3rd Millenium Ancient Near East

Sargon

A commoner who rose to prominence in the city of Kish. He was an Akkadian king who ruled in the 3rd millennium BCE. He was one of the earliest empire builders, conquering all of the southern Mesopotamia as well as parts of Syria, Elam, and Anatolia. He established the first semetic dynasty and was the founder of the Mesopotamian military tradition. He created centralizing policies such as a new system taxation, the official language of Akkad which was Akkadian, standard measurements and weights, and confiscations of land.

Naram-sin

Sargon “The Great’s” grandson and the 4th ruler of ancient Akkad. He is considered the most important king after Sargon and became an almost mythical figure in Mesopotamian storyteller. In the 36 years he ruled, he expanded the reach of his empire through successful military campaigns, kept order within his empire, increased trade, and campaigned with his army beyond the Persian Golf. Like Sargon, he game himself the title “King of Kish” but in a bold move, coined the a new title “King of the four corners of the universe” for himself. Thus, making himself the “god” of the city Akkad. Unlike previous rulers, he was granted a cult while he was alive and the court initiated a process of royal glorification.

Enheduanna

She was Sargon’s daughter and apart of the Akkadian empire in the 3rd Millennium BCE. Sargon instated her as the head priestess of the moon goddess Nana of Ur. There she she authored literary works and temple hymes in the summarian language, and became  “first identifiable author in literature.” Her instatement started the trend of political leaders in placing their daughters in the prominent political position of head priestess at the temple of Nanna of Ur.,

Ur-Namma

Ur-Namma was a ruler in the 3rd Millennium BCE, who was the founder of the third dynasty of Ur in Sumer and initiated the Ur III period (also known as the Sumerian renaissance). He is known as the king who composed the oldest extent law code in the known history: the Code of Ur-Nammu. He also credited as the builder of the Great Ziggarat of Ur and for other throwing the Gutians. As a ruler, he presented himself as a “father figure” to his people and his concern for their well-being is reflected his law code as well as his patronage of the arts, encouragement of cultural development, and improvement infrastructures.

Shulgi

He was a king of Ur during the Ur III period and the son of Ur-Namma, he is known as the greatest king of this period in Mesopotamia. He inherited a stable empire after his father was killed in battle with the Gutians, and in his reign built upon his father’s legacy and raised Sumer to great cultural heights. He reformed the scribal schools and increased literacy throughout the region. He also continued the maintenance of his empire’s cities, through improving existing and creating new infrastructures (like roads), and created “inns” which would be used by the Persian empire in the future. He declared himself a “god” during his lifetime and was worshipped following his death. He is credited for the rebirth of the Sumerian culture.

Cuneiform Writing

Cuneiform is the earliest form of writing in Known history. It dates back to c. 3000 BCE and was invented by the Sumerians. It was used by administrators and large temple institutions to record the allocation of rations and movement of goods.

Royal Standard of Ur

Is a Sumerian artifact of 3rd Millennium BCE. It is a hollow wooden box with scenes of “war and peace” depicted on each side. It was found in a royal tomb in the city of Ur.

Royal Inscriptions

These were found on statues in the city of Nippur, dating to a period in the 3rd Millennium BCE. They indicate Nippur as the political centre under Sargonian kings. The inscriptions of Sargon and Naram-Sin describe them as the “best military men of their time.” This because of the scripted large geographical range of land claimed under both men’s reigns.

Stele of Naram-sin

Is a stone carved in bas-relief depicting Naram-Sin leading his troops to victory in battle. The portrayal is much more dynamic than the earlier stele of vultures, and shows progression in the trade of arts. In it he is “crowned” with the horned-helmet which is a symbol of divinity.

Cylinder Seales

Stele of Vultures

Certified business undertaken by business, and contained inscriptions providing the owner’s name and title. They were key in administrative matters, and recording the trade of goods.

Law code of Ur-Namma

The oldesnt known law code in known history, written by Ur-Namma (or his son Shulgi).

Administrative Tablets

Clay tablets dating back to the Akkadian empire in the 3rd millennium BCE. They were used to record administrative actions of the time.

Temple and Ziggurat Remains

The “White Temple” of anna or Innuana dates backe to the 3rd Millennium BCE. It is the first known temple with a raised platform and is an early form of a Ziggurat.

Summarians

People who lived in ancient Sumeria.

Akkadians

People who lived in ancient Akkad.

Amorites

Semi-nomad people from the 3rd Millennium BCE. They were mainly shepards.

Gutians

A group of people and kings who took power after the fall of Akkad, but didn’t remain in power long,