List of kings of Babylon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids King of Babylon
šakkanakki Bābili šar Bābili
Stylised version of the star of Shamash
Last native king Nabonidus 25 May 556 BC – 13 October 539 BC
Details
First monarch	Sumu-abum
Last monarch	Nabonidus (last native king) Shamash-eriba or Nidin-Bel (last native rebel) Artabanus III (last foreign ruler attested as king) Artabanus IV (last Parthian king in Babylonia)
Formation	c. 1894 BC
Abolition	539 BC (last native king) 484 BC or 336/335 BC (last native rebel) AD 81 (last foreign ruler attested as king) AD 224 (last Parthian king in Babylonia)
Appointer	Various: Election by the Babylonian priesthood or aristocracy Hereditary inheritance Usurpation/conquest of Babylon

The King of Babylon was the main ruler of the ancient city of Babylon and its kingdom, Babylonia. This powerful kingdom was located in Mesopotamia, a region often called the "cradle of civilization." Babylon was an independent kingdom for a long time, from the 19th century BC until it fell in the 6th century BC.

For most of its history, Babylon controlled much of southern Mesopotamia. This area included the ancient lands of Sumer and Akkad. Babylon became very powerful twice. These times are known as the First Babylonian Empire (around 1894–1595 BC) and the Second Babylonian Empire (626–539 BC). One of the most famous Babylonian kings was Hammurabi, who created a famous set of laws called the Code of Hammurabi.

Many kings of Babylon came from different places. Over nearly 2,000 years, rulers were from Babylonian, Amorite, Kassite, Elamite, Aramean, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian, Greek, and Parthian backgrounds. What mattered most was if the king could do his job well. Kings were expected to keep peace, ensure safety, be fair, respect people's rights, and honor religious traditions. They also built temples and gave gifts to the gods. If foreign rulers didn't visit Babylon or take part in its traditions, people often became unhappy.

Babylon's last native king was Nabonidus, who ruled from 556 to 539 BC. His rule ended when Cyrus the Great from the Achaemenid Empire conquered Babylon. Even after this, some Achaemenid kings still used the title "king of Babylon." However, later on, the kings themselves stopped using it. Babylonian writers continued to see the rulers of the empires that controlled Babylonia as their kings. This lasted until the time of the Parthian Empire, when Babylon slowly became less important.

Babylon never became fully independent again after the Achaemenid conquest. But there were several attempts by Babylonians to fight their foreign rulers. They tried to bring back their own kingdom, possibly as late as 336/335 BC, with a rebel named Nidin-Bel.

What Kings Were Called

Royal Titles

Three different ways to write 'king of Babylon' (šar Bābili) in ancient Babylonian writing.

Over Babylon's long history, kings used different titles. The most common ones were 'Viceroy of Babylon', 'King of Karduniash', and 'king of Sumer and Akkad'. A king could use more than one title at the same time. For example, the Neo-Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III (who ruled Babylon from 729–727 BC) used all three.

• Viceroy (or governor) of Babylon (šakkanakki Bābili) – This title showed that the king ruled Babylon itself. For much of its history, Babylon's rulers called themselves viceroys or governors, not kings. This was because they believed the city's true king was its god, Marduk. By not calling themselves "king," they showed respect to Marduk. The Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib (705–681 BC) broke this tradition by calling himself 'king of Babylon' (šar Bābili). This might have made Babylonians dislike him. However, this title was sometimes used before Sennacherib's time. For example, his father Sargon II (710–705 BC in Babylon) used both titles. Later kings also used them interchangeably.

• King of Karduniash (šar Karduniaš) – This title meant the king ruled all of southern Mesopotamia. 'Karduniash' was the Kassite name for the Babylonian kingdom. The Kassites introduced this title. It was still used long after the Kassites lost control of Babylon. For example, native king Nabu-shuma-ukin I (around 900–888 BC) and Assyrian king Esarhaddon (681–669 BC) used it.

• King of Sumer and Akkad (šar māt Šumeri u Akkadi) – This title also meant ruling all of southern Mesopotamia. It was first used by kings of the Third Dynasty of Ur (around 2112–2004 BC), centuries before Babylon was founded. Kings used this title to connect themselves to the old Sumerian and Akkadian cultures. It also showed they claimed the power of the ancient Akkadian Empire. This title was also geographical. Southern Mesopotamia was divided into Sumer (south) and Akkad (north). So, 'king of Sumer and Akkad' meant ruling the whole country. Babylonian kings used this title until the Neo-Babylonian Empire ended in 539 BC. Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon, also used it.

How Kings Got Their Power

Babylonian kings believed their right to rule came from the god Marduk. They were also made kings by the city's priests. Marduk's statue was very important in the coronation ceremonies. Kings received their crowns "from the hands" of Marduk during the New Year's festival. This showed that the god gave them their kingship.

Every year during the New Year's Festival, the king's rule was confirmed. The king would go alone into the Esagila, Babylon's main temple. The high priest would take away the king's royal items, slap him, and make him kneel before Marduk's statue. The king would then tell the statue that he had been a good ruler. The high priest, speaking for Marduk, would then say the king still had divine support. He would then return the royal items. By supporting Babylon's temples, the king showed generosity to the gods. In return, the gods gave him power and authority.

