Uruk, Ur, and Lagash were the major cities in Ancient Mesopotamia. Among them, Uruk was the most important one. It was founded by King Enmerkar sometime around 4500 BC. It was probably the largest city in the world at that time. The city was famous for its large monuments including temples and palaces. Uruk is famous for its great king Gilgamesh. It was the centre of trade and administration.
Ur was another important Sumerian city state around 3800 BC. Ur possessed great wealth and the people there enjoyed life more than the other Mesopotamian cities. The city of Ur reached the heights of its glory under King Ur-Nammu in around 2100 BC. The city was abandoned after 500 BC.
Another Sumerian city, Lagash was founded in 5200 BC. It was a culturally vibrant city till 3500 BC. Lagash was endowed with many temples. The most famous monument in Lagash was the Stele of the Vultures, which was erected to celebrate the victory of King Eannatum over the neighbouring state of Umma. The city was once the seat of Sumerian art.