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Map of the Third Dynasty of Ur
This map illustrates the rise of the Sumerian city-state of Ur following the collapse of the Akkadian Empire (reign: circa 2334 - 2154 BCE). In the aftermath of political fragmentation and regional instability, Ur emerged as a leading center of power in southern Mesopotamia. This period, often referred to as the Sumerian Renaissance, marked a revival of Sumerian cultural identity, political organization, and literary production.
Under Ur-Namma (reign: circa 2112 - 2095 BCE), founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur (circa 2050 - 1950 BCE), and his successor Shulgi (reign: circa 2094 - 2047 BCE), the Ur III state unified much of Mesopotamia under a centralized bureaucracy. They introduced standardized administrative systems, promoted large-scale temple construction, and supported artistic and intellectual achievements. Ur-Namma’s law code (circa 2100–2050 BCE)—one of the oldest known—reflected early efforts at codified justice. This era marks the final chapter of native Sumerian rule before Mesopotamia entered a new phase of Semitic political dominance.
