The Elamite Empire owns a rightful place in a list
of the world’s most important and influential
ancient cultures. Archaeological signatures for
the area exist as far back as the sixth millennium
BC. The empire itself was founded in around
3200 BC, and it lasted – in various guises –
almost continuously until the mid first
millennium BC; much of its history is also
documented using the world’s earliest
deciphered alphabet, which makes it of
extraordinary value to historians and
archaeologists. The earliest phases are somewhat
unclear. The most extensively researched
portions of the sequence start with the Old
Elamite Period (OEP), which began around 2700
BC and saw the conquest of Elam by
Enmebaragesi of Kish. King lists indicate a
temporary domination of Sumer (Iraq) by later
dynasties within the OEP, although Elam was
herself briefly dominated by strong Sumerian
rulers. Struggles with the Akkadians and
repeated conquests in both directions
characterised much of the Avan Dynasty;
diplomatic relations between the Sumer and Elam
improved, but perhaps only because the former’s
power was waning. The Elamites sacked Ur in
2004 BC, and led Ibbi Sin into captivity. Later
dynasties in the OEP saw burgeoning power
structures throughout the Elamite Empire,
leading to the rise of the Anshanite dynasties
around 1500 BC and the arrival of the Middle
Elamite Period (MEP). Akkadian influence waned
during this period, and Elamite gained strength;
Elamite influence likewise burgeoned, capturing
and sacking cities and artworks from the
Babylonians and other neighbours. The power of
the empire waned dramatically towards the end
of the MEP with the inbred king Khutelutush-In-
Shushinak, who was the product of his father
and sister. Under his unsteady rule, the Elamite
Empire fell into obscurity for almost three
centuries, allowing their foes to reclaim their
territory and plunder. The rise of the Neo-
Elamite period is little understood, but in time
the empire regained its former strength.
- (OF.086)
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