# Isin

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Ancient city in Mesopotamia

For other uses, see [Isin (disambiguation)](/source/Isin_(disambiguation)).

Isin Location of Isin in Iraq 31°53′06″N 45°16′07″E / 31.88500°N 45.26861°E / 31.88500; 45.26861 Type Settlement Periods Early Dynastic, Isin-Larsa, Old Babylonian, Kassite, Neo-Babylonian Location Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate, Iraq Region Mesopotamia Site notes Excavation dates 1924, 1926, 1973-1989 Archaeologists Stephen Herbert Langdon, Raymond P. Dougherty, Barthel Hrouda

**Isin** ([Sumerian](/source/Sumerian_language): 𒉌𒋛𒅔𒆠, romanized: *I3-si-inki*,[1] modern [Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): إيشان بحريات **Ishan al-Bahriyat**) is an [archaeological site](/source/Archaeological_site) in [Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate](/source/Al-Q%C4%81disiyyah_Governorate), [Iraq](/source/Iraq) which was the location of the [Ancient Near East](/source/Ancient_Near_East) city of Isin, occupied from the late 4th millennium BC [Uruk period](/source/Uruk_period) up until at least the late 1st millennium BC [Neo-Babylonian](/source/Neo-Babylonian) period. It lies about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the modern city of [Al Diwaniyah](/source/Al_Diwaniyah).

The [tutelary deity](/source/Tutelary_deity) of Isin, dating back to at least the [Early Dynastic period](/source/Early_Dynastic_Period_(Mesopotamia)), was the healing goddess [Gula](/source/Gula_(goddess)) with a major temple (, E-gal-ma) sited there as well as smaller installations for the related gods of [Ninisina](/source/Ninisina) and [Sud](/source/Ninlil).[2][3]

## Archaeology

Looters at the site of Isin

Isin is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of the ancient city of [Nippur](/source/Nippur). The site covers an area of about 150 hectares with a maximum height of about 10 meters.

By 1922 the site had been suggested as that of Isin.[4] Ishan al-Bahriyat was visited by [Stephen Herbert Langdon](/source/Stephen_Herbert_Langdon) for a day to conduct a sounding, while he was excavating at [Kish](/source/Kish_(Sumer)) in 1924. He found inscribed bricks of [Ishme-Dagan](/source/Ishme-Dagan) and [Enlil-bani](/source/Enlil-bani).[5] Two years later Raymond P. Dougherty, on behalf of the American Schools of Oriental Research, conducted a two-day survey of the site finding inscribed bricks of [Bur-Sin](/source/Bur-Suen) and Neo-Babylonian ruler [Nebuchadnezzar II](/source/Nebuchadnezzar_II).[6][7][8]

Modern archaeological work at Isin was accomplished in 11 seasons between 1973 and 1989 by a team of German archaeologists led by Barthel Hrouda on behalf of the Munich Institute for Near Eastern Archaeology. Hundreds of cuneiform tablets from the Old Babylonian period, in buildings abandoned after being destroyed by fire, were recovered.[9][10][11][12] However, as was the case at many sites in Iraq, research was interrupted by the [Gulf War](/source/Gulf_War) (1990–1991) and the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War) (2003 to 2011). Since the end of excavations, extensive looting is reported to have resumed at the site. Even when the German team began their work, the site had already been heavily looted.[13] A significant find, in the [Ninurta](/source/Ninurta) shrine of the Gula temple, was an alabaster mace head of the Akkadian Empire ruler [Manishtushu](/source/Manishtushu) inscribed "Man-istusu, king of the world, dedicated (this mace) to the goddess Ninisina". An inscription of Takil-ilissu, ruler of [Malgium](/source/Malgium) was also found.[14] Early find included a Jemdet Nasr stamp seal and a small stone lion figurine of the Uruk period.[15]

The primary focus of the excavations was the four meter wide wall enclosed [Gula](/source/Gula_(goddess)) temple complex. The complex showed construction through at least the Isin I, Kassite, and Neo-Babylonian periods with 3rd millennium BC finds suggested its earlier existence. Finds included 30 dog burials, copper pendants inscribed with dog images, and clay dog figurines, one with a prayer to Gula. An inscribed brick of [Adad-apla-iddina](/source/Adad-apla-iddina), 8th ruler of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, dedicated to the healing goddess [Nin-ezena](/source/Ninisina) was also found. On another section of the main mound 3rd millennium BC buildings provided "gold jewellery, bronze weapons, cylinder seals, and a few cuneiform tablets of which two date back to the Early Dynastic period", a clay nail of Isme-Dagan referring to construction of the bad-gal "Great Wall" city wall of Isin and an inscribed brick of [Ur-du-kuga](/source/Ur-du-kuga).[16] In the Kassite layer an Early Dynastic III statue, 16.5 cm in height, of a kneeling man wearing only a triple belt.[17] Just to the south of the temple complex two Early Dynastic I period buildings were found.[18]

## History

Isin sat on the Isinnitum canal, a vital branch of the Euphrates. Controlling Isin meant controlling the water flow and trade moving toward the south.

