Abstract:

Since the first city-states established in Mesopotamia, grains are the most basic comestibles that determine the political and economic process. Grain famine, which emerged due to natural and political factors, led to the collapse of states. B.C. The 4.2 kiloyear event that started around 2200 BC caused the geographical structure of Mesopotamia to change. The migrations that followed this climate event also changed the political structure of Mesopotamia. The settled and nomadic societies in northern Mesopotamia migrated south due to extreme droughts. Although the societies in Southern Mesopotamia continued to use the river resources for a while, agricultural lands became aridity due to salinization as a result of continuous irrigation with river waters and grain famine occurred. It is seen that these famines continued during the establishment of the Third Dynasty of Ur. In order to prevent famines, agricultural lands were fallow and drainage systems were developed. However, the population pressure that emerged in the cities due to the continued Amorites migrations required continuous cultivation on agricultural lands. With these grain famines in the Third Dynasty of Ur, the tax system was broken, the rations could not be paid with barley, and the number of livestock offered as offerings to temples decreased. In addition, as a result of the overvaluation of barley against silver, the supply-demand balance deteriorated and the kingdom collapsed economically. After these developments, Elam attacks started and some cities affiliated to the kingdom declared their independence. As a result of all these events, the Third Dynasty of Ur collapsed.

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