Chapter 03 · 2334 – 2154 BCE

Akkadian Empire

Sargon brings rival city-states under imperial rule.

Illustration: A temple priestess and scribes working in an Akkadian-period courtyard
A temple courtyard at Ur, around 2300 BCE.

~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 029

“(1) For Nanše, the mighty lady, the lady of the boundaries, his lady, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, built her E-engur in Zulum.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000903/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 030

Dedicatory inscription from Gudea of Lagaš recording temple construction for Ninazu at Ĝirsu: evidence that this neo-Sumerian ruler maintained a personal divine patron distinct from the city-god Ningirsu.

“(1) For Ninazu, his personal god, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš built his temple in Ĝirsu.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001486/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 031

Attests Gudea's building of a temple for Nindara at Ĝirsu, adding one entry to the catalogue of his construction projects that defined Lagaš's late third-millennium religious landscape.

“(1) For Nindara, the mighty master, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, built his temple in Ĝirsu.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000904/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 032

“(1) For Nindara, the mighty master, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, built his beloved temple, the E-lalde in Kieša.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001487/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 033

“(1) To Nindara, the mighty master, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, the builder of the E-sirara, Nanše's temple, dedicated this (mace) for his well-being.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000905/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 034

“(1) To Nindara, the mighty master, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, dedicated this (mace/bowl) for his well-being.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000906/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 035

“(1) For Nindub, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, built his temple.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000907/

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~2130 BCE · Reconstructed composite — see ORACC entry for manuscript witnesses

Gudea 036

“(1) To Ninegala, the lady of the scepter, his lady, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, dedicated this (vessel) for his well-being.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001488/

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