### Chalcolithic

The site of Isin was occupied at least as early as the [Ubaid period](/source/Ubaid_period) based on pottery shards.

### Early Bronze Age

#### Early Dynastic period

In the Early Dynastic III (c. 2750-2350 BCE), significant occupation began.

#### Akkadian period

In the Akkadian period (c. 2350-2150 BCE), Isin is known to have been occupied by the [Akkadian Empire](/source/Akkadian_Empire).[19]

#### Ur III period

An intensive building program began at Isin during the [Ur III](/source/Ur_III) empire in the late 3rd millennium BC. With the fall of Ur, an [Amorite](/source/Amorite) dynasty took power in the city, during the [Isin-Larsa period](/source/Isin-Larsa_period). The city then fell to [Babylon](/source/Babylon) and suffered a period of abandonment. Activity resumed under the [Kassites](/source/Kassites), followed by a period of local control. Isin was occupied to various degrees until the Neo-Babylonian period.[20]

With the final decline of the Ur III empire at the end of the third millennium BC, a power vacuum was left that other city-states scrambled to fill. [Ishbi-Erra](/source/Ishbi-Erra), said to be an Amorite, from [Mari](/source/Mari%2C_Syria), and an Ur III official under its final ruler [Ibbi-Sin](/source/Ibbi-Sin), gained rulership of Isin and began the [First Dynasty of Isin](/source/First_Dynasty_of_Isin). The [Elamites](/source/Elamites) had attacked Isin and Ur, capturing Ur.[21] One of Ishbi-Erra's acts was to expel the Elamites from Ur and the region, his year name being "Year (Iszbi-Irra the king) brought out of Ur, with his strong weapon, the Elamite who was dwelling in its midst".[22] Although the [Sumerian King List](/source/Sumerian_King_List) gives a 33-year reign for Ishbi-Erra only one royal inscription has been found.

"For the god Enlil, lord of the foreign lands, his lord, Isbi-Err[a], mighty king, lord of <his> land, fashioned a great lyre for him, which ... the heart. He dedicated it [for his own] life. The name of this lyre is 'Isbi-Erra trusts in the god Enlil'."[23]

### Middle Bronze Age

Following an abrupt climate change around 2036-2023 BCE, probably caused by a major volcanic eruption, drought his the region and caused severe economic hardship which caused the Ur III to decline and ultimately end in 2004 BCE. The province of Isin broke out and formed an independent kingdom under [Ishbi-Erra](/source/Ishbi-Erra), along with its rival Larsa, saw the decentralization of irrigation networks and agricultural fields.

#### Isin-Larsa period

A praise poem to Iddin-Dagān from the site, currently at [Musée du Louvre](/source/Mus%C3%A9e_du_Louvre)

**Left:** Cuneiform clay tablet. Old Babylonian, 1900-1700 BC
**Right:** Sumerian cuneiform "foundation stone". This clay cone was embedded in a wall, and contains the deed of foundation of the city walls of Isin (Tell Bahriyat) by king [Ishme-Dagan](/source/Ishme-Dagan) of Isin (1953-1935 BC)

The [First Dynasty of Isin](/source/First_Dynasty_of_Isin) was founded by [Ishbi-Erra](/source/Ishbi-Erra) (r. 2018-1985 BCE) and lasted over two centuries. Ishbi-Erra continued the traditions of the previous Ur III period, and Isin reached its peak and became a powerful city-state in the Middle Bronze I. A notable ruler was [Ishme-Dagan](/source/Ishme-Dagan) (r. 1954-1935 BCE) for whom a number of hymns were written, in a style thought to be imitative of [Shulgi](/source/Shulgi), the ruler of Ur III.[24]

With the rise of [Larsa](/source/Larsa) and a number of smaller Amorite city-states, the influence of Isin slowly declined. The rivalry between Isin and Larsa has led this phase of the Middle Bronze I to be the term the [Isin-Larsa period](/source/Isin-Larsa_period).

