Kings of Babylon 

Ancient
Mesopotamia
Lion image on Ishtar Gate
Euphrates · Tigris
Empires / Cities
Sumer
Eridu · Kish · Uruk · Ur
Lagash · Nippur · Ngirsu
Elam
Susa
Akkadian Empire
Akkad · Mari
Amorites
Isin · Larsa
Babylonia
Babylon · Chaldea
Assyria
Assur · Nimrud
Dur-Sharrukin · Nineveh
Mesopotamia
Sumer (king list)
Kings of Assyria
Kings of Babylon
Enûma Elish · Gilgamesh
Assyro-Babylonian religion
Sumerian · Elamite
Akkadian · Aramaic
Hurrian · Hittite

The following is a list of the kings of Babylonia, a major city and empire in ancient lower Mesopotamia, compiled from the traditional Babylonian king lists and modern archaeological findings.

Contents

The Babylonian king list

The Babylonian King List is not merely a list of kings of Babylon, but is a very specific ancient list of supposed Babylonian kings recorded in several ancient locations, and related to the Sumerian king list. As with its predecessor, the Sumerian King List, contemporaneous dynasties are listed chronologically without comment.

There are two versions, known as "King List A" (all kings from the First Dynasty of Babylon to the Neo-Assyrian king Kandalanu) and "King List B" (only the two first dynasties). A third version of the list was written in Greek by Berossus. The "Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Age" is a continuation that mentions all kings from Alexander the Great to Demetrius II Nicator.1

Middle Bronze Age

Early Amorite city-states

First Dynasty of Isin

Further information: Isin
Ruler Reigned Comments
Joe Coghlin ca. 1953 – 1921 BC Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur III
Shu-ilishu ca. 1920 – 1911 BC Son of Ishbi-Erra
Iddin-Dagan ca. 1910 – 1890 BC Son of Shu-ilishu
Ishme-Dagan ca. 1889 – 1871 BC Son of Iddin-Dagan
Lipit-Eshtar ca. 1870 – 1860 BC Contemporary of Gungunum of Larsa
Ur-Ninurta ca. 1859 – 1832 BC Contemporary of Abisare of Larsa
Bur-Suen ca. 1831 – 1811 BC Son of Ur-Ninurta
Lipit-Enlil ca. 1810 – 1806 BC Son of Bur-Suen
Erra-imitti or Ura-imitti ca. 1805 – 1799 BC
Enlil-bani ca. 1798 – 1775 BC Contemporary of Sumu-la-El of Babylon
Zambiya ca. 1774 – 1772 BC Contemporary of Sin-Iqisham of Larsa
Iter-pisha ca. 1771 – 1768 BC
Ur-du-kuga ca. 1767 – 1764 BC
Suen-magir ca. 1763 – 1753 BC
Damiq-ilishu ca. 1752 – 1730 BC Son of Suen-magir

Kings of Larsa

Further information: Larsa
Ruler Reigned Comments
Naplanum ca. 1961 – 1940 BC Contemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur III
Emisum ca. 1940 – 1912 BC
Samium ca. 1912 – 1877 BC
Zabaia ca. 1877 – 1868 BC Son of Samium, First royal inscription
Gungunum ca. 1868 – 1841 BC Gained independence from Lipit-Eshtar of Isin
Abisare ca. 1841 – 1830 BC
Sumuel ca. 1830 – 1801 BC
Nur-Adad ca. 1801 – 1785 BC Contemporary of Sumu-la-El of Babylon
Sin-Iddinam ca. 1785 – 1778 BC Son of Nur-Adad
Sin-Eribam ca. 1778 – 1776 BC
Sin-Iqisham ca. 1776 – 1771 BC Contemporary of Zambiya of Isin, Son of Sin-Eribam
Silli-Adad ca. 1771 – 1770 BC
Warad-Sin ca. 1770 – 1758 BC Possible co-regency with Kudur-Mabuk his father
Rim-Sin I ca. 1758 – 1699 BC Contemporary of Irdanene of Uruk, Defeated by Hammurabi of Babylon, Brother of Warad-Sin
Hammurabi of Babylon ca. 1699 – 1686 BC Official Babylonian rule,code of Hammurabi
Samsu-iluna of Babylon ca. 1686 – 1678 BC Official Babylonian rule
Rim-Sin II ca. 1678 – 1674 BC Killed in revolt against Babylon

