Elam

:For biblical characters named Elam, see Elam (Hebrew Bible).

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Elam (تمدن عیلام in Persian) is one of the first civilizations on record based in the far west and south-west of what is modern-day Iran (in the Ilam Province and the lowlands of Khuzestan). It lasted from around 2700 BC to 539 BC, coming after what is known as the Proto-Elamite period, which began around 3200 BC when Susa, the later capital of the Elamites began to receive influence from the cultures of the Iranian plateau to the east.

Related Topics:
Persian - Civilization - Iran - Ilam Province - Khuzestan - 2700 BC - 539 BC - Proto-Elamite - 3200 BC - Susa - Elamites - Iranian plateau

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Ancient Elam lay to the east of Sumer and Akkad (modern-day Iraq). In the Old Elamite period, it consisted of kingdoms on the Iranian plateau, centered in Anshan, and from the mid-2nd millennium BC, it centered in Susa in the Khuzestan lowlands. Its culture played a crucial role in the Persian Empire, especially during the Achaemenid dynasty that succeeded it, when the Elamite language remained in official use. The Elamite period is thus sometimes considered a starting point for the history of Iran (although the Elamite language was not related to any Iranian languages).

Related Topics:
Sumer - Akkad - Iraq - Iranian plateau - Anshan - 2nd millennium BC - Susa - Persian Empire - Achaemenid dynasty - Elamite language - History of Iran - Iranian languages

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