The Old Babylonian period describes south Mesopotamiaintheperiodabout2000-1600 BC. The early years saw a number of importantstatesdominatingtheregion:Isin,Larsa, Eshnunna and, from 1894 BC, Babylon. Babylon was ruledbyadynastyof Amoritekings. The sixth ruler was Hammurapi, who defeated the other southern states and expanded his control into north Mesopotamia. On the death of Hammurapi the empire gradually shrank over about 150 years. Nonetheless, Babylon remained an important power until it was sacked by the Hittite king, Mursili I, in about 1595 BC. During the Old Babylonian period literary activity flourished with scribes composing and recording religious, poetic and 'scientific' works in Sumerian and Akkadian cuneiform. Perhaps the most famous monument is the stele of Hammurapi, now in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.Old Babylonian Clay Moulded Plaque of a Standing Deity - LO.1159Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1700 BCDimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high Collection: Near Eastern Art Style: Old Babylonian Medium: baked clay

Antiquities
Ancient Near East