Hammurabi conquers Larsa
1763 BCE · Larsa (modern Senkereh, Iraq) · World · Ancient
After a siege of about six months, Larsa fell, and Rim-Sin I, who had reigned for sixty years, was captured
Belligerents
Babylon
- Commanders
- Hammurabi
- Strength
- The Babylonian army, with reinforcements from Mari
Larsa
- Commanders
- Rim-Sin I
- Strength
- Garrison holds the city, strength unknown
Background
Early in his reign, Hammurabi maneuvered among Larsa, Eshnunna, Mari and Assyria, first allying with Larsa to defeat Elam and then turning on it.
Course of the battle
- Coalition defeats ElamBabylon and Larsa joined forces to repel Elam's intervention
- Marching south to besiege the cityHammurabi turned on his former ally and marched south from Babylon to besiege Larsa
- Fall of LarsaAfter cutting off its water and besieging it, he took the city, and Rim-Sin I was captured
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1763 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Larsa (modern Senkereh, Iraq) |
| Result | After a siege of about six months, Larsa fell, and Rim-Sin I, who had reigned for sixty years, was captured |
| Winner | Babylon |
| Casualties | Mainly a siege; few records of battlefield casualties |
| Territorial change | Southern Mesopotamia was annexed to Babylon, and Hammurabi completed the unification of the old lands of Sumer |
Impact
Only after this battle did Hammurabi truly rule southern Mesopotamia, and the law code he issued a few years later was a product of this rule.
See the world in 1763 BCE on the map →