Famous Iraqi Men

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 1 
Gilgamesh
(5th king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk)
Gilgamesh
4
Birthplace: Iraq
Mesopotamian hero Gilgamesh is the leading character in the 2nd millennium B.C. Akkadian Epic of Gilgamesh. Experts believe he was a Sumerian ruler from 2900-2500 B.C., who became a legendary figure in the Third Dynasty of Ur. Gilgamesh’s tale is said to have inspired the Iliad and the Odyssey.
 2 
Sargon of Akkad
(King of the Akkadian Empire from 2334 BC to 2279 BC)
Sargon of Akkad
3
Birthplace: Akkadian Empire
Died: 2279 AD

Sargon of Akkad reigned as the king of the Akkadian Empire from 2334 to 2284 BC. The first person to rule the Akkadian Empire, Sargon is sometimes recognized as the first person to rule over an empire in recorded history. He is credited with founding the Old Akkadian or Sargonic dynasty, which ruled for several years after his death.

 3 
Hammurabi
(Babylon King)
Hammurabi
8
Birthdate: 1810 BC
Birthplace: Babylon, Iraqi
Died: 1750 BC

Hammurabi reigned as the first Babylonian dynasty's sixth king from 1792 BC to 1750 BC. During his reign, Hammurabi conquered the city-states of Eshnunna, Larsa, and Mari and brought nearly all of Mesopotamia under Babylonian rule. He is also known for issuing the Code of Hammurabi, which is one of the first law codes to establish the presumption of innocence.

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 4 
Ibn-al-Haytham
(Arab Mathematician, Astronomer, and Physicist of the Islamic Golden Age)
Ibn-al-Haytham
22
Birthdate: 0965 AD
Birthplace: Basrah, Iraq
Died: 1040 AD

Ibn al-Haytham was an Arab mathematician, physicist, and astronomer of the Islamic Golden Age. He is best remembered for his contributions to the principles of optics for which he is called the father of modern optics. He was the first person to explain visual perception. A polymath, Ibn al-Haytham also wrote influential books on philosophy, medicine, and theology. 

 5 
Nebuchadrezzar II
(king)
Nebuchadrezzar II
2
Birthdate: 0634 BC
Died: 0562 BC
 6 
Saddam Hussein
(5th President of Iraq (1979-2003))
Saddam Hussein
181
Birthdate: April 28, 1937
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Al Awja, Iraq
Died: December 30, 2006

Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq as its president from 1979 to 2003. Described as one of the last of the great dictators of the 20th century, his regime caused the deaths of at least 250,000 Iraqis. Saddam was deposed in 2003 when a U.S led coalition invaded Iraq. Accused of crimes against humanity, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death in 2006.

 7 
Sennacherib
(Military Commander, King)
Sennacherib
4
Birthdate: 0740 BC
Birthplace: Nimrud
Died: December 31, 0681
Sennacherib reigned as the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire between 705 BC and 681 BC. One of the most famous Assyrian kings, Sennacherib is mentioned as an important figure in the Hebrew Bible. He is credited with destructing the city of Babylon and expanding Nineveh, the last great Assyrian capital.
 8 
Ashurbanipal
(Last Great Ruler of the Neo-Assyrian Empire)
Ashurbanipal
3
Birthdate: 0685 BC
Birthplace: Assyria, Iraq
Died: 0631 BC

Ashurbanipal reigned as the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 669 BC until his death in 631 BC. Widely regarded as the last great king of Assyria, Ashurbanipal is best remembered for the establishment of the famous Library of Ashurbanipal. The library has great historical significance as it holds texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh, the earliest surviving notable literature.