The exact events surrounding Isin's disintegration as a kingdom are mostly unknown, but some evidence can be pieced together. Documents indicate that access to water sources presented a huge problem for Isin. Isin also endured an internal coup of a sort when [Gungunum](/source/Gungunum) the royally appointed governor of [Larsa](/source/Larsa) and [Lagash](/source/Lagash) province, seized the city of Ur. Ur had been the main center of the Gulf trade; thus this move economically devastated Isin. Additionally, Gungunum's two successors [Abisare](/source/Abisare) and [Sumuel](/source/Sumuel) (c. 1905 BC and 1894 BC) both sought to cut Isin off from its canals by rerouting them into Larsa. At some point, Nippur was also lost. Isin would never recover. Around 1860 BC, an outsider named Enlil-bani seized the throne of Isin, ending the hereditary dynasty established by Ishbi-Erra over 150 years earlier. [25]

Although politically and economically weak, Isin maintained its independence from Larsa for at least another forty years, ultimately succumbing to Larsa's ruler [Rim-Sin I](/source/Rim-Sin_I).

#### Old Babylonian period

After the [First Dynasty of Babylon](/source/First_Dynasty_of_Babylon) rose to power in the early 2nd millennium and captured Larsa, much significant construction occurred at Isin.

For most of his reign, [Hammurabi](/source/Hammurabi) of Babylon (r. 1792-1750 BCE) was an ally of Rim-Sin I, the long-lived king of Larsa who controlled Isin. However, in his 30th and 31st regnal years (c.1763-1762 BCE), Hammurabi turned his military focus southward against Isin-Larsa. Larsa became a provincial administrative center in the Babylonian Empire.

In 1723 BCE, the Isin was fell in the 27th year of the reign of [Samsu-iluna](/source/Samsu-iluna) (r. 1749-1712 BCE), based on tablets found there. The year name reads: ""The year in which Samsu-iluna the king (destroyed) the wall of Isin...". The word "destroyed" often mean the destruction of fortifications such as city-walls. Shortly after the wars of Samsu-iluna, the irrigation systems in the Isin-Nippur region suffered a catastrophic failure. This may have been a deliberate "scorched earth" tactic or a byproduct of the lack of centralized maintenance during the revolt. Following Samsu-iluna’s reign, archaeological layers show a massive hiatus. Isin, along with Nippur and Uruk, was largely abandoned. The city does not show significant signs of re-occupation until the Kassite Period (c. 1400 BCE).

### Late Bronze Age

#### Kassite period

The [Kassites](/source/Kassites) took over in Babylon after its sack in 1531 BC, resumed building at Isin. Activity was primarily at the Gula temple and it appears that in that period Isin was only a cult center.

### Iron and Classical Age

The final significant stage of activity occurred during the Second Dynasty of Isin at the end of the 2nd millennium, most notably by king [Adad-apla-iddina](/source/Adad-apla-iddina). Isin remained occupied at least as late as the second decade of the reign of the Persian ruler [Darius I](/source/Darius_I) (c 507 BC), then in the control of the region.[26]

Of the at least 256 ruler year names about 75% have been found. Most have the standard format, aside from Bur-Sin who numbered his years. These year names combined with new tablet joins show that there were two additional rulers, Sumu-abum and Ikūn-pī-Išta, slotting in between Erra-imittī and Enlil-bān. The reign of Sumu-abum lasted less than a year.[27][28]

## Culture and literature

Cylinder seal of [Bur-Suen](/source/Bur-Suen).

The city lay on the Isinnitum Canal, part of a set of waterways that connected the cities of Mesopotamia.[29] The patron deity of Isin was [Nintinuga](/source/Nintinugga) (Gula) goddess of healing, and a temple to her was built there. The Isin king Enlil-bani reported building a temple to Gula named E-ni-dub-bi, a temple for Sud named E-dim-gal-an-na, a temple E-ur-gi-ra to [Ninisina](/source/Ninisina), as well as a temple for the god Ninbgal.[25][30]

[Ishbi-Erra](/source/Ishbi-Erra) continued many of the cultic practices that had flourished in the preceding [Ur III](/source/Third_Dynasty_of_Ur) period. He continued acting out the [sacred marriage](/source/Hieros_gamos) ritual each year. During this ritual, the king played the part of the mortal [Dumuzi](/source/Dumuzid_the_Shepherd), and he had sex with a priestess who represented the goddess of love and war, [Inanna](/source/Inanna) (also known as [Ishtar](/source/Ishtar)). This was thought to strengthen the king's relationship to the gods, which would then bring stability and prosperity on the entire country.

