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The Ideology of Power its development and manifestations from the mid to late third millennium BC in southern Mesopotamia

Bellamy, Y; (2013) The Ideology of Power its development and manifestations from the mid to late third millennium BC in southern Mesopotamia. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The aim of this research is two-fold. Firstly, to evaluate Jacobsen’s views on early political progress in southern Mesopotamia regarding his definition of the office and responsibilities of rulers, his image of ‘charismatic kingship’ and warring city-states in the late ED period and its formative impact on the rise of the Akkadian empire. This evaluation will be based on the analysis of the corpus of current relevant archaeological evidence but using only primary documentary sources. Secondly, using the analyses as a basis, to examine and trace the development of the ideology of power in the late Early Dynastic and Akkadian periods. The first section of the work contains discussions on the sources and analyses of those sources. They comprise primary documentary sources for both periods including rulers’ inscriptions, archives, land tenure documents, seals and seal impressions together with an overview of the archaeological sites from which the majority of evidence comes. The second section uses the analyses and evidence mapping to explore rulers’ level of involvement in the political, judicial, military, religious/cultic and the administrative and economic spheres of activity as outlined in Jacobsen’s definition of the rulers’ office and responsibilities. This evidence is summarised and then discussed with regard to the extent to which the primary sources support Jacobsen’s views. The final section again uses the analyses and evidence mapping to identify areas of ruler involvement in social power and how that power is institutionalised. This includes ruler activities in administrative and economic management, such as authoritative structures, their positioning and imagery as victorious leaders, monumental construction, ceremonial activities and their use of symbolic objects. It examines and traces continuity and change and hence development in the extent and expression of rulers' economic and military powers, social relationships and the symbolism and communication of their ideology between the late ED cities, where practicable, and between the late ED and Akkadian periods.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: The Ideology of Power its development and manifestations from the mid to late third millennium BC in southern Mesopotamia
Language: English
Additional information: Permission for digitisation not received.
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of History
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1389936
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