Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information. A. Although composed of very similar societies, Mesopotamian city-states were also characterized by conflicts among elites over trade, territory, and resources. B. City-states that shared a common language, status symbols, and economic systems were more likely to compete militarily than were other city-states. C. Most military conflicts among Mesopotamian city-states were about economic issues, such as territory or trade routes, but some were over the status symbols of elites. D. Despite the military control of elites, Mesopotamian city-states tended to compete with each other.