The Isin kings continued also the practice of appointing their daughters official priestesses of the [moon god](/source/Sin_(mythology)) of Ur.

The literature of the period also continued in the line of the Ur III traditions when the Isin dynasty was first begun. For example, the royal hymn, a genre started in the preceding millennium, was continued. Many royal hymns written for the Isin rulers mirrored the themes, structure, and language of the Ur ones. Sometimes the hymns were written in the first person of a king's voice; other times, they were pleas of ordinary citizens meant for the ears of a king (sometimes an already dead one).

It was during this period that the [Sumerian King List](/source/Sumerian_King_List) attained its final form, though it used many much earlier sources. The very compilation of the List seems to lead up to the Isin Dynasty itself, which would give it much legitimacy in the minds of the people because the dynasty would then be linked to earlier (albeit sometimes legendary) kings.[31]

## List of rulers

The *[Sumerian King List](/source/Sumerian_King_List) (SKL)* gives a list of the rulers of only one dynasty of Isin. The [first Sealand](/source/First_Sealand_dynasty), [Kassite](/source/Kassite_dynasty), and [second Isin](/source/Isin_II) dynasties are known from the *[Babylonian King List](/source/Babylonian_King_List) (BKL)*. The following list should not be considered complete:

# Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions Ur III period (c. 2119 – c. 2004 BC) First dynasty of Isin / Isin I dynasty (c. 2018 – c. 1792 BC) 1st Ishbi-Erra 𒀭𒅖𒁉𒀴𒊏 r. c. 2018 – c. 1985 BC (MC) r. c. 1953 – c. 1921 BC (SC) (32 or 33 years) temp. of Ibbi-Suen Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer An Amorite from Mari # Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions Isin-Larsa period (c. 2004 – c. 1787 BC) "Then Ur was defeated. The very foundation of Sumer was torn out. The kingship was taken to Isin." — Sumerian King List (SKL) 2nd Shu-Ilishu 𒋗𒉌𒉌𒋗 r. c. 1985 – c. 1975 BC (MC) r. c. 1920 – c. 1911 BC (SC) (10, 15, or 20 years) Son of Ishbi-Erra temp. of Emisum Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 3rd Iddin-Dagan 𒀭𒄿𒁷𒀭𒁕𒃶 r. c. 1975 – c. 1954 BC (MC) r. c. 1910 – c. 1890 BC (SC) (18, 21, or 25 years) Son of Shu-Ilishu temp. of Samium Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 4th Ishme-Dagan 𒀭𒅖𒈨𒀭𒁕𒃶 r. c. 1954 – c. 1935 BC (MC) r. c. 1889 – c. 1871 BC (SC) (11, 18, 19, or 20 years) Son of Iddin-Dagan temp. of Zabaia Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 5th Lipit-Ishtar 𒇷𒁉𒀉𒁹𒁯 r. c. 1935 – c. 1924 BC (MC) r. c. 1870 – c. 1860 BC (SC) (11 years) temp. of Gungunum Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 6th Ur-Ninurta 𒀭𒌨𒀭𒊩𒌆𒅁 r. c. 1923 – c. 1896 BC (MC) r. c. 1859 – c. 1832 BC (SC) (28 years) temp. of Abisare Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 7th Bur-Suen 𒀭𒁓𒀭𒂗𒍪 r. c. 1895 – c. 1874 BC (MC) r. c. 1831 – c. 1811 BC (SC) (21 or 22 years) Son of Ur-Ninurta temp. of Sumuel Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 8th Lipit-Enlil 𒀭𒇷𒁉𒀉𒀭𒂗𒆤 r. c. 1873 – c. 1868 BC (MC) r. c. 1810 – c. 1806 BC (SC) (5 years) Son of Bur-Suen temp. of Puzur-Ashur II Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 9th Erra-imitti 𒀭𒀴𒊏𒄿𒈪𒋾 r. c. 1868 – c. 1861 BC (MC) r. c. 1805 – c. 1799 BC (SC) (7 or 8 years) temp. of Nur-Adad Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 10th