The geography of Mesopotamia had a profound impact on the political development
of the region. Among the rivers and streams, the Sumerian people built the first
cities along with irrigation canals which were separated by vast stretches of
open desert or swamp where nomadic tribes roamed. Communication among the
isolated cities was difficult and, at times, dangerous. Thus, each Sumerian city
became a city-state, independent of the others and protective
of its independence. At times one city would try to conquer and unify the
region, but such efforts were resisted and failed for centuries. As a result,
the political history of Sumer is one of almost constant warfare. Eventually
Sumer was unified by Eannatum, but the unification was tenuous and failed
to last as the Akkadians conquered Sumeria in 2331 BC only a generation later.
The Akkadian Empire was the first successful empire to last beyond a generation
and see the peaceful succession of kings. The empire was relatively short-lived,
as the Babylonians conquered them within only a few generations.
of the region. Among the rivers and streams, the Sumerian people built the first
cities along with irrigation canals which were separated by vast stretches of
open desert or swamp where nomadic tribes roamed. Communication among the
isolated cities was difficult and, at times, dangerous. Thus, each Sumerian city
became a city-state, independent of the others and protective
of its independence. At times one city would try to conquer and unify the
region, but such efforts were resisted and failed for centuries. As a result,
the political history of Sumer is one of almost constant warfare. Eventually
Sumer was unified by Eannatum, but the unification was tenuous and failed
to last as the Akkadians conquered Sumeria in 2331 BC only a generation later.
The Akkadian Empire was the first successful empire to last beyond a generation
and see the peaceful succession of kings. The empire was relatively short-lived,
as the Babylonians conquered them within only a few generations.
Kings
The Mesopotamians believed their kings and queens were descended from the City
of Gods, but, unlike the ancient Egyptians, they never believed their kings
were real gods. Most
kings named themselves “king of the universe” or “great king”. Another common
name was “shepherd”, as kings had to look after their people.
of Gods, but, unlike the ancient Egyptians, they never believed their kings
were real gods. Most
kings named themselves “king of the universe” or “great king”. Another common
name was “shepherd”, as kings had to look after their people.
Power
When Assyria grew into an empire, it was divided into smaller parts, called provinces. Each of these were named after their main
cities, like Nineveh, Samaria, Damascus, and Arpad. They all had their own governor who had to
make sure everyone paid their taxes. Governors also had to call up soldiers to
war and supply workers when a temple was built. He was also responsible for
enforcing the laws. In this way, it was easier to keep control of a large
empire. Although Babylon was quite a small state in the Sumerian, it grew tremendously
throughout the time of Hammurabi's rule. He was known as “the law maker”,
and soon Babylon became one of the main cities in Mesopotamia.
It was later called Babylonia, which meant "the gateway of the gods." It also
became one of history's greatest centers of learning.
cities, like Nineveh, Samaria, Damascus, and Arpad. They all had their own governor who had to
make sure everyone paid their taxes. Governors also had to call up soldiers to
war and supply workers when a temple was built. He was also responsible for
enforcing the laws. In this way, it was easier to keep control of a large
empire. Although Babylon was quite a small state in the Sumerian, it grew tremendously
throughout the time of Hammurabi's rule. He was known as “the law maker”,
and soon Babylon became one of the main cities in Mesopotamia.
It was later called Babylonia, which meant "the gateway of the gods." It also
became one of history's greatest centers of learning.
Warfare
As city-states began to grow, their spheres of influence
overlapped, creating arguments between other city-states, especially over land
and canals. These arguments were recorded in tablets several hundreds of years
before any major war—the first recording of a war occurred around 3200 BC but
was not common until about 2500 BC. At this point, warfare was incorporated into
the Mesopotamian political system, where a neutral city may act as an arbitrator
for the two rival cities. This helped to form unions between cities, leading to
regional states. When
empires were created, they went to war more with foreign countries. King Sargon,
for example, conquered all the cities of Sumer, some cities in Mari, and then
went to war with northern Syria. Many Assyrian and Babylonian palace walls were
decorated with the pictures of the successful fights and the enemy either
desperately escaping or hiding amongst reeds. A king in Sumer, Gilgamesh, was
thought to be two-thirds god and only one-third human. His exploits were
recorded in many poems and songs of the time.
overlapped, creating arguments between other city-states, especially over land
and canals. These arguments were recorded in tablets several hundreds of years
before any major war—the first recording of a war occurred around 3200 BC but
was not common until about 2500 BC. At this point, warfare was incorporated into
the Mesopotamian political system, where a neutral city may act as an arbitrator
for the two rival cities. This helped to form unions between cities, leading to
regional states. When
empires were created, they went to war more with foreign countries. King Sargon,
for example, conquered all the cities of Sumer, some cities in Mari, and then
went to war with northern Syria. Many Assyrian and Babylonian palace walls were
decorated with the pictures of the successful fights and the enemy either
desperately escaping or hiding amongst reeds. A king in Sumer, Gilgamesh, was
thought to be two-thirds god and only one-third human. His exploits were
recorded in many poems and songs of the time.
King Hammurabi, as mentioned above, was famous for his set of laws, the Code
of Hammurabi (created ca. 1780 BC), which is one of the earliest sets
of laws found and one of the best preserved examples of this type of document
from ancient Mesopotamia. He codified over 200 laws for Mesopotamia.
of Hammurabi (created ca. 1780 BC), which is one of the earliest sets
of laws found and one of the best preserved examples of this type of document
from ancient Mesopotamia. He codified over 200 laws for Mesopotamia.
Enlil,The King God
A statue of Enlil.He is the god of air and is beleived to be the King God.
