ensi

Examples of ensi in the following topics:

• Akkadian Government, Culture, and Economy

  • Traditionally, the ensi was the highest functionary of the Sumerian city-states.
  • In later traditions, one became an ensi by marrying the goddess Inanna, legitimizing the rulership through divine consent.
  • Initially, the monarchical lugal (lu = man, gal = great) was subordinate to the priestly ensi, and was appointed at times of troubles, but by later dynastic times, it was the lugal who had emerged as the preeminent role and had his own palace independent from the temple establishment.
  • Under Sargon, the ensis generally retained their positions, but were seen more as provincial governors.
  • Their sons, meanwhile, became provincial ensi governors in strategic locations.

• Lagash and the Third Dynasty of Ur

  • With the Akkadian conquest, Lagash lost its independence and its ruler or ensi becoming a vassal of Sargon of Akkad and his successors.
  • After the collapse of Sargon's state, Lagash again thrived under its independent kings (ensis), Ur-Bau and Gudea, and had extensive commercial communications with distant realms.

• Classification and Nomenclature

  • Their names are created by forming an adjective by joining the locality's name with the ending -ensis (m. or f.) or ense (n.) in agreement with the gender of the genus name, unless a classical Latin adjective exists for the place.

• The Mesopotamian Cultures

  • Sumerian cities during the Uruk period were probably theocratic and likely headed by priest-kings (ensis), assisted by a council of elders, including both men and women.

• The Akkadian Empire

  • He called himself "the anointed priest of Anu" and "the great ensi of Enlil. "