Kings were expected to keep peace, ensure safety, be fair, and respect civil rights. They also had to avoid unfair taxes, respect religious traditions, and keep religious ceremonies in order. It didn't matter if a king was from Babylon or a foreign land. Any foreigner who understood Babylonian customs could become king. Many foreign kings were supported by Babylonians, while some native kings were disliked. If Babylonians didn't support a foreign king, it was usually because they felt he wasn't doing his job properly.

Royal Families and Groups

The name of Babylon's first dynasty (palû Babili, meaning 'dynasty of Babylon') in ancient Babylonian writing.

Like other kingdoms, Babylon's kings are grouped into royal families or "dynasties." The ancient Babylonians themselves started this practice in their king lists. However, these "dynasties" weren't always family groups like we think of them today. While Babylon's first dynasty was a family, later ones, like the Dynasty of E, were not.

In Babylon, a "dynasty" (called palû or palê) meant a series of kings from the same ethnic group (like the Kassite dynasty), the same region (like the Sealand dynasties), or the same city (like Babylon or Isin). Sometimes, kings who were related, like Eriba-Marduk (around 769–760 BC) and his grandson Marduk-apla-iddina II (722–710 BC and 703 BC), were put into different dynasties.

How We Know About Kings

The Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Period, showing rulers of Babylon from Alexander the Great (331–323 BC in Babylon) to Demetrius II Nicator (145–141 BC in Babylon).

Historians learn about ancient kings from special documents found in Mesopotamia. These are called "chronographic texts," and they include king lists and chronicles. King lists are very important. They are tables of royal names and how long each king ruled. They often include other details, like how kings were related.

For Babylonian rulers, the main source is the Babylonian King List (BKL). This is actually three separate documents: Babylonian King List A, B, and C. There are also other king lists that mention Babylon's rulers.

• Babylonian King List A (BKLa, BM 33332) – This list was made after the Neo-Babylonian Empire began. It lists kings from Babylon's first dynasty, starting with Sumu-abum (around 1894–1881 BC), up to Kandalanu (648–627 BC). The end of the tablet is broken, so it might have listed later kings too. Each dynasty is separated by lines, and it tells how many kings and how many years each dynasty ruled. It's written in Neo-Babylonian script.

• Babylonian King List B (BKLb, BM 38122) – We don't know exactly when this list was made. It's also in Neo-Babylonian script. This list covers kings from Babylon's first dynasty and the First Sealand dynasty. It notes the number of kings and their total reign years for these dynasties. It gives reign years for the first dynasty but not for the Sealand dynasty. The years listed for some kings don't match other records, possibly because the original document was damaged. This list also includes family information for most kings of the first dynasty.

• Babylonian King List C (BKLc) – This is a short text in Neo-Babylonian script. It's important for the second dynasty of Isin. It lists the first seven kings of this dynasty and their dates. The part about this dynasty in Babylonian King List A is incomplete. Since it ends with the seventh king, Marduk-shapik-zeri (around 1081–1069 BC), it might have been written during the rule of his successor, Adad-apla-iddina (around 1068–1047 BC). Its small size and curved shape suggest it might have been a practice tablet for a student.

• Synchronistic King List (ScKL) – This is a collection of tablets. It has two columns, listing kings of Babylon and Assyria side-by-side. This suggests they ruled at the same time. Unlike other lists, it usually doesn't give reign years or family details. But it does include many chief scribes for both Assyrian and Babylonian kings. The earliest part of this list starts with Assyrian king Erishum I and Babylonian king Sumu-la-El (around 1880–1845 BC). The latest part ends with Ashur-etil-ilani (631–627 BC) in Assyria and Kandalanu in Babylon. Since it's in Neo-Assyrian script, it was likely made near the end of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.

• Uruk King List (UKL, IM 65066) – This list covers rulers from Kandalanu in the Assyrian period to Seleucus II Callinicus (246–225 BC) in the Seleucid period.

• Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Period (BM 35603) – This list was written in Babylon after 141 BC. It records rulers from when the Greeks started ruling Babylonia with Alexander the Great (331–323 BC in Babylon). It goes up to the end of Seleucid rule under Demetrius II Nicator (145–141 BC in Babylon) and the conquest by the Parthian Empire. Parts of the list are damaged.

Other important sources are cuneiform texts from daily life. These include economic, astronomical, and literary texts. They often mention the current king and his reign year, which helps historians figure out dates.

Kingship After the Neo-Babylonian Empire

Relief of Artaxerxes I of the Achaemenid Empire (465–424 BC). He was the last Achaemenid king to officially use the title 'king of Babylon'.

After the Neo-Babylonian Empire fell, Babylonians continued to recognize foreign rulers as their kings. This happened during the rule of the Achaemenid Empire (539–331 BC), Argead (331–310 BC), and Seleucid (305–141 BC) empires. It also continued well into the Parthian Empire (141 BC – AD 224).

Early Achaemenid kings respected Babylonian culture. They saw Babylonia as a separate kingdom joined with their own. However, Babylonians eventually disliked Achaemenid rule, just as they had disliked Assyrian rule. This was likely because Achaemenid kings didn't perform the traditional duties of a Babylonian king. Since their capitals were elsewhere, these foreign kings rarely visited Babylon. They didn't take part in the city's rituals or build temples for the gods. Babylonians might have seen this as a sign that the kings didn't have divine support. This led to many Babylonian revolts.

