Ensi are the rulers of the city-states of Ishtar. The title is roughly akin to that of a local governor, albeit one who is given extremely wide latitude. Each ensi governs a city and the surrounding lands with the assistance of the city priesthood, with the position having both civic and religious aspects - they are simultaneously the leader of the city and the head of the temple to that city's deity. Ensi are elected from among the priesthood of the temples.
Above the ensi are the ensi-kingal, or high governors, chosen from amongst the ensi to oversee each of the four regions of Ishtar.
The term is also used to refer to local leaders in some parts of the Eastern Chaskan city-states and in other regions near Ishtar.