**Mesopotamian King's Steps to Maintain Influence and Control**

The Mesopotamian kings were powerful rulers who exercised significant influence and control over their territories. They adopted several steps to maintain their authority and ensure the stability and prosperity of their kingdoms. Here are some of the key measures taken by Mesopotamian kings:

**1. Centralized Administration:** The kings established a centralized administrative system to effectively govern their kingdoms. They appointed officials and bureaucrats to handle various administrative tasks, such as tax collection, law enforcement, and infrastructure development. This allowed the kings to maintain control over key aspects of governance.

**2. Code of Laws:** One of the most notable achievements of Mesopotamian kings was the establishment of comprehensive legal codes. The most famous example is the Code of Hammurabi, enacted by King Hammurabi of Babylon. These legal codes provided a framework for maintaining social order, resolving disputes, and ensuring justice. They helped the kings maintain control by regulating the behavior of their subjects.

**3. Military Strength:** Mesopotamian kings recognized the importance of a strong military to maintain their influence and control. They invested in building and maintaining powerful armies to defend their territories and expand their empires. The kings led their troops in battle and often waged wars against neighboring kingdoms to assert their dominance.

**4. Economic Control:** Kings exercised control over the economy by implementing policies to ensure the prosperity of their kingdoms. They regulated trade, built irrigation systems, and encouraged agricultural production. The kings also controlled the distribution of resources, such as land and water, to maintain the loyalty of their subjects and prevent uprisings.

**5. Religious Authority:** Mesopotamian kings often claimed divine authority, portraying themselves as the intermediaries between the gods and the people. They performed religious rituals, built temples, and patronized the priesthood. By aligning themselves with the deities, the kings sought to legitimize their rule and strengthen their influence over the population.

**6. Public Works and Infrastructure:** Mesopotamian kings undertook major public works projects to improve the infrastructure of their kingdoms. They constructed monumental buildings, such as palaces and temples, and built irrigation systems to ensure a stable food supply. These projects not only enhanced the living conditions of their subjects but also showcased the wealth and power of the kings.

**7. Propaganda and Ideology:** Mesopotamian kings used propaganda to maintain their influence and control. They promoted their accomplishments and virtues through inscriptions, monuments, and royal propaganda. The kings also developed an ideology of monarchy, emphasizing their divine right to rule and their role as protectors of their people.

In conclusion, Mesopotamian kings employed various strategies to maintain their influence and control. Through centralized administration, legal codes, military strength, economic control, religious authority, public works, and propaganda, these rulers established and maintained their power over their kingdoms. Their actions shaped the history and culture of the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.