http://SaturnianCosmology.Org/ mirrored file For complete access to all the files of this collection see http://SaturnianCosmology.org/search.php ========================================================== Sumerian King List From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The *Sumerian King List* is an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer from Sumerian and neighboring dynasties , their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of "official" kingship . It has been suggested that this manuscript could serve to support certain details that are set forth in the Book of Genesis , where, similarly, individuals live for an extraordinary length of time prior to a great flood, and then for a lesser amount of time after said flood.^[1] Kingship was believed to have been handed down by the gods , and could be transferred from one city to another, reflecting perceived hegemony in the region.^[2] Throughout its Bronze Age existence, the document evolved into a political tool. Its final and single attested version, dating to the Middle Bronze Age , aimed to legitimize Isin 's claims to hegemony when Isin was vying for dominance with Larsa and other neighboring city-states in southern Mesopotamia .^[2] Contents [hide ] * 1 Composition * 2 The list o 2.1 Early Bronze Age I o 2.2 Early Bronze Age II + 2.2.1 Early Dynastic I and II periods # 2.2.1.1 First Dynasty of Kish # 2.2.1.2 First Dynasty of Uruk o 2.3 Early Bronze Age III + 2.3.1 Early Dynastic IIIa period # 2.3.1.1 First dynasty of Ur # 2.3.1.2 Dynasty of Awan # 2.3.1.3 Second Dynasty of Kish + 2.3.2 Early Dynastic IIIb period # 2.3.2.1 Dynasty of Hamazi # 2.3.2.2 Second Dynasty of Uruk # 2.3.2.3 Second Dynasty of Ur # 2.3.2.4 Dynasty of Adab # 2.3.2.5 Dynasty of Mari # 2.3.2.6 Third Dynasty of Kish # 2.3.2.7 Dynasty of Akshak # 2.3.2.8 Fourth Dynasty of Kish # 2.3.2.9 Third Dynasty of Uruk + 2.3.3 Akkadian Empire # 2.3.3.1 Dynasty of Akkad # 2.3.3.2 Fourth Dynasty of Uruk o 2.4 Early Bronze Age IV + 2.4.1 Gutian period # 2.4.1.1 Gutian Rule # 2.4.1.2 Fifth Dynasty of Uruk + 2.4.2 Ur III period # 2.4.2.1 Third Dynasty of Ur o 2.5 Middle Bronze Age I + 2.5.1 Isin-Larsa period # 2.5.1.1 Dynasty of Isin * 3 See also * 4 Notes * 5 References [edit ] Composition The list blends prehistorical, presumably mythical predynastic rulers with implausibly lengthy reigns with later, more plausibly historical dynasties. Although the primal kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicized. Some Assyriologists view the predynastic kings as a later fictional addition.^[2] ^[3] Only one ruler listed is known to be female: Kug-Bau "the (female) tavern-keeper", who alone accounts for the Third Dynasty of Kish . The earliest listed ruler whose historicity has been archaeologically verified is En-me-barage-si of Kish , ca. 2600 BC . Reference to this individual in the Epic of Gilgamesh has led to speculation that Gilgamesh himself may be historical. Three dynasties are notably excluded from the list: the Larsa dynasty , which vied for power with the (included) Isin dynasty during the Isin-Larsa period ; and the two dynasties of Lagash , which respectively preceded and ensued the Akkadian Empire , when Lagash exercised considerable influence in the region. Lagash in particular is known directly from archaeological artifacts dating from ca. 2500 BC . For lack of a more accurate source, the list is central to the chronology of the 3rd millennium BC . However, the fact that many of the dynasties listed reigned simultaneously from varying localities makes it difficult to reproduce a strict linear chronology.^[2] The oldest extant inscriptions containing the list, such as the Weld-Blundell Prism,^[4] ^[5] date from the early 2nd millennium BC .^[2] 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 popularized the list in the Hellenic world . [edit ] The list Sites mentioned in the Sumer Kinglist before the flood /The spelling follows the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature ^[6] Early dates are approximate, and are based on available archaeological data; for most pre-Akkadian rulers listed, this king list is itself the lone source of information. Beginning with Lugal-zage-si and the Third Dynasty of Uruk (which was defeated by Sargon of Akkad ), a better understanding of how subsequent rulers fit into the chronology of the ancient Near East can be deduced. The short chronology is used here./ [edit ] Early Bronze Age I None of the following predynastic "antediluvian " rulers have been verified via archaeological excavations , epigraphical inscriptions , or otherwise. It is possible that they correspond to the Early Bronze Age Jemdet Nasr period culture which ended approximately 2900 BC , immediately preceding the dynasts.