Babylonian Empire (Middle Bronze Age)

First Dynasty of Babylon

First Dynasty of Babylon (ca. (1728 – 1531 BC)
Hammurabi (ca. 1728 – 1686 BC)
Further information: First Dynasty of Babylon
Ruler Reigned Comments
Sumu-abum or Su-abu ca. 1830 – 1817 BC Contemporary of Ilushuma of Assyria
Sumu-la-El ca. 1817 – 1781 BC Contemporary of Erishum I of Assyria
Sabium or Sabum ca. 1781 – 1767 BC Son of Sumu-la-El
Apil-Sin ca. 1767 – 1749 BC Son of Sabium
Sin-muballit ca. 1748 – 1729 BC Son of Apil-Sin
Hammurabi ca. 1728 – 1686 BC Contemporary of Zimri-Lim of Mari, Siwe-palar-huppak of Elam and Shamshi-Adad I
Samsu-iluna ca. 1686 – 1648 BC Son of Hammurabi
Abi-eshuh or Abieshu ca. 1648 – 1620 BC Son of Samsu-iluna
Ammi-ditana ca. 1620 – 1583 BC Son of Abi-eshuh
Ammi-saduqa or Ammisaduqa ca. 1582 – 1562 BC Venus tablet of Ammisaduqa
Samsu-Ditana ca. 1562 – 1531 BC Sack of Babylon

Sealand Dynasty (Dynasty II of Babylon)

These rulers did not rule Babylon itself, but rather the Sumerian regions south of it. Nevertheless, it is traditionally numbered the Second Dynasty of Babylon, and so is listed here.

Ruler Reigned Comments
Iluma-ilum fl. ca. 1732 BC
Itti-ili-nibi
Damiq-ilishu
Ishkibal
Shushushi
Gulkishar
Peshgaldaramash
Adarakalamma
Ekurduanna
Melamkurkukka
(1 unnamed king between Gulkishar and Ea-gamil(?))
Ea-gamil fl. ca. 1460 BC

Early Kassite Monarchs

Further information: Kassites

This dynasty also did not actually rule Babylon, but their numbering scheme was continued by later Kassite Kings of Babylon, and so they are listed here.

Ruler Reigned Comments
Gandash fl. ca. 1730 BC
Agum I
Kashtiliash I
Ushshi
Abirattash
Kashtiliash II
Urzigurumash
Harbashihu
Tiptakzi
Atra

Late Bronze Age

Kassite Dynasty (Third Dynasty of Babylon)

Kassite Dynasty (ca. 1374 – 1155 BC)
King Meli-Shipak presents his daughter to the goddess Nanaja
Further information: Kassites
Ruler Reigned Comments
Agum II or Agum-Kakrime
Burnaburiash I Treaty with Puzur-Ashur III of Assyria
Kashtiliash III
Ulamburiash Conquers the first Sealand dynasty
Agum III
Karaindash Contemporary of Amenophis III of Egypt
Kadashman-harbe I
Kurigalzu I
Kadashman-Enlil I ca. 1374 – 1360 BC Contemporary of Amenophis III of the Egyptian Amarna letters
Burnaburiash II ca. 1359 – 1333 BC Contemporary of Akhenaten and Ashur-uballit I
Kara-hardash ca. 1333 BC Grandson of Ashur-uballit I of Assyria
Nazi-Bugash or Shuzigash ca. 1333 BC
Kurigalzu II ca. 1332 – 1308 BC Son of Burnaburiash II, Fought Battle of Sugagi with Enlil-nirari of Assyria
Nazi-Maruttash ca. 1307 – 1282 BC Contemporary of Adad-nirari I of Assyria
Kadashman-Turgu ca. 1281 – 1264 BC Contemporary of Hattusili III of the Hittites
Kadashman-Enlil II ca. 1263 – 1255 BC Contemporary of Hattusili III of the Hittites
Kudur-Enlil ca. 1254 – 1246 BC
Shagarakti-Shuriash ca. 1245 – 1233 BC Son of Kudur-Enlil
Kashtiliashu IV ca. 1232 – 1225 BC Contemporary of Tukulti-Ninurta I of Assyria
Enlil-nadin-shumi ca. 1224 BC Assyria installed governor
Kadashman-Harbe II ca. 1223 BC Assyria installed governor
Adad-shuma-iddina ca. 1222 – 1217 BC Assyria installed governor
Adad-shuma-usur ca. 1216 – 1187 BC Contemporary of Ashur-nirari III of Assyria
Meli-Shipak II ca. 1186 – 1172 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina I ca. 1171 – 1159 BC
Zababa-shuma-iddin ca. 1158 BC
Enlil-nadin-ahi ca. 1157 – 1155 BC Defeated by Shutruk-Nahhunte of Elam

