This list covers the earliest attested Sumerian armies until the accession of Sargon of Akkad and the creation of the first historical empire. At the start of the period, intercity warfare was endemic and cities were surrounded by thick mud-brick walls and contained large palaces and temples. Wars were thought of as between the gods of the rival cities represented by their armies. Some proto-cuneiform texts list large bodies of archers under military officers. After 2800 BC, the bulk of Sumerian armies were close-order foot with long spears held in both hands and without shields, relying instead on thick capes of leather or felt studded with copper discs. The leather was often dyed red or green and the felt would be buff or off- white. From about 2500 BC, large body shields were carried; either by separate shield-bearers leaving the spearmen’s hands free, or by the spearmen themselves. In battle, the spearmen were preceded by unshielded skirmishers using bows, slings or javelins. Household guards of the northern state of Kish used heavy broad-headed axes and so a Kish general’s element can be Blade. Umma and Apishal used Martu mercenaries after 2500 BC. Four-wheeled battle cars drawn by four asses came into use about 2800 BC and are classed as HCh because of their lack of manoeuvrability. A few handier 1-man straddle cars (like a chariot but with legs astride a saddle) or flat-bed platform cars were sometimes used by generals or scouts. Animals were usually hybrids of domestic asses and the wild onager (which was larger but less tractable, having an awkward ability to kick sideways as powerfully as to the rear). Sumerian armies are depicted on the “Standard of Ur” in the British Museum and the “Stele of the Vultures” in the Louvre. The “Great Revolt” against Akkad entered mythology following Naram-Suen’s victory in 9 epic battles in a single year. The army represents both the southern coalition under Lugal-Anne of Ur and the northern coalition under Ipkhur-Kishi of Kish. The third rebel alliance appears under the Zagros Highlanders list. References: Armies of the Ancient Near East N. Stillman & N. Tallis, Warfare in the Ancient Near East to 1600BC W. J. Hamblin, Ur of the Chaldees C.L. Wooley, Cambridge Ancient History Vol.1 Part 2.
— Early Sumerian Army 3000 BC - 2800 BC
I/1 — EARLY SUMERIAN 3000 BC - 2334 BC & THE “GREAT REVOLT” CIRCA 2250 BC
I/4 — ZAGROS & ANATOLIAN HIGHLAND 3000 BC - 950 BC
I/5 — EARLY SUSIANA & ELAM 3000 BC - 800 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
I/4 — ZAGROS & ANATOLIAN HIGHLAND 3000 BC - 950 BC
I/5 — EARLY SUSIANA & ELAM 3000 BC - 800 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
— Early Sumerian Army 2799 BC - 2334 BC
I/11 — AKKADIAN 2334 BC - 2193 BC & THIRD DYNASTY OF UR 2112 BC - 2004 BC
I/1 — EARLY SUMERIAN 3000 BC - 2334 BC & THE “GREAT REVOLT” CIRCA 2250 BC
I/4 — ZAGROS & ANATOLIAN HIGHLAND 3000 BC - 950 BC
I/5 — EARLY SUSIANA & ELAM 3000 BC - 800 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
I/9 — EARLY SYRIAN 2700 BC - 2200 BC
I/4 — ZAGROS & ANATOLIAN HIGHLAND 3000 BC - 950 BC
I/5 — EARLY SUSIANA & ELAM 3000 BC - 800 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
I/9 — EARLY SYRIAN 2700 BC - 2200 BC
— Great Sumerian Revolt Army 2250 BC
I/11 — AKKADIAN 2334 BC - 2193 BC & THIRD DYNASTY OF UR 2112 BC - 2004 BC
I/10 — MELUKHKHAN & PRE-VEDIC INDIAN 2700 BC - 1500 BC
I/4 — ZAGROS & ANATOLIAN HIGHLAND 3000 BC - 950 BC
I/5 — EARLY SUSIANA & ELAM 3000 BC - 800 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
I/9 — EARLY SYRIAN 2700 BC - 2200 BC