First Babylonian dynasty

The First Babylonian Empire is dated to c. 1894 BC – c.

First Babylonian Empire
1595 BC, and comes after the end of Sumerian power with
the destruction of the 3rd dynasty of Ur, and the subsequent c. 1894 BC – c. 1595 BC
Isin Dynasty. The chronology of the first dynasty of
Babylonia is debated as there is a Babylonian King List A[1]
and a Babylonian King List B.[2] In this chronology, the
regnal years of List A are used due to their wide usage. The
reigns in List B are longer, in general.

Contents
Before the First Dynasty The extent of the First Babylonian
Empire at the start and end of
First Dynasty: middle chronology Hammurabi of Babylon's reign, c. 1792
BC – c. 1750 BC
Origins of the First Dynasty
Capital Babylon
The first kings of the dynasty
Common languages Babylonian
King Hammurabi language
Hammurabi's Successors Religion Babylonian
Solar aspects in Babylon religion

Seals Government Monarchy

King
See also
• c. 1894–1881 BC Sumu-abum
References (first)
• c. 1626–1595 BC Samsu-Ditana
(last)

Before the First Dynasty Historical era Bronze Age

• Established c. 1894 BC
The more eminent time period preceding the First Dynasty, • Sack of Babylon c. 1595 BC
but taking place after the reign of Sargon the Great (the first • Disestablished c. 1595 BC
ruler of the Akkadian Empire, c. 2334–2284 BC), is referred
to as the Third Dynasty of Ur or the Ur III period. This time Preceded by Succeeded
by
period took place during the end of the third millennium BC
Third Kassite
and early second millennium BC. Common behaviors of the
Dynasty of dynasty
kings during this time period, especially Ur-Namma and Ur
Shulgi, included reunifying Mesopotamia and developing Dynasty of
rules for the kingdom to abide by. Most notably, these rulers Isin
of Ur contributed to the development of ziggurats, which
Today part of Iraq
were religious monumental stepped towers that would in turn
bring religious peoples together. In order to gain and retain
power, it was not unfamiliar for Ur princesses to marry the kings of Elam; Elaminites were a commonly
known enemy of Mesopotamians.[3] Ur rulers would also, along with arranged marriage, send gifts and
letters to other rulers as a peace offering. This is known because of the hefty amount of administrative
records dating to the Ur III period, which can now be
found on display through collections and museums.[4] Tell Leilan
Kurda Nineveh
Tuttul Tell al-Rimah
First Dynasty: middle chronology Ekallatum

Mari
The middle chronology is:

Sippar
Babylon Kish
Nippur
Isin
Lagash
Uruk Larsa
Ur
Eridu

Map of Iraq showing important sites that were

occupied by the First Babylonian Dynasty
(clickable map)

Chronology of ancient Mesopotamia

showing the domination of the First
Babylonian Empire between c. 1763 BC –
c. 1594 BC

King Reigned Comments

Sumu-abum or
c. 1894–1881 BC Contemporary of Ilushuma of Assyria
Su-abu
Sumu-la-El c. 1881–1845 BC Contemporary of Erishum I of Assyria
Sabium or Sabum c. 1845–1831 BC Son of Sumu-la-El
Apil-Sin c. 1831–1813 BC Son of Sabium
Sin-muballit c. 1813–1792 BC Son of Apil-Sin
Contemporary of Zimri-Lim of Mari,
Hammurabi c. 1792–1750 BC
Siwe-palar-huppak of Elam and Shamshi-Adad I
Samsu-iluna c. 1750–1712 BC Son of Hammurabi
Abi-eshuh or
c. 1712–1684 BC Son of Samsu-iluna
Abieshu
Ammi-ditana c. 1684–1647 BC Son of Abi-eshuh
Ammi-saduqa or
c. 1647–1626 BC Venus tablet of Ammisaduqa
Ammisaduqa
Samsu-Ditana c. 1626–1595 BC Sack of Babylon by the Hittites.

Origins of the First Dynasty

The actual origins of the First Babylonian dynasty are rather hard to pinpoint with great certainty simply
because Babylon itself, due to a high water table, yields very few archaeological materials intact. Thus,
the evidence that survived throughout the years includes written records such as royal and votive
inscriptions, literary texts, and lists of year-names. The minimal amount of evidence in economic and
legal documents makes it difficult to illustrate the economic and social history of the First Babylonian
Dynasty, but with historical events portrayed in literature and the existence of year-name lists, it is
possible to establish a chronology.[5]

The first kings of the dynasty

With little evidence there is not much known about the reigns of the kings from Sumuabum through Sin-
muballit other than the fact they were Amorites rather than indigenous Akkadians. What is known,
however, is that they accumulated little land. When the Amorite king, Hammurabi came into power his
military victories were successful in gaining land for the Empire. However, Babylon was just one of the
several important powers among Assyria ruled by Shamshi-Adad I and Larsa ruled by Rim-Sin I.

