Ku-Bau, (first woman ruler on record) is 100 years old - on good days. Young Atur, an ambitious foundling desperate to free himself from rituals of temple palm gardening, recklessly claims a place in the hectic court that Meshem, Queen Ku-Bau's favorite, longs fiercely to escape. Atur and Meshem are at odds and in love, while city wars on city, a dynasty falls, Sumer's wealth is looted and a new warrior king arises.