king list
Quick Summary
A king list is a historical record that enumerates the rulers of a kingdom or dynasty. These lists are crucial for reconstructing ancient chronologies and understanding the succession of power.
In ancient Egypt, king lists like the Turin Papyrus and fragments on the Palermo Stone provided reign lengths and historical details, though figures could be inflated or corrupted over time. These lists, along with astronomical observations, helped establish timelines.1
Assyrian king lists, often compiled from eponym lists, allowed for chronological reconstruction. The discovery of a list dating back to around 1700 BCE significantly advanced understanding of Assyrian chronology.2
In some societies, kings were considered divine or semidivine, and king lists could reflect this sacred status. The concept of a king list is distinct from "king's books," which refer to historical crown taxation records in England.34
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history of MesopotamiaThe rise of AssyriaThe old lists of kings suggest that the same dynasty ruled continuously over Ashur from about 1600. All the names of the kings are given, but little else is known about Ashur before 1420. Almost all the princes had Akkadian names, and it can be assumed that…
Read MoreThe old lists of kings suggest that the same dynasty ruled continuously over Ashur from about 1600. All the names of the kings are given, but little else is known about Ashur before 1420. Almost all the princes had Akkadian names, and it can be assumed that…
Read More- history of MesopotamiaThe classical and medieval views of Mesopotamia; its rediscovery in modern times
…of Berosus contained the Babylonian king list from the beginning to King Nabonassar (Nabu-naṣir, 747–734 bce), a contemporary of Tiglath-pileser III. Berosus’ tradition, beginning with a list of primeval kings before the Flood, is a reliable one; it agrees with the tradition of the Sumerian king list, and even individual…
Read More…of Berosus contained the Babylonian king list from the beginning to King Nabonassar (Nabu-naṣir, 747–734 bce), a contemporary of Tiglath-pileser III. Berosus’ tradition, beginning with a list of primeval kings before the Flood, is a reliable one; it agrees with the tradition of the Sumerian king list, and even individual…
Read More - history of MesopotamiaLiterary and other historical sources
The Sumerian king list has long been the greatest focus of interest. This is a literary composition, dating from Old Babylonian times, that describes kingship (nam-lugal in Sumerian) in Mesopotamia from primeval times to the end of the 1st dynasty of Isin. According to the theory—or rather…
Read MoreThe Sumerian king list has long been the greatest focus of interest. This is a literary composition, dating from Old Babylonian times, that describes kingship (nam-lugal in Sumerian) in Mesopotamia from primeval times to the end of the 1st dynasty of Isin. According to the theory—or rather…
Read More - history of MesopotamiaSumer and Akkad from 2350 to 2000 bce
The Sumerian king list places the 1st dynasty of Kish, together with a series of kings bearing Akkadian names, immediately after the Flood. In Mari the Akkadian language was probably written from the very beginning. Thus, the founders of the dynasty of Akkad were presumably members of…
Read MoreThe Sumerian king list places the 1st dynasty of Kish, together with a series of kings bearing Akkadian names, immediately after the Flood. In Mari the Akkadian language was probably written from the very beginning. Thus, the founders of the dynasty of Akkad were presumably members of…
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Cyrus the GreatLife and legend…the In any case, it is clear that Cyrus came from a long line of ruling chiefs.
Read More…the In any case, it is clear that Cyrus came from a long line of ruling chiefs.
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SargonLife…and, according to the Sumerian king list, he was king for 56 years.
Read More…and, according to the Sumerian king list, he was king for 56 years.
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sigillographySeals in antiquity…of rulers known only from king lists may sometimes be confirmed by the discovery of their seals, and in some cases rulers are known only from their seals, which, because they often mention the names of their fathers, the cities that they ruled, and the chief gods that they served,…
Read More…of rulers known only from king lists may sometimes be confirmed by the discovery of their seals, and in some cases rulers are known only from their seals, which, because they often mention the names of their fathers, the cities that they ruled, and the chief gods that they served,…
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- chronologyEgyptian
…were entered into an official register together with the height of the Nile during its annual inundation. Short notes at first, the year names developed into lengthy records of historical and religious events, especially of royal grants to the gods. These lists grew into annals, which were kept during the…
Read More…were entered into an official register together with the height of the Nile during its annual inundation. Short notes at first, the year names developed into lengthy records of historical and religious events, especially of royal grants to the gods. These lists grew into annals, which were kept during the…
Read More - chronologyBabylonian chronology before 747 bc
…certainly the source of the king lists, so in Babylonia the king lists are based on the year lists. Several of these king lists, compiled at a time when the year lists were still in use, survive. One gives the 3rd dynasty of Ur and the dynasty of Isin; another…
Read More…certainly the source of the king lists, so in Babylonia the king lists are based on the year lists. Several of these king lists, compiled at a time when the year lists were still in use, survive. One gives the 3rd dynasty of Ur and the dynasty of Isin; another…
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archaeologyDatingAbsolute man-made chronology based on king lists and records in Egypt and Mesopotamia goes back only 5,000 years. For a long time archaeologists searched for an absolute chronology that went beyond this and could turn their relative chronologies into absolute dates. Clay-varve counting seemed to provide the first answer to…
Read MoreAbsolute man-made chronology based on king lists and records in Egypt and Mesopotamia goes back only 5,000 years. For a long time archaeologists searched for an absolute chronology that went beyond this and could turn their relative chronologies into absolute dates. Clay-varve counting seemed to provide the first answer to…
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epigraphyAncient MesopotamiaThe Sumerian king list is a compilation of names, places, and wholly fabulous dates and exploits, apparently edited to show and promote time-hallowed oneness of kingship in the face of the splintered city-states of the period. The Sargon Chronicle is a piece of literary legendry concentrating on…
Read MoreThe Sumerian king list is a compilation of names, places, and wholly fabulous dates and exploits, apparently edited to show and promote time-hallowed oneness of kingship in the face of the splintered city-states of the period. The Sargon Chronicle is a piece of literary legendry concentrating on…
Read More