Final answer:
The Mesopotamians used the term 'tribute' to signify a gift from the king, often part of a sophisticated system of international trade and diplomacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mesopotamians had a word for tribute, but it meant a gift from their all-powerful king. Mesopotamian society, especially during the Old Assyrian period, relied on a complex system of trade and diplomatic relationships. Vital resources like stone, timber, and metal ores were procured in large quantities from distant locations through the flow of goods in the form of tribute payments. Additionally, Assyrian merchants traveled extensively to trade valuable goods such as copper, tin, and textiles. This was part of a sophisticated economic system that not only included trade but also encompassed gift-giving and bartering within a nuanced diplomatic and social framework.