Old Babylonian dynasty

The Old Babylonian Dynasty, roughly spanning 2000–1600 BCE, was a period when Babylon in southern Mesopotamia emerged as a prominent city-state and regional power. It began with powerful rulers like Hammurabi, who unified much of Mesopotamia and is famous for his law code. This era laid the foundation for future Babylonian culture, law, and imperial ambitions. The dynasty saw advancements in administration, law, and literature, reflecting a sophisticated society. After Hammurabi's death, the dynasty gradually declined due to internal struggles and external invasions, ending around 1600 BCE, but its achievements greatly influenced subsequent Mesopotamian civilizations.