Middle East Kingdoms

Ancient Mesopotamia

Features: British Isles Europe Middle East Africa Far East Prehistory King Lists: British Isles Europe Middle East Africa Far East Americas

The Guti Hordes / Gutium / Gutians

The Gutians were a people of ancient Mesopotamia who lived in the central Zagros Mountain range. Nothing is known about their origins. They may have been an Indo-European speaking people, possibly related linguistically to Tocharians (in north-west China) or early Kurds.

For around a generation they appeared in increasing numbers in Sumer and Akkad as settlers, to the extent that they required the royal appointment of an interpreter in Adab. However, shortly after about 2200 BC they swept down in force into southern and central Mesopotamia, destroying the Akkadian empire and subjugating much of Sumer either directly or indirectly.

The Gutians proved to be very poor rulers of Sumer, being crude administrators, and prosperity declined. They were not at all used to the complexities of civilization and failed to provide proper organisation, particularly in connection with the canal network. This was allowed to sink into disrepair, with famine and death resulting. A short dark age swept over Mesopotamia. They based themselves near the ruins of Agade, so the cities in the south enjoyed a certain level of freedom, and were able to manage their own affairs to an extent.

According to the Sumerian king list, a total of 21 kings (MS P4+Ha has 23) ruled for 125 years and 40 days (MS P4+Ha has 99 years), once (one dynasty) in the army of Gutium. This is the seventeenth set of entries on the list comprising kings 98-118. Here, List 1 is primarily used, backed up by List 2 and List 3 (see Sumer for details). Dates are calculated back from circa 2120 BC, when the Gutians were ejected, and may not be entirely accurate.

c.2350 BC

The short-lived empire of Lugalannemundu of Adab subjects the Gutians.

fl c.2300 BC

Sarlak

Ruled in the Gutian mountain homelands.

Sargon of the Akkadian empire campaigns against the Gutian king Sarlak.

c.2220 -2211 BC

Eridu-pizir

Not on the king list. Claimed inheritance of Akkadian titles.

The king list states that after the Gutians seized power from Akkad and the Fourth Dynasty of Uruk in southern Mesopotamia, everyone was his own king for three years (ie, no dominant rule had been established).

c.2216/15 BC

(Nameless king) / (No king was famous)

Ruled for ?/3/5/4 years.

c.2211 BC

Imta / (No data)

Ruled for 3 years.

c.2208 BC

Inkishush / Inkicuc / Inkishu

Ruled for 6/7 years.

c.2202 BC

Sarlagab / Zarlagab / Nikilligab

Ruled for 6 years.

c.2196 BC

Shulme / Culme / Yarlagac

Ruled for 6 years.

c.2193 BC

The Gutians overthrow Elam and sweep through Sumer, effectively destroying the Akkadian empire, and ending Sumerian/Akkadian domination of the region. They also defeat Uruk, carrying off the kingship. Both Sumer and Egypt endure a short dark age at this time. Very little is known about Akkad until around 2100 BC. It is from this point that the Gutian kings are recorded in more detail (although some lists place Shulme after Imta, missing out Inkishush and Sarlagab).

Gutian figurine

A figurine of Gudea of Lagash, who came to prominence in southern Mesopotamia, for the most part outside of direct Gutian rule but still subject to its influence