List of Mesopotamian dynasties

A selection of Mesopotamian rulers: Ur-Nanshe of Lagash (top left; c. 2500 BC), Naram-Sin of Akkad (top right; c. 2254–2218 BC), Marduk-nadin-ahhe of Babylon (bottom left; c. 1095–1078 BC), and Sargon II of Assyria (bottom right; 722–705 BC)

The history of Mesopotamia extends from the Lower Paleolithic period until the establishment of the Caliphate in the late 7th century AD, after which the region came to be known as Iraq. This list covers dynasties and monarchs of Mesopotamia up until the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 539 BC, after which native Mesopotamian monarchs never again ruled the region.

The earliest records of writing are known from the Uruk period (or "Protoliterate period") in the 4th millennium BC, with documentation of actual historical events, and the ancient history of the region, being known from the middle of the third millennium BC onwards, alongside cuneiform records written by early kings. This period, known as the Early Dynastic Period, is typically subdivided into three: 2900–2750 BC (ED I), 2750–2600 BC (ED II) and 2600–2350 BC (ED III), and was followed by Akkadian (~2350–2100 BC) and Neo-Sumerian (2112–2004 BC) periods, after which Mesopotamia was most often divided between Assyria in the north and Babylonia in the south. In 609 BC, after about a century of the kings of the Neo-Assyrian Empire ruling both Assyria and Babylonia, the Neo-Babylonian Empire destroyed Assyria and became the sole power in Mesopotamia. The conquest of Babylon by the Achaemenid Empire in 539 BC initiated centuries of Iranian rule (under the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian empires), which was only briefly interrupted by the Hellenistic Argeads and Seleucids (331–141 BC) and the Roman Empire (AD 116–117).

This list follows the middle chronology, the most widely used chronology of Mesopotamian history.

Early dynastic period (c. 2900–2350 BC)

Before the rise of the Akkadian Empire in the 24th century BC, Mesopotamia was fragmented into a number of city states. Whereas some surviving Mesopotamian documents, such as the Sumerian King List, describe this period as one where there was only one legitimate king at any one given time, and kingship was transferred from city to city sequentially, the historical reality was that there were often many political leaders at any one given time. The Sumerian King List is generally not regarded as historically reliable given the exaggerated reign lengths (some rulers are described as ruling for hundreds or even thousands of years) and the fact that out of the massive amount of pre-Akkadian rulers listed in the SKL, very few are actually attested in surviving evidence from the Early Dynastic period. It is considered most appropriate by modern scholars to rely solely on actual Early Dynastic sources for reconstructing historical events during the Early Dynastic period. As such, the table below only lists rulers whose existence is attested by other more contemporary sources.

Century Kish Uruk Ur Lagash Umma Adab
c. 2600s BC EnmebaragesiAga of Kish

Uhub
Mesilim
Meskiagnun
Elulu

Gilgamesh A-Imdugud
Ur-Pabilsag
Meskalamdug
Akalamdug
Mesannepada
A'annepada
Meskiagnun
Elulu
c. 2500s BC En-hegal
Lugalshaengur
Ur-Nanshe
Akurgal
Pabilgagaltuku
Ush
c. 2400s BC Lugal-kinishe-dudu
Lugal-kisalsi
Lugal-kinishe-dudu
Lugal-kisalsi
Lugal-kinishe-dudu
Lugal-kisalsi
Eannatum
Enannatum I
Entemena
Enannatum II
Enentarzi
Enakalle
Ur-Lumma
Il
Gishakidu
Edin
Meanedu
Ushurdu
Lugal-Anne-Mundu
Mug-si
E-iginimpa'e
c. 2300s BC Lugal-zage-si Enshakushanna
Lugal-zage-si
Lugalanda
Urukagina
Lugal-zage-si
Lugalanda
Urukagina
Lugal-zage-si
Ukush
Lugal-zage-si
Meskigal
Lugal-zage-si

Akkadian and Neo-Sumerian periods (c. 2334–2004 BC)