Ikūn-pî-Ištar r. c. 1861 – c. 1860 BC (MC) r. c. 1799 – c. 1798 BC (SC) (6 months or 1 year) temp. of Sîn-kāšid 11th Enlil-bani 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒁀𒉌 r. c. 1860 – c. 1836 BC (MC) r. c. 1798 – c. 1775 BC (SC) (24 years) temp. of Naram-Sin Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 12th Zambiya 𒀭𒍝𒄠𒁉𒅀 r. c. 1836 – c. 1833 BC (MC) r. c. 1774 – c. 1772 BC (SC) (3 years) temp. of Sin-Iqisham Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 13th Iter-pisha 𒀭𒄿𒋼𒅕𒅗𒊭 r. c. 1833 – c. 1829 BC (MC) r. c. 1771 – c. 1768 BC (SC) (3 or 4 years) temp. of Sin-eribam Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 14th Ur-du-kuga 𒀭𒌨𒇯𒆬𒂵 r. c. 1829 – c. 1825 BC (MC) r. c. 1767 – c. 1764 BC (SC) (4 years) temp. of Warad-Sin Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 15th Suen-magir 𒀭𒂗𒍪𒈠𒄫 r. c. 1825 – c. 1814 BC (MC) r. c. 1763 – c. 1753 BC (SC) (11 years) temp. of Apil-Sin Said on the SKL to have held the title of, "King" of not just Akkad; but, to have held the "Kingship" over all of Sumer Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" 16th Damiq-ilishu 𒁕𒈪𒅅𒉌𒉌𒋗 r. c. 1814 – c. 1792 BC (MC) r. c. 1752 – c. 1730 BC (SC) (23 years) Son of Suen-magir temp. of Shamshi-Adad I Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" "16 kings; they ruled for 226 years and 6 months. A total of 39 kings ruled for 14,409 years, 3 months and 3½ days, 4 times in Kish. A total of 22 kings ruled for 2,610 years, 6 months, and 15 days, 5 times in Uruk. A total of 12 kings ruled for 396 years, 3 times in Ur. A total of 3 kings ruled for 356 years, once in Awan. A total of 1 king ruled for 7 years, once in Hamazi. A total of 11 kings ruled for 197 years, once in Akkad. A total of 23 kings ruled for 125 years and 40 days, once in the army of Gutium. A total of 16 kings ruled for 226 years, once in Isin. There are 11 cities, cities in which the kingship was exercised. A total of 139 kings, who altogether ruled for 3,443 years." — SKL # Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions Dynasty of Larsa (c. 1792 – c. 1787 BC) Rim-Sîn I 𒀭𒊑𒅎𒀭𒂗𒍪 r. c. 1792 – c. 1787 BC (MC) Son of Kudur-Mabuk temp. of Irdanene Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" # Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions Old Babylonian period (c. 1787 – c. 1475 BC) First dynasty of Babylon (c. 1787 – c. 1732 BC) Hammurabi 𒄩𒄠𒈬𒊏𒁉 r. c. 1787 – c. 1750 BC (MC) b. c. 1810 BC Held the title of, "King of the Four Corners" d. c. 1750 BC Samsu-iluna 𒊓𒄠𒋢𒄿𒇻𒈾 r. c. 1750 – c. 1732 BC (MC) Son of Hammurabi temp. of Siwe-Palar-Khuppak d. c. 1712 BC # Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions First Sealand dynasty / Sealand I (c. 1732 – c. 1475 BC) Iliman r. c. 1732 – c. 1700 BC (MC) r. c. 1700 BC (SC) (60 years) Relative of Damiq-ilishu (?) temp. of Gandash Ittili r. c. 1700 – c. 1683 BC (MC) (56 years) temp. of Abi-Eshuh Unknown r. c. 1683 – c. 1677 BC (MC) temp. of Agum I Damqi-ilishu II 𒁕𒈪𒅅𒉌𒉌𒋗 r. c. 1677 – c. 1642 BC (MC) (26 years) temp. of Ammi-Ditana Ishkibal r. c. 1641 – c. 1617 BC (MC) (15 years) temp. of Sharma-Adad I Shushushi r. c. 1616 BC (MC) (24 years) Brother of Ishkibal. temp. of Ammi-Saduqa Gulkishar Uncertain (MC) (55 years) temp. of Samsu-Ditana Gishen Uncertain (MC) temp. of Sharma-Adad II Peshgaldaramesh r. c. 1599 – c. 1549 BC (MC) (50 years) Brother of Gulkishar temp. of Shamshi-Adad III Ayadaragalama 𒀀𒀀𒁰𒃴𒈠 r. c. 1548 – c. 1520 BC (MC) (28 