Chapter VI

THE CLOSE OF UR-NINÂ'S DYNASTY, THE REFORMS OF
URUKAGINA, AND THE FALL OF LAGASH

Cause of break in the direct succession at Lagash--Umma
and Lagash in the reign of Enannatum I.--Urlumma's
successful raid--His defeat by Entemena and the
annexation of his city--Entemena's cone and its
summary of historical events--Extent of Entemena's
dominion--Sources for history of the period between
Enannatum II. and Urukagina--The relative order
of Enetarzi, Enlitarzi and Lugal-anda--Period of
unrest in Lagash--Secular authority of the chief
priests and weakening of the patesiate--Struggles
for the succession--The sealings of Lugal-anda
and his wife--Break in traditions inaugurated by
Urukagina--Causes of an increase in officialdom and
oppression--The privileges of the city-god usurped by
the patesi and his palace--Tax-gatherers and inspectors
"down to the sea"--Misappropriation of sacred lands and
temple-property, and corruption of the priesthood--The
reforms of Urukagina--Abolition of unnecessary posts
and stamping out of abuses--Revision of burial
fees--Penalties for theft and protection for the poorer
classes--Abolition of diviner's fees and regulation of
divorce--The laws of Urukagina and the Sumerian origin
of Hammurabi's Code--Urukagina's relations to other
cities--Effect of his reforms on the stability of the
state--The fall of Lagash

CHAPTER VII

EARLY RULERS OF SUMER AND KINGS OF KISH

Close of an epoch in Sumerian history--Increase in
the power of Umma and transference of the capital
to Erech--Extent of Lugal-zaggisi's empire, and
his expedition to the Mediterranean coast--Period
of Lugal-kigub-nidudu and Lugal-kisalsi--The dual
kingdom of Erech and Ur--Eushagkushanna of Sumer and
his struggle with Kish--Confederation of Kish and
Opis--Enbi-Ishtar of Kish and a temporary check to
Semitic expansion southwards--The later kingdom of
Kish--Date of Urumush and extent of his empire--Economic
conditions in Akkad as revealed by the Obelisk of
Manishtusu--Period of Manishtusu's reign and his
military expeditions--His statues from Susa--Elam and
the earlier Semites--A period of transition--New light
on the foundations of the Akkadian Empire