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