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 9 
Ahmad ibn Fadlan
(Traveler)
Ahmad ibn Fadlan
3
Birthdate: 0879 AD
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: 0960 AD
 10 
Al-Kindī
(Father of Arab philosophy)
Al-Kindī
2
Birthdate: 0801 AD
Birthplace: Kufa, Iraq
Died: 0873 AD
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 11 
Jim Al-Khalili
(Physicist)
Jim Al-Khalili
4
Birthdate: September 20, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
 12 
Al-Maʾmūn
(Caliph of Baghdad)
Al-Maʾmūn
3
Birthdate: September 14, 0786
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: August 9, 0833
 13 
Abd al-Karim Qasim
(Prime Minister of Iraq from 1958 to 1963)
Abd al-Karim Qasim
5
Birthdate: November 21, 1914
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: February 9, 1963

Abd al-Karim Qasim was an Iraqi nationalist and Army brigadier. He came to power after the 14 July Revolution, during which the Iraqi monarchy was overthrown. Abd al-Karim Qasim went on to serve as the Prime Minister of Iraq from 14 July 1958 to 8 February 1963. During his premiership, Qasim laid importance on education and greater equality for women.

 14 
Zedekiah
(King of Judah)
Zedekiah
1
Birthdate: 0618 BC
Died: April 3, 0561
 15 
Nebuchadnezzar I
(King)
Nebuchadnezzar I
1
Birthdate: 1125 AD
Birthplace: Iraq
Died: 1104 AD
 16 
Khosrau II
(considered to be the last great Sasanian king (shah) of Iran, ruling from 590 to 628, with an interruption of one year)
Khosrau II
0
Birthdate: 0570 AD
Birthplace: Ctesiphon, Iraq
Died: February 28, 0628
 17 
Nouri al-Maliki
(Vice President of Iraq (2014-2015 and 2016-2018), Prime Minister of Iraq (2006-2014))
Nouri al-Maliki
3
Birthdate: June 20, 1950
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hindiyah, Iraq

Former prime minister and vice president of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki was the grandson of reputed poet Muhammad Hasan Abi al-Mahasin. He later joined the outlawed Daʿwah party and escaped to Syria under the pseudonym Jawad after his link with the party was discovered. He later became the party leader.

 18 
Adnan Al-Kaissie
(Iraqi former professional wrestler and manager)
Adnan Al-Kaissie
3
Birthdate: March 1, 1939
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 19 
Nabopolassar
(king)
Nabopolassar
0
Birthdate: 0658 BC
Died: 0605 BC
 20 
Al-Jāḥiẓ
(Theologian and scholar)
Al-Jāḥiẓ
1
Birthdate: 0776 AD
Birthplace: Basra, Iraq
Died: 0868 AD
 21 
Naram-Sin
(King of the Akkadian Empire (c. 2254 – 2218 BC))
Naram-Sin
0
Birthplace: Iraq
 22 
Esarhaddon
(King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire)
Esarhaddon
1
Birthdate: 0713 BC
Birthplace: Harran
Died: October 31, 0669

Esarhaddon reigned as the King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 681 BC until his death in 669 BC. He is best remembered for his invasion of Egypt in 671 BC. The conquest made his empire the world's largest at that time. Esarhaddon is also remembered for his reconstruction of Babylon.

 23 
Al-Mutanabbi
(Poet)
Al-Mutanabbi
2
Birthdate: 0915 AD
Birthplace: Kufa, Iraq
Died: September 3, 0965
 24 
Ur-Nammu
(King of the Neo-Sumerian Empire)
Ur-Nammu
0

Ur-Nammu reigned as the King of the Neo-Sumerian Empire from 2112 BC to 2094 BC. He is credited with founding the Third Dynasty of Ur, which is also referred to as the Neo-Sumerian Empire, in southern Mesopotamia. Ur-Nammu is best remembered for creating the Code of Ur-Nammu, the oldest known extant legal code in the world.

 25 
Al-Masudi
(Historian)
Al-Masudi
1
Birthdate: 0896 AD
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: August 31, 0956
 26 
Uday Hussein
(Saddam Hussein’s Son)
Uday Hussein
36
Birthdate: June 18, 1964
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tikrit
Died: July 22, 2003

Uday Hussein was an the eldest child of  Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Uday was reportedly intimidating and erratically ruthless. Many claim that his relatives and acquaintances were victims of his rage. He was killed in 2003 by an American task force following the invasion of Iraq. 