years) Brother of Peshgaldaramesh temp. of Ashur-nirari I Held the title of, "King of the Universe" Ekurul r. c. 1519 – c. 1493 BC (MC) (26 years) temp. of Puzur-Ashur III Melamma r. c. 1492 – c. 1485 BC (MC) (7 years) temp. of Enlil-nasir I Eaga r. c. 1484 – c. 1475 BC (MC) r. c. 1460 BC (SC) (9 years) temp. of Ulamburiash # Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions Middle Babylonian period (c. 1475 – c. 1000 BC) Kassite dynasty (c. 1475 – c. 1155 BC) Agum III r. c. 1475 BC (MC) Son of Kashtiliash III Kadashman-Sah r. c. 1470 BC (MC) Karaindash r. c. 1415 BC (MC) Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" Kadashman-Harbe I r. c. 1410 BC (MC) Son of Karaindash Kurigalzu I r. c. 1400 BC (MC) Son of Kadashman-harbe I Kadashman-Enlil I 𒅗𒁕𒀸𒈠𒀭𒀭𒂗𒆤 r. c. 1374 – c. 1360 BC (MC) (14 years) Son of Kurigalzu I (?) Burna-Buriash II 𒁓𒈾𒁍𒊑𒅀𒀸 r. c. 1360 – c. 1333 BC (MC) (27 years) Son of Kadashman-Enlil I Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" Kara-hardash r. c. 1333 BC (MC) Son of Burna-Buriash II (?) Nazi-Bugash r. c. 1333 BC (MC) Kurigalzu II r. c. 1333 – c. 1308 BC (MC) (25 years) Son of Burna-Buriash II Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" Nazi-Maruttash r. c. 1308 – c. 1282 BC (MC) (26 years) Son of Kurigalzu II Held the title of, "King of Sumer and Akkad" Kadashman-Turgu r. c. 1282 – c. 1264 BC (MC) (18 years) Son of Nazi-Maruttash Kadashman-Enlil II r. c. 1264 – c. 1255 BC (MC) (9 years) Son of Kadashman-Turgu Kudur-Enlil r. c. 1255 – c. 1246 BC (MC) (9 years) Son of Kadashman-Enlil II Shagarakti-Shuriash r. c. 1246 – c. 1233 BC (MC) (13 years) Son of Kudur-Enlil Kashtiliash IV r. c. 1233 – c. 1225 BC (MC) (8 years) Son of Shagarakti-Shuriash Enlil-nadin-shumi r. c. 1224 BC (MC) (1 year and 6 months) Kadashman-Harbe II r. c. 1223 BC (MC) (1 year and 6 months) Adad-shuma-iddina r. c. 1223 – c. 1217 BC (MC) (6 years) Adad-shuma-usur r. c. 1217 – c. 1187 BC (MC) (30 years) Son of Kashtiliash IV (?) Meli-Shipak II r. c. 1187 – c. 1172 BC (MC) (15 years) Son of Adad-shuma-usur Marduk-apla-iddina I r. c. 1172 – c. 1159 BC (MC) (13 years) Son of Meli-Shipak II Zababa-shuma-iddin r. c. 1159 – c. 1158 BC (MC) (1 year) Enlil-nadin-ahi r. c. 1158 – c. 1155 BC (MC) (3 years) # Portrait or inscription Ruler Approx. date and length of reign Comments, notes, and references for mentions Second dynasty of Isin / Isin II dynasty (c. 1153 – c. 1022 BC) Marduk-kabit-ahheshu r. c. 1153 – c. 1135 BC (18 years) temp. of Ashur-dan I Itti-Marduk-balatu r. c. 1135 – c. 1129 BC (MC) (6 years) Son of Marduk-kabit-ahheshu temp. of Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur Ninurta-nadin-shumi r. c. 1129 – c. 1122 BC (MC) (7 years) Relative of Itti-Marduk-balatu (?) temp. of Ashur-resh-ishi I Nebuchadnezzar I r. c. 1122 – c. 1100 BC (MC) (22 years) Son of Ninurta-nadin-shumi temp. of Tiglath-Pileser I Enlil-nadin-apli r. c. 1100 – c. 1096 BC (MC) (4 years) Son of Nebuchadnezzar I Marduk-nadin-ahhe r. c. 1096 – c. 1078 BC (MC) (18 years) Son of Ninurta-nadin-shumi Marduk-shapik-zeri r. c. 1078 – c. 1065 BC (MC) (13 years) Son of Marduk-nadin-ahhe temp. of Asharid-apal-Ekur Adad-apla-iddina r. c. 1065 – c. 1041 BC (MC) (24 years) temp. of Ashur-bel-kala Marduk-ahhe-eriba r. c. 1041 BC (MC) (6 months) temp. of Ashurnasirpal I Marduk-zer-X r. c. 1041 – c. 1029 BC (MC) (12 years) Nabu-shum-libur r. c. 1029 – c. 1022 BC (MC) (7 years) temp. of Shalmaneser II