Akkad Gutium Lagash Uruk / Ur
Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref
Sargonic dynasty
Sargon c. 2334–2279 BC
Rimush c. 2278–2270 BC
Manishtushu c. 2269–2255 BC Second dynasty of Lagash
Naram-Sin c. 2254–2218 BC Gutian dynasty Lugal-ushumgal c. 2230–2210 BC
Shar-Kali-Sharri c. 2217–2193 BC Erridupizir c. 2220–2202 BC Puzer-Mama around 2210 BC Fourth dynasty of Uruk
Imta c. 2202–2199 BC Ur-Ningirsu I around 2200 BC Ur-nigin around 2200 BC
Pirig-me around 2200 BC Ur-gigir around 2200 BC
Inkishush c. 2199–2195 BC
Igigi (non-dynastic) c. 2193 BC Sarlagab c. 2195–2192 BC Kuda uncertain
Imi (non-dynastic) c. 2192 BC Shulme c. 2192–2186 BC Lu-Baba uncertain Puzur-ili uncertain
Nanum (non-dynastic) c. 2191 BC
Ilulu (non-dynastic) c. 2190 BC Lugula uncertain Ur-Utu uncertain
Dudu c. 2189–2169 BC Elulmesh c. 2186–2180 BC
Inimabakesh c. 2180–2175 BC
Igeshaush c. 2175–2169 BC Kaku uncertain
Shu-turul c. 2168–2154 BC Yarlagab c. 2169–2154 BC
Akkad defeated by the Gutians
Ibate c. 2154–2151 BC Ur-Baba c. 2157–2144 BC
Yarla c. 2151–2148 BC
Kurum c. 2148–2147 BC
Apilkin c. 2147–2144 BC
La-erabum c. 2144–2142 BC Gudea c. 2144–2124 BC
Irarum c. 2142–2140 BC
Ibranum c. 2140–2139 BC
Hablum c. 2139–2137 BC
Puzur-Suen c. 2137–2130 BC
Yarlaganda c. 2130–2123 BC
Si'um c. 2123–2116 BC Ur-Ningirsu II c. 2124–2119 BC Fifth dynasty of Uruk
Tirigan c. 2116 BC Ur-gar c. 2117–2113 BC Utu-hengal c. 2119–2113 BC
Gutians defeated by Utu-Hengal of Uruk Third dynasty of Ur
Nam-mahani c. 2113–2110 BC Ur-Nammu c. 2112–2095 BC
Lagash defeated by Ur-Nammu of Ur Shulgi c. 2094–2047 BC
Amar-Sin c. 2046–2038 BC
Shu-Sin c. 2037–2029 BC
Ibbi-Sin c. 2028–2004 BC

Isin–Larsa and rise of Babylon (c. 2025–1750 BC)

