As of the IVth millenium, Sumerians invented the
writing,
and are organized in city-states, directed by kings. Between those,
such
that of Ur, and that of Lagash, the war is permanent. The competition
between
Lagash and Ur is not isolated. Other cities, also, behave from time to
time like enemies and the total situation resembles a system of moving
coalitions and alliances of short duration between these cities. Kish,
Umma and Mari, distant on the Euphrate means have been known for one
time
as old as that of Eannatoum. The majority of the engagements are
battles
of infantry, although the chariots of war drawn by onagers (wild asses)
are quoted. These competitions are reinforced by the clash between
Sumerians
in the south and Semites in north.
sumerian army
To the 27th century, the most former known
kings are Mebaragesi de Kish and Mes-kalam-doug city of Ur.
Mes-anni-pada
the first dynasty of Ur towards -2575. This city melts seems most
powerful
in these first historical times.
- Towards -2500, Eannatoum one of the "patesi", (vicar of the
principal god)
of Lagash, subjects the city of Oumma, then shift the dynasty of Ur.
Its
successors leave the power to the clergy who oppresses the people.
The city of Kish imposes its hegemony to him. To the 24th century
JC, Ouroukaniga, a simple civil servant, reverses the clerical mode of
Lagash and rejects the yoke of Kish. Weakened, Lagash is destroyed by
Lougal-zaggisi,
the king of Uruk, who subjects Kish, and melts the
first
sumerian empire .
The brittleness of their geographic situation, as well in the plan of
the defense as of the resources, obliges them to innovate. The river
valleys
do not conceal copper, but they find some in the mountains of the east
and north, as well as Oman. As of - 4000, Sumerians obtain copper
starting
from the iron ore and, towards -3500, they manufacture objects in
bronze.
Sargon the Old one
- To the 24th century, coming from the
northern part
of Babylonia, Sargon the Old one reverses the Sumerian empire, subjects
all the cities of low Mesopotamy and melts the dynasty of Akkad. The
light
weapons of Akkadiens dominate the heavy equipment of Sumerians. It
extends
its empire towards north, dominates Mari and the capital of Elamites,
Suse.
Its armies enter to Syria and Cappadoce. During its reign, towards
-2370
to -2314, Sargon the first true empire of the history founds, by
extending
its control to the Fertile Crescent, of Elam, in the east of Sumer, the
Mediterranean coast.
Mesopotamy to the 3th thousand-year-old
The successors of Sargon, threatened by interior revolts, face
the attacks
of the mountain dwellers of Zagros, Goutis and Loulloubis. Towards
-2230,
under the reign of Naram-sin, the invasions of Goutis follow one
another,
and under its Sharkali-Sharri successor, the prone people (Sumerians
and
Elamites) rebel, the Agade capital breaks down and Goutis and Amorrites
destroy the Akkadien empire. It takes one century so that they are
driven
out of Mesopotamy by Outouhegal, Uruk's king. 22nd century BC knows a
deep
decline. Sumer is less affected by Goutis than North. Ur and Lagash
become
again there prosperous in a relative independence. Goudea de Lagash
appears
a powerful sovereign.
Goudea de Lagash
- Towards -2110, Our-nammou melts a new Ur's empire which joins
together
Sumer, Babylonia, Elam and the valley of the rivers until Mari and
Assur.
Mesopotamy is unified. But one century later, Ur is destroyed by
Elamites
combined to the Syrians.
The 1st assyrian empire , founded by Sargon 1st in the 19th
century,
fight against its neighbors, Hittites and
Mitanni and progresses towards the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean.
At the 19th century, Amorrites penetrate in
Mesopotamy
and Soumou-Aboum melts the 1st dynasty of Babylon. Hammourabi, one of
its
successors, destroys the first Assyrien kingdom, conquers Sumer, Akkad
and Larsa towards -1763, destroyed the kingdom of Husband towards -1760
and extends the babylonian empire towards the north of Syria. As of its
successor, Samsou-Ilouna, the residents of the Persian Gulf (Countries
of the Sea) are made independents. Samsouditana, towards -1620, imposes
the authority of Babylon again to them.
- Towards -1595, a raid of Hittites' king, Mursili 1st,
surprises Samsouditana
and destroys the dynasty amorrite. Many warriors died, the women and
the
children carried in slavery. The country is in a state such as a
dynasty
kassite (originating in the mountains of central Zagros) settles in
Babylon
and reigns there during 4 centuries. They introduce the horse there.
The
competition is sharp with Assyriens which is released from the
supervision
babylonienne at the 14th century. Towards -1220, the king Kachtiliach
III
is made prisoner of Assyriens which controls Babylon. Weakened by these
attacks, the Kassite dynasty is reversed by Elamites which take Babylon
about -1160.
