Final answer:
Governance in cities historically led to problems, such as taxation, wealth accumulation, and external threats by attackers looking to plunder these wealthy settlements. This was seen in ancient Mesopotamia, Rome, the Mamluk Sultanate, and with the breakdown of Songhai and Kanem-Bornu, leading to the rise of competitive states and trade disruption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout history, the establishment of governance in cities has often become a source of major problems. For instance, in Mesopotamia, political leaders were chosen from priesthoods and warrior elites, imposing heavy taxes and labor demands on the populace. This centralized control led to wealth accumulation and consequently made these cities targets for external attacks by nomadic tribes or barbarians seeking plunder.
In ancient Rome, internal political strife and economic changes weakened the empire, making it vulnerable to external threats. The advent of the Sassanids in Persia posed a significant military challenge, while the growing organization and strength of barbarian groups near Rome's borders compounded the empire's difficulties. The soldiers' prolonged absences during the Punic Wars resulted in neglected family farms, often leading to their sale and an increase in Rome's landless proletariat.
Similarly, the Mamluk Sultanate faced instability because of the Mamluks' disdain for those who did not rise through the ranks as they had. This attitude often led to conflicts when sultans tried to establish their sons as heirs. In ancient Korea, chiefs of independent statelets sought external validation from commanderies through trade and status symbols, which could heighten internal competition and encourage economic development.
Finally, the downfall of Songhai and Kanem-Bornu and the rise of new polities also generated strife as rivalries escalated over trade, leading to disruptions in trans-Saharan commerce.