Kassite People, Second Dynasty of Babylon

The Babylonian empire had a rather extensive and tumultuous life. Various ethnic groups dominated the empire over its millennial-long history. The Kassite period, today's focus, came relatively early.

The Beginning

The first dynasty, also known as the old Babylonian Dynasty, has been losing power ever since the death of the legendary ruler Hammurabi. Between internal disputes (like the Sealand Dynasty breaking away from them) and their neighbour in the north, the Hittites, attacking them constantly, times were tough. In this unstable environment, the Kassite people rose to power.

The old Babylonians tried to stop them initially, seeing them as a threat to their position. However, they failed and let them slowly take control of the empire.

This went to such an extent that, towards the end of the dynasty, it was recorded that the Babylonian army was composed of Kassite people. This may sound like a bad thing, as pretty much nothing stood between the Kassites and a coup to take over Babylon. Considering that the Kassite Dynasty followed the first dynasty, you would expect that a coup is precisely what happened. Well, no, they took over without even lifting a finger.

Remember when I said that the Hittites liked to bully Babylon a little bit, like the tough kid at school stealing the nerd's lunch? At the time, the city was undergoing one of the most prominent moments in its history: its sacking by the Hittites. This is pretty much what landed the killing blow to the first dynasty, and the Kassite simply walked in to fill the power vacuum.

The Reign

After taking power, the newly formed Kassite Dynasty went forward to rebuild the old empire. They did so by kicking the Hittites out of their lawn and then curb-stomping the after-mentioned Sealand people. Seriously the latter is only known for two things, cutting ties with Babylon and then getting rolled over by the Kassite. Eventually, the Kassite period in power was so long and prominent that it is referred to as the Middle Babylonian period.

Not much is known about exactly what happened during the Kassite period outside of their rise, fall and a few key events. Egypt was noted to be a major ally to the Kassites, even if a bit unequal at times. Like everything, things deteriorated after a succession of Pharaohs lost interest in their Asian neighbour, with their partnership ending with Amenophis III.

The Fall

Just like every empire, the Kassite Dynasty would come to fall at some point. They lost to their long-term enemies, the Assyrian and the Elamite, coming respectively from the North and East. Elamite chose to live on its own if Assyria would ultimately be repealed. And just like the Kassite replaced the first dynasty, the second Dynasty of Isin replaced the Kassite. The first Isin Dynasty ruled over the area before Babylon showed up and conquered their city named Isin.

After all, history repeats itself.