ABC 18 (Dynastic Chronicle)

The Dynastic Chronicle (ABC 18) is one of the historiographical texts from ancient Babylonia. Although it is called a chronicle, it is, in fact, a list of Mesopotamian rulers.

The Dynastic Chronicle, although called a chronicle, is in fact a very long king list. Written on six columns, it starts with the antediluvian rulers and continues until at least the eighth century. The beginning is very fragmentary, but the second half is comprehensible. It has come down to us in three fragments (called A, B, and C) which do not join, but appear to belong to one, large tablet.^note Restoration of the missing parts is facilitated by the existence of parallel texts (e.g., the Sumerian King List) and several repetitive formulas.

For a very brief introduction to the literary genre of chronicles, go here. The translation on this webpage was adapted from A.K. Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles (1975). Additions have been published by I. Finkel in the Journal of Cuneiform Studies 32 (1980), 65-80. More information can be found in Jean-Jacques Glassner, Mesopotamian Chronicles (Atlanta, 2004).

Chapter

iii

Section

B1'

B2'

B3'

B4'

B5'

B6'

B7'

B8'

B9'

B10'

B11'

B12'

B13'

B14'

B15'

B16'

Column v
[v.B] [Lacuna]
[v.B1'] [...] Sealand [...]^note
[v.B2'] The knight, resident of the Sealand, Simbar-šihu, son of Eriba-Sin,
[v.B3'] soldier of the dynasty of Damiq-ilišu, was slain with the sword. He ruled for seventeen years.
[v.B4'] He was buried in the palace of Sargon.
[v.B5'] Ea-mukin-zeri, the usurper, son of Hašmar, ruled for three months.
[v.B6'] He was buried in the swamp of Bit-Hašmar.
[v.B7'] Kaššu-nadin-ahhe, son of SAPpaya, ruled for three years. In the palace of [...] he was buried.
[v.B8'] Three kings of the dynasty of the Sealand ruled for twenty-three years.
[v.B9'] Eulmaš-šakin-šumi, son of Bazi, ruled for fourteen years. he was buried in the palace of Kar-Marduk.
[v.B10'] Ninurta-kudurri-usur, son of Bazi, ruled for two years.
[v.B11'] Širikti-Šuqamuna, ditto [i.e., son of Bazi], ruled for three years. He was buried in the palace of [...].
[v.B12'] Three kings of the dynasty of Bit-Bazi ruled for twenty years and three months.
[v.B13'] Mar-biti-apla-usur, descendant of [...] Elam, ruled for six years.
[v.B14'] He was buried in the palace of Sargon.
[v.B15'] One king of the dynasty of Elam ruled for six years.
[v.B16'] [...]
[v.B] [Lacuna]

Column v