Ebla

Ebla was a state in Levant (Middle East) that lasted from c. 3000 to 1600 BCE, about 1,400 years. Its people spoke Semitic languages (Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya).

Syrian city-state whose palace archive of thousands of tablets from about 2350 BCE revealed a lost Semitic language and trade network. Destroyed by Akkad, rebuilt, and finally sacked by the Hittites around 1600 BCE.

See Ebla on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 3000 to 1600 BCE
Duration: 1,400 years
Type: State
Region: Levant, Middle East
Language family: Semitic
Capital: Ebla (Tell Mardikh)

Events in Middle East during its time

2334 BCE Sargon founds the Akkadian Empire
2004 BCE Elamites sack Ur
1754 BCE Code of Hammurabi

Neighbours in Middle East

Old Babylonian Empire 1894 to 1595 BCE
Akkadian Empire c. 2334 to 2154 BCE
Old Elamite period c. 2700 to 1500 BCE
Mari c. 2900 to 1761 BCE
Yamhad c. 1810 to 1517 BCE
Hittite Old Kingdom c. 1650 to 1400 BCE
Third Dynasty of Ur 2112 to 2004 BCE
Dilmun c. 2800 to 544 BCE
Troy c. 3000 to 1180 BCE
Byblos c. 2800 to 1200 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE, Europe
Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE, East Asia
Old Kingdom of Egypt c. 2686 to 2181 BCE, North and West Africa

Questions

When did Ebla exist?

c. 3000 to 1600 BCE, about 1,400 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Ebla?

Levant, in Middle East. Its capital was Ebla (Tell Mardikh).

What language did Ebla speak?

Semitic. This family includes Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya.