Final answer:
The Akkadian Empire ended the era of independent city-states in Mesopotamia by imposing centralized authority and bringing economic stability. After its collapse, social disintegration and the rise of new empires prevented the city-states from reasserting their independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The End of Independent City-States in Mesopotamia
The rise of the Akkadian Empire under Sargon of Akkad marked the end of the era of independent city-states in Mesopotamia. Around 2300 BCE, Sargon managed to conquer the Sumerian city-states as well as surrounding regions, thereby creating a centralized authority that had not existed prior to his rule. The empire brought with it not only a centralized authority but also economic stability and technological advancements that made a return to the old system of city-states less feasible. Moreover, after the empire's collapse, the region experienced The End of Independent City-States in Mesopotamia
significant social disintegration, making it difficult for the city-states to reassert their independence.
The geopolitical landscape had changed dramatically with the emergence of the Akkadian Empire, and this change persisted even after its decline. The subsequent periods saw continued transformations, including the Neo-Assyrian Empire's rise and fall. These empires employed various techniques, including intelligence-gathering on their rivals, which further cemented their control and hindered the reemergence of independent city-states.
Following the Late Bronze Age Collapse, which led to widespread social and economic turmoil across the eastern Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, the region entered a new era. This transition made it difficult for the once-independent city-states to regain their former status, especially in the face of new, more technologically sophisticated empires that had learned to govern extensive territories and manage diverse populations effectively.