Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: Nippur never enjoyed political hegemony in its own right , but its control was crucial , as it was considered capable of conferring the overall `` kingship '' on monarchs from other city-states .
Simplified: Nippur was always part of a larger empire . Its control was crucial , as it gave overall ` kingship ' to monarchs from other city-states .