Uruk, Chapters 3-5

In Chapters 3-5 of Uruk: The First City, Mario Liverani discusses a lot about the economic forces that allowed the city of Uruk to grow in population and expand in complexity. He points out the vital importance of the crop barley which was not only a source of food but a commodity used as money because of its abundance and ability to be preserved and stored. The other major important resource was sheep as they allowed for the production of wool, textiles, and ready made clothes. Liverani claims the supervision of this production was done by the central agency. His proposals have a lot to do with the regulation done by this central administration. The temple at the center of Uruk collected surpluses from the people and controlled the economy. But this creates the question of, how were they able to do so? How could they convince the average people to sacrifice the resources that they work so hard to produce?

Liverani argues that the answer to this question is simply ideology. A unified religious belief system that brings people together is what caused the temple to gain power through “ideological persuasion”. Liverani explains, “The extraction of resources was less painful if it was done for the benefit of a super-human entity endowed with superior powers and with functions that were essential for the survival of the community, than if it was done for the direct benefit of a chief, whom all could see to be human like everyone else.” Some may argue against Liverani’s claims because they make it seem like the common people were a bit too generous or too submissive to the temple. Also the temple did not seem to ever need to defend against any resistance from the common people who were giving up their own resources and labor, so this does not seem to add up. I tend to agree with Liverani’s conclusions about the effect of ideology, because I believe in the supreme power of psychology. It is important to note the historical context in which these events occurred. Six or seven thousand years ago, people were not as resistant to taxation or economic regulation as say a modern day American. This is mainly because they had no education and didn’t live in a world where they knew any better. Religion was also different. If they truly believed in whatever religion was being planted in them, then they would easily submit to the commands of a temple. In the ancient days religion was not just a system of moral values or traditions, it was a way of life, and it was exploited by some as a means to gain power.