CHAPTER X

THE DYNASTY OF UR AND THE KINGDOM OF SUMER AND AKKAD

The part taken by Ur against Semitic domination in an earlier age, and her subsequent history--Organization of her resources under Ur-Engur--His claim to have founded the kingdom of Sumer and Akkad--The subjugation of Akkad by Dungi and the Sumerian national revival--Contrast in Dungi's treatment of Babylon and Eridu--Further evidence of Sumerian reaction--The conquests of Dungi's earlier years and his acquisition of regions formerly held by Akkad--His adoption of the bow as a national weapon--His Elamite campaigns and the difficulty in retaining control of conquered provinces--His change of title and assumption of divine rank--Survival of Semitic influence in Elam under Sumerian domination--Character of Dungi's Elamite administration--His reforms in the official weight-standards and the system of time-reckoning--Continuation of Dungi's policy by his successors--The cult of the reigning monarch carried to extravagant lengths--Results of administrative centralization when accompanied by a complete delegation of authority by the king--Plurality of offices and provincial misgovernment the principal causes of a decline in the power of Ur