The title "king of Babylon" was slowly dropped by the Achaemenid king Xerxes I (486–465 BC). This happened after he crushed a major Babylonian uprising. Xerxes also divided the large Babylonian region into smaller parts. Some sources say he even damaged the city of Babylon as punishment. The last Achaemenid king to officially use the title "king of Babylon" in his own writings was Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC). After him, kings rarely used the title themselves, but Babylonians still called them "king of Babylon."

During the Seleucid period, Greek culture became common in Babylonia. However, it didn't completely replace the old Babylonian culture. Babylonian traditions continued until about the 2nd century AD. The Seleucid kings continued to respect Babylonian traditions. Several Seleucid kings gave gifts to Marduk in Babylon. The New Year's Festival was still celebrated. One of the last times it was celebrated was in 188 BC, with Seleucid king Antiochus III.

Coin of Artabanus III of the Parthian Empire (AD 79/80–81). He is the last known ruler mentioned as king in Babylonian texts.

Under the Parthian Empire, Babylon slowly became less important. It was no longer a major city. Newer imperial capitals like Seleucia and Ctesiphon became the centers of power. Babylon was still somewhat important in the first century of Parthian rule. Cuneiform tablets continued to recognize the Parthian kings. The Parthian kings were usually called "Aršakâ šar šarrāni" ("Arsaces, king of kings") in Babylonian documents. Some tablets from this time also mention the Parthian king's queen. This was the first time women were officially recognized as rulers of Babylon. The few remaining documents from this period show that Babylonians felt worried. The Parthian kings were mostly absent, and their old culture was slowly fading away.

We don't know exactly when Babylon was completely abandoned. A Roman writer, Pliny the Elder, wrote in AD 50 that Babylon was a "barren waste." Roman emperors Trajan (in AD 115) and Septimius Severus (in AD 199) reportedly found the city destroyed and empty. However, archaeological evidence suggests that Babylon's temples might have still been active in the early 3rd century AD. If any old Babylonian culture remained, it likely disappeared around AD 230 due to religious changes in the early Sasanian Empire.

Because there are not many sources, we don't know the very last ruler recognized by the Babylonians as king. The latest known cuneiform tablet is from AD 79/80. It mentions a "king," which means Babylonians still recognized a ruler at that time. This ruler was likely the Parthian king Artabanus III. Historians disagree on when the line of kings truly ended. Some say it ended in the first century AD, while others believe it lasted until the Parthian rule of Babylonia ended in the early 3rd century AD.

How Names Were Written

This list includes the names of all kings in Akkadian. It also shows how their names were written using cuneiform signs. Before the reign of Burnaburiash II (around 1359–1333 BC) of the Kassite dynasty, Sumerian was the main language for official documents. Akkadian became more common after Kurigalzu II (around 1332–1308 BC). For simplicity, this list uses only Akkadian names, even for earlier kings. This is because many names are known from king lists written in Akkadian centuries later.

A king's name could be spelled in different ways in Akkadian. For example, Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BC) had two main spellings for his name (Nabû-kudurri-uṣur). The tables below show these differences. This list uses shorter spellings when possible, based on how names appear in date records and king lists.

Shorter Spelling (from king lists)	Longer Spelling (from building inscriptions)
Nabû - kudurri - uṣur	Na - bi - um - ku - du - ur - ri - u - ṣu - ur

Even with the same spelling, names looked different depending on the cuneiform script used. Old Babylonian, Neo-Babylonian, and Neo-Assyrian signs all looked unique. The table below shows different ways the name Antiochus (Antiʾukusu) was written. This list uses Neo-Babylonian and Neo-Assyrian signs, as these are common in the king lists.

Date records (Neo-Babylonian signs)	Antiochus cylinder	Antiochus cylinder (Neo-Babylonian signs)	Antiochus cylinder (Neo-Assyrian signs)
An - ti - ʾ - i - ku - su	An - ti - ʾ - ku - us	An - ti - ʾ - ku - us	An - ti - ʾ - ku - us

Dynasty I (Amorite), 1894–1595 BC

This dynasty was called palû Babili ('dynasty of Babylon'). To tell it apart, historians call it the 'First Dynasty of Babylon' or 'Amorite dynasty' because the kings were Amorite. The last king, Samsu-Ditana, is listed as ruling for 31 years, but evidence shows Babylon was destroyed in his 26th year.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Sumu-abum	Šumu-abum	c. 1894 BC	c. 1881 BC	First king of Babylon in king lists
Sumu-la-El	Šumu-la-El	c. 1880 BC	c. 1845 BC	Unclear how he became king
Sabium	Sabūm	c. 1844 BC	c. 1831 BC	Son of Sumu-la-El
Apil-Sin	Apil-Sîn	c. 1830 BC	c. 1813 BC	Son of Sabium
Sin-Muballit	Sîn-Muballit	c. 1812 BC	c. 1793 BC	Son of Apil-Sin
Hammurabi	Ḫammu-rāpi	c. 1792 BC	c. 1750 BC	Son of Sin-Muballit
Samsu-iluna	Šamšu-iluna	c. 1749 BC	c. 1712 BC	Son of Hammurabi
Abi-Eshuh	Abī-Ešuḫ	c. 1711 BC	c. 1684 BC	Son of Samsu-iluna
Ammi-Ditana	Ammi-ditāna	c. 1683 BC	c. 1647 BC	Son of Abi-Eshuh
Ammi-Saduqa	Ammi-Saduqa	c. 1646 BC	c. 1626 BC	Son of Ammi-Ditana
Samsu-Ditana	Šamšu-ditāna	c. 1625 BC	c. 1595 BC	Son of Ammi-Saduqa