## See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Isin](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Isin).

- [Cities of the Ancient Near East](/source/Cities_of_the_Ancient_Near_East)

- [List of Mesopotamian dynasties](/source/List_of_Mesopotamian_dynasties)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ETCSL. *[Sumerian King List](http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section2/c211.htm) .* Accessed 19 Dec 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Tsouparopoulou, Christina, "The Healing Goddess, Her Dogs and Physicians in Late Third Millennium BC Mesopotamia", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 110, no. 1, pp. 14-24, 2020

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** "Excavations in Iraq 1975", Iraq, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 69-70, 1976

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Langdon, S., "The Location of Isin", The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, no. 3, pp. 430–31, 1922

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Stephen Langdon, "Excavations at Kish I (1923–1924)", 1924

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [\[1\]](https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.2307/1354958) Dougherty, Raymond P., "An Archæological Survey in Southern Babylonia I", Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, no. 23, pp. 15–28, 1926

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Dougherty, Raymond P., "An Archæological Survey in Southern Babylonia (Continued)", Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, no. 25, pp. 5–13, 1927

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Dougherty, Raymond P., "Searching for Ancient Remains in Lower ’Irâq: Report of an Archaeological Survey Made in Southern Babylonia during the First Quarter of 1926", The Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, vol. 7, pp. 1–93, 1925

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** "Excavations in Iraq 1973-74", Iraq, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 57-58, 1975

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** "Excavations in Iraq 1985-86", Iraq, vol. 49, pp. 239-240, 1987

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** "Excavations in Iraq 1987-88", Iraq, vol. 51, pp. 256, 1989

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** "Excavations in Iraq 1989–1990", Iraq, vol. 53, pp. 175-176, 1991

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Otto, A./B. Einwag, A. Al-Hussainy/J. Jawdat, Ch. Fink/H. Maaß, "Destruction and looting of archaeological sites between Fāra/Šuruppak and Išān Bahrīyāt/Isin. Damage assessment during the Fara regional survey project FARSUP", Sumer 64, pp. 35-48, 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Frayne_14-0)** [\[2\]](https://archive.org/details/sargonic-and-gutian-periods-2334-2113-bc) Douglas R. Frayne, "Akkad", The Sargonic and Gutian Periods (2334–2113), University of Toronto Press, pp. 5-218, 1993 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8020-0593-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8020-0593-4)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** "Excavations in Iraq 1983-84", Iraq, vol. 47, pp. 221, 1985

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** "Excavations in Iraq 1977-78", Iraq, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 150, 1979

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** "Excavations in Iraq 1972-73", Iraq, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 192, 1973

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Dunham, Sally, Review of "Isin-Išān-Baḥrīyāt, IV: Die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen 1986–1989 by B. Hrouda", Journal of the American Oriental Society, vol. 116, no. 1, pp. 131–33, 1996

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Foster., Benjamin R., "Archives and Record-keeping in Sargonic Mesopotamia", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 1-27, 1982

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Kaniuth, Kai, "Isin in the Kassite Period", Volume 2 Karduniaš. Babylonia under the Kassites 2, edited by Alexa Bartelmus and Katja Sternitzke, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, pp. 492-507, 2017

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Michalowski, Piotr, "The Royal Letters in Their Historical Setting 3: Ur, Isin, Kazallu, and the Final Decades of the Ur III State (Letters 21–24)", The Correspondence of the Kings of Ur: An Epistolary History of an Ancient Mesopotamian Kingdom, University Park, USA: Penn State University Press, pp. 170-215, 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-autogenerated13_22-0)** Vaughn E. Crawford, "An Ishbi-Irra Date Formula", Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 13-19, 1948

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Douglas Frayne, "ISIN", Old Babylonian Period (2003-1595 B.C.): Early Periods, Volume 4, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, pp. 5-106, 1990

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Frayne, D. R, "New light on the reign of Išme-Dagan", ZA 88, pp. 6-44, 1998

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-autogenerated54_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-autogenerated54_25-1) William W. Hallo, "The Last Years of the Kings of ISIN", Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 54-72, 1959

