---
title: Kassite
author: British Museum
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/kassite/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Kassite

_Authored by British Museum_

It is thought that the Kassites originated as tribal groups in the Zagros Mountains to the north-east of [Babylonia](https://www.worldhistory.org/babylon/). Their leaders came to power in [Babylon](https://www.worldhistory.org/babylon/) following the collapse of the ruling dynasty of the Old Babylonian Period in 1595 BC. The Kassites retained power for about four [hundred years](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Hundred_Years/) (until 1155 BC).

There is very little evidence for serious political problems before the thirteenth century BC when [Assyria](https://www.worldhistory.org/assyria/) to the north and [Elam](https://www.worldhistory.org/elam/) to the east began to threaten Babylonia, and eventually brought an end to Kassite control. The chronology of the Kassite rulers is very uncertain.

Important sources for reconstructing the Kassite Dynasty are kudurrus. Other revealing information is provided by the [Amarna letters](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amarna_Letters/), which include correspondence from the Kassite Babylonian kings to the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) pharaohs of the mid-fourteenth century BC. Babylonian wealth and influence at this time is reflected in the use of the [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) [script](https://www.worldhistory.org/script/) and the Babylonian language as the main form of diplomatic communication.

The Kassite Dynasty refurbished many of the ancient Babylonian [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and constructed a new [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) called Dur Kurigalzu (named after one of the Kassite kings) near modern Baghdad.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Timeline

- **1595 BCE - 1155 BCE**: [Kassite](https://www.worldhistory.org/kassite/) Dynasty rules over [Babylonia](https://www.worldhistory.org/babylon/).

## External Links

- [The Middle Babylonian / Kassite Period (ca. 1595–1155 B.C.) in Mesopotamia | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kass/hd_kass.htm)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Museum, B. (2011, August 03). Kassite. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/kassite/>
### Chicago
Museum, British. "Kassite." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 03, 2011. <https://www.worldhistory.org/kassite/>.
### MLA
Museum, British. "Kassite." *World History Encyclopedia*, 03 Aug 2011, <https://www.worldhistory.org/kassite/>.

## License & Copyright

© Trustees of the [British Museum](http://www.britishmuseum.org/). Republished under the British Museum [Standard Terms of Use](http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/terms_of_use.aspx) for non-profit educational purposes. Original definition by **British Museum**. Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 03 August 2011. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.