^[7] ^[8] The following reigns were measured in Sumerian numerical units known as /sars/ (units of 3600), /ners/ (units of 600), and /sosses/ (units of 60).^[9] Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments *Predynastic kings* 30th century BCE or earlier /"After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug . In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years."/ Alulim 8 sars (28,800 years) Alalngar 10 sars (36,000 years) /"Then Eridug fell and the kingship was taken to Bad-tibira ."/ En-men-lu-ana 12 sars (43,200 years) En-men-gal-ana 8 sars (28,800 years) Dumuzid, the Shepherd /"the shepherd"/ 10 sars (36,000 years) /"Then Bad-tibira fell and the kingship was taken to Larag ."/ En-sipad-zid-ana 8 sars (28,800 years) /"Then Larag fell and the kingship was taken to Zimbir ."/ En-men-dur-ana 5 sars and 5 ners (21,000 years) /"Then Zimbir fell and the kingship was taken to Shuruppag ."/ Ubara-Tutu 5 sars and 1 ner (18,600 years) /"Then the flood swept over."/ Excavations in Iraq have revealed evidence of localized flooding at Shuruppak (modern Tell Fara, Iraq) and various other Sumerian cities. A layer of riverine sediments, radiocarbon dated to ca. 2900 BCE, interrupts the continuity of settlement, extending as far north as the city of Kish . Polychrome pottery from the Jemdet Nasr period (3000-2900 BCE) was discovered immediately below the Shuruppak flood stratum.^[10] [edit ] Early Bronze Age II [edit ] Early Dynastic I and II periods [edit ] 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 the earliest ruler on the List 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 the Epic of Gilgamesh ^[11] /"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to E-ana ."/ [edit ] 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 the Epic of Gilgamesh ^[11] 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)."/ [edit ] Early Bronze Age III [edit ] Early Dynastic IIIa period [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 [edit ] 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)."/ [edit ] 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 said to have conquered parts of Sumer; then Eannatum of Lagash claims to have taken over Sumer, Kish, and all Mesopotamia. Kug-Bau of Kish is said to have gained independence 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)."/ [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 known woman in the King List; said to have gained independence from En-anna-tum I of Lagash and En-shag-kush-ana of Uruk ; contemporary with Puzur-Nirah of Akshak , according to the later /Chronicle of the É-sagila / /"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Akshak ."/ [edit ] 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 contemporary with Kug-Bau of Kish , according to the later /Chronicle of É-sagila / 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 ."/ [edit ] 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 according to the king list, Sargon of Akkad was 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 ca. 2303-2296 BC (short) /"Then Kish was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug (Uruk)."/ [edit ] Third Dynasty of Uruk Lugal-zage-si 's Uruk Ruler Epithet Length of reign Approx. dates Comments Lugal-zage-si 25 years ca. 2296–2271 BC (short ) said to have defeated Urukagina of Lagash , as well as Kish and other Sumerian cities, creating a unified kingdom; he in turn was overthrown by Sargon of Akkad /"Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Agade (Akkad)"/ [edit ] Akkadian Empire Akkadian Empire Victory stele of Naram-Suen (Louvre ) [edit ] 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 ) 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?"/ * Irgigi * Imi * Nanum * Ilulu /"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 ) Akkad falls to the Gutians /"Then Agade was defeated and the kingship was taken to Unug (Uruk)."/ [edit ] 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 ."/ [edit ] Early Bronze Age IV [edit ] 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. [edit ] 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)."/ [edit ] 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 governor of Ur /"Then Unug was defeated and the kingship was taken to Urim (Ur)."/ [edit ] Ur III period "Sumerian Renaissance " (ca. 2047–1940 BC (short )) [edit ] Third Dynasty of Ur Great Ziggurat 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 ."/ [edit ] Middle Bronze Age I [edit ] 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. [edit ] 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.