Middle East Kingdoms

Hurrian State of Urkesh & Nawar (Nagar)

The Hurrians (or Khurrites) were neither Semitics nor Indo-Europeans, but their origins are obscure. They appear to have emerged between 2500-2000 BC, probably from the Caucuses mountains to the north, to occupy the upper Tigris Valley and the upper Euphrates (close to the Assyrians), which had previously been the centre of the Chalcolithic Halaf Culture. The end of the Akkadian empire enabled them to gain control of regions of northern Mesopotamia towards the end of the third millennium BC.

They were able to found a small, nebulous state in Urkesh (modern Tell Mozan in Syria), in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, and in Nawar (or Nagar, now Tell Brak in Syria) in the northern Khabur Valley, and another in Arrapha. Urkesh seems to have been inhabited since around 5000 BC, as confirmed by archaeological discoveries of human remains there, and an urban settlement was founded in around 2900 BC. The heartland of their settlement area, it was only in Urkesh, Nawar, and Arrapha that the Hurrians had a majority population, but settlements of Hurrians could be found spread across much of northern Mesopotamia. They also later migrated southwards into Babylonia, and westwards into Hatti and Kizzuwatna.

c.2300? BC

The recently-arrived Hurrians found the small state (or states) of Urkesh & Nawar, based on the two cities of the same name in northern Mesopotamia. Nawar seems to fall under the control of the Akkadian empire for a period, with the city serving as an administrative centre. The names of five of the kings of Urkesh and Nawar are known for this period, but there are certainly others whose names have been lost. Uniquely, the people of Urkesh use the term 'endan' to refer to the early kings.

fl c.2250 BC

Tupkish

Endan of Urkesh.

c.2225 BC

The daughter of Naram-Sin, king of Akkad, Tar'am-Agade, marries a king of Urkesh who might possibly be Tupkish. Akkadian influence becomes noticeable in Urkesh and the king builds a palace in the city.

Tish-atal / Tih-Atal

Endan of Urkesh.

c.2200 BC

Ishar-Kinum

Endan of Urkesh. Reigned after the successor of Tupkish.

Ishar-Kinum's name is only rediscovered by archaeologists in 2004, from a freshly uncovered seal inscription.

The large royal palace at Urkesh, which was still being excavated in 2010, has yielded written evidence which allowed it to be identified

Shatar-mat

Lugal of Urkesh.

Atal-shen

Son. Lugal of Urkesh & Nawar.

fl c.2050 BC

Ann-atal

Lugal of Urkesh.

c.2000 BC

Hurrians found the small state of Arrapha (modern Kirkuk) in northern Mesopotamia at around the same time as they adopt Akkadian cuneiform script for their own language.

c.1850 - 1809 BC

The new Amorite rulers of Mari subdue Urkesh, making it a vassal state. However, the locals do not submit easily, and letters sent back to Mari attest to a strong sense of resistance against foreign rule.

fl c.1850 BC

Te'irru / Terru

Amorite vassal king of Mari.

c.1809 - 1776 BC

Urkesh is made a vassal of the kingdom of Upper Mesopotamia, but following its break-up, the city regains its 'freedom'. Hurrians also begin migrating west in this period, where they can be found in cities such as Alakhtum.

c.1776 - 1761 BC

In all likelihood, Mari renews its control of Urkesh until its own fall. Does Urkesh re-establish its own independent kingship afterwards?

fl c.1750 BC

Ariukki

A Hurrian king, but city unknown. King Arioh of the Bible.

c.1650 BC

Hurrians invade the Old Hittite empire several times, and campaign southwards, perhaps pushing refugees from Syria and the Levant into Egypt where they form the Hyksos peoples.

c.1600 BC

The region is fought over by Yamkhad and the Hittites, But following the collapse of Yamkhad and the decline of the Hittites shortly afterwards, Hurrian migrations into Syria and Anatolia increase.

c.1530 BC

Following the collapse of Babylonian regional power, the Hurrian state of Mitanni emerges as a major power which entirely dominates the region. Urkesh is abandoned around this time.

c.1300 - 1270 BC

Nawar falls to Assyria, along with Mitanni.