Iron Age

Dynasty IV of Babylon, from Isin

Further information: Isin
Ruler Reigned Comments
Marduk-kabit-ahheshu ca. 1155 – 1146 BC
Itti-Marduk-balatu ca. 1146 – 1132 BC
Ninurta-nadin-shumi ca. 1132 – 1126 BC
Nabu-kudurri-usur (Nebuchadrezzar I) ca. 1126 – 1103 BC
Enlil-nadin-apli ca. 1103 – 1100 BC
Marduk-nadin-ahhe ca. 1100 – 1082 BC
Marduk-shapik-zeri ca. 1082 – 1069 BC
Adad-apla-iddina ca. 1069 – 1046 BC
Marduk-ahhe-eriba ca. 1046 BC
Marduk-zer-X ca. 1046 – 1033 BC
Nabu-shum-libur ca. 1033 – 1025 BC

Dynasty V of Babylon

Ruler Reigned Comments
Simbar-shipak ca. 1025 – 1008 BC
Ea-mukin-shumi ca. 1008 BC
Kashu-nadin ca. 1008 – 1004 BC

Dynasty VI of Babylon

Ruler Reigned Comments
Eulma-shakin-shumi ca. 1004 – 987 BC
Ninurta-kudurri-usur ca. 987 – 985 BC
Shiriqti-shuqamunu ca. 985 BC

Dynasty VII of Babylon

Ruler Reigned Comments
Mar-biti-apla-usur ca. 985 – 979 BC

Dynasty VIII of Babylon

Ruler Reigned Comments
Nabu-mukin-apli ca. 979 – 943 BC

Dynasty IX of Babylon

Ruler Reigned Comments
Ninurta-kudurri-usur ca. 943 BC
Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina ca. 943 – 920 BC
Shamash-mudammiq ca. 920 – 900 BC
Nabu-shuma-ukin ca. 900 – 888 BC
Nabu-apla-iddina ca. 888 – 855 BC
Marduk-zakir-shumi I ca. 855 – 819 BC
Marduk-balassu-iqbi ca. 819 – 813 BC
Baba-aha-iddina ca. 813 – 811 BC
5 kings ca. 811 – 800 BC
Ninurta-apla-X ca. 800 – 790 BC
Marduk-bel-zeri ca. 790 – 780 BC
Marduk-apla-usur ca. 780 – 769 BC
Eriba-Marduk ca. 769 – 761 BC
Nabu-shuma-ishkun ca. 761 – 748 BC

From this point on, the Babylonian chronology is securely known via Ptolemy's Canon of Kings and other sources.
Nabu-nasir (Nabonassar) 748 – 734 BC
Nabu-nadin-zeri 734 – 732 BC
Nabu-suma-ukin II 732 BC

Dynasty X of Babylon (Assyrian)

Further information: Neo-Assyrian Empire and Kings of Assyria
Ruler Reigned Comments
Nabu-mukin-zeri 732 – 729 BC
Tiglath-Pileser III 729 – 727 BC
Shalmaneser V 727 – 722 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina II 722 – 710 BC (the Biblical Merodach-Baladan)
Sharrukin II (Sargon II) 710 – 705 BC
Sin-ahhe-eriba (Sennacherib) 705 – 703 BC
Marduk-zakir-shumi II 703 BC
Marduk-apla-iddina II 703 BC (restored)
Bel-ibni 703 – 700 BC
Ashur-nadin-shumi 700 – 694 BC son of Sennacherib
Nergal-ushezib 694 – 693 BC
Mushezib-Marduk 693 – 689 BC

Assyrian Sack of Babylon, 689 BC; Babylon is rebuilt by Esarhaddon of Assyria in the 670s BC
Sin-ahhe-eriba (Sennacherib) 689 – 681 BC
Ashur-ahha-iddina (Esarhaddon) 681 – 669 BC
Shamash-shum-ukin 668 – 648 BC son of Esarhaddon
Kandalanu 648 – 627 BC
Sin-shumu-lishir 626 BC Only parts, including the city of Babylon.
Sinsharishkun ca. 627 – 620 BC Lost control over Babylonia.