Southern Mesopotamia Northern Mesopotamia
Isin Larsa Babylon Uruk Eshnunna Assyria
Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref
First dynasty of Isin Dynasty of Larsa Dynasty of Eshnunna Puzur-Ashur dynasty
Ishbi-Erra c. 2017–1985 BC Naplanum c. 2025–2005 BC Ituria uncertain Puzur-Ashur I uncertain
Emisum c. 2004–1977 BC Ilushuilia uncertain Shalim-ahum uncertain
Shu-Ilishu c. 1984–1975 BC Nurakhum uncertain Ilu-shuma uncertain
Iddin-Dagan c. 1974–1954 BC Samium c. 1976–1942 BC Kirikiri uncertain Erishum I c. 1974–1935 BC
Ishme-Dagan c. 1953–1935 BC Zabaia c. 1941–1933 BC Bilalama uncertain
Lipit-Eshtar c. 1934–1924 BC Gungunum c. 1932–1906 BC Azuzum uncertain Ikunum c. 1934–1921 BC
Ur-Ninurta c. 1923–1896 BC Abisare c. 1905–1895 BC Amorite dynasty (Dynasty I) Ipiq-Adad I uncertain Sargon I c. 1920–1881 BC
Bur-Suen c. 1895–1874 BC Sumuel c. 1894–1866 BC Sumu-abum c. 1894–1881 BC Shiqlanum uncertain
Lipit-Enlil c. 1873–1869 BC Abdi-Erah uncertain Puzur-Ashur II c. 1880–1873 BC
Erra-imitti c. 1868–1861 BC Nur-Adad c. 1865–1850 BC Sumu-la-El c. 1880–1845 BC Sixth dynasty of Uruk Belakum uncertain
Enlil-bani c. 1860–1837 BC Sin-Iddinam c. 1849–1843 BC Sin-kashid uncertain Warassa uncertain Naram-Sin c. 1872–1829 BC
Zambiya c. 1836–1834 BC Sin-Eribam c. 1842–1841 BC Sabium c. 1844–1831 BC Sin-eribam uncertain Ibal-pi-El I uncertain
Iter-pisha c. 1833–1831 BC Sin-Iqisham c. 1840–1836 BC Sin-gamil uncertain Ipiq-Adad II uncertain
Silli-Adad c. 1835 BC Anam uncertain Naram-Sin uncertain
Ur-du-kuga c. 1830–1828 BC Warad-Sin c. 1834–1823 BC Irdanene uncertain Dadusha uncertain
Suen-magir c. 1827–1817 BC Rim-Sin I c. 1822–1763 BC Apil-Sin c. 1830–1813 BC Rim-Anum uncertain Ibal-pi-El II c. 1762 BC Erishum II c. 1828–1809 BC
Shamshi-Adad dynasty
Damiq-ilishu c. 1816–1794 BC Sin-Muballit c. 1812–1793 BC Nabi-ilishu c. 1802 BC Shamshi-Adad I c. 1808–1776 BC
Isin defeated by Rim-Sin I of Larsa
Hammurabi c. 1792–1750 BC Uruk defeated by Hammurabi of Babylon Eshnunna defeated by Siwepalarhuhpak of Elam Ishme-Dagan I c. 1775–1735 BC
Larsa defeated by Hammurabi of Babylon

Fragmentation of Babylonia (c. 1749–1475 BC)

Southern Mesopotamia (Babylonia) Northern Mesopotamia
Babylon Kassites Sealand Assyria
Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref
Amorite dynasty (Dynasty I; continued) Kassite dynasty (Dynasty III) First Sealand dynasty (Dynasty II) Shamshi-Adad dynasty (continued)
Samsu-iluna c. 1749–1712 BC Gandash c. 1729–1704 BC Ilum-ma-ili c. 1725–? BC Mut-Ashkur uncertain
Rimush uncertain
Abi-Eshuh c. 1711–1684 BC Agum I c. 1703–1682 BC Itti-ili-nibi uncertain Asinum uncertain
Seven usurpers
Ashur-dugul uncertain
Ashur-apla-idi
Nasir-Sin
Sin-namir
Ipqi-Ishtar
Adad-salulu
Adasi
Adaside dynasty
Damqi-ilishu uncertain Bel-bani c. 1700–1691 BC
Kashtiliash I c. 1681–1660 BC Libaya c. 1691–1674 BC
Ammi-Ditana c. 1683–1647 BC Abi-Rattash uncertain Ishkibal uncertain Sharma-Adad I c. 1673–1662 BC
Iptar-Sin c. 1661–1650 BC
Ammi-Saduqa c. 1646–1626 BC Shushushi uncertain Bazaya c. 1649–1622 BC
Samsu-Ditana c. 1625–1595 BC Kashtiliash II uncertain Gulkishar uncertain Lullaya c. 1621–1616 BC
Shu-Ninua c. 1615–1602 BC
Sharma-Adad II c. 1601–1598 BC
Babylon destroyed by the Hittites Urzigurumash uncertain Peshgaldaramesh c. 1599–1549 BC Erishum III c. 1598–1586 BC
Agum II uncertain Shamshi-Adad II c. 1585–1580 BC
Harba-Shipak uncertain Ishme-Dagan II c. 1580–1564 BC
Kassite dynasty (Dynasty III) Shipta'ulzi uncertain Shamshi-Adad III c. 1564–1548 BC
Burnaburiash I c. 1530–1500 BC Burnaburiash I c. 1530–1500 BC Ayadaragalama c. 1548–1520 BC Ashur-nirari I c. 1548–1522 BC
Akurduana c. 1519–1493 BC Puzur-Ashur III c. 1522–1498 BC
Ulamburiash around 1475 BC Ulamburiash around 1475 BC Melamkurkurra c. 1492–1485 BC Enlil-nasir I c. 1498–1485 BC
Ea-gamil c. 1484–1475 BC Nur-ili c. 1485–1473 BC

