---
title: Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III)
author: Trustees of the British Museum
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/306/third-dynasty-of-ur-ur-iii/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III)

_Authored by Trustees of the British Museum_

Following the collapse of the Agade [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/), the centre of power in southern [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/) shifted to the [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Uruk](https://www.worldhistory.org/uruk/) and [Ur](https://www.worldhistory.org/ur/). The governor of Ur, [Ur-Nammu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ur-Nammu/), established a dynasty which came to dominate the other cities of the region, and whose territory stretched east into Iran. Under his successor, Shulgi, the empire was consolidated and centralised.

 Shulgi was named as a [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) in many ancient documents. This gave him great power and followed a tradition established by the earlier rulers of Agade. He was succeeded by Amar-Sin and Shu-Sin, under whom many of the communication and supply routes across the empire were disrupted by groups of pastoralists (Amorites). This situation reached crisis point under the next ruler, Ibbi-Sin. With reduced supplies the empire was unable to effectively confront an attack by the Elamites from the east; Ur was destroyed and Ibbi-Sin was taken into exile.

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## Bibliography

- [British Museum - Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III)](http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/t/third_dynasty_of_ur_ur_iii.aspx "British Museum -  Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III)"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Museum, T. o. t. B. (2012, January 09). Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III). *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/article/306/third-dynasty-of-ur-ur-iii/>
### Chicago
Museum, Trustees of the British. "Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III)." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 09, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/article/306/third-dynasty-of-ur-ur-iii/>.
### MLA
Museum, Trustees of the British. "Third Dynasty of Ur (Ur III)." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Jan 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/article/306/third-dynasty-of-ur-ur-iii/>.

## License & Copyright

© Trustees of the [British Museum](http://www.britishmuseum.org/). Republished under the British Museum [Standard Terms of Use](http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/terms_of_use.aspx) for non-profit educational purposes. Original article by **Trustees of the British Museum**. Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 09 January 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.