Dynasty II (First Sealand), 1725–1475 BC

This dynasty was called palû Urukug ('dynasty of Urukug'). The city of Urukug was probably where they came from. Some old writings call these kings 'kings of the Sealand'. Modern historians call it the "First Sealand dynasty" to avoid confusion with a later one. These kings ruled the area south of Babylon, not Babylon itself. For example, King Gulkishar ruled at the same time as Samsu-Ditana, the last king of Dynasty I. This dynasty might be in Babylon's history because it controlled parts of Babylonia or was a strong power at the time. The dates for these kings are not very certain.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Ilum-ma-ili	Ilum-ma-ilī	c. 1725 BC	??	Unclear how he became king
Itti-ili-nibi	Itti-ili-nībī	??		Unclear how he became king
...	—	??		Unclear how he became king
Damqi-ilishu	Damqi-ilišu	[26 years(?)]		Unclear how he became king
Ishkibal	Iškibal	[15 years]		Unclear how he became king
Shushushi	Šušši	[24 years]		Brother of Ishkibal
Gulkishar	Gulkišar	[55 years]		Unclear how he became king
mDIŠ-U-EN	[Uncertain reading]	??		Unclear how he became king
Peshgaldaramesh	Pešgaldarameš	c. 1599 BC	c. 1549 BC	Son of Gulkishar
Ayadaragalama	Ayadaragalama	c. 1548 BC	c. 1520 BC	Son of Peshgaldaramesh
Akurduana	Akurduana	c. 1519 BC	c. 1493 BC	Unclear how he became king
Melamkurkurra	Melamkurkurra	c. 1492 BC	c. 1485 BC	Unclear how he became king
Ea-gamil	Ea-gamil	c. 1484 BC	c. 1475 BC	Unclear how he became king

Dynasty III (Kassite), 1729–1155 BC

This dynasty was called palû Kaššī ('dynasty of the Kassites'). It's hard to know the exact order and names of the early kings in this dynasty. The king lists are damaged and sometimes contradict each other. It's also likely that the very first kings listed didn't actually rule Babylon. Babylonia was fully united under Ulamburiash, who defeated Ea-gamil, the last king of the First Sealand dynasty.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Gandash	Gandaš	c. 1729 BC	c. 1704 BC	Unclear how he became king
Agum I	Agum	c. 1703 BC	c. 1682 BC	Son of Gandash
Kashtiliash I	Kaštiliašu	c. 1681 BC	c. 1660 BC	Son of Agum I
...	—	c. 1659 BC	??	Unclear how he became king
Abi-Rattash	Abi-Rattaš	??		Son of Kashtiliash I
Kashtiliash II	Kaštiliašu	??		Unclear how he became king
Urzigurumash	Ur-zigurumaš	??		Descendant of Abi-Rattash (?)
Agum II	Agum-Kakrime	??		Son of Urzigurumash
Harba-Shipak	Ḫarba-Šipak	??		Unclear how he became king
Shipta'ulzi	Šipta’ulzi	??		Unclear how he became king
...	—	??		Unclear how he became king
Burnaburiash I	Burna-Buriaš	c. 1530 BC	c. 1500 BC	Unclear how he became king, first Kassite ruler known to rule Babylon
Ulamburiash	Ulam-Buriaš	[c. 1475 BC]		Son of Burnaburiash I (?), united Babylonia by defeating Ea-gamil
Kashtiliash III	Kaštiliašu	??		Son of Burnaburiash I (?)
Agum III	Agum	??		Son of Kashtiliash III
Kadashman-Sah	Kadašman-Saḫ	??		Unclear how he became king, perhaps ruled with Agum III?
Karaindash	Karaindaš	[c. 1415 BC]		Unclear how he became king
Kadashman-Harbe I	Kadašman-Ḫarbe	[c. 1400 BC]		Son of Karaindash (?)
Kurigalzu I	Kuri-Galzu	??		Son of Kadashman-harbe I
Kadashman-Enlil I	Kadašman-Enlil	c. 1374 BC	c. 1360 BC	Son of Kurigalzu I (?)
Burnaburiash II	Burna-Buriaš	c. 1359 BC	c. 1333 BC	Son of Kadashman-Enlil I (?)
Kara-hardash	Kara-ḫardaš	c. 1333 BC	c. 1333 BC	Son of Burnaburiash II (?)
Nazi-Bugash	Nazi-Bugaš	c. 1333 BC	c. 1333 BC	Took the throne by force, not related to other kings
Kurigalzu II	Kuri-Galzu	c. 1332 BC	c. 1308 BC	Son of Burnaburiash II
Nazi-Maruttash	Nazi-Maruttaš	c. 1307 BC	c. 1282 BC	Son of Kurigalzu II
Kadashman-Turgu	Kadašman-Turgu	c. 1281 BC	c. 1264 BC	Son of Nazi-Maruttash
Kadashman-Enlil II	Kadašman-Enlil	c. 1263 BC	c. 1255 BC	Son of Kadashman-Turgu
Kudur-Enlil	Kudur-Enlil	c. 1254 BC	c. 1246 BC	Son of Kadashman-Enlil II
Shagarakti-Shuriash	Šagarakti-Šuriaš	c. 1245 BC	c. 1233 BC	Son of Kudur-Enlil
Kashtiliash IV	Kaštiliašu	c. 1232 BC	c. 1225 BC	Son of Shagarakti-Shuriash
Enlil-nadin-shumi	Enlil-nādin-šumi	c. 1224 BC	c. 1224 BC	Unclear how he became king
Kadashman-Harbe II	Kadašman-Ḫarbe	c. 1223 BC	c. 1223 BC	Unclear how he became king
Adad-shuma-iddina	Adad-šuma-iddina	c. 1222 BC	c. 1217 BC	Unclear how he became king
Adad-shuma-usur	Adad-šuma-uṣur	c. 1216 BC	c. 1187 BC	Son of Kashtiliash IV (?)
Meli-Shipak	Meli-Šipak	c. 1186 BC	c. 1172 BC	Son of Adad-shuma-usur
Marduk-apla-iddina I	Marduk-apla-iddina	c. 1171 BC	c. 1159 BC	Son of Meli-Shipak
Zababa-shuma-iddin	Zababa-šuma-iddina	c. 1158 BC	c. 1158 BC	Unclear how he became king
Enlil-nadin-ahi	Enlil-nādin-aḫe	c. 1157 BC	c. 1155 BC	Unclear how he became king

