Originally one of the Elamite tribes living in the Zagros mountainous district east of Babylon. In the early 2nd millennia bc they infiltrated part of Babylonia, founding a dynasty based on Babylon after the Hittites raid of 1595 bc. This empire lasted for nearly 500 years but has been studied very little. During that time Kassites became integrated with the Babylonian population, their kings taking on Semitic names. Some Kassite deities were introduced into the Babylonian pantheon, and it is probable that their sacred animal, the horse, was introduced into Mesopotamia. Horse-breeding and riding were established skills among the Kassites. The Kassite rule ended in c.1157 bc with the conquest of Babylonia by Assyrian civilization.