Uruk: 3-5

Liverani then talks about the crucial pieces to the economy of Uruk, barley and wool. These were simple basic resources were the crucial to the growth of Uruk. Barely was used as something to barter with because it was easy and cheap to produce. The saline resist of the crop makes it easy to plant unlike wheat, which requires a lot of energy to grow especially because it demands good conditions in order to grow. In Uruk, the salinity of the Euphrates fluctuates so growing wheat would be too difficult and so barely becomes the best and the easiest crop to grow. With the inventions of sickles, plows, long fields, and threshers, growing barely became easier and easier. Also growing sheep was useful as it provided as a means for both clothing and food. They were easy to herd and maintain, which made them ideal livestock to raise. With such abundance of crops and livestock, Uruk was in a prime position to grow in population as well as popularity. The grow of Uruk created mass production of goods. Using the ubiquitous clay, workers can craft them quickly and easily into bowls and other tools to provide for the growing population as well as tools for export. The surplus of these goods in addition to food made Uruk in a position to trade for other goods such as metals and precious stones.

The question of how the the administration of Uruk was able to control the surpluses and using them for the better of the city remains unanswered. Liverani answers it by saying that the services were given to the people in exchange for their skills or surpluses. The central government would provide for them, such as protection (from barbarians), roads, canals, and other public works. With the central government in possession of the goods, they were able to use it for the better of the city. By trading with other cities for their goods, Uruk was able to grow as a dominant trade force bringing exotic, foreign goods to its people.

Another question of how Uruk was able to stay cohesive since the people gave up their power to the central administration. The answer, according to Liverani, is the divinity that exists in the cities. There is a common cause and belief that brings the people together. That common ideology of religion made the people come together and create a common purpose to give their possessions for the common good of the city. The unity that religion brings shows the cohesive force that brings people together and makes the city of Uruk a powerhouse.

However, due to the wealth and fortune of the city from the surpluses, the leaders of Uruk started to use that wealth for personal benefit rather than communal growth. The selfish rule of the leaders showed how the trust system between the people and the rulers was tipped unequally. Also the pressure of growing to large caused the structure of the city harder to maintain. So with the failing structure both politically and economically.

The city of Uruk became a powerhouse because of its revolutionary use of surplus and resources. The advances in technology and the cooperations of the different people allowed Uruk to grow. However, that same structure caused the downfall of Uruk. The difficulty of maintaining a steady food supply for a growing city caused problems in maintaining the city. Also, the corruption of the leaders cause civil disorder and brought the city down. The combined problems caused the downfall of the first city.