Ensi (cuneiform:𒑐𒋼𒋛pa.te.siSumerian:ensik, "lord of the plowland";Emesal dialect:umunsik;Akkadian:iššakkum)[1][2] was aSumerian title designating the ruler or prince of acity-state. Originally it may have designated an independent ruler, but in later periods the title presupposed subordinance to alugal.
For theEarly Dynastic Period (about 2800–2350 BC), the meaning of the titlesen, ensi and lugal cannot be differentiated clearly: seelugal, ensi and en for details. Ensi may have originally been a designation of the ruler restricted toLagash andUmma.[3] Theensi was considered a representative of the city-state's patron deity.[4] In later periods, an ensi was normally seen as subordinate to a lugal. Nevertheless, even the powerful rulers of the Second Dynasty of Lagash (c. 2100 BC) such asGudea were satisfied with the title ensi.
During theThird Dynasty of Ur (about 2100–2000 BC) ensi referred to the provincial governors of the kingdom. These exercised great powers in terms of government, tax revenue and jurisdiction, but they were supervised, installed, and dismissed by the lugal ofUr. Although the office could be inherited, all ensi had to be endorsed by the lugal. No independent foreign policy or warfare was allowed.[5]
In thecity-state of Assur, the hereditary ruler bore the Akkadian-language version of the title ensi, while the patron deity was regarded asšarrum "king".
They held most political power in Sumerian city-states during theUruk period (c. 4100–2900 BC).[6]
.svg)
