Aram I

Aram I (also seen as Aram the First) refers to the ancient king credited as the founder of the Aramean nation and kingdom of Aram, centered around Damascus, in the early Iron Age (c. 11th century BCE). Historical and archaeological evidence supporting his existence and the precise details of his reign are scarce and largely derived from later biblical and extra-biblical accounts.

The name "Aram" itself is associated with the region inhabited by the Arameans, and "Aram I" is often used in attempts to trace the lineage and origins of this influential Semitic group. Accounts of his life are interwoven with legend and tradition. The biblical genealogies in the book of Genesis trace the Arameans back to Aram, a son of Shem, indicating a perceived connection to the broader Semitic family of peoples. However, whether this represents a direct historical figure or a symbolic ancestor remains a subject of scholarly debate.

Because concrete primary sources from the 11th century BCE mentioning Aram I are lacking, it is challenging to definitively establish his role and accomplishments. What is known about the Arameans during this period is primarily reconstructed from later Assyrian inscriptions which documented their interactions and conflicts with various Aramean city-states. These inscriptions, however, do not typically reference a unified kingdom or a single founder figure like Aram I. Therefore, the historical figure of Aram I should be understood as a traditional founder whose existence and impact are difficult to verify with the available historical sources.