The First Triangular Trade
Trade was essential for resource-poor Sumer to meet the needs of this ancient society. The advance of agriculture industries in Sumer generated a surplus of grains, hence, allowing people to trade those surplus for goods that they needed from other cities, giving birth to professional traders. Northern Mesopotamia was very agricultural due to its rich and fertile soils, timber, and minerals, while southern Mesopotamia did not have many resources and became more industrial and trade-centered. Traders visited each city-state and other areas along the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, enabling the smooth transition of goods and precious metals such as gold.
Sumerian city-states built trade routes not only within themselves but also with foreign partners. The Island of Dilmun, located in present-day Bahrain, played a vital role as a Sumerian foreign trade hub. Sumerian traders spread through the ancient world from Ethiopia and Egypt to Anatolia and India through Dilmun and other trade routes. Traders used both land routes and sea routes.
Mesopotamia is one of the six cradles of civilizations, as mentioned before. Egypt and Indus Valley are the other two cradles of civilization. Each area had its own resources. Mesopotamia was known for its affluence with timber, minerals, and stones. Egypt received resources such as grain and cotton. It was especially famous for papyrus, which ancient people used as a writing surface made from the papyrus plant’s pith. The Indus Valley had minerals and gemstones such as gold, silver, and other precious stones. Trade went through from Africa to Arabia and India and satisfied each civilization, creating a vast trade triangle.
The Sumerian invention of the wheel also boosted international trade. Riding on wheeled vehicles such as chariots made the long-distance transportation much easier and quicker.
A Tale of Two Cities: Lagash and Umma
Trade was a key factor in Mesopotamian society. Cities required direct access to two rivers and lands with plenty of resources for the smooth trade system. Access to the water was a prime matter for the Sumerian city-states, as water provided trade routes and irrigation for agriculture. As a result, conflicts broke out between city-states over the control of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers and the acquisition of resources.
One of the most infamous war in Sumerian history is the war between the city-state of Lagash and Umma. Since King Eannatum inherited the throne of Lagash around 2500 BCE, his primary goal was to secure Lagash with water supplies from regional conflicts, and the rivaling city-state of Umma came to his attention as the first threat. Umma is a city located northwest of Lagash, near the bank of water stream that diverged from the Tigris River. Umma held a geographical advantage over Lagash, for it was located in the upper part of the stream. Umma’s intervention on the flow of water could easily deplete Lagash’s water supply and impact its commerce.
The history of Sumer often shares the same body with Sumerian mythology and religion, for it was part of their life. Each city had its own patron god that embodied the city. Lagash had Ningirsu, a god of agriculture and hunting, while Umma held Sara, a god of war, as their patron. Lagash argued that Ningirsu, with the favor of Enlil, the chief god, assigned Lagash the region of Guedena, a fertile and watery region located between Umma and Lagash. Dominating Guedena would provide Lagash with access to an immense supply of water and the ability to exert influence upon Umma. However, Umma called upon their god, Sara, and asserted back that Lagash holds no power over Guedena. Two city-states at the brink of war asked for the city-state Kish, the strongest city of the era, to resolve the problem instead of going to war.
The King of Kish – the title of King of Kish meant “king of kings” – held a supreme position over Mesopotamia. Mesilim, King of Kish, decided that it would be best to build a stele that marks peace between two city-states. However, Mesilim believed that Enlil, the chief god, favors the stronger city, which was Lagash. Lagash was a powerhouse within Sumer with a strong army and a solid economy. Lagash was granted more land and water supplies, and this decision triggered Umma’s retaliation.
Ush, King of Umma, raised his army to retaliate against Lagash and gain his borders back. He marched to the plain of Guedena and destroyed the stele. Ush wished to place Guedena under Umma’s control again, but his army was later defeated by Lagash who had led army composed of troops from Lagash and its vessel city-states. As the record accords, “Ningirsu, the hero of Enlil…erected their burial mounds on the plain in that place”.
Lagash was the victor. Eannatum conquered Umma and expanded Lagash to the powerful territorial state. Eannatum’s ambition, however, did not end with Umma. Lagash campaigned against other city-states and expanded his power over all of Mesopotamia, including even Kish. The campaign was successful and would eventually establish the Lagash dynasty and make Lagash the most prominent state of all others, although the dynasty collapsed soon after. Eannatum’s dynasty was succeeded by Eannatum Il who was not able to control the rebellious Umma. Il, the successor of Umma’s royal lineage, rebelled against their oppressor. After years of rebellion, Il regained the city of Umma, leaving Lagash to decline from a dynasty to once again a city-state.
Although the dynasty fell, Lagash’s supremacy did survive and influenced Sumeria until Lugal-Zage-Si was crowned as ensi, the sacred priest king, of Umma. Lugal-Zage-Si was an ambitious king who sought unification of all Sumer. His campaign against other city-states gave Umma the dominion over major city-states like Kish, Ur, Uruk, and ultimately brought an end to Lagash’s supremacy, as he annexed the city of Lagash to his kingdom.