Who did sumerians think owned their cities?

The Sumerians believed that their cities were owned by the gods, who were seen as the ultimate rulers and protectors of the land. Each city-state had its own patron deity, and the people viewed themselves as servants of these gods. Temples were central to city life, serving as both religious and administrative centers, reinforcing the idea that the divine presence governed their lives and cities. Thus, the relationship between the Sumerians and their gods was foundational to their social and political structure.