Dynasty IV (Second Isin), 1153–1022 BC

This dynasty was called palû Išin ('dynasty of Isin'). It likely came from the city of Isin. Historians call it the "Second Isin dynasty" to tell it apart from an older Sumerian dynasty. It was once thought that the first king, Marduk-kabit-ahheshu, ruled at the same time as the last Kassite king. But new research suggests this was not the case. This list uses the updated dates for these kings.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Marduk-kabit-ahheshu	Marduk-kabit-aḫḫēšu	c. 1153 BC	c. 1136 BC	Unclear how he became king
Itti-Marduk-balatu	Itti-Marduk-balāṭu	c. 1135 BC	c. 1128 BC	Son of Marduk-kabit-ahheshu
Ninurta-nadin-shumi	Ninurta-nādin-šumi	c. 1127 BC	c. 1122 BC	Relative of Itti-Marduk-balatu (?)
Nebuchadnezzar I	Nabû-kudurri-uṣur	c. 1121 BC	c. 1100 BC	Son of Ninurta-nadin-shumi
Enlil-nadin-apli	Enlil-nādin-apli	c. 1099 BC	c. 1096 BC	Son of Nebuchadnezzar I
Marduk-nadin-ahhe	Marduk-nādin-aḫḫē	c. 1095 BC	c. 1078 BC	Son of Ninurta-nadin-shumi, took the throne from Enlil-nadin-apli
Marduk-shapik-zeri	Marduk-šāpik-zēri	c. 1077 BC	c. 1065 BC	Son of Marduk-nadin-ahhe (?)
Adad-apla-iddina	Adad-apla-iddina	c. 1064 BC	c. 1043 BC	Took the throne by force, not related to previous kings
Marduk-ahhe-eriba	Marduk-aḫḫē-erība	c. 1042 BC	c. 1042 BC	Unclear how he became king
Marduk-zer-X	Marduk-zēra-[—]	c. 1041 BC	c. 1030 BC	Unclear how he became king
Nabu-shum-libur	Nabû-šumu-libūr	c. 1029 BC	c. 1022 BC	Unclear how he became king

Dynasty V (Second Sealand), 1021–1001 BC

This dynasty was called palû tamti ('dynasty of the Sealand'). Historians call it the "Second Sealand dynasty" to tell it apart from Dynasty II.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Simbar-shipak	Simbar-Šipak	c. 1021 BC	c. 1004 BC	Likely of Kassite family, unclear how he became king
Ea-mukin-zeri	Ea-mukin-zēri	c. 1004 BC	c. 1004 BC	Likely of Kassite family, took the throne from Simbar-Shipak
Kashshu-nadin-ahi	Kaššu-nādin-aḫi	c. 1003 BC	c. 1001 BC	Likely of Kassite family, son of Simbar-shipak (?)

Dynasty VI (Bazi), 1000–981 BC

This dynasty was called palû Bazu ('dynasty of Baz') or palû Bīt-Bazi ('dynasty of Bit-Bazi'). The Bit-Bazi was a known family group. The dynasty probably got its name from the city of Baz or from Bazi, who was said to have founded that city.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Eulmash-shakin-shumi	Eulmaš-šākin-šumi	c. 1000 BC	c. 984 BC	Possibly of Kassite family, unclear how he became king
Ninurta-kudurri-usur I	Ninurta-kudurrῑ-uṣur	c. 983 BC	c. 981 BC	Possibly of Kassite family, unclear how he became king
Shirikti-shuqamuna	Širikti-šuqamuna	c. 981 BC	c. 981 BC	Possibly of Kassite family, brother of Ninurta-kudurri-usur I

Dynasty VII (Elamite), 980–975 BC

This dynasty only had one king, Mar-biti-apla-usur. It was called palû Elamtu ('dynasty of Elam').

