In the vast southwestern part of Iran, the ancient civilization of Elam took root from the third millennium BCE and ruled over a large portion of this land for many centuries, including parts of Lorestan, Khuzestan, Fars, Kurdistan, Kerman, and Bushehr. The Elamites were among the first peoples on the Iranian plateau to become familiar with writing, and the earliest examples of written works have been found in this very land. This pioneering role in literacy and civilization gave Elam a special place in ancient history.
Throughout the long and eventful history of Elam, we witness the formation of governments with various strategic centers. Important cities such as Awan, Shimashki, Anshan, and Susa each served as the capital or center of power for these dynasties at different times. The change of these governmental centers often depended on political and military developments in Mesopotamia, which indicates the mutual influence of Elam and its western neighbors. Among these regions, the land of Anshan, located in the present-day Fars province, was less exposed to the invasions of Mesopotamian rulers due to its geographical location and was of great importance in later communications with the Persians.
The history of Elam is divided into four main periods: Proto-Elamite (3400–2600 BCE), Old Elamite (2600–1500 BCE), Middle Elamite (1500–1100 BCE), and Neo-Elamite (1000–640 BCE). Each of these periods had its own specific characteristics and coincided with important dynasties in Mesopotamia. This governmental continuity for millennia made Elam one of the most stable and influential civilizations in the region.
Religion in Elam, like in many ancient civilizations, was polytheistic. The Elamites believed in numerous gods and goddesses, each representing an aspect of nature or human life. Magnificent religious structures such as ziggurats—pyramidal, stepped structures used as temples or ceremonial centers—in Elamite cities, especially in Chogha Zanbil, testify to the grandeur of their religious beliefs.
In the Elamite pantheon, important deities such as Humban (god of the sky and lord of the gods), Kiririsha (the great goddess and mother, who was very popular), and Inshushinak (the patron god of the city of Susa and judge of the dead) were worshipped. The people of Elam turned to these deities to request blessings, protection, and victory in battles, and they held special ceremonies and sacrifices for them.
Throughout its history, Elam had significant cultural and political influence in the region. They repeatedly intervened in the conflicts and power dynamics of Mesopotamia and, even as a strong military power, changed the destiny of other civilizations. One of the most prominent military actions of the Elamites was their role in the destruction of the Sumerian civilization. Around 2000 BCE, the Elamites attacked the city of Ur, the capital of the Sumerians, destroying it and ending the rule of the Third Dynasty of Ur.
This victory elevated Elam as a regional power and showed that they were not just an ancient civilization but an active and sometimes destructive player on the political stage of the ancient Near East. However, these very interventions and conquests led Elam into continuous conflicts with the emerging powers of Mesopotamia, especially Assyria, over the centuries.
In the Neo-Elamite period, which will be the subject of future chapters, Elam faced greater challenges. At this time, in addition to the presence of new migrant peoples such as the Persians in the east of their territory, we witness the powerful presence of the Assyrians in the west, who repeatedly subjected the land of Elam to their devastating invasions. These developments inextricably linked the fate of Elam to its powerful neighbors, including the Medes and the Assyrians.