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Bloch, Yigal, "An Edomite in Isin", Individuals and Institutions in the Ancient Near East: A Tribute to Ran Zadok, edited by Uri Gabbay and Shai Gordin, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, pp. 229-241, 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** de Boer, Rients, "Studies on the Old Babylonian Kings of Isin and Their Dynasties with an Updated List of Isin Year Names", Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie, vol. 111, no. 1, pp. 5-27, 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** [\[3\]](https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=books) Sigrist, Marcel, "Isin year names", Andrews University Press, 1988

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Jacobsen, Thorkild., "The Waters of Ur", Iraq, vol. 22, pp. 174–85, 1960

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** A. Livingstone, "The Isin "Dog House" Revisited", Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 54-60, 1988

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** M. B. Rowton, "The Date of the Sumerian King List", Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 156-162, 1960

## Further reading

- Vaughn Emerson Crawford, "Sumerian economic texts from the first dynasty of Isin", Yale University Press, 1954

- Crisostomo, Jay, "Old Babylonian legal documents from Isin in the Hearst Museum of Anthropology, Berkeley", Revue d’assyriologie et d’archéologie orientale 112.1, pp. 103–121, 2018

- Goetze, A., "Date formula of Iddin-Dagān of Isin", JCS 19, pp. 56, 1965

- Hrouda, B. "Die Ausgrabungen in Isin 1973 Und 1974", Orientalia, vol. 45, pp. 116–19, 1976

- Barthel Hrouda, "Isan Bahriyat I. D. Ergebnisse d. Ausgrabungen 1973–1974 (Veroffentlichungen der Kommission zur Erschliessung von Keilschrifttexten)", In Kommission bei der C.H. Beck, 1977 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-7696-0074-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-7696-0074-6)

- Barthel Hrouda, "Isin, Isan Bahriyat II: Die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen 1975–1978 (Veroffentlichungen der Kommission zur Erschliessung von Keilschrifttexten)", In Kommission bei der C.H. Beck, 1981 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-7696-0082-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-7696-0082-7)

- Barthel Hrouda, Isin, "Isan Bahriyat III: Die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen 1983–1984 (Veroffentlichungen der Kommission zur Erschliessung von Keilschrifttexten)", In Kommission bei C.H. Beck, 1987 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-7696-0089-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-7696-0089-4)

- Barthel Hrouda, "Isin, Isan Bahriyat IV: Die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen, 1986–1989 (Veroffentlichungen der Kommission zur Erschliessung von Keilschrifttexten)", In Kommission bei C.H. Beck, 1992 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-7696-0100-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-7696-0100-9)

- Kaniuth, Kai. "Isin in the Kassite Period", Volume 2 Karduniaš. Babylonia under the Kassites 2, edited by Alexa Bartelmus and Katja Sternitzke, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, pp. 492–507, 2017

- Lieberman, Stephen J., "The years of Damiqilishu, king of Isin", Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale 76.2, pp. 97–117, 1982

- M. van de Mieroop, "Crafts in the Early Isin Period: A Study of the Isin Craft Archive from the Reigns of Isbi-Erra and Su-Illisu", Peeters Publishers, 1987 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [90-6831-092-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/90-6831-092-5)

- [\[4\]](https://isac.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/docs/as15.pdf) Arno Poebel, "The Second Dynasty of Isin According to A New King-List Tablet ", Assyriological Studies 15, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955

- Sternitzke, Katja, "Babylon in the Second Millennium BCE: New Insights on the Transitions from Old Babylonian to Kassite and Isin II Periods", Babylonia under the Sealand and Kassite Dynasties, edited by Susanne Paulus and Tim Clayden, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, pp. 125–145, 2020

- Wilcke, C., Edzard, D. O., Walker, C., Odzuck, S., & Sommerfeld, W., "Keilschrifttexte aus Isin-Išān Baḥrīyāt: Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft unter der Schirmherrschaft der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften", Bayerische Akademie d. Wissenschaften, 2018

## External links

- [Archaeological Site Photographs of Isin at Oriental Institute](http://oi.uchicago.edu/gallery/asp_meso_isin/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131109220858/http://oi.uchicago.edu/gallery/asp_meso_isin/) 2013-11-09 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Iraqi Looters Tearing Up Archaeological Sites](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/23/international/worldspecial/23LOOT.html?ex=1082088000&en=1ff65d5ad70bd599&ei=5070&pagewanted=1) Edmund L. Andrews. [The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times), May 23, 2003.

Authority control databases International GND National Czech Republic Israel Geographic Pleiades Other Kulturenvanteri monument Yale LUX

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