ELAMITE FACTS

The first Elamites settled in the southwestern Iran near the Persian Gulf around 3300 BC.

The first Elamite king ruled around 2700 BC.

The Elamites became so powerful that in 2004 BC attacked the Sumerian city of Ur and took its king captive.

The Elamites settled down in the city of Anshan and grew strong through trade and military power.

The most important Elamite city is Susa established around 4000 BC.

Today in 1000 BC, more than 20,000 people live in Susa.

LOST MONKEY

A temple minstrel has lost his pet monkey. As the monkeys are sacred in Elam, he is confident no one will harm his pet. But he needs his monkey to continue performing. If found, please return it to the Temple of the Great Goddess.

TOYS ON SALE

Clay, limestone, and bitumen toys for kids of all ages.

WOMAN POWER!

The Persian Times has asked some Elamite women to talk about their many rights and privileges. This is what they told our reporter.

A: Yes. We can own property, draw contracts, or act as a witness in court.

A: His mother, sisters, or daughters usually inherit his property.

A: Certainly. Women can work on farms, at workshops, or at the temples.

A: Yes. For example, King Shirktuh I chose his mother as his successor. She ruled Susa for twenty years until her death in 1770 BC. She was a good ruler. We remember her as the "gracious mother."

DIE IN STYLE!

Have you recently lost a loved one? The Persian Times gives you some useful tips on proper funeral etiquette.

Bury your departed loved ones under the floor of your home so they remain close to you.

When your children die, put their remains inside large clay jars.

Always leave some clay pots in the grave. If you can afford, bury your loved ones with their valuable possessions such as weapons and jewelry.

Don't forget to give them regular offerings of food and water, so that they will not be thirsty or hungry in the Underworld.

Make sure you leave a clay funerary head in the grave. The funerary head protects your loved one from the evil spirits of the Underworld.

LOOKING FOR AN ADVENTURE? BE A MERCENARY!

The Elamite military seeks strong, able-bodied men to fight against the Assyrians of Mesopotamia and the savage Lullibies of the Zagros Mountains.

Lots of food and beer provided!

Rich booty awaits you.

Bring your own horse, bows and arrows.

BITUMEN IS THE BEST!

We Elamites are famous for our beautifully crafted bitumen objects. But do you know what bitumen is? The Persian Times asks a craftsman to explain.

A: Bitumen is the natural asphalt. We can easily find it around Susa.

A: We can use bitumen as caulk for floors. We can make bitumen tools, weights, baskets, bas-relief plaques, or jewelry.

A: Well, the recipe is a secret. But I can only tell you that we mold the bitumen into a proper shape, add quartz and some other things into it, harden it by heat, and then polish it.

SO MANY GODS AND GODDESSES-WHO'S WHO?

Confused about different gods and goddesses? Don't despair! Our expert High Priestess U-Tik explains.

We Elamites worship many different gods and goddesses. In fact, every city or village has its own god. That's the reason we call our country "Hal-tamti" or "Land of the Gods." Our greatest god is Inshushinak, the god of the afterlife. The sun-god, Nahhunte, who oversees the law, is also very important.

We worship many different goddesses. Today, in 1200 BC, our goddesses are not as important as they used to be. However, we still honor our goddesses. The most beloved ones are the great goddess Pinikir who protects Susa, and the goddess of victory, Narunte, whose symbol is the lion.

LEARN YOUR CUNEIFORM!

You have seen cuneiform on contracts, wills, and even on some valuable objects. But have you ever wondered how we started using these signs? We've asked the Chief Scribe to explain.

We Elamites are among the first people who invented writing. Back in 3000 BC, we began using pictorial signs for writing. Then sometime around 2000 BC, we developed cuneiform, a kind of writing with wedge-shaped characters.

Today, cuneiform is still very popular. It's written on soft, rectangular clay tablets with the help of a stylus (a sharp tool). The Elamite cuneiform is based on Akkadian, the language of a Semitic people who live in Mesopotamia.

The Elamite cuneiform has 123 characters, and it is difficult to learn. You need to go to school and practice a lot to become a good scribe!

WANT YOUR WISH TO COME TRUE? GIVE OFFERINGS TO THE GODS!

Don't go to the temple without proper offerings to the gods. We sell a wide variety of alabaster, clay, and ivory figurines in the shapes of animals and people.

Perfect for charms and offerings. We are conveniently located by the Temple of the Great Goddess Pinikir.

ORACLE PRIEST WANTED!

The Elamite temple of the great god Inshushinak in Susa seeks an experienced oracle priest.

MUST be experienced in foreseeing the future by examining the livers and hearts of dead sheep. MUST have knowledge of meditation. MUST know all the prayers and rituals.

Good wage. Food and board provided.