predecessor, who centuries previously erected the particular temple that he himself has piously restored.  A reckoning of this kind, however, cannot always be regarded as absolutely correct.  It must be compared with and tested by other records, for in these ancient days calculations were not unfrequently based on doubtful inscriptions, or mere oral traditions, perhaps.  Nor can implicit trust be placed on every reference to historical events, for the memoried deeds of great rulers were not always unassociated with persistent and cumulative myths.  It must be recognized, therefore, that even portions of the data which had of late been sifted and systematized by Oriental scholars in Europe, may yet have to be subjected to revision.  Many interesting and important discoveries, which will throw fresh light on this fascinating early period, remain to be made in that ancient and deserted land, which still lies under the curse of the Hebrew prophet, who exclaimed:  “Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.  It shall never be inhabited; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.  But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.  And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses and dragons in their pleasant palaces."[146]

The curtain rises, as has been indicated, after civilization had been well advanced.  To begin with, our interests abide with Akkad, and during a period dated approximately between 3000 B.C. and 2800 B.C., when Egypt was already a united kingdom, and the Cretans were at the dawn of the first early Minoan period, and beginning to use bronze.  In Kish Sumerian and Akkadian elements had apparently blended, and the city was the centre of a powerful and independent government.  After years have fluttered past dimly, and with them the shadow-shapes of vigorous rulers, it is found that Kish came under the sway of the pronouncedly Semitic city of Opis, which was situated “farthest north” and on the western bank of the river Tigris.  A century elapsed ere Kish again threw off the oppressor’s yoke and renewed the strength of its youth.

The city of Kish was one of the many ancient centres of goddess worship.  The Great Mother appears to have been the Sumerian Bau, whose chief seat was at Lagash.  If tradition is to be relied upon, Kish owed its existence to that notable lady, Queen Azag-Bau.  Although floating legends gathered round her memory as they have often gathered round the memories of famous men, like Sargon of Akkad, Alexander the Great, and Theodoric the Goth, who became Emperor of Rome, it is probable that the queen was a prominent historical personage.  She was reputed to have been of humble origin, and to have first achieved popularity and influence as the keeper of a wine shop.  Although