 27 
Charles Saatchi
(Businessman)
Charles Saatchi
5
Birthdate: June 9, 1943
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Baghdad

Charles Saatchi is an Iraqi-British businessman. He is credited with co-founding the popular advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi. He then went on to co-found another international advertising agency called M&C Saatchi after Charles and his brother Maurice were forced out of Saatchi & Saatchi in 1995. He also owns Saatchi Gallery and is known for sponsoring the Young British Artists.

 28 
Abu Nuwas
(Poet)
Abu Nuwas
0
Birthdate: 0756 AD
Birthplace: Ahvaz, Iran
Died: 0814 AD
 29 
ʿAbd al-Rahman ʿArif
(President of Iraq from 1966 to 1968)
ʿAbd al-Rahman ʿArif
1
Birthdate: April 14, 1916
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: August 24, 2007

ʿAbd al-Rahman ʿArif was an Iraqi political leader best remembered for his service as the President of Iraq from 1966 to 1968. A prominent politician, ʿAbd al-Rahman ʿArif also served as the Prime Minister of Iraq in 1967. Arif was also a career soldier who played an important role in the 14 July Revolution that overthrew the monarchy.

 30 
Faisal II of Iraq
(King)
Faisal II of Iraq
3
Birthdate: May 2, 1935
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: July 14, 1958
 31 
Nimrod
(Biblical Figure)
Nimrod
7
Birthplace: Sangara
Died: 1638 BC
Nimrod appears in the Bible as a ruler of Shinar, or Mesopotamia. Genesis and the Books of Chronicles state he was the son of Cush. Some sources link him to the Towel of Babel. He has been identified with countless real and mythical figures, such as the Mesopotamian god Ninurta.
 32 
Mustafa Barzani
(Kurdish General and Leader Who Led Military Campaigns Against Iran and Iraq)
Mustafa Barzani
2
Birthdate: March 14, 1903
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Barzan, Iraq
Died: March 1, 1979

Mustafa al-Barzani was a Kurdish general and leader. He is widely regarded as one of the most important political leaders in modern Kurdish politics. Mustafa Barzani was the primary military and political leader of the Kurdish revolution; he led military campaigns against both the Iranian and Iraqi governments until his death on 1 March 1979.

 33 
Qusay Hussein
(Iraqi Politician, Military Leader and Son of Saddam Hussein)
Qusay Hussein
19
Birthdate: May 17, 1966
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: July 22, 2003
Qusay Hussein was the younger son of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. As in charge of the Iraqi Republican Guard, a branch of the Iraqi military during the presidency of Saddam Hussein, Qusay Hussein was an influential man in Iraq. It is also believed that he had authority over other military units in Iraq. He was killed by U.S special forces in 2003.
 34 
Aḥmad Ḥasan al-Bakr
(Former President and the Prime Minister of Iraq)
Aḥmad Ḥasan al-Bakr
3
Birthdate: July 1, 1914
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tikrīt, Iraq
Died: October 4, 1982

Aḥmad Ḥasan al-Bakr was an Iraqi politician best remembered for his service as the President and the Prime Minister of Iraq from 1968 to 1979. He also served as the Prime Minister of Iraq from February to November 1963. An important political leader, Aḥmad Ḥasan al-Bakr also served as the Minister of Defence from 1974 to 1977.       

 35 
Ezra
(Priest)
Ezra
3
Birthdate: 0480 BC
Birthplace: Babylon
Died: 0440 BC
 36 
Ashurnasirpal II
(King)
Ashurnasirpal II
1
Birthplace: Neo-Assyrian Empire
Died: 0859 BC
 37 
Abū Ḥanīfah
(Theologian)
Abū Ḥanīfah
7
Birthdate: September 5, 0698
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kūfah, Iraq
Died: June 14, 0767
 38 
Muqtada al-Sadr
(Iraqi Politician and Leader of the Sadrist Movement)
Muqtada al-Sadr
8
Birthdate: August 4, 1974
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Najaf, Iraq
Son of Iraqi Shi'a cleric Grand Ayatollah Muḥammad Ṣādiq al-Ṣadr, known for his opposition to Saddam Hussein, Muqtada al-Sadr started the Sadrist Movement. His initial militant stint transformed into a nationalist phase later. Shi'a people consider him a hero who stood against Sunni insurgents.
 39 
Tariq Aziz
(Former Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq)
Tariq Aziz
3
Birthdate: April 28, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Tel Keppe
Died: June 5, 2015

Tariq Aziz was an Iraqi politician best remembered for his service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 11 November 1983 to 19 December 1991. An influential political leader, Tariq Aziz also served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq from 16 July 1979 to 9 April 2003.

