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The Sumerian King List is an ancient manuscript, originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer from Sumerian and foreign dynasties. It records the location of "official" kingship, along with the rulers and their supposed reign lengths. 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.[1] 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.[1]
[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][1] 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.[1]
The oldest extant inscriptions containing the list, such as the Weld-Blundell Prism,[3][4] date from the early 2nd millennium BC.[1] 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[5] 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.
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.[6][7]
The following reigns were measured in Sumerian numerical units known as sars (units of 3600), ners (units of 600), and soss (units of 60).[8]
| 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.[9]
|
[edit] First Dynasty of Kish
[edit] First Dynasty of Uruk
[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."
|
| 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."
|
-
- (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
| 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."
|
| 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
[edit] Fourth Dynasty of Kish
[edit] Third Dynasty of 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)"
|
| 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?"
|
|
|
"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."
|
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] 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)."
|
-
- "Sumerian Renaissance"
- (ca. 2047 – 1940 BC (short))
[edit] 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."
|
-
- 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.
* These epithets or names are not included in all versions of the king list.
[edit] See also
- ^ a b c d e Van De Mieroop, Marc (2004). A History of the Ancient Near East. Blackwell. pp. 41. ISBN 0631225528. http://books.google.com/books?id=oknsEhcALLEC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA41,M1.
- ^ von Soden, Wolfram; Donald G. Schley, translator (1994). The Ancient Orient. Wm. B. Eerdmans. pp. 47. ISBN 0802801420. http://books.google.com/books?id=n6u2t7dtcEcC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA47,M1.
- ^ "WB-444 High Resolution Image from CDLI". http://www.cdli.ucla.edu/dl/photo/P384786.jpg.
- ^ "WB-444 Line Art from CDLI". http://www.cdli.ucla.edu/dl/lineart/P384786_l.jpg.
- ^ Black, J.A.; Cunningham, G.; Flückiger-Hawker, E.; Robson, E.; Taylor, J.; and Zólyomi, G. (1998) Oxford.
- ^ Wright, Henry. "The Earliest Bronze Age in Southwest Asia (3100-2700 BC)". http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/Civ/papers/Jemdt_Nasr_04D.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-07-04.
- ^ Cowen, Richard. "Chapter 4: The Bronze Age". http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/~cowen/~GEL115/115CH4.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-04.
- ^ "Chapter 26: THE ANCIENT KING LISTS OF THE WORLD". http://www.world-destiny.org/a26kl.htm. Retrieved on 2009-01-07.
- ^ Crawford, Harriet (1991). Sumer and the Sumerians. Cambridge University Press. pp. 19.
[edit] References
- Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Flückiger-Hawker, E., Robson, E., Taylor, J., and Zólyomi, G. (1998) Translation of the Sumerian King List (alternate site), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (http://www-etcsl.orient.ox.ac.uk/), Oxford.
- Vincente, Claudine-Adrienne, "The Tall Leilan Recension of the Sumerian King List", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie 50 (1995), 234–270
- [3], The Beginning and the End of the Sumerian King List, in Jöran Friberg, A Remarkable Collection of Babylonian Mathematical Texts: Manuscripts in the Schøyen Collection Cuneiform Texts I, Springer, 2007, ISBN 0387345434
