Hamazi facts for kids

Hamazi

Location in Near East

Hamazi, also spelled Khamazi, was an important ancient kingdom or city-state. It became well-known during a time called the Early Dynastic period in Mesopotamia. Today, its exact location is still a mystery to historians.

History of Hamazi

Early Mentions and Discoveries

Archaeologists found old pottery pieces that mentioned Hamazi. One piece talked about a ruler named Pussussu who defeated Hamazi. These discoveries help us learn about this ancient place.

Hamazi is also mentioned in very old stories from Mesopotamia. One famous story is "Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta." In this tale, Hamazi is described as a place with "many tongues," meaning many different languages were spoken there. Another story, "Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana," mentions a sorcerer from Hamazi who went to another city after Hamazi was "destroyed."

Kings and Rulers

According to an ancient text called the Sumerian King List, a king named Hadanish from Hamazi once ruled over the region of Sumer. However, he was later defeated by Enshakushanna, a ruler from the city of Uruk.

We also know about Hamazi from clay tablets found in the city of Ebla, in modern-day Syria. One tablet shows a message from King Irkab-Damu of Ebla to King Zizi of Hamazi. The Ebla king called Zizi a "brother" and asked him to send soldiers to help. However, some experts believe this Hamazi might have been a different place, closer to modern Homs.

Hamazi Under the Ur Empire

Later, during the time of the Third Dynasty of Ur, Hamazi became one of the provinces of the powerful Ur empire. This was during the reign of King Amar-Sin. We know about two governors, or ensis, of Hamazi from this time: Lu-nanna and Ur-Ishkur. These governors managed the region for the Ur empire.

Towards the end of the Ur empire, a letter from a governor named Puzur-Numušda mentioned that Hamazi was attacked and robbed by Ishbi-Erra of Isin. This shows that Hamazi was still an important place, even if it was sometimes under the control of other empires.

Where Was Hamazi Located?

Historians believe Hamazi was probably in the Zagros Mountains region. This area is located somewhere between the Upper Zab and Diyala Rivers. Some old documents found in a city called Nuzi also mentioned people from Hamazi, which suggests it might have been nearby.

Some researchers have even suggested that Hamazi could be the same place as a later city called Ekallatum. Others think it might be at a site called Kani Jowez, near modern Halabjah. The exact spot remains a puzzle for archaeologists to solve.

List of Rulers of Hamazi

See also

• List of cities of the ancient Near East

Images for kids

• 

  Vase fragments mentioning Uhub and the defeat of Hamazi. British Museum (BM 129401)

• 

  "Hamazi" written in ancient cuneiform script.