Elam
The kingdom of Elam ( NIM.MAKI Sumerian, Akkadian KURElammatum; Greek Aylam ) with its capital Susa (or Schusim ) was located east of the Tigris River in an area that is now called Khuzistan ( in present-day Iran). In its checkered history, it was conquered again and again by the powers of Mesopotamia ( Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians ) and fell in turn often in Mesopotamia.
The country's name comes from the Greek word Elam Aylam, which in turn was borrowed from the Hebrew word Elam. The proper name was Haltamti / Hatamti and means King Country / Fürstenlandstrasse.
History
Main settlement area of the Elamites was the lowlands in the southwest of present-day Iran, which is essentially the modern provinces of Khuzestan and Lorestan included. To further area of ancient Elam, but also included the hill country of Anshan ( Anshan ) in the east (which roughly corresponds to the modern province of Fars ) and the present-day province of Ilam.
The language of the Elamites was how the Sumerians, neither Indo-European nor Semitic. Around 3500 BC came the first urban centers. Between 3450 BC and 3100 BC, the rise of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk was parallel to the development of Susa to the political and religious center in Elam. From this era, the oldest written documents in proto- Elamite script date line. The development of writing systems was carried out independently in Sumer and Elam.
From the Elamite highlands related Sumerians and Babylonians timber, stones, ores and horses. The Elamites were also masters of metal casting.
Between 2500 BC and 1500 BC there were three dynasties: the kings of Awan, Simas and the so-called Great regent or Eparti.
The first significant ruler, have been handed down from the significant news was Puzur - Inšušinak, who reigned around 2300 BC, various cities conquered and settled mainly write texts in Elamite script.
King Untasch - Napirischa, who belonged to the dynasty of the Igehalkiden, built around 1250 BC, a new capital ( Chogha Zanbil ).
The height of its power development reached Elam but then under the dynasty of Schutrukiden ( 12th century BC). Schutruk - nahhunte ( 1185-1155 BC ) conquered hundreds of Babylonian cities, including Babylon itself and Sippar, and put the vanquished to the enormous tribute of 120 talents of gold and 480 talents of silver. The famous stele of Hammurabi laws I ( with the Code Hammurapi ) immigrated to the steles collection of the king in Susa the capital, where she was exposed later than three millennia of French archaeologists again. End of the 12th century BC defeated Hutelutuš - Inšušinak the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar I.; in the next three centuries no further news of Elam.
Since the mid-eighth century, with Humban - IGAs I. the springs flow again richer because Elam was in a constant battle against the rising empire of the Assyrians, and this report of the events precisely. Royal residence was now mostly Madaktu, a city that was perhaps easier to defend and therefore offered better protection than Susa. The Elamites supported together with the Syrians the Chaldäerfürst Merodach - baladan bit of Jakin, so this could be 721 BC, king of Babylon.
During this period, was followed by a slow decline, which culminated in the final destruction of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal Elamite kingdom by around 640 BC.
In the 6th century BC, Elam went on in the Persian Empire and played as a third satrapy besides Persia and Media is still a significant role. Its history since then has been inextricably linked with the history of Iran. From the Greeks, this province Elymais was called, the even again played a certain political role among the Parthians, and probably was temporarily independent.
About last foothills of the Elamite language Arabic chroniclers report in the year 1000 AD
Language
The Elamite language - also called Elamitisch - which is not related to any other of the ancient East, was one of the official languages of the Persian Empire. Darius I could write almost all the inscriptions in three languages: Old Persian, Elamite and Babylonian.
Mythology
Main deities were Pinikir (which was equated with the Babylonian Ishtar ), Humban, Inšušinak (originally the city god of Susa ), and the sun god Nahundi.
Structure
The empire was federally organized: at the top there was a high king, were under several vassal princes. Meanwhile Substitute ( viceroy ) was his next younger brother; Prince of Susa was the son of the king. Died of Upper king, not his son the successor, but the Viceroy, and in its place then moved again the next younger brother. Thus disputes within the ruling families were hard to avoid - often crashed the Viceroy his older brother and thus gained domination.