Royal Titles from the Mesopotamian Periphery

Abstract

Much attention is currently lavished on the roles of the Mesopotamian core area relative to those of the periphery which surrounded it in a great arc. The periphery drew much of its cultural inspiration from the core, but not in any kind of monolithic way: present indications are that it was more often open to influence from what might be termed “Akkadian” than “Sumerian” traditions. In matters of script, language, calendar, legal terminology and numerous other features, it seems to have perpetuated innovations ultimately going back to Sargonic rule or inspiration. But it is equally clear that the direction of influence was not exclusively outward from the core to the periphery. As the example of the geographical atlas of the Ancient Near East attested at Ebla and at Abū Salābīk has already shown, it sometimes went the other way. The case of the royal titulary may provide a further example of the influence of the periphery on the Mesopotamian core. Twenty-five years ago, I studied the evolution of the royal titulary in essentially historical terms, as I attempted to date the first appearance of each royal title within Mesopotamia. Only occasional suggestions were offered for the possible prehistory of some titles outside Mesopotamia. These suggestions can now be followed up and expanded in the light of additional data.

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