2500 - 644 BCE - Elamite Empire

A literate and urban civilization came to the lowlands of Khuzestan with the dawn of the Elamite Empire. Elam was a combination of lowlands and some highlands to the north and east. The Elamite Empire established a strong central government and a structured system of inheritance and power distribution. An overlord ruled over vassal princes in every region, even though overlords lived in Susa, the federal capital of the Elamite Empire. The brother or closest relative usually was the advisor and was heir to the overlord. Finally a third official, known as the regent or prince of Susa (the district), shared power with the overlord and the viceroy. He was usually the overlord's son or nephew. This complicated system of governmental checks, balances, and power inheritance often broke down despite bilateral descent and complusary marriages of a widow to her deceased husband's brother.

The Elamite history can be divided into three phases: the Old, Middle, and Late, or Neo-Elamite periods. Elam peacefully traded and also went to war with Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria over these times.

Old Elamite Period

The Old Elamite period probably goes back as far as the year 2700 BCE. In conflict with Mesopotamia, the 11th ruling king entered into treaty relations with the great Naram-Sin of Akkad (c. 2254 - c. 2218 BCE). The Simash dynasty became the next ruling class, presiding mainly n the mountains of south Luristan. The city of Elam was conquered by Shulgi of the 3rd dynasty but the Elamites rose in rebellion and overthrew the 3rd Ur dynasty. Thereafter the Eparti dynasty took power which fell into rapid decline following the death of Hammurabi. Kutir-Nahhunte I attacked Samsuiluna (c. 1749 - c. 1712 BCE), Hammurabi's son, and deafeted the Babylonians. It may be assumed that with this, Elam gained independence. The end of the Eparti dynasty, which may have come in the late 16th century BCE, is buried in silence.

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Middle Elamite Period

The Middle Elamite period started with the Anzanite dynasty, in northeast Khuzestan. The fourth king titled the "Expander of the Empire" was succeeded by his son, Untash-Gal. He founded the city of Dur Untash, which is modern-day Chogha Zanbil. Eventually, Elam increasingly came into conflict with Tukulti-Ninurta I of Assyria. The Elamites, under Kidin-Khutran, raided Babylonia but in the end, the Assyrians won and expanded to the south in Mesopotamia. With this, the Anzanite dynasty was ended.

The second half of the Middle Elamite reign started wth Shutruk-Nahhunte (c. 1160 BCE). Two equally powerful and two less competent kings followed this founder, whose home was probably Susa. Elam also became a great military force as Assyria fell into a period of weakness and inbred conflict. Shutruk-Nahhunte attacked Babylon and carried off to Susa the stela on which he inscribed the law code of Hammurabi. Kutir-Nahhunte, successor to the throne, campaigned north to Kirkuk. Back in Babylonia, the locals staged a revolt against the 2nd dynasty of Isin and so Elamite power in central Mesopotamia was eventually lost. With that, Elma's military power was eventually overrun, ending the Middle Elamite period.

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Neo Elamite Period

There is a long and difficult period of darkness between the Middle and Neo-Elamite periods. In 742 BCE the land may have been divided into separate principalities, with the central power fairly weak, and the other powerly under the rule of an unknown king. In the next 100 years Elamites desperately tried to interfere in Mesopotamian affairs, usually as allies of Babylon, against the Neo-Assyrian expansion. The Elamites were successful at times but gave way to increasing Assyrian power. Local trouble in the smaller Elamite tribes further strengthened the opposition. As an end result the collapse of central authority in Elam was certain.

Timeline for the Elamite Kings

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