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Mar-biti-apla-usur	Mār-bīti-apla-uṣur	c. 980 BC	c. 975 BC	From Elam, or of Elamite background, unclear how he became king

Dynasty VIII (E), 974–732 BC

This dynasty was called palû E ('dynasty of E'). The meaning of 'E' is not clear, but it might refer to the city of Babylon. This period was very unstable. The kings in this dynasty were not related and came from different ethnic groups. Another historical work, the Dynastic Chronicle, divides this dynasty into several smaller, shorter dynasties.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Nabu-mukin-apli	Nabû-mukin-apli	c. 974 BC	c. 939 BC	Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Ninurta-kudurri-usur II	Ninurta-kudurrῑ-uṣur	c. 939 BC	c. 939 BC	Babylonian, son of Nabu-mukin-apli
Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina	Mār-bῑti-aḫḫē-idinna	c. 938 BC	??	Babylonian, son of Nabu-mukin-apli
Shamash-mudammiq	Šamaš-mudammiq	??	c. 901 BC	Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Nabu-shuma-ukin I	Nabû-šuma-ukin	c. 900 BC	c. 887 BC	Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Nabu-apla-iddina	Nabû-apla-iddina	c. 886 BC	c. 853 BC	Babylonian, son of Nabu-shuma-ukin I
Marduk-zakir-shumi I	Marduk-zâkir-šumi	c. 852 BC	c. 825 BC	Babylonian, son of Nabu-apla-iddina
Marduk-balassu-iqbi	Marduk-balāssu-iqbi	c. 824 BC	813 BC	Babylonian, son of Marduk-zakir-shumi I
Baba-aha-iddina	Bāba-aḫa-iddina	813 BC	812 BC	Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Babylonian interregnum (at least four years)
Ninurta-apla-X	Ninurta-apla-[—]	??		Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Marduk-bel-zeri	Marduk-bēl-zēri	??		Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Marduk-apla-usur	Marduk-apla-uṣur	??	c. 769 BC	Chaldean chief of an unknown tribe, unclear how he became king
Eriba-Marduk	Erība-Marduk	c. 769 BC	c. 760 BC	Chaldean chief of the Bit-Yakin tribe, unclear how he became king
Nabu-shuma-ishkun	Nabû-šuma-iškun	c. 760 BC	748 BC	Chaldean chief of the Bit-Dakkuri tribe, unclear how he became king
Nabonassar	Nabû-nāṣir	748 BC	734 BC	Babylonian, unclear how he became king
Nabu-nadin-zeri	Nabû-nādin-zēri	734 BC	732 BC	Babylonian, son of Nabonassar
Nabu-shuma-ukin II	Nabû-šuma-ukin	732 BC	732 BC	Babylonian, unclear how he became king

note: Babylonian King List A lists 17 kings for the Dynasty of E, but says there were 22 kings. This might be a mistake, or there could be five missing kings. The list is broken in places. It's possible that five more kings, whose names are lost, could fit between the end of the Babylonian interregnum and Ninurta-apla-X. Modern historians usually list Ninurta-apla-X as the first king after Baba-aha-iddina was removed from power.

Dynasty IX (Assyrian), 732–626 BC

"Dynasty IX" generally refers to the rulers of Babylonia when it was controlled by the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This includes Assyrian kings and various local rulers or rebels. Historians group them together because the main king list doesn't separate them into distinct dynasties. However, it does give individual dynasty labels for some of these kings.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	Dynasty Name (palê)	How they became king	Ref
Nabu-mukin-zeri	Nabû-mukin-zēri	732 BC	729 BC	palê Šapî 'Dynasty of Shapi'	Chaldean chief, took the throne by force
Tiglath-Pileser III	Tukultī-apil-Ešarra	729 BC	727 BC	palê Baltil 'Dynasty of [Assur]'	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — conquered Babylon
Shalmaneser V	Salmānu-ašarēd	727 BC	722 BC		King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — son of Tiglath-Pileser III
Marduk-apla-iddina II (First reign)	Marduk-apla-iddina	722 BC	710 BC	palê Tamti 'Dynasty of the Sealand'	Chaldean chief, became king after Shalmaneser V died
Sargon II	Šarru-kīn	710 BC	705 BC	palê Ḫabigal 'Dynasty of [Hanigalbat]'	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — son of Tiglath-Pileser III (?)
Sennacherib (First reign)	Sîn-ahhe-erība	705 BC	703 BC		King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — son of Sargon II
Marduk-zakir-shumi II	Marduk-zâkir-šumi	703 BC	703 BC	A Arad-Ea 'Son [descendant] of Arad-Ea'	Babylonian rebel, became king
Marduk-apla-iddina II (Second reign)	Marduk-apla-iddina	703 BC	703 BC	ERÍN Ḫabi 'Soldier of [Hanigalbat?]'	Chaldean chief, took the throne again
Bel-ibni	Bel-ibni	703 BC	700 BC	palê E 'Dynasty of E'	Babylonian ruler, appointed by Sennacherib
Aššur-nādin-šumi	Aššur-nādin-šumi	700 BC	694 BC	palê Ḫabigal 'Dynasty of [Hanigalbat]'	Son of Sennacherib, appointed by his father
Nergal-ushezib	Nergal-ušezib	694 BC	693 BC	palê E 'Dynasty of E'	Babylonian rebel, became king
Mushezib-Marduk	Mušezib-Marduk	693 BC	689 BC		Chaldean chief, became rebel king
Sennacherib (Second reign)	Sîn-ahhe-erība	689 BC	20 October 681 BC	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — took Babylon again
Esarhaddon	Aššur-aḫa-iddina	December 681 BC	1 November 669 BC	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — son of Sennacherib
Ashurbanipal (First reign)	Aššur-bāni-apli	1 November 669 BC	March 668 BC	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — son of Esarhaddon
Šamaš-šuma-ukin	Šamaš-šuma-ukin	March 668 BC	648 BC	Son of Esarhaddon, chosen by his father to rule Babylon, appointed by Ashurbanipal
Ashurbanipal (Second reign)	Aššur-bāni-apli	648 BC	646 BC	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — took Babylon again after a rebellion
Kandalanu	Kandalānu	647 BC	627 BC	Appointed by Ashurbanipal
Sin-shumu-lishir	Sîn-šumu-līšir	626 BC	626 BC	Took the throne by force in the Neo-Assyrian Empire — recognized in Babylonia
Sinsharishkun	Sîn-šar-iškun	626 BC	626 BC	King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire — son of Ashurbanipal