The accomplishments of the first known king of the Dynasty, Sumuabum, include his efforts in
expanding the Babylonian territory when conquering Dilbat and Kish.[6] His successor, Simualailum,
was able to complete the wall around Babylon that Sumuabum had begun constructing. Sumualialum was
also able to defeat rebellions in Kish and became successful in the destruction of Kazallu while
possessing brief control over Nippur (though it did not last).[7] There is little to know about the reigns of
Sabium, Apil-Sin and Sinmuballit other than that they continued ruling the conquered territory as well as
strengthened the walls and began building canals. However, Sinmuballit is known for his successful
defeats over Rim-Sim which protected Babylon from further invasion.[8] Sinmuballit would then pass on
his role as king to his son, Hammurabi.

King Hammurabi
Hammurabi is also at times referred to as "Hammurapi" in ancient texts, including multiple primary
source Babylonian letters. This is mainly due to the common variants of an Amorite name, just as
"Dipilirabi" is also known as "Dipilirapi".[9]
One of the most famous ancient near eastern texts, let alone artifactual text from The First Babylonian
Dynasty is the “Code of Hammurapi”. The code is written in cuneiform on a 7 foot tall diorite stele that
portrays the Babylonian King receiving his kingship from the Sun God, Shamash, on the top of the stele
with a collection of written laws at the bottom. The text itself explains how Hammurabi came into power
and created a set of laws to ensure justice throughout his territory, the divine role that was given to him.
Before presenting the laws written in the Code, Hammurabi states "When the god Marduk commanded
me to provide just ways for the people of the land (in order to attain) appropriate behavior, I established
truth and justice as the declaration of the land, I enhanced the well-being of the people" and goes on to
display the laws of just punishment for crimes and provides rules for his people to abide by.[10] King
Hammurabi ruled Babylon from 1792 to 1750 BCE and his code will be noted as one of the oldest living
written laws in history.

When Hammurabi first came into power the empire only consisted of a few towns in the surrounding
area: Dilbat, Sippar, Kish, and Borsippa. By 1761, Hammurabi managed to succeed in capturing the
formidable power of Eshnunna, inheriting its well-established commercial trade routes and the economic
stability that came along with it. It was not long before Hammurabi's army took Assyria and parts of the
Zagros Mountains. Eventually in 1760, Babylon gained control over Mari, making up virtually all the
territory of Mesopotamia under the Third Dynasty of Ur. During Hammurabi's thirtieth year as king, he
conquered Larsa from Rim-Sin I, thus, gaining control over the lucrative urban centers of Nippur, Ur,
Uruk, and Isin. Hammurabi was one of the most notable Kings during the First Babylonian Dynasty
because of his success in gaining control over Southern Mesopotamia and establishing Babylon as the
center of his Empire. Babylon would then come to dominate Mesopotamia for over a thousand years.[11]

Zimri-lim plays a significant role for the historians of today by which this figure contributed immense
amounts of historical documents that help to understand the history of Hammurabi and the diplomacy of
The First Babylonian Dynasty during his reign. The archives of Hammurabi at the site of Babylon cannot
be recovered due to its remains lying under a water table, practically resulting to mud.[12] Zimri-Lim's
palace in Mari held an archive, known as Ebla, which included letters and other texts that provide insight
into the alliance between the king and Hammurabi, as well as other leaders in the Syrian and
Mesopotamian region. These documents survived because of Hammurabi who had burned the palace
down thus burying the material and preserving it.[13] War was a common aspect for the Kingdoms of
Syria and Mesopotamia so inevitably majority of the documents were in regard to military affairs. The
documents included letters written by the messengers of the kings, they would discuss conflicts, divine
oaths, agreements and treaties between the powers.[14]

Hammurabi's Successors
There is also little information to know about the kings who succeeded Hammurabi. The reigns of kings
from Samsuiluna to Samsuditana have very few records to note the history of what went on during their
time as rulers. However, we do know that Samsuiluna was successful in beating Rim-Sim II but lost
major parts of conquered land, only really ruling the main territory that remained after Hammurabi's
reign. The kings who succeeded him would face similar turmoil.[16] The first Babylonian Dynasty
eventually came to an end as the Empire lost territory, money and faced great degradation. The attacks
from Hittites who were trying to expand outside of Anatolia eventually came to the destruction of
Babylon. The Kassite Period then followed the First Babylonian Dynasty ruling from 1570-1154
BCE.[17]
Solar aspects in Babylon
Solar aspects played a certain role in the Royal Power of Old
Babylonia. Shamash is the god of the sun as well as the god of
justice and divination as mentioned in The Code of Hammurapi
the text states "May the god Shamash, the great judge of heaven
and earth, who provides just ways for all living creatures, the
lord, my trust, overturn his kingship".[18] Shamash was
considered to have an influence on Hammurabi and fosters the
idea that he will execute the laws of justice on land as Shamash
does in with his role as a god.[19]

