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

Ur-Bau 13

Dedicatory inscription naming En-Ane-pada, en-priestess of Nanna and daughter of Ur-Bau of Lagaš: direct epigraphic evidence linking the ruling dynasty to the moon-god's cult in the generation before Gudea.

“(1) En-Ane-pada, en priestess of Nanna, 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/Q000886/

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

Ur-GAR 1

“(1) To Šul-šagana, the beloved child of Ninĝirsu, her master, Ninkagina, the child of Kakug, (Ur-ĝar's) spouse, ... this (mace) for the well-being of Ur-ĝar, 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/Q001574/

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

Ur-GAR 2

“(ii 1) To ..., ..., child of Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, dedicated this (female statuette) for the well-being of Ur-ĝar, ruler of Lagaš, and also for her own 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/Q001575/

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

Ur-GAR 3

“(i 1) To the protective spirit of ..., his lady, ..., the scribe, child of Puta, the overseer, dedicated this (statue) for the well-being of Ur-ĝar, ruler of Lagaš, and also for his own 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/Q001576/

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

Ur-Ningirsu 1

“(1) Ur-Ninĝirsu, (also called?) En-me-zid-ana, the šennu priest, the beloved en priest of Nanše.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001916/

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

Ur-Ningirsu 2

“(1) Ur-Ninĝirsu, (also called?) En-me-zid-ana, the šennu priest, the beloved en priest of Nanše.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001009/

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

Ur-Ningirsu I 1

“(1) For Ninmarki, the kind woman, the first-born child of Nanše, Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš built her E-munus-gisa.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001459/

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

Ur-Ningirsu I 2

“(i 1') ... he šhose ... by eₓtispišy. (i 2') For the kind protective spirit, Ninsumun, his personal deity, he built her house in Iri-kug. (i 7') ... Zazaru .... (ii 1') For Urnunta-ea, child of Ninĝirsu, he built her house in Iri-kug. (ii 5') For Ninmarki, the kind woman, he chose the šita-abba-priest by extispicy.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001460/

Read the full tablet entry