Dynasty X (Chaldean), 626–539 BC

This dynasty doesn't have a native name in old texts. Historians call it the "Neo-Babylonian dynasty" because these kings ruled the Neo-Babylonian Empire. They also call it the "Chaldean dynasty" because the kings were likely from the Chaldean people.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Nabopolassar	Nabû-apla-uṣur	22/23 November 626 BC	July 605 BC	Babylonian rebel, defeated Sinsharishkun
Nebuchadnezzar II	Nabû-kudurri-uṣur	August 605 BC	7 October 562 BC	Son of Nabopolassar
Amel-Marduk	Amēl-Marduk	7 October 562 BC	August 560 BC	Son of Nebuchadnezzar II
Neriglissar	Nergal-šar-uṣur	August 560 BC	April 556 BC	Son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar II, took the throne by force
Labashi-Marduk	Lâbâši-Marduk	April 556 BC	June 556 BC	Son of Neriglissar
Nabonidus	Nabû-naʾid	25 May 556 BC	13 October 539 BC	Son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar II (?), took the throne by force. Co-rulers: Nitocris and Belshazzar

Babylon Under Foreign Rule, 539 BC – AD 224

After the Neo-Babylonian Empire fell, the idea of dynasties was no longer used in king lists. So, we don't know the Babylonian names for the ruling families of the foreign empires that followed.

Dynasty XI (Achaemenid), 539–331 BC

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Cyrus II the Great	Kuraš	29 October 539 BC	August 530 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — conquered Babylon
Cambyses II	Kambuzīa	August 530 BC	April 522 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Cyrus II
Bardiya	Barzia	April/May 522 BC	29 September 522 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Cyrus II or an impostor
Nebuchadnezzar III	Nabû-kudurri-uṣur	3 October 522 BC	December 522 BC	Babylonian rebel, claimed to be a son of Nabonidus
Darius I the Great (First reign)	Dariamuš	December 522 BC	25 August 521 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — distant relative of Cyrus II
Nebuchadnezzar IV	Nabû-kudurri-uṣur	25 August 521 BC	27 November 521 BC	Babylonian rebel of Armenian background, claimed to be a son of Nabonidus
Darius I the Great (Second reign)	Dariamuš	27 November 521 BC	November 486 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — took Babylon again
Xerxes I the Great (First reign)	Aḫšiaršu	November 486 BC	July 484 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Darius I
Shamash-eriba	Šamaš-eriba	July 484 BC	October 484 BC	Babylonian rebel
Bel-shimanni	Bêl-šimânni	July 484 BC	August 484 BC	Babylonian rebel
Xerxes I the Great (Second reign)	Aḫšiaršu	October 484 BC	465 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — took Babylon again
Artaxerxes I	Artakšatsu	465 BC	December 424 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Xerxes I
Xerxes II	—	424 BC	424 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Artaxerxes I
Sogdianus	—	424 BC	423 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — illegitimate son of Artaxerxes I
Darius II	Dariamuš	February 423 BC	c. April 404 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — illegitimate son of Artaxerxes I
Artaxerxes II	Artakšatsu	c. April 404 BC	359/358 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Darius II
Artaxerxes III	Artakšatsu	359/358 BC	338 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Artaxerxes II
Artaxerxes IV	Artakšatsu	338 BC	336 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — son of Artaxerxes III
Nidin-Bel	Nidin-Bêl	336 BC	336/335 BC	Babylonian rebel (?), only mentioned in one king list, possibly a writing error
Darius III	Dariamuš	336/335 BC	October 331 BC	King of the Achaemenid Empire — grandson of Artaxerxes II

Dynasty XII (Argead), 331–305 BC

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Alexander III the Great	Aliksandar	October 331 BC	11 June 323 BC	King of Macedon — conquered the Achaemenid Empire
Philip III Arrhidaeus	Pilipsu	11 June 323 BC	317 BC	King of Macedon — brother of Alexander III
Antigonus I Monophthalmus	Antigunusu	317 BC	309/308 BC	King of the Antigonid Empire — a general of Alexander III
Alexander IV	Aliksandar	316 BC	310 BC	King of Macedon — son of Alexander III

