet life")* 28 years Contemporary of Abisare of Larsa
Bur-Suen "the son of Ur-Ninurta" 5 years
Lipit-Enlil "the son of Bur-Suen" 5 years
Erra-imitti 8 years
Enlil-bani 24 years Contemporary of Sumu-la-El of Babylon. During his reign, the king's gardener, to celebrate the New Year was named 'king for a day' then sacrificed, the "king" died during the celebration; Enlil-Bani remained on the throne.
Zambiya 3 years Contemporary of Sin-Iqisham of Larsa
Iter-pisha 4 years
Ur-du-kuga 4 years
Suen-magir 11 years
(Damiq-ilishu)* ("the son of Suen-magir")* (23 years)*

* These epithets or names are not included in all versions of the king list.

See also

References and External links


Notes

  1. ^ [1] Historical inscriptions; containing principally the chronological prism, W-B 444, Stephen Langdon, Oxford University Press, 1923
  2. ^ [2] WB-444 High Resolution Image from CDLI
  3. ^ [3] WB-444 Line Art from CDLI
  4. ^ Harriet Crawford, Sumer and the Sumerians, Cambridge University Press, 1991, page 19.