EnsÃ
Ensi (written EN.SI or PA.TE.SI ) is a local Sumerian title of prince. It means in the Old Sumerian period town prince or ruler of a city-state. The owner of the title Ensi subordinate to the higher-ranked En or Lugal.
Historical development of meaning
In the Early Dynastic period (about 2800-2350 BC ), the significance of the Sumerian title Ensi and Lugal not clearly differentiate. At times Uruk IV of Title En was usually performed in the context of the gods names, the later part of the ruler title Lugal added. The extension Ensi is possibly limited to Umma name of the city-states of the ruler, although designated as selbige Lugal. This fact indicates a vassalage towards Lagash. Later Ensi is subordinate usually called Lugal (German king, literally " Big Man "). However, certainly the most powerful ruler of the Second Dynasty of Lagash have (around 2100 BC ) is content with the title of ensi.
In the Ur III period (about 2100-2000 BC), ensi is used for the provincial governors of the empire. Although this had far-reaching powers for administrative, financial revenue and jurisdiction, but they were under the supervision of the King ( Lugal ) of Ur, which it established in the office and could move. Although the Ensi official could still be inherited, but the king was forced to testify for the succession. Each independent foreign policy activity and in particular the independent waging war were the provincial ensi prohibited ( Edzard 2004).
Etymology
The Sumerian etymology of Ensi is explained by de -si -k. s means lord, si ( g) plow land, arable land, the -k - that is occupied ensi in certain case of the word - is the Genitivsuffix ( Halloran 2006; see also Sumerian language, especially nominal design ). So en- si ( g) -k means "lord of the arable land ." From the Sumerian ensi -k has the Akkadian loanword iššiakkum "City, Prince of goods belehnter local official " developed ( with assimilation of / n / to / s / and / š / ).
Egyptian nzw from Sumerian ensi?
For a long time it was assumed that the Egyptian royal designation nzw ( vowels are not written in the Egyptian, the / z / indicates voiced / s / ) of Sumerian " ensi " is to be derived, which could indicate a close cultural connection of early Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Egyptians would have then taken these Sumerian rulers title. This assumption is confirmed by an article by Carsten Peust (2007). A consequence of this etymology would be that you would have to give up the existing translation of nzw with " King of Upper Egypt," and nzw simply as " ruler " or "king" is to be played (via Total Egypt).