Dynasty XIII (Seleucid), 305–141 BC

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Seleucus I Nicator	Siluku	305 BC	September 281 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — a general of Alexander III
Antiochus I Soter	Antiʾukusu	294 BC	2 June 261 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Seleucus I
Seleucus	Siluku	281 BC	266 BC	Joint-king of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus I
Antiochus II Theos	Antiʾukusu	266 BC	July 246 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus I
Seleucus II Callinicus	Siluku	July 246 BC	225 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus II
Seleucus III Ceraunus	Siluku	225 BC	223 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Seleucus II
Antiochus III the Great	Antiʾukusu	223 BC	3 July 187 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Seleucus II
Antiochus	Antiʾukusu	210 BC	192 BC	Joint-king of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus III
Seleucus IV Philopator	Siluku	189 BC	3 September 175 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus III
Antiochus IV Epiphanes	Antiʾukusu	3 September 175 BC	164 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus III
Antiochus	Antiʾukusu	175 BC	170 BC	Joint-king of the Seleucid Empire — son of Seleucus IV
Antiochus V Eupator	Antiʾukusu	164 BC	162 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Antiochus IV
Demetrius I Soter (First reign)	Dimitri	c. January 161 BC	c. January 161 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Seleucus IV
Timarchus	—	c. January 161 BC	c. May 161 BC	Rebel governor under the Seleucids — briefly ruled Babylonia
Demetrius I Soter (Second reign)	Dimitri	c. May 161 BC	150 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — took Babylonia again
Alexander Balas	Aliksandar	150 BC	146 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — supposedly son of Antiochus IV
Demetrius II Nicator	Dimitri'	146 BC	141 BC	King of the Seleucid Empire — son of Demetrius I

Dynasty XIV (Arsacid), 141 BC – AD 224

note: The order of Parthian kings is debated because there aren't many sources. This list mainly follows certain historians. All Parthian kings used the name Arsaces as a royal title, which makes it hard to tell them apart. If there were rival kings, Babylonian documents sometimes used their personal names. No cuneiform records are known after AD 79/80.

King	Akkadian	Reigned from	Reigned until	How they became king	Ref
Mithridates I	Aršakâ	141 BC	132 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — conquered Babylonia
Phraates II (First reign)	Aršakâ	132 BC	July 130 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Mithridates I
Rinnu	Ri-[—]-nu	132 BC	July 130 BC	Mother and regent for Phraates II, who was a minor
Antiochus VII Sidetes	Antiʾukusu	July 130 BC	November 129 BC	King of the Characene — conquered Babylonia
Phraates II (Second reign)	Aršakâ	November 129 BC	128/127 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — took Babylonia again
Ubulna	Ubulna	November 129 BC	128/127 BC	Unclear identity, likely his queen
Hyspaosines	Aspasinē	128/127 BC	November 127 BC	King of Characene — captured Babylon
Artabanus I	Aršakâ	November 127 BC	124 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — brother of Mithridates I, conquered Babylonia
Mithridates II	Aršakâ	124 BC	91 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Artabanus I
Gotarzes I	Aršakâ	91 BC	80 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Mithridates II
Asi'abatar	Aši'abatum	91 BC	80 BC	Wife (queen) of Gotarzes I
Orodes I	Aršakâ	80 BC	75 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Mithridates II or Gotarzes I
Ispubarza	Isbubarzâ	80 BC	75 BC	Sister-wife (queen) of Orodes I
Sinatruces	Aršakâ	75 BC	69 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son or brother of Mithridates I
Phraates III	Aršakâ	69 BC	57 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Sinatruces
Piriustana	Piriustanâ	69 BC	??	Wife (queen) of Phraates III
Teleuniqe	Ṭeleuniqê'	??	57 BC	Wife (queen) of Phraates III
Orodes II	Aršakâ	57 BC	38 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Phraates III
Phraates IV	Aršakâ	38 BC	2 BC	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Orodes II
Phraates V	Aršakâ	2 BC	AD 4	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Phraates IV
Orodes III	Aršakâ	AD 4	AD 6	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Phraates IV (?)
Vonones I	Aršakâ	AD 6	AD 12	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Phraates IV
Artabanus II	Aršakâ	AD 12	AD 38	King of the Parthian Empire — grandson of Phraates IV (?)
Vardanes I	Aršakâ	AD 38	AD 46	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Artabanus II
Gotarzes II	Aršakâ	AD 38	AD 51	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Artabanus II
Vonones II	Aršakâ	AD 51	AD 51	King of the Parthian Empire — grandson of Phraates IV (?)
Vologases I	Aršakâ	AD 51	AD 78	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Vonones II or Artabanus II
Pacorus II	Aršakâ	AD 78	AD 110	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Vologases I
Artabanus III	Aršakâ	AD 79/80	AD 81	Rival king of the Parthian Empire (against Pacorus II) — son of Vologases I
Osroes I	—	AD 109	AD 129	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Pacorus II
Vologases III	—	AD 110	AD 147	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Pacorus II
Parthamaspates	—	AD 116	AD 117	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Osroes I
Vologases IV	—	AD 147	AD 191	King of the Parthian Empire — grandson of Pacorus II
Vologases V	—	AD 191	AD 208	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Vologases IV
Vologases VI	—	AD 208	AD 216/228	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Vologases V
Artabanus IV	—	AD 216	AD 224	King of the Parthian Empire — son of Vologases V

Images for kids

• 

  Last native king
  Nabonidus
  25 May 556 BC – 13 October 539 BC

See also

• List of Assyrian kings – for the Assyrian kings
• List of Mesopotamian dynasties – for other dynasties and kingdoms in ancient Mesopotamia