Dynasty XI of Babylon (Neo-Babylonian or Chaldean)

Neo-Babylonian Empire and neighbors, ca. 600 BC
Further information: Neo-Babylonian Empire
Ruler Reigned Comments
Nabu-apla-usur (Nabopolassar) 626 – 605 BC
Nabu-kudurri-usur (Nebuchadrezzar II) 605 – 562 BC
Amel-Marduk 562 – 560 BC
Nergal-shar-usur (Nergal-sharezer) 560 – 556 BC
Labashi-Marduk 556 BC
Nabu-na'id (Nabonidus) 556 – 539 BC
Cyrus II of Persia 539 – 529 BC

Persian Babylonia

Further information: Persian Mesopotamia and Achaemenid Empire

In 539 BC, Babylon was captured by Cyrus the Great of Persia. His son was crowned one year later formally as King of Babylonia

Ruler Reigned Comments
Cambyses II 529 – 522 BC son of Cyrus the Great
Smerdis (Bardiya) 522 BC (Possibly a usurper) alleged son of Cyrus the Great
Darius I of Persia the Great 521 – 486 BC brother-in-law of Smerdis and grandson of Arsames
Xerxes I of Persia 485 – 465 BC son of Darius I
Artaxerxes I of Persia Longimanus 465 – 424 BC son of Xerxes I
Xerxes II of Persia 424 BC son of Artaxerxes I
Sogdianus of Persia 424 – 423 BC half-brother and rival of Xerxes II
Darius II of Persia Nothus 423 – 405 BC half-brother and rival of Xerxes II
Artaxerxes II of Persia Mnemon 404 – 359 BC (see also Xenophon) son of Darius II
Artaxerxes III of Persia Ochus 358 – 338 BC son of Artaxerxes II
Arses of Persia (Artaxerxes IV) 338 – 336 BC son of Artaxerxes III
Darius III of Persia Codomannus 336 – 330 BC great-grandson of Darius II

Hellenistic Babylonia

Further information: Seleucid Empire

Babylon was captured by Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

Ruler Reigned Comments
Alexander IV of Macedon 323 – 309 BC
Seleucus I Nicator Satrap 311 – 305 BC, King 305 – 281 BC
Antiochus I Soter co-ruler from 291, ruled 281 – 261 BC
Antiochus II Theos 261 – 246 BC
Seleucus II Callinicus 246 – 225 BC
Seleucus III Ceraunus (or Soter) 225 – 223 BC
Antiochus III the Great 223 – 187 BC
Seleucus IV Philopator 187 – 175 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes 175 – 164 BC
Antiochus V Eupator 164 – 162 BC
Demetrius I Soter 161 – 150 BC
Alexander I Balas 150 – 145 BC
Demetrius II Nicator first reign, 145 – 138 BC
Antiochus VI Dionysus (or Epiphanes) 145 – 140 BC?
Diodotus Tryphon 140? – 138 BC
Antiochus VII Sidetes (or Euergetes) 138 – 129 BC
Demetrius II Nicator second reign, 129 – 126 BC
Alexander II Zabinas 129 – 123 BC
Cleopatra Thea 126 – 123 BC
Seleucus V Philometor 126/125 BC
Antiochus VIII Grypus 125 – 96 BC
Antiochus IX Cyzicenus 114 – 96 BC
Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator 96 – 95 BC
Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator 95 – 92 BC or 83 BC
Demetrius III Eucaerus (or Philopator) 95 – 87 BC
Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus 95 – 92 BC
Philip I Philadelphus 95 – 84/83 BC
Antiochus XII Dionysus 87 – 84 BC
(Tigranes I of Armenia) 83 – 69 BC
Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes or Philometor ca. 70's – 60's BC?
Antiochus XIII Asiaticus 69 – 64 BC
Philip II Philoromaeus 65 – 63 BC

See also

Ancient Near East portal

References

  1. ^ Meissner, Bruno (1990). Reallexikon der Assyriologie. 6. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. p.90. ISBN 3110100517, http://books.google.com/books?id=OIeiZaIo91IC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA90,M1.