Dynasty of Isin

Dynasty of Isin
c. 1953 BCE – c. 1717 BCE
Location of Isin, now in modern Iraq
CapitalIsin
Common languagesAkkadian, Sumerian
Religion
Sumerian religion
GovernmentMonarchy
King of Sumer 
• c. 1953—1921 BCE
Ishbi-Erra (first)
• c. 1740—1717 BCE
Damiq-ilishu (last)
Historical eraBronze Age
• Established
c. 1953 BCE
• Disestablished
c. 1717 BCE
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Third Dynasty of Ur
Old Babylonian Empire
Today part ofIraq

The Dynasty of Isin refers to the final ruling dynasty listed on the Sumerian King List (SKL).[1] The list of the Kings of Isin with the length of their reigns, also appears on a cuneiform document listing the kings of Ur and Isin, the List of Reigns of Kings of Ur and Isin (MS 1686).[2]

The dynasty was situated within the ancient city of Isin (today known as the archaeological site of Ishan al-Bahriyat). It is believed to have flourished c. 1953–1717 BCE according to the short chronology timeline of the ancient Near East. It was preceded on the Sumerian King List by the Third Dynasty of Ur. The Dynasty of Isin is often associated with the nearby and contemporary dynasty of Larsa (1961–1674 BCE), and they are often regrouped for periodization purposes under the name "Isin-Larsa period". Both dynasties were succeeded by the First Babylonian Empire.

  1. ^ The spelling of royal names follows the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature
  2. ^ George, A. R. Sumero-Babylonian King Lists and Date Lists (PDF). pp. 206–210.