Kassite language
| Kassite | |
|---|---|
| Kossaean | |
| Native to | Babylon |
| Region | Near East |
| Era | 18th–4th century BC |
|
unclassified (Hurro-Urartian?)
|
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 |
None (mis) |
| Glottolog | kass1244 |
Kassite (also Cassite) was a language spoken by Kassites in the Zagros Mountains of Iran and southern Mesopotamia from approximately the 18th to the 4th century BC. From the 16th to 12th centuries BC, kings of Kassite origin ruled in Babylon until they were overthrown by Elamites.
Based on the patchy distribution of extant cuneiform texts, Semitic Akkadian language of the native Babylonians was mostly used for economic transactions during the Kassite period, with Sumerian used for monumental inscriptions. Traces of the Kassite language are few:
A lack of Kassite texts makes the reconstruction of Kassite grammar impossible at present.
Genetic relations of the Kassite language are unclear, although it is generally agreed that it was not Semitic; relation with Elamite is doubtful. Relationship with or membership in the Hurro-Urartian family has been suggested, being possibly related to it, based on a number of words.
Morphemes are not known; the words buri (ruler) and burna (protected) probably have the same root.
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