Third Dynasty of Ur
The Third Dynasty of Ur, also called the Neo-Sumerian Empire, refers to a 22nd to 21st century BC (middle chronology) Sumerian ruling dynasty based in the city of Ur and a short-lived territorial-political state which some historians consider to have been a nascent empire.
Ur III dynasty 𒋀𒀕𒆠URIM2KI | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c. 2112 BC – c. 2004 BC | |||||||||||
Map showing the Ur III state and its sphere of influence. | |||||||||||
| Capital | Ur | ||||||||||
| Common languages | Sumerian, Akkadian | ||||||||||
| Religion | Sumerian religion | ||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||
| Lugal | |||||||||||
| Ur-Nammu (first) | |||||||||||
• c. 2028–2004 BC (MC) | Ibbi-Sin (last) | ||||||||||
| Historical era | Bronze Age | ||||||||||
• Established | c. 2112 BC (MC) | ||||||||||
• Lament for Ur | c. 2004 BC (MC) | ||||||||||
• Disestablished | c. 2004 BC (MC) | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Today part of | |||||||||||
The Third Dynasty of Ur is commonly abbreviated as Ur III by historians studying the period. It is numbered in reference to previous dynasties, such as the First Dynasty of Ur (26-25th century BC), but it seems the once supposed Second Dynasty of Ur was never recorded.
The Third Dynasty of Ur was the last Sumerian dynasty which came to preeminent power in Mesopotamia. It began after several centuries of control, exerted first by the Akkadian Empire, and then, after its fall, by Gutian and independent Sumerian city-state kings. It controlled the cities of Isin, Larsa, and Eshnunna and extended as far north as Upper Mesopotamia.