The almost constant wars among the Sumerian city-states for 2000 years helped to develop the military technology and techniques of Sumer to a high level. The first war recorded in any detail was between Lagash and Umma in c. 2525 BC on a stele called the Stele of the Vultures. It shows the king of Lagash leading a Sumerian army consisting mostly of infantry. The infantrymen carried spears, wore copper helmets, and carried rectangular shields. The spearmen are shown arranged in what resembles the phalanx formation, which requires training and discipline; this implies that the Sumerians may have made use of professional soldiers. COUNT 5
QSN1 What contributed to developing military technology for Sumer? ANS1 almost constant wars QSN2 How many years were the Sumerian city-states at war? ANS2 2000 years QSN3 Who was the first war between in 2525 BC? ANS3 Lagash and Umma QSN4 What did the king of Lagash's army mostly consist of? ANS4 infantry QSN5 What shape were the shields of the infantry of Lagash? ANS5 rectangular