A History of Ancient Near Eastern Law

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2.4 The Administration

Although the sources are restricted to the public sector, it is possi-

ble to discern fairly clearly, in addition to the central authority, the

different political and administrative situation prevailing in the core

provinces of the empire and in the outlying regions.

2.4.1 The Central Authority

The seat of government was doubtless at Nippur, where the king

most frequently resided. Not a great deal is known about the cen-

tral administration, however, since we do not have its own archives.

2.4.1.1 The highest official was the sukkal-ma¢, the “grand vizier”—

a sort of prime minister or chancellor—whose exact role is not well

understood. Directly below the king, he had wide powers in both

civilian and military matters, in particular as regards the lands on

the eastern border of the empire. It is at least in this sphere that

we can follow the career of Arad-Nanna (also known as Arad-mu),

whose father and grandfather had been sukkal-ma¢before him and

who, from the reign of Shu-Suen, was at the same time sukkal-ma¢,

civil governor (ensik) and military governer (“agina) of several east-

ern provinces of the empire.^21 In particular, he was in charge of the

major network of peripatetic officials (sukkal) who were sent through-

out the country on missions and who exercised authority in many

different fields.

2.4.1.2 Another high official, whose honorific title was “great cup-

bearer” (zabar-dab 5 ), was likewise a key figure in the central admin-

istration. He is known mostly from the Drehem archive and his real

area of responsibility seems to have been the religious and cultic

affairs of the empire. Like the sukkal-ma¢ Arad-Nanna, he could

combine this function with the office of provincial governor (ensik).^22

2.4.1.3 From this central power a hierarchical organization spreads

outward and downward, consisting of officials who took personal

responsibility for their acts by way of their signature (in the form of

(^21) Sallaberger, “Ur-III-Zeit.. .,” 188–90; Huber, “La Correspondance.. .,” 195–97.
(^22) Sallaberger, “Ur-III-Zeit.. .,” 187–88.
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