Babylonia and rising Assyria (c. 1475–539 BC)

Babylonia Assyria
Name Reign Ref Name Reign Ref
Kassite dynasty (Dynasty III; continued) Adaside dynasty (continued)
Ulamburiash around 1475 BC Ashur-shaduni c. 1473 BC
Kashtiliash III uncertain Ashur-rabi I c. 1473–1453 BC
Ashur-nadin-ahhe I c. 1453–1431 BC
Agum III uncertain Enlil-nasir II c. 1430–1425 BC
Ashur-nirari II c. 1424–1418 BC
Karaindash around 1415 BC Ashur-bel-nisheshu c. 1417–1409 BC
Ashur-rim-nisheshu c. 1408–1401 BC
Kadashman-Harbe I around 1400 BC Ashur-nadin-ahhe II c. 1400–1391 BC
Eriba-Adad I c. 1390–1364 BC
Kurigalzu I uncertain Ashur-uballit I c. 1363–1328 BC
Kadashman-Enlil I c. 1374–1360 BC
Burnaburiash II c. 1359–1333 BC
Kara-hardash c. 1333 BC Enlil-nirari c. 1327–1318 BC
Nazi-Bugash c. 1333 BC
Kurigalzu II c. 1332–1308 BC Arik-den-ili c. 1317–1306 BC
Nazi-Maruttash c. 1307–1282 BC Adad-nirari I c. 1305–1274 BC
Kadashman-Turgu c. 1281–1264 BC Shalmaneser I c. 1273–1244 BC
Kadashman-Enlil II c. 1263–1255 BC
Kudur-Enlil c. 1254–1246 BC
Shagarakti-Shuriash c. 1245–1233 BC Tukulti-Ninurta I c. 1243–1207 BC
Kashtiliash IV c. 1232–1225 BC
Enlil-nadin-shumi c. 1224 BC
Kadashman-Harbe II c. 1223 BC
Adad-shuma-iddina c. 1222–1217 BC
Adad-shuma-usur c. 1216–1187 BC Ashur-nadin-apli c. 1206–1203 BC
Ashur-nirari III c. 1202–1197 BC
Enlil-kudurri-usur c. 1196–1192 BC
Meli-Shipak c. 1186–1172 BC Ninurta-apal-Ekur c. 1191–1179 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina I c. 1171–1159 BC Ashur-dan I c. 1178–1133 BC
Zababa-shuma-iddin c. 1158 BC
Enlil-nadin-ahi c. 1157–1155 BC
Second dynasty of Isin (Dynasty IV)
Marduk-kabit-ahheshu c. 1153–1136 BC
Itti-Marduk-balatu c. 1135–1128 BC Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur c. 1132 BC
Mutakkil-nusku c. 1132 BC
Ninurta-nadin-shumi c. 1127–1122 BC Ashur-resh-ishi I 1132–1115 BC
Nebuchadnezzar I c. 1121–1100 BC Tiglath-Pileser I 1114–1076 BC
Enlil-nadin-apli c. 1099–1096 BC
Marduk-nadin-ahhe c. 1095–1078 BC
Marduk-shapik-zeri c. 1077–1065 BC Asharid-apal-Ekur 1075–1074 BC
Adad-apla-iddina c. 1064–1043 BC Ashur-bel-kala 1073–1056 BC
Eriba-Adad II 1055–1054 BC
Shamshi-Adad IV 1053–1050 BC
Marduk-ahhe-eriba c. 1042 BC Ashurnasirpal I 1049–1031 BC
Marduk-zer-X c. 1041–1030 BC
Nabu-shum-libur c. 1029–1022 BC Shalmaneser II 1030–1019 BC
Second Sealand dynasty (Dynasty V) Ashur-nirari IV 1018–1013 BC
Simbar-shipak c. 1021–1004 BC
