Akkadian/Ur III Week 5

Early Dynastic Period

Time of significant political, social, cultural development in ancient Mesopotamia, following rise of city-states in Sumer. First true urban centers flourished and the idea of kingship became institutionalized. The period is notable for establishment of system of city-state governance like Gilgamesh and Lugalzagesi. Advancements in writing, art, architecture and development of trade. Time of intense rivalry between city-states and system of kingship.

Akkadian Period

First unification of Mesopotamia under a single ruler, with the rise of Sargon of Akkad, who established the Akkadian Empire after defeating southern Mesopotamian king Lugalzagesi. Period of transition from a network of city-states to an empire that spanned from Persian Gulf to Syria and Anatolia. The Akkadian Empire was characterized by its military conquests, centralized admin and use of Akkadian as the lingua franca. the period also witnessed significant advances art, literature and culture. Fell due to internal strife, external invasions, and climate change. Represents the shift from regional power to imperial rule in Mesopotamia. Replaces rulers with governors. Installed his daughter as entu-priestess.

Gutian Period

Followed collapse of Akkadian empire and was marked by the invasion and rule of Gutians, from Zagros Mountains. Gutians seized control of Mesopotamia but their rule was often chaotic and marked by a decline in cultural and admin achievements of previous period. Often texts as barbaric and their control is considered a dark age for Mesopotamian civilization with trade disruption, urban life, admin organization. That some gutian rulers may have adopted Sumerian culture and governance.

Ur III Period

A time of revival for Sumerian civilization, following the Gutian period. Ur became the political cultural center under rule of 3rd Dynasty of Ur, under Ur-Nammu. Highly organized and centralized bureaucracy. There was also advances in law, like Ur-Nammu code, and agricultural and trade reforms. Rulers unrtook large-scale construction projects and restored Sumerian culture and power. Fell due to invasions by Elamites and internal strife.

Empire

Territorially expansive, incorporative state type. One state exerts control. Diverse polities and communities that retain some autonomy. Degree of control in diff varies.

Bala Tax

Mesopotamian taxation used during Ur III. Imposed on agricultural land. Used to generate revenue for the state, funding public works and central bureaucracy. Tax part of organized state admin which characterized the Ur III period.

Gun-ma-da Tax

Mesopotamian tax on livestock during Ur III Period. Helped to fund the state’s military, infrastructure and royal court. Reflects the pastoral economy at the time.

How do empires last?

Individual relations must be surpassed to create structural connections. For instance, there needs to be new ideological systems, creation and maintenance of elite, new institutions and new administration structures.

Material Consequences of Ur III Period

Large scale infrastructure, trade network, economic/political transformations in formerly autonomous regions, production reorganization, imperial capitals.

Enheduanna

Sargon of Akkad’s daughter who was the entu-priestess of Nanna at Ur. First recorded author with Enheduanna’s disc.

Sargon’s Successors

Naram-Sin is the most important and led the Akkad Empire to its max extent. The others were Rimush, Manishtushi, and Shar-Kali-Sharri.

Administration of Akkad Empire

New institutions were formed. Appointment of governors instead of rulers. Akkadian was the official language, and adoption of Sumerian script to write Akkadian. There was also a common dating system, enlarged army, and placement of daughter entu-priestess. Naram-Sim also deified himself, thus changing ideology around kingship

Akkadian collapse reasons

Gutian invasions, famine caused by guitars, Naram-Sin’s self confidence, climate change, Elamite conquests

King Shulgi of Ur III

Brought many reforms as he built temples, brought new institutions, a new calendar, reorganized the empire by appointing a military commander and ensign to each city. Also earliest law code and created a system of weights and measures. Brought a new royal messenger network, roads with relay housing, and garrison settlements. Brought systems of taxation. Brought new ideology by deifying himself.

Ur III Bureaucracy

In Sumerian language. Many many documents.

Ur Fall

Fell with Amor-Sin, Chu-Sin, then Ibbi Sin. Elamite attacks, drought/climate change and Amorites caused this.

How are empires different from earlier political/territorial formations?

They incorporate diverse populations with their own distince identities. Incorporated communities had different levels of autonomy depending on many factors. They’re territorially expansive.

Why are empires difficult to “see” archaeologically?

Empires often have a lot of internal variability. Empires are very large and cant be studied from the perspective of one place. The pace of geopolitical change often does not match the resolution of archaeological dating methods.

What was most remarkable about the reign of Naram-Sin?

He decalred himself a god through texts and images.

What language was used by the Ur III empire for admin documents?

Sumerian

What new institutions were put in place by the Akkadian/Ur III empire?

Taxation systems, standardized weights and measures, appt. of governors in conquered areas, royal messenger network using roads and waystations, common dating system.

Ur-Namma

Came to power after defeating the Guiana and Elmaites. Founder and king of Ur III. Notable for military and extensive building projects like his Ur ziggurat. Created earliest known law code which protected the weal and regulated civil justice, and also made a standardized weight and measure system. Shulgi was his son and suggester. Saw a resurgence of Sumerian culture.

Stele of Ur-Namma

Limestone monument created by Ur-Namma, founder of Ur III. Early example of royal inscription and commemorates his victory over the city of Lagash.It is also the oldest law codes in history. Features Ur-Namma standing before a god, emphasizing his role as god’s appointed ruler.

Victory stele of Naram-Sin

Commemorates military achievements of Naram-Sin who expanded the Akkadian empire. He’s depicted larger than the other figures, signifying his authority . Also emphasized by the presence of a horned helmet, which symbolized him as a god-king.

Enheduanna’s disk

Disk of Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon of Akkad and high priestess of Nanna in Ur. Earliest known author and this disc is inscribed with some of her works like hymns. Features a poetic text written in Sumerian as well.

Victory Stele of Sargon

Commemorates Sargon and his military victories. Showcases his conquest of the SUmerian city of Uruk. Also presents him sa a mighty warrior and divine figure through its inscriptions. He’s also portrayed as large figure who is supported by the gods. Highlights divine right to rule.