As  the  power  of  this  priest-king  grew,  his  own  tribal
allegiance  was  severed  and  the  colony  became  the
germ  of  a  new  tribe,  or  a  **  kingdom."  Gentes  and
phratries  multiplied;  suburban  cities  were  platted
and  colonies  were  organised.  In  addition  to  such
natural  growth,  it  was  not  uncommon  for  one  city
to  conquer  its  neighbour.  Then  a  priest-king  often
became  the  ruler  of  a  group  of  cities,  forming  a  mili-


494  History  of  Ancient  Peoples.        [Part  iv

tary  confederacy.  Thus  his  attention  would  be
largely  occupied  with  political  affairs,  the  religious
function  of  his  office  being  relegated  to  a  specially
appointed  priest.  The  patriarch  then  would  be
**  king  *'  over  a  small  territory.
3.  Ancient  Mesopotamia  contained  a  dozen  or
more  of  these  petty  **  kingdoms'*  with  capitals  at
Erech,  Calneh,  Accad,  Babylon,  and  other  cities.
