Renting and tenancy in Mesopotamia and Anatolia (BC III - BC II. Millennium)

The concept of rent holds significant importance in ancient societies much like in contemporary times, exerting a pronounced influence across social, governmental, economic, and commercial spheres. This concept has facilitated the development of relations between the state and its populace in ancient societies, offering a rational solution to the accessibility issues among social classes, thus occupying a pivotal position within the historical context. Texts on leasing and tenancy have been subject to various classifications based on their content. They encompass the rental of individuals across diverse classes such as laborers, soldiers, carriers, shepherds, artisans, and slaves; as well as the leasing of lands, houses, dwellings, agricultural animals, transportation animals, and tools. This study delves into the temporal and typological variations of the concept of rent, scrutinizing them within the framework of the unique characteristics of the respective epochs.