Sealand dynasties

   Two lines of rulers who controlled Sealand, the southern, marshy area of Sumeria near the Persian Gulf, during the second millennium B.C. The dates and accomplishments of the members of both dynasties are now obscure, and little of a substantial nature is known about this region during these centuries. The first Sealand dynasty, which is sometimes also called the Second

   Dynasty of Babylon, even though its rulers did not occupy that city, was founded by Iluma-ilum in about 1732 B.c.Itappears that he challenged the power of Samsu-iluna, son of the great Babylonian lawgiver Hammurabi. In the three centuries that followed, eleven Sealanders ruled in the south, keeping much of the old region of Sumeria out of the hands of the kings in Babylon.

   The second and much briefer Sealand dynasty lasted from about 1026 to 1006 B.C. It was established by a ruler named Simbar-shipak, who reigned from circa 1026 to 1010 B.C. He was succeeded by Ea-mukin-zeri (ca. 1009 b.c.) and Kashshu-nadin-ahi (ca. 1008-1006 b.c.). None of these rulers made any significant or lasting contribution to Mesopotamia, which during this period was, politically speaking, largely fragmented and stagnant.

   See also: Assyrian Empire; Babylonia; Hammurabi