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Elam
Elamite: haltamtu
Persian: huwaja
Greek: elymais
Hebrew: elam
Ancient kingdom in today's southwestern Iran, east of the Tigris river and north of the Persian Gulf.
To Elam belonged four prominent cities: Awan, Anshan, Simash and especially, Susa, the capital.
Elam is known for its matrilinear system of succession. A newly appointed ruler was always referred to as 'son of a sister'.
Culturally, Elam achieved less in several fields than its neighbouring countries, and much was imported from them. Writing came from the Sumerians and large elements of the architecture came from Babylonia. There is relatively little literature from Elam, and of religion almost nothing is known.
Elamite language is only partly understood by scholars — it had no relationship to Sumerian, Semitic or Indo-European languages, and there are no modern descendants of it. After 3000 BCE the Elamites developed a semi-pictographic writing system called Proto-Elamite. Later the cuneiform script was introduced.
Through large parts of Elam's history we hear nothing about its situation and status.
HISTORY
6th millennium BCE: First traces of civilization — the area of Elam is one of the oldest civilized areas in world history.
22nd century: Elam is under the control of Ur.
Around 2000: Elam is a strong power, able to conquer and destroy Ur.
Around 1600: It is believed that the Kassites, who captured Babylonia, also destroyed Elam.
Around 1160: Under King Shutruk-Nahhunte Elam once again rises to power, strong enough to drive the Kassites out of Babylonia. From this came the first (and short-lived) Elamite empire.
Around 1120: Susa and Elam is sacked by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar 1. This lead to the end of the Elamite empire.
Around 750: A new Elamite kingdom rises, but it is not the great power of former times, and it is often threatened by the Assyrians.
645: Elam is conquered by the Assyrians, and annexed to their kingdom. Elam would never again rise to be a great power. It was later conquered and sacked by Media as well as Persia.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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