The middle Elamite period lasts c. 1500 - 1000 BCE. It's marked by the c. 1500 BCE rise of the Anshanite dynasties.
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Awan, the first dynastic kingdom of the Elamites, is surrounded on all sides by civilizations of military might and barbaric warrior groups. Elamites are famed foes of the ancient Sumerians.
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Elam becomes a formidable force in the ancient world. Located along the eastern bank of the Persian Gulf, the region is prime real estate for trade, travel and commerce.
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Trade with Indus Valley and coastal towns, and Sumer when at peace, is well established. Monarchs take the title "King of Anshan and Susa", after the two major city states of Elam.
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Located in the lower Zagros mountains, Susa is east of the Tigris between the Karkheh and Dez Rivers. Susa is considered one of most important centers of early civilization.
Capital of the Elamite state Susiana (Šušan), Susa appears in the earliest Sumerian records. It's described as one of the places obedient to Inanna, patron deity of Uruk.
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Anshan (modern: Tall-e Malyan) is among the first urban states in history. It's also one of the oldest capital cities, established c. 4000 BCE and occupied continuously until c.1000 BCE.
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The Kassites are a tribal or clan group culture from the Zagros Mountains. With the sack of Babylon by the Hittites in 1595 BCE, the Kassites jump at the chance to occupy one of the desirable and most-sacked cities of Mesopotamia.
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The first dynasties were those of the Kidinuids (c. 1500 - 1400 BCE), an ambiguous group of five kings or rulers. While they commonly use the Akkadian language, the succeeding Igihalkids and Shutrukids communicate more often in Elamite.
They call themselves "King of Susa and of Anshan" and "servant of Kirwashir", an Elamite deity. Thus the pantheon of the highlands enters the northern Elamite state of Susiana. In Susiana the Elamite language and culture gain prominence.
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Above image: Gold statuette of a man (possibly king) carrying a goat. Susa, Iran, c.1500 -1200 BCE (Middle Elamite period). The figurine is about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
The city state of Susa is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to c. 4200 BCE. From the beginning Susa is a central power site for the Elamites and later Persian dynasties. During the Middle Elamite period (1500 - 1100 BCE), Susa's power reaches its peak.
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The first Kassite king of Babylon, Kurigalzu II, is put on the throne by Ashur-uballit I of the Middle Assyrian Empire (1366 –1020 BCE). Elam is occupied until c. 1320 BCE.
Ten rulers of the Igehalkids (c. 1350 – 1200 BC) are known. Studies suggest the possibility of more. Some marry Kassite princesses.
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Shalmaneser I (r.1274-1245 BCE) declares Assyria a vassal of Babylon no longer. He claims supremacy over western Asia. Shamaneser battles the Hittites in Anatolia, vanquishes Carchemish and founds further colonies in Cappadocia, eastern Anatolia.
His son Tukulti-Ninurta I (r. 1243–1207 BCE) conquers Babylon. He kills the Babylonian King Bitilyasu, making Assyria the dominant power in Mesopotamia.
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In c. 1230 BCE Kassite king, Kashtiliash IV, fights Elam for Babylon, and fails to capture the city. Kassite-Babylonian power drains.
During the northern Mesopotamian Middle Assyrian Empire (c 1363 - 912 BCE) Kiddin-Khutran of Elam drives out the Kassites. He defeats Enlil-nadin-shumi in 1224 BC, and Adad-shuma-iddina c. 1222–1217 BCE.
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Under the Igehalkid rulers, southern Elamite highland gods gain popularity in Susa. In 1210 BCE the Shutrukids (c.1210 – 1100 BC) take over, and the Elamite Empire attains the height of power.
Elamite King Shutruk-Nakhkhunte has his three sons, Kutir-Nakhkhunte II, Shilhak-In-Shushinak, and Khutelutush-In-Shushinak. The princes undertake repeated military campaigns into Babylonia of the Kassites.
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At the same time Babylonia is under attack by the empire of Assyria. Despite ongoing military conflicts, Kassite construction efforts center on restoration of luxurious temples in Susa and throughout the Empire.
Perhaps the Gods will look favorably upon this good work and reward Babylonia with victory over the attacking forces. No luck. Elamite King Shutruk-Nakhkhunte raids Babylon, carrying home to Susa trophies like the statue of Marduk, patron god of Babylon.
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He takes the statue of Manishtushu, son of Sargon the Great. As well, he filches the Manishtushu Obelisk, the Stele of Hammurabi and the stele of Naram-Sin.
In 1158 BC, much of Babylonia is annexed by King Ashur-Dan I of Assyria and Shutruk-Nakhkhunte of Elam. Finally, the Elamites permanently defeat the Kassites.
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They kill the Kassite king of Babylon, Zababa-shuma-iddin. On the throne they put his eldest son, Kutir-Nakhkhunte.
The Kassite Kutir-Nakhkhunte keeps his position for just under three years. Akkadian speaking Babylonians rebel and force him from the throne.
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The Elamites go to war with Assyria and take the Assyrian city of Arrapha (modern Kirkuk). The Assyrians fight back and drive out the Elamites, who are forced to sign a treaty with the Assyrians under Ashur-Dan I.
In c. 1121 BCE Nebuchadnezzar I of Babylon begins his 22-year reign, according to the Babylon King lists. He battles the Elamites, sacks Susa and recaptures the god Marduk. He returns Marduk to Babylon in glorious victory.
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Nebuchadnezzar I is defeated by the Assyrian king Ashur-resh-ishi I. The power of the Elamite empire decreases. After 1115 BCE, Elam goes into hibernation for over three hundred years.
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