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HOME :
Near Eastern Art :
Elamite Art : Elamite Bronze Dagger
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Elamite Bronze Dagger - MS.937
Origin: Central Asia
Circa: 900
BC
to 800
BC
Dimensions:
14.5" (36.8cm) high
Collection: Near Eastern Art
Style: Elamite
Medium: Bronze
£8,000.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
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Elam was an ancient kingdom of Asia, situated
north of the Persian Gulf and east of the Tigris
River, and corresponding approximately to the
present-day province of Khuzistan in Iran. The
capital of Elam and its most fabled city was
Susa, today the city of Shush. This powerful
empire has been overshadowed in history by the
rival kingdoms of Babylon and Assyria. However,
the Elamite Empire deserves to be placed 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
B.C. The empire itself was founded in around
3200 B.C., and it lasted – in various guises –
almost continuously until the mid first millennium
B.C.; 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 B.C. 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 characterized 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 B.C. 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.
- (MS.937)
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