How did Sumerian writers explain changes in the fortunes of kings and states?

Sumerian writers and scribes viewed the fortunes of kings and states as inextricably linked to the will and favor of the gods. Because the Mesopotamian worldview held that all human affairs were divinely ordered, the rise and fall of political powers were interpreted through a theological lens rather than a secular one.12

• Divine Favor and Agency: Kings were considered the human agents of the gods, and their military or political successes were attributed to divine support. Conversely, the destruction of a city or the collapse of a dynasty was often explained as the result of the gods deserting their temples and withdrawing their protection.123
• Omens and Revelations: Scribes meticulously recorded omens, as it was believed the gods revealed their intentions through signs, dreams, or the reading of entrails. Major state undertakings were dependent on these divine directives; failure was often interpreted as a consequence of ignoring or falling out of favor with the divine assembly.415
• Lamentations: In compositions like the Lament for the Destruction of Ur, the collapse of a state was depicted as a deliberate decision by the gods, such as Anu and Enlil, to abandon the city, leaving it vulnerable to defeat.3

Would you like to explore how these religious interpretations influenced the way Sumerian kings recorded their own history?