Settlements > Larsa
Larsa
Background
Larsa (Sumerian logogram: UD.UNUGKI,[1] read Larsamki[2]) was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.The historical "Larsa" was already in existence as early as the reign of Eannatum of Lagash, who annexed it to his empire.The city became a political force during the Isin-Larsa period. After the Third Dynasty of Ur collapsed ca. 2000 BC, Ishbi-Erra, an official of Ibbi-Sin, the last king of the Ur III Dynasty, relocated to Isin and set up a government which purported to be the successor to the Ur III dynasty. From there, Ishbi-Erra recaptured Ur as well as the cities of Uruk and Lagash, which Larsa was subject to. Subsequent Isin rulers appointed governors to rule over Lagash; one such governor was an Amorite named Gungunum. He eventually broke with Isin and established an independent dynasty in Larsa. To legitimize his rule and deliver a blow to Isin, Gungunum captured the city of Ur. As the region of Larsa was the main center of trade via the Persian Gulf, Isin lost an enormously profitable trade route, as well as a city with much cultic significance.Gungunum's two successors, Abisare (ca. 1841 - 1830 BC) and Sumuel (ca. 1830 - 1801 BC), both took steps to cut Isin completely off from access to canals. After this period, Isin quickly lost political and economical force.Larsa grew powerful, but it never accumulated a large territory. At its peak under king Rim-Sin I (ca. 1758 - 1699 BC), Larsa controlled only about 10-15 other city-states — nowhere near the territory controlled by other dynasties in Mesopotamian history. Nevertheless, huge building projects and agricultural undertakings can be detected archaeologically. After the defeat of Rim-Sin I by Hamurabi of Babylon, Larsa became a minor site, though it has been suggested that it was the home of the 1st Sealand Dynasty of Babylon.[3]Larsa is thought to be the source of a number of tablets involving Babylonian mathematics, including the Plimpton 322 tablet that contains patterns of Pythagorean triples. [4]
Rulers of Larsa
| King | Reign | Dynasty |
| Naplanum | 1961–1940 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Emisum | 1940–1912 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Samium | 1912–1877 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Zabaia | 1877–1868 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Gungunum | 1868–1841 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Abisare | 1841–1830 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Sumuel | 1830–1801 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Nur-Adad | 1801–1785 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Sin-Iddinam | 1785–1778 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Sin-Eribam | 1778–1776 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Sin-Iqisham | 1776–1771 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Silli-Adad | 1771–1770 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Warad-Sin | 1770–1758 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Rim-Sin I | 1758–1699 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Hammurabi of Babylon | 1699–1686 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Samsu-iluna | 1686–1678 BC | Kings of Larsa |
| Rim-Sin II | 1678–1674 BC | Kings of Larsa |
Modern Era
The remains of Larsa cover an oval about 4.5 miles in circumference. The highest point is around 70 feet in height.The site of Tell es-Senkereh, then known as Sinkara, was first excavated by William Loftus in 1850 for less than a month.[5] In those early days of archaeology, the effort was more focused on obtaining museum specimens than scientific data and niceties like site drawings and findspots were not yet in common usage. Loftus recovered building bricks of Nebuchadnezzar II of the Neo-Babylonian Empire which enabled the sites identification as the ancient city of Larsa. Much of the effort by Loftus was on the temple of Shamash, rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar II. Inscriptions of Burna-Buriash II of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon and Hammurabi of the First Babylonian Dynasty were also found. Larsa was also briefly worked by Walter Andrae in 1903. The site was inspected by Edgar James Banks in 1905. He found that widespread looting by the local population was occurring there.