Why were mobile animal herders not necessarily a threat to town life?
Mobile animal herders were not necessarily a threat to town life because there was mutual economic dependence between the two groups. Herders needed to exchange young animals, cheese, leather, and meat for grain and metal tools from settled communities. Additionally, the manure of penned flocks was of great use to farmers for agriculture.
Furthermore, herders contributed positively to town life by working as harvest labourers and hired soldiers. Many herders even became prosperous and settled down permanently in agricultural areas. The Mesopotamian society was open to different people and cultures, and this intermixture brought vitality to the civilization rather than posing a threat.
Explanation
The textbook context highlights the symbiotic relationship between herders and settled communities. While conflicts could arise, the economic interdependence (exchange of goods and manure) and the useful roles herders played (labourers, soldiers) made them valuable contributors. The kings of Mari allowed herders to move within the kingdom under watch, and many herding groups like the Akkadians, Amorites, and Assyrians eventually settled and even established rule, enriching Mesopotamian civilization.