King Shu-Sin’s works and his political activities

Abstract

   The third dynasty era of Ur (The modern Sumerian era) is one of the important historical eras in Mesopotamia, which witnessed the end of the Sumerians political rule.

    This era is characterized by the prosperity of the Sumerian culture at all levels. During the rule of the first four kings of this era, the country witnessed remarkable cultural and economic growth, as well as political expansion and the emergence of their political, administrative, economic and urban role.

   The fourth king of this dynasty King Shu-Sin stood out as a  shrewd politician for his previous position. He followed the same policy of  the kings of the third dynasty of Ur. He was the son of a royal family, therefore, he ascended the throne for his noble and sacred attributes. He gave himself the sacred status on most of the dependent cities in Mesopotamia and Elam. Temples were built for his worship. Some of them were named after him and statues were dedicated to him.

     King Shu-Sin authority extended from the southern cities of Mesopotamia to Nineveh and Assyria to Simanum and the country of Zabshali. He adopted a policy of peace and war, defense and attack, to preserve the strength and continuity of the state. He followed the policy of intermarriage with the son of the king Simanum to maintain foreign relations.

   Shu-Sin can be considered the last Sumerian king. He laid the foundations of the state and maintained its borders, whether with the Elamites or the Amorites, which was a sign of its cultural and administrative prosperity and urban expansion.