A recent translation of the Chogha Gavaneh tablets which date

Hammurabi (standing), depicted as
back to 1800 BC indicates there were close contacts between this
receiving his royal insignia from
town located in the intermontane valley of Islamabad in Central Shamash (or possibly Marduk).
Zagros and Dyala region. Hammurabi holds his hands over his
mouth as a sign of prayer[15] (relief
A text about the fall of Babylon by the Hittites of Mursilis I at the on the upper part of the stele of
end of Samsuditana's reign, tells a story about a twin eclipse Hammurabi's code of laws).
which is crucial for there to be a correct Babylonian chronology.
The pair of lunar and solar eclipses occurred in
the month of Shimanu (Sivan). The lunar eclipse
took place on February 9, 1659 BC. It started at
4:43 and ended at 6:47. The latter was invisible
which satisfies the record and which also tells
that the moon setting was still eclipsed. The
solar eclipse occurred on February 23, 1659. It
started at 10:26, has its maximum at 11:45, and
ended at 13:04.[20] The Venus tablets of
Ammisaduqa (i.e., several ancient versions on
clay tablets) are famous, and several books had
been published about them. Several dates have
been offered but the old dates of many Cylinder seal, ca. 18th–17th century BC. Babylonia
sourcebooks seem to be outdated and incorrect.
There are further difficulties: the 21-year span
of the detailed observations of the planet Venus may or may not coincide with the reign of this king,
because his name is not mentioned, only the Year of the Golden Throne. A few sources, some printed
almost a century ago, claim that the original text mentions an occultation of Venus by the moon.
However, this may be a misinterpretation.[21] Calculations support 1659 for the fall of Babylon, based on
the statistical probability of dating based on the planet's observations. The presently accepted middle
chronology is too low from the astronomical point of view.[22]

Seals
Devotion scene Hero fighting two winged
demons

Presentation to a divinity Scene of devotion with

inscription

See also
Chronology of the Ancient Near East
Kings of Babylon
List of lists of ancient kings
List of Mesopotamian dynasties
Short chronology timeline
Timeline of the Assyrian Empire

References
1. BM 33332.
2. BM 38122.
3. Stolper, Matthew W. (1984). Elam: Surveys of Political History and Archaeology.
4. Podany, Amanda H. (2010). Brotherhood of Kings. p. 62.
5. Seri, Andrea (2012). Local Power of Old Babylonian Mesopotamia. pp. 12–13.
 6. King, Leonard William (1969). A History of Babylon.
7. King, Leonard William (1969). A History of Babylon.
8. King, Leonard William (1969). A History of Babylon.
9. Luckenbill, D.D (1984). The Name Hammurabi. p. 253.
10. Coogan, Micheal D. Ancient Near Eastern Texts. Oxford University Press. pp. 87–90.
11. Podany, Amanda H. (2010). Brotherhood of Kings. p. 65.
12. Klengel-brandt, Evelyn. Bbaylon.
13. Podany, Amanda H. Brotherhood of Kings. p. 70.
14. Podany, Amanda H. (2010). Brotherhood of kings. p. 72.
15. Roux, Georges, "The Time of Confusion", Ancient Iraq (https://books.google.com/books?id=
klZX8B_RzzYC&pg=PA266), Penguin Books, p. 266, ISBN 9780141938257
16. Moorey, P.R.S (1978). Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder Seals.
17. Coogan, Micheal D. Ancient Near Eastern Texts. Oxford University Press. pp. 87–90.
18. The Code of Hammurapi.
19. Charpin, Dominique. " "I am the Sun of Babylon"; Solar Aspects of Royal Power in Old
Babylonian Mesopotamia".
20. Huber, Peter (1982). "Astronomical dating of Babylon I and Ur III". Monographic Journals of
the Near East: 41.
21. Reiner, Erica; D. Pingree. Babylonian Planetary Omens The Venus, the Tablet of
Ammisaduqa.
22. Kelley, David H.; E. F. Milone; Anthony F. Aveni (2004). Exploring Ancient Skies: An
Encyclopedic Survey of Archaeoastronomy. New York: Springer. ISBN 0-387-95310-8.

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