Elam

Elam was an ancient civilization of the Near East, centered in what is now southwestern Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Ilam and Khuzestan, and a small part of southern Iraq. Founded around 2700 BCE and dissolved in 539 BCE, Elamite states were leading political forces in the Ancient Near East. Its capital was Susa, from which it was also known as Susiana in classical literature. Elam was part of the early urbanization of the Near East, with written records emerging around 3000 BCE. Its culture played a crucial role for the succeeding Persian Achaemenid dynasty, with the Elamite language remaining in official use.