[6]The first modern, scientific, excavation of Senkereh occurred in 1933, with the work of Andre Parrot.[7][8] Parrot worked at the location again in 1967.[9] In 1969 and 1970, Larsa was excavated by Jean-Claude Margueron.[10][11] Between 1976 and 1991, an expedition of the Delegation Archaeologic Francaise en Irak led by J-L. Huot excavated at Tell es-Senereh for 13 seasons.[12][13][14][15]Coordinates: 31°17′9″N 45°51′13″EMesopotamia in the time of Hammurabi"The Worshipper of Larsa", a votive statuette dedicated to the god Amurru for Hammurabi's life, early 2nd millennium BC, LouvreLarsa (Sumerian logogram: UD.UNUGKI,[1] read Larsamki[2]) was an important city of ancient Sumer, the center of the cult of the sun god Utu. It lies some 25 km southeast of Uruk in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate, near the east bank of the Shatt-en-Nil canal at the site of the modern settlement Tell as-Senkereh or Sankarah.Contents [hide]1History1.1Kings of Larsa2Archaeology3Notes4See also5References6External linksHistory[edit]The historical "Larsa" was already in existence as early as the reign of Eannatum of Lagash, who annexed it to his empire.The city became a political force during the Isin-Larsa period. After the Third Dynasty of Ur collapsed ca. 2000 BC, Ishbi-Erra, an official of Ibbi-Sin, the last king of the Ur III Dynasty, relocated to Isin and set up a government which purported to be the successor to the Ur III dynasty. From there, Ishbi-Erra recaptured Ur as well as the cities of Uruk and Lagash, which Larsa was subject to. Subsequent Isin rulers appointed governors to rule over Lagash; one such governor was an Amorite named Gungunum. He eventually broke with Isin and established an independent dynasty in Larsa. To legitimize his rule and deliver a blow to Isin, Gungunum captured the city of Ur. As the region of Larsa was the main center of trade via the Persian Gulf, Isin lost an enormously profitable trade route, as well as a city with much cultic significance.Gungunum's two successors, Abisare (ca. 1841 - 1830 BC) and Sumuel (ca. 1830 - 1801 BC), both took steps to cut Isin completely off from access to canals. After this period, Isin quickly lost political and economic force.Larsa grew powerful, but it never accumulated a large territory. At its peak under king Rim-Sin I (ca. 1758 - 1699 BC), Larsa controlled only about 10-15 other city-states — nowhere near the territory controlled by other dynasties in Mesopotamian history. Nevertheless, huge building projects and agricultural undertakings can be detected archaeologically. After the defeat of Rim-Sin I by Hammurabi of Babylon, Larsa became a minor site, though it has been suggested that it was the home of the 1st Sealand Dynasty of Babylon.[3]Larsa is thought to be the source of a number of tablets involving Babylonian mathematics, including the Plimpton 322 tablet that contains patterns of Pythagorean triples.[4]Kings of Larsa[edit]RulerReigned (short chronology)CommentsNaplanumca. 1961—1940 BCContemporary of Ibbi-Suen of Ur IIIEmisumca. 1940—1912 BCSamiumca. 1912—1877 BCZabaiaca. 1877—1868 BCSon of Samium, First royal inscriptionGungunumca. 1868—1841 BCGained independence from Lipit-Eshtar of IsinAbisareca. 1841—1830 BCSumuelca. 1830—1801 BCNur-Adadca. 1801—1785 BCContemporary of Sumu-la-El of BabylonSin-Iddinamca. 1785—1778 BCSon of Nur-AdadSin-Eribamca. 1778—1776 BCSin-Iqishamca. 1776—1771 BCContemporary of Zambiya of Isin, Son of Sin-EribamSilli-Adadca. 1771—1770 BCWarad-Sinca. 1770—1758 BCPossible co-regency with Kudur-Mabuk his fatherRim-Sin Ica. 1758—1699 BCContemporary of Irdanene of Uruk, Defeated by Hammurabi of Babylon, Brother of Warad-SinHammurabi of Babylonca. 1699—1686 BCOfficial Babylonian ruleSamsu-iluna of Babylonca. 1686—1678 BCOfficial Babylonian ruleRim-Sin IIca. 1678—1674 BCKilled in revolt against BabylonArchaeology[edit]List of the kings of Larsa, 39th year of Hammurabi's reign, LouvreThe remains of Larsa cover an oval about 4.5 miles in circumference. The highest point is around 70 feet in height.The site of Tell es-Senkereh, then known as Sinkara, was first excavated by William Loftus in 1850 for less than a month.[5] In those early days of archaeology, the effort was more focused on obtaining museum specimens than scientific data and niceties like site drawings and findspots were not yet in common usage. Loftus recovered building bricks of Nebuchadnezzar II of the Neo-Babylonian Empire which enabled the sites identification as the ancient city of Larsa. Much of the effort by Loftus was on the temple of Shamash, rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar II. Inscriptions of Burna-Buriash II of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon and Hammurabi of the First Babylonian Dynasty were also found. Larsa was also briefly worked by Walter Andrae in 1903. The site was inspected by Edgar James Banks in 1905. He found that widespread looting by the local population was occurring there.[6]The first modern, scientific, excavation of Senkereh occurred in 1933, with the work of Andre Parrot.[7][8] Parrot worked at the location again in 1967.[9] In 1969 and 1970, Larsa was excavated by Jean-Claude Margueron.[10][11] Between 1976 and 1991, an expedition of the Delegation Archaeologic Francaise en Irak led by J-L. Huot excavated at Tell es-Senereh for 13 seasons.[12][13][14][15]Notes[edit]Jump up ^ ETCSL. The Lament for Nibru. Accessed 19 Dec 2010.Jump up ^ ETCSL. The Temple Hymns. Accessed 19 Dec 2010.Jump up ^ W. G. Lambert, The Home of the First Sealand Dynasty, Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 208-210, 1974Jump up ^ Robson, Eleanor (2002). "Words and pictures: new light on Plimpton 322" (PDF). American Mathematical Monthly. Mathematical Association of America. pp. 105–120. doi:10.2307/2695324. JSTOR 2695324. MR 1903149..Jump up ^ [1] WIlliam Loftus, Travels and researches in Chaldæa and Susiana; with an account of excavations at Warka, the Erech of Nimrod, and Shúsh, Shushan the Palace of Esther, in 1849-52, J. Nisbet and Co., 1857Jump up ^ Edgar James Banks, Senkereh, the Ruins of Ancient Larsa, The Biblical World, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 389-392, 1905Jump up ^ Andre Parrot, Villes enfouies. Trois campagnes de fouilles en Mésopotamie, 1935Jump up ^ A. Parrot, Les fouilles de Tello et de. Senkereh-Larsa, campagne 1932-1933, Revue d'Assyriologie, vol. 30, pp.169-182, 1933Jump up ^ André Parrot, Les fouilles de Larsa, Syria, vol. 45, iss. 3-4, pp. 205-239, 1968Jump up ^ Jean-Claude Margueron, Larsa, rapport preliminaire sur la quatrieme campagne, Syria, vol. 47, pp. 271-287, 1970Jump up ^ Jean-Claude Margueron, Larsa, rapport preliminaire sur la cinquieme campagne, Syria, vol. 48, pp. 271-287, 1971Jump up ^ J-L. Huot, Larsa, rapport preliminaire sur la septieme campagne Larsa et la premiere campagne Tell el 'Oueili (1976), Syria, vol. 55, pp. 183-223, 1978Jump up ^ J-L. Huot, Larsa et 'Oueili, travaux de 1978-1981. Vol. 26, Memoire, Editions Recherche sur les civilisations, 1983, ISBN 2-86538-066-1Jump up ^ J.-L. Huot, Larsa (10e campagne, 1983) et Oueili: Rapport preliminaire, Editions Recherche sur les civilisations, 1987, ISBN 2-86538-174-9Jump up ^ J-L. Huot, Larsa, Travaux de 1985, Editions Recherche sur les civilisations, 1989, ISBN 2-86538-198-6See also[edit]Ancient Near East portalCities of the ancient Near EastShort chronology timelineReferences[edit]Ettalene M. Grice, Clarence E. Keiser, Morris Jastrow, Chronology of the Larsa Dynasty, AMS Press, 1979, ISBN 0-404-60274-6The Rulers of Larsa, M. Fitzgerald, Yale University Dissertation, 2002Larsa Year Names, Marcel Segrist, Andrews University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-943872-54-5Judith K. Bjorkman, The Larsa Goldsmith's Hoards-New Interpretations, Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 1–23, 1993T. Breckwoldt, Management of grain storage in Old Babylonian Larsa, Archiv für Orientforschung, no. 42-43, pp. 64–88, 1995–1996D. Arnaud, French Archaeological Mission in Iraq. A Catalogue of the Cuneiform Tablets and Inscribed Objects Found during the 6th Season in Tell Senkereh/Larsa, Sumer, vol. 34, no. 1-2, pp. 165–176, 1978EJ Brill, Legal and economic records from the Kingdom of Larsa, Leemans, 1954, ISBN 90-6258-120-XWikimedia Commons has media related to Larsa.Wikisource-logo.svg Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Larsa". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.External links[edit]Yearnames of Larsa rulers at CDLIOn-line digital images of Larsa Tablets at CDLI
