The provided text offers a comprehensive overview of the ancient Elamite civilization, spanning nearly three millennia in southwestern Iran. It explores Elam's unique identity shaped by its geographical duality of lowlands and highlands, which influenced its economy, politics, and culture. The document details the Proto-Elamite period's emergence with its distinct script and urban network, followed by the Old Elamite period's formation of a recognizable kingdom and its notable Sukkalmah federal system of governance. The text then describes the Middle Elamite period as an imperial zenith marked by military conquests and a strong cultural "Elamization" drive, exemplified by monumental architecture like Chogha Zanbil. Finally, it covers the Neo-Elamite period of decline due to conflict with Assyria and internal fragmentation, concluding with Elam's enduring legacy as the foundational administrative and cultural predecessor to the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
This page was created on: August 11, 2025