1. Military Conquests and Warfare: The Sumerians engaged in territorial expansion and warfare with neighboring civilizations, such as the Akkadians and the Elamites. These conflicts often involved violence and bloodshed.
2. Tribute Demands and Forced Labor: Sumerian city-states sometimes imposed tribute demands on neighboring territories or weaker tribes. This could lead to rebellions and conflicts with heavy-handed enforcement. Additionally, there are indications of forced labor and slavery in ancient Sumerian society.
3. Religious Practices: Some religious rituals in ancient Sumerian society involved animal sacrifices, which could be perceived as acts of violence. Ritual mutilation and self-mortification were also practiced by certain religious groups.
4. Urban Riots and Social Unrest: Occasionally, discontent and social tensions within Sumerian cities would manifest in riots and outbreaks of violence. Economic crises, famines, and political struggles could lead to these instances of unrest.
5. Personal Vendetta and Bloodshed: As with any ancient civilization, there were instances of personal feuds, revenge killings, and bloodshed in Sumerian society. These acts of violence were not exclusive to Sumerians but were common features of early human civilizations.
It is important to note that these examples of violence and brutality do not represent the entirety of Sumerian culture and society. The Sumerians also made significant contributions to civilization in areas like mathematics, astronomy, literature, and architectural achievements.