Before 1595 BCE, Southern Mesopotamia, during the Old Babylonian period, experienced a phase of decline and political instability. This downturn was primarily due to the inability of Hammurabi's successors to maintain control over the kingdom. A key factor in this decline was the loss of control over vital trade routes between the northern and southern regions of Babylonia to the First Sealand Dynasty. This loss had significant economic consequences for the region.

In circa 1595 BCE, the Hittite king Mursili I invaded Southern Mesopotamia. Prior to this, he had defeated Aleppo, a strong neighboring kingdom. The Hittites then sacked Babylon, effectively ending the Hammurabi dynasty and the Old Babylonian period. This military action marked a significant turning point in Mesopotamian history.

The Hittites, after their conquest, did not establish rule over Babylon or its surrounding areas. Instead, they chose to withdraw, returning along the Euphrates River to their homeland, known as "Hatti-land". The rationale behind the Hittite invasion and the sacking of Babylon has been a subject of debate among historians. It is speculated that Hammurabi's successors might have been allied with Aleppo, drawing the Hittites' attention. Alternatively, the Hittites' motives might have included seeking control over land, manpower, trade routes, and access to valuable ore deposits, indicating broader strategic objectives behind their expansion.