Akkadian Empire

Dedicatory inscription of Ur-Bau of Lagaš recording construction of the E-ninnu temple for Ninĝirsu — anchoring the pre-Gudean building history of Lagaš's chief cult site before the famous Gudea cylinders.

“(1) For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, the child born to Ninagala, made an eternal thing appear: he built and restored his E-ninnu-anzud-babbar.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000884/

“(i 1) For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, my master, I, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, the child born to Ninagala, chosen by Nanše in the heart, given strength by Ninĝirsu, called by a propitious name by Bau, given wisdom by Enki, who submits to the orders of Inana, the beloved slave of Lugal-Uruba, the beloved of Dumuzid-abzu, dug a pit ... kuš (deep). I sifted its earth as if (I were searching for) gems, carried around fire as if it were (to be made ritually) pure. I had (the temple) stand wide like a bull. I returned the earth into (the pit), constructed its ... foundation pit. On it I…”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001466/

Lists five temple-building projects by Ur-Bau of Lagaš — including E-ninnu for Ninĝirsu — fixing his reign as a major phase of sacred construction just before the Gutian period disrupted Sumerian urban life.

“(i 1) For Ninĝirsu, Enlil's powerful warrior, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, the child born to Ninagala, built his E-ninnu-anzud-babbar, (and) built his E-dura. (ii 5) For Bau, the kind woman, the child of An, he built her temple in Iri-kug. (iii 1) For Ninkugnuna he built her temple in Urub. (iii 4) For Enki, his master, he built his temple. (iii 8) For Ninagala, his personal god, he 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/Q001467/

“(1) To Igalim, his master, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, 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/Q001468/

“(1) To the protective spirit of Tarsirsir, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, the child born to Ninagala, dedicated this (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/Q001469/

“(1') ... Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, ... 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/Q001470/

“(i 1) To Bau, the child of An, Ur-Enlila, the ..., dedicated this (bowl) for the well-being of Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, and for the well-being of his own spouse and child.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001472/

Attests the title 'spouse of Nanna' for an en priestess of Lagaš under Ur-Bau, anchoring the sacred marriage institution in the Akkadian period a generation before the Ur III florescence.

“(1) En-Ane-pada, en priestess of Nanna, zirru priestess, Nanna's spouse, the child of Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš ...”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000885/