Study Notes on the Old Babylonian Period

The Old Babylonian Period: 2004 - 1595 B.C.E.
Other relevant periods:
- The Middle Babylonian Period: 1594 - 1005 B.C.E.
- The Late Babylonian Period: 1004 - 539 B.C.E.

The story of ancient Babylon is complex and multi-layered, necessitating organization into phases for clear understanding.

Babylon: Refers to the ancient city-state.
- Uncertain establishment date, existed as a small city-state before the Akkadian Empire (2334 – 2154 B.C.E.).
- Became the political and cultural capital of central and southern Mesopotamia during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages and into the Iron Age.
- Presently, only ruins remain; located approximately 55 miles south of modern Baghdad.
Babylonia: Refers to the region encompassing the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from partway between the Persian Gulf and southeastern Anatolia to the Persian Gulf shores.
- This region includes significant Sumerian city-states such as Uruk and is often referred to as “Babylonia” by Assyriologists, but this term can be misleading when discussing the Early Bronze Age.
- The term ‘Babylonia’ was first coined by the Greeks in honor of the dominant city during the Bronze and Iron Ages.
- The ancient common term for the region was “Sumer and Akkad.”

The city of Babylon did not represent a distinct Babylonian ethnicity; rather, Babylonia was home to various related ethnic groups, including Sumerians and Akkadians.
Control of Babylon changed hands frequently, including rule by Akkadians, Isin, Larsa, Amorites, Hittites, Kassites, Assyrians, Elamites, Chaldeans, Persians, and Greeks between 2000 and 300 B.C.E., yet it remained the political capital throughout.
Babylon developed a unique personality and was treated with respect by successive rulers.
- Exceptions included certain Assyrian kings who ravaged it.
- Babylon was known for its intellectual achievements, focusing on wisdom, mathematics, and astronomy.
- Important professions included priests, magicians, mathematicians, and astrologers.

Skilled in celestial observations, they constructed observatories and compiled omens based on celestial phenomena during the 2nd Millennium.
By the 1st Millennium, astrology was taken seriously as a science, with zodiac signs identified.
By 500 B.C.E., Babylonians could predict lunar movements and eclipses accurately and associated celestial bodies with deities (e.g., Jupiter with Marduk).

Babylonian King Lists exist in multiple versions, with King List A being the most important.
- Found on a Neo-Babylonian tablet (BM 33332), published in 1884 but damaged over time yet its content remains insightful.

Chronicles document history from an observer's point of view, often containing more details than king-lists.
The Babylonian Dynastic Chronicle is notable, recounting the great flood story.

Ancient Mesopotamians dated events based on the year of a king’s reign or significant events.
A date list helped to sequence historical events over time.
These lists are vital for establishing historical chronology, even with potential scribe-errors.

Establishment of Sumerian city-states precedes the 3rd Millennium, with advancements in writing, irrigation, metallurgy, and more.
The Bronze Age begins; Early Dynastic Period is categorized into smaller periods (Early Dynastic I, II, IIIa, IIIb).
- Early Dynastic I: 2900 - 2700 B.C.E.
- Early Dynastic II: 2700 - 2600 B.C.E.
- Early Dynastic IIIa: 2600 - 2450 B.C.E.
- Early Dynastic IIIb: 2450 - 2350 B.C.E.

Emergence of the Akkadian Empire follows the Early Dynastic Period.
During this time, cities expanded, urbanization was prominent, and Babylon began as a modest city-state overshadowed by Kish.

Dominance of the Akkadian Empire is succeeded by the IIIrd Dynasty of Ur, which faced challenges leading to the decline of administrative structure.
Babylon became the capital of its province, managed by Akkadian ENSI officials.
- Babylon gained prominence under the rule of the Ur III kings.

From the collapse of the Ur III Dynasty begins the Old Babylonian Period, divided into Early (2004-1712 B.C.E.) and Late (1711-1595 B.C.E.) phases.
The initial part, also called the Isin-Larsa Period, features these city-states controlling Babylon until approximately 1880 B.C.E.

The Babylonian dialect of Akkadian language regarded as pure and elegant was prevalent during this period.
Became a lingua franca across the Near East, facilitating communication and diplomacy among diverse peoples.

Ultimately, Babylon evolved into a city-state with its own king, marking the foundation of the First Dynasty of Babylon (1894–1595 B.C.E.), crucial for the rise of the Babylonian Empire. - The First Dynasty lasted roughly 300 years and included notable kings such as Hammurabi, who extended control over several city-states in southern Mesopotamia.

Known as Amurrū in Akkadian and 'Emōrī in Biblical texts, Semitic people related to Israelites and Arabs.
Nomadic origins traced around 2400 B.C.E. with migrations into Central and Southern Mesopotamia post-Third Dynasty of Ur, filling a power vacuum.
Initially met with resistance by Mesopotamian peoples, who found them uncivilized.

Amorites established their own city-states and began settling in Babylon, fundamentally marking its historical trajectory.
- The first recorded mention of Babylon ties back to the era of Sargon the Great during the 2300s B.C.E., although it was not yet a city-state.

The name Babylon (Bābilim) combines “gate” (bābum) and “god” (ilum), implying a city opening to divinity.