Ea-mukin-zeri c. 1004 BC Ashur-rabi II 1012–972 BC
Kashshu-nadin-ahi c. 1003–1001 BC
Bazi dynasty (Dynasty VI)
Eulmash-shakin-shumi c. 1000–984 BC
Ninurta-kudurri-usur I c. 983–981 BC
Shirikti-shuqamuna c. 981 BC
Elamite dynasty (Dynasty VII)
Mar-biti-apla-usur c. 980–975 BC
Dynasty of E (Dynasty VIII)
Nabu-mukin-apli c. 974–939 BC Ashur-resh-ishi II 971–967 BC
Tiglath-Pileser II 967–935 BC
Ninurta-kudurri-usur II c. 939 BC Ashur-dan II 935–912 BC
Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina c. 938–? BC
Shamash-mudammiq c. ?–901 BC
Nabu-shuma-ukin I c. 900–887 BC Adad-nirari II 912–891 BC
Nabu-apla-iddina c. 886–853 BC Tukulti-Ninurta II 891–884 BC
Marduk-zakir-shumi I c. 852–825 BC Ashurnasirpal II 884–859 BC
Shalmaneser III 859–824 BC
Marduk-balassu-iqbi c. 824–813 BC Shamshi-Adad V 824–811 BC
Baba-aha-iddina c. 813–812 BC Adad-nirari III 811–783 BC
Ninurta-apla-X uncertain
Marduk-bel-zeri uncertain
Marduk-apla-usur uncertain Shalmaneser IV 783–773 BC
Eriba-Marduk c. 769–760 BC Ashur-dan III 773–755 BC
Nabu-shuma-ishkun c. 760–748 BC Ashur-nirari V 755–745 BC
Nabonassar 748–734 BC Tiglath-Pileser III 745–727 BC
Nabu-nadin-zeri 734–732 BC
Nabu-shuma-ukin II 732 BC
Nabu-mukin-zeri (non-dynastic) 732–729 BC
Adaside dynasty (also in Assyria)
Tiglath-Pileser III 729–727 BC
Shalmaneser V 727–722 BC Shalmaneser V 727–722 BC
Sargonid dynasty
Marduk-apla-iddina II (non-dynastic) 722–710 BC Sargon II 722–705 BC
Sargon II 710–705 BC
Sennacherib 705–703 BC Sennacherib 705–681 BC
Marduk-zakir-shumi II (non-dynastic) 703 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina II (non-dynastic) 703 BC
Bel-ibni (vassal king) 703–700 BC
Ashur-nadin-shumi 700–694 BC
Nergal-ushezib (non-dynastic) 694–693 BC
Mushezib-Marduk (non-dynastic) 693–689 BC
Sennacherib 689–681 BC
Esarhaddon 681–669 BC Esarhaddon 681–669 BC
Shamash-shum-ukin 668–648 BC Ashurbanipal 669–631 BC
Kandalanu (vassal king) 647–627 BC Ashur-etil-ilani 631–627 BC
Sinsharishkun 627–626 BC Sinsharishkun 627–612 BC
Sin-shumu-lishir (usurper) 626 BC
Chaldean dynasty (Dynasty X)
Nabopolassar 626–605 BC Ashur-uballit II 612–609 BC
Nebuchadnezzar II 605–562 BC Assyria defeated by Nabopolassar of Babylon
Amel-Marduk 562–560 BC
Neriglissar (non-dynastic) 560–556 BC
Labashi-Marduk (non-dynastic) 556 BC
Nabonidus (non-dynastic) 556–539 BC

See also


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