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-Ningirsu I 3

“(1) To Ninmarki, his lady, ... dedicated this (marble tablet) for the well-being of Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš, and for her/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/Q001461/

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

Ur-Ningirsu I 4

“(1) To the protective spirit, Bau, his lady, Nin-niĝare-si, (Ur-Ninĝirsu's) spouse, dedicated this (human-headed bull) for the well-being of Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš, and for her own well-being. The name of this votive gift is “May my lady raise him!””

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001462/

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

Ur-Ningirsu I 5

“(1') To ..., Ur-dub, child of ..., dedicated this (mace) for the well-being of Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš, and 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/Q001463/

Read the full tablet entry

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

Ur-Ningirsu I 6

“(i 1) To Bau, his lady, Ur-lugal-edenaka, the physician, dedicated this (stone plaque) for the well-being of Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš, and 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/Q001464/

Read the full tablet entry

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

Ur-Ningirsu I 7add

“(1) 2 gun stone (weight), (certified by) Ur-Ninĝirsu, 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/Q006336/

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

Ur-Ningirsu II 01

“(1) For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, his master, Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš, son of Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, the builder of Ninĝirsu's E-ninnu, fashioned this (door socket).”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001566/

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

Ur-Ningirsu II 02

Attests Ur-Ningirsu II's continuation of his father Gudea's building program at Lagash, anchoring the post-Akkadian Lagashite dynasty's legitimacy through temple patronage of Ningirsu's Eninnu.

“(1) For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, his master, Ur-Ninĝirsu, ruler of Lagaš, son of Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, the builder of Ninĝirsu's E-ninnu, built his beloved divine audience chamber from fragrant cedarwood.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000928/

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

Ur-Ningirsu II 03

“(1) For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, his master, Ur-Ningirsu, ruler of Lagaš, son of Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, the builder of Ninĝirsu's E-ninnu, made the temple of Nanše adjacent to the gate of honest speech.”

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q000929/

Read the full tablet entry