 40 
Adnan Khairallah
(Iraqi Political Leader Who Served as the Minister of Defence)
Adnan Khairallah
0
Birthdate: 1939 AD
Birthplace: Tikrit, Iraq
Died: May 4, 1989

Adnan Khairallah was an Iraqi political leader who served as the Minister of Defence from 15 October 1977 until his death on 4 May 1989. Although he was Saddam Hussein's brother-in-law, Khairallah had a long-standing rift with Hussein, which led many to believe that Adnan Khairallah was killed under orders from Saddam Hussein. His death was officially labeled an accident.

 41 
Younis Mahmoud
(Iraqi Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
Younis Mahmoud
3
Birthdate: February 3, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dibis, Kirkuk, Iraq
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 42 
Ayad Allawi
(Former Prime Minister of Iraq)
Ayad Allawi
2
Birthdate: May 31, 1944
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Adamiyah, Baghdad, Iraq

Ayad Allawi is an Iraqi politician best known for his service as the Prime Minister of Iraq from 1 June 2004 to 3 May 2005. A prominent politician, Allawi also served as the Vice President of Iraq from 10 October 2016 to 2 October 2018. A former Ba'athist, Ayad Allawi helped establish a political party called the Iraqi National Accord.

 43 
Mohanad Ali
(Iraqi Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Mohanad Ali
1
Birthdate: June 20, 2000
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 44 
Methuselah
(Biblical Patriarch and a figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam)
Methuselah
3
Birthdate: 3317 BC
Birthplace: Ancient Near East

Methuselah was a biblical patriarch and a prominent figure in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. He was the son of Enoch and the grandfather of Noah. It is believed that he lived for 969 years, due to which Methuselah has become synonymous with longevity. Over the years, he has been referenced and portrayed in several films, television series, and music videos.

 45 
Rashid Ali al-Gaylani
(Former Prime Minister of Iraq)
Rashid Ali al-Gaylani
0
Birthdate: 1892 AD
Birthplace: Baghdad, Iraq
Died: August 28, 1965

Rashid Ali al-Gaylani was an Iraqi politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Iraq on three occasions between 1933 and 1941. An ardent Arab nationalist, Rashid Ali al-Gaylani made an attempt to eliminate the British influence from Iraq by commencing a coup d'état in 1941 that deposed the pro-British regime of 'Abd al-Ilah.

 46 
Selim Bayraktar
(Actor)
Selim Bayraktar
0
Birthdate: June 17, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kirkuk, Iraq
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 47 
Jalal Talabani
(President of Iraq from 2006 to 2014)
Jalal Talabani
2
Birthdate: 1933 AD
Birthplace: Kalkan, Iraq
Died: October 3, 2017

Jalal Talabani was an Iraqi Kurdish politician best remembered for his service as the President of Iraq from 2006 to 2014. Previously, he served as the Acting President from 2005 to 2006. Jalal Talabani is also remembered as the first non-Arab politician to serve as the president of Iraq. He is also credited with founding the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. 

 48 
Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf
(Iraqi Former Diplomat and Politician)
Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf
3
Birthdate: July 30, 1937
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hillah, Iraq

Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf is an Iraqi former politician and diplomat. He is best known for his service as the Minister of Information from 2001 to 2003. Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 6 June 1992 to 23 April 2001.

 49 
Belshazzar
(king)
Belshazzar
2
Died: 0539 BC
 50 
Shalmaneser III
(King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 859 BC to 824 BC)
Shalmaneser III
0
Birthdate: 0880 BC
Died: 0824 BC

Shalmaneser III reigned as the King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 859 BC to 824 BC. His long reign was marked by a series of campaigns against the Babylonians, the eastern tribes, the nations of Syria and Mesopotamia, as well as Urartu and Kizzuwadna. It is in his annals that the Chaldeans and Arabs first appear in recorded history.