In comparison of the two readings Crone, Pre-Industrial societies and the selection from Oppert The Annals of Sargon we can see what political role of Sargon and his rise to Kingdom to see if Sargon fits the rules for a complex human society as outlined in Crone’s document. Sargon is as identified as “the great King, the powerful King, King of the legions, King of Assyria, Viceroy of the gods at Babylon, King of the Sumers and of the Accads, favorite of the great gods.” (Oppert pg1, 1) This context is key to explaining the mentality behind Sargon as a powerful leader or even as far as an arrogant leader, or someone who has an egotistical mentality. “The gods ASSUR, NEBO, and MERODACH have conferred on me the royalty of the nations, and they have
…show more content…
Sargon is shown in positive light after capturing and pillaging villages, Ullusun left in fear so he wouldn’t be captured, which resulted in Sargon being generous and not only sparing his life but rewarding him for surrendering essentially. Sargon seemed to be the type of leader to gain respect by ruling towns and villages without the need of slaughtering the population, instead Sargon was the kind of ruler who installed his own government that over arched the other existing settlements. This in fact supports Crone’s theory of a complex society. “...but need a formal leader to coordinate your activities vis-à-vis dangerous outsiders: you elect a chief. Your chief might be able to go on producing his own food. But if his official duties were too time-consuming for him to engage in food production, how would you live?” (Crone pg 2, 5). Sargon is a leader who probably doesn’t administrate everything directly, so Sargon employs an army and most likely generals to lead that army for him. Sargon is essentially just a figurehead who is the direct face of his civilization which in turn is a complex society vs a simplistic
Sargon is shown in positive light after capturing and pillaging villages, Ullusun left in fear so he wouldn’t be captured, which resulted in Sargon being generous and not only sparing his life but rewarding him for surrendering essentially. Sargon seemed to be the type of leader to gain respect by ruling towns and villages without the need of slaughtering the population, instead Sargon was the kind of ruler who installed his own government that over arched the other existing settlements. This in fact supports Crone’s theory of a complex society. “...but need a formal leader to coordinate your activities vis-à-vis dangerous outsiders: you elect a chief. Your chief might be able to go on producing his own food. But if his official duties were too time-consuming for him to engage in food production, how would you live?” (Crone pg 2, 5). Sargon is a leader who probably doesn’t administrate everything directly, so Sargon employs an army and most likely generals to lead that army for him. Sargon is essentially just a figurehead who is the direct face of his civilization which in turn is a complex society vs a simplistic