Mesopotamia is considered the plain area between the Tigris and the Euphrates, located in their lower and middle reaches. The center of development of the most ancient civilization was located in the southern part of this territory – in ancient Babylonia. Northern Babylonia was called Akkad, and southern Babylonia was called Sumer. With the emergence of the first peoples and the formation of states, the first rulers laid the foundations of society and its government. In an attempt to unite and control the people, the rulers took various actions that either extolled them in the people’s eyes or, on the contrary, alienated them and caused censure.
However, one can observe the sad consequences of the principle of uniting peoples by force of arms and the forcible creation of patchwork empires. Having united the cities of Mesopotamia under a single mandate of the kingdom of Akkad, the politics of Sargon I was not loyal. Increased exploitation of slaves and multiple wars to conquer more territories led to massive discontent with the government and numerous uprisings, which the ruler’s son had to cope with.
There were also rulers who, unlike their predecessors, not only conquered enemies by force of arms but also reconciled them and attracted various peoples to their side. The Sixth King of Babylon, Hammurabi, is known for entering into agreements with enemy neighbors, instead of making wars with them (Xianhua, 2019). Not to lose power and expand his sphere of influence in the future, Hammurabi decided to enlist the support of his subjects and the population from the beginning of his reign. For this, the king forgave the Babylonians of all previous debts and arrears. This manner of government was for the good of both the ruler and the people, the ruler enlisted the support of his people and among them, such a policy aroused more trust and respect.
Reference
Xianhua, W. (2019). State and Empire in Early Mesopotamia. Social Evolution and History, 18(1), 195-216.