Susa

Definition

Susa was one of the oldest cities in the world and part of the site is still inhabited as Shush, Khuzestan Province, Iran. Excavations have uncovered evidence of continual habitation dating back to 4395 BCE but that early community grew from an even older one dating back to c. 7000 BCE.

More about: Susa

Timeline

  • c. 4200 BCE
    Founding of the city of Susa.
  • c. 3200 BCE - c. 2700 BCE
    Susa develops from an earlier settlement during the Proto-Elamite Period.
  • c. 2700 BCE - c. 1600 BCE
    Susa establishes commerce and trade during the Old Elamite Period; is conquered by Kish, Akkad, Ur, and Babylon.
  • c. 1600 BCE - c. 1100 BCE
    Susa flourishes during the Middle Elamite Period; consolidates power.
  • c. 1275 BCE - 1240 BCE
    Reign of Untash-Napirisha from Susa; construction of the Great Ziggurat of Dur-Untash.
  • c. 1210 BCE - 1100 BCE
    Susa prospers under the Shutrukid Dynasty.
  • c. 1185 BCE - c. 1150 BCE
    Reign of Shutruk Nakhunte who founds Elamite Empire from Susa.
  • c. 1100 BCE - 540 BCE
    Neo-Elamite Period during which Susa is conquered by a series of foreign powers; Elamite history ends with conquest by Cyrus the Great.
  • c. 646 BCE
    Destruction of the Elamite city of Susa by Ashurbanipal of the Neo-Assyrian Empire
  • c. 465 BCE - c. 424 BCE
    Susa is destroyed by fire under the reign of King Artaxerxes I.
  • 404 BCE - 358 BCE
    Reign of Artaxerxes II Mnemon of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
  • c. Oct 331 BCE
    Susa surrenders without contest to Alexander the Great who sacks it.
  • 312 BCE - 63 BCE
    Susa is part of the Seleucid Empire.
  • 247 BCE - 224 CE
    Susa serves as one of two capitals under the Parthian Empire.
  • 224 CE - 651 CE
    Susa declines under the reign of the Sasanian Empire.
  • 309 CE - 379 CE
    Reign of Shapur II of the Sasanian Empire; Susa is sacked and population deported.
  • 638 CE
    Susa is sacked and destroyed by Muslim invaders under Caliph Omar.
  • 1218 CE
    Susa is completely destroyed by invading Mongols.
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