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{{About|the king of Lagash|the Mariote singer with the same name|Ornina}} | |||
'''Ur-Nina''' (or '''Ur-Nanshe''') was the first king of the dynasty of ], probably in the first half of the ]. He is the earliest king for whose reign a roughly accurate historical date is known. | |||
{{Infobox royalty | |||
| name = Ur-Nanshe<br>{{cuneiform|𒌨𒀭𒀏}} | |||
| image = Ur-Nanshe.jpg | |||
| image_size = 250 | |||
| caption = Ur-Nanshe, seated, wearing flounced skirt. The text to the right of his head reads "Ur-Nanshe" (𒌨𒀭𒀏, UR-NAN). The text in front of him reads "Boats from the land of ] carried the wood" (𒈣]𒆳𒋫𒄘]𒈬-𒅅, ] ] kur-ta gu<sub>2</sub> ] mu-gal<sub>2</sub>).<ref> Pouysségur, Patrick , ed. "Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe." Louvre Museum. Louvre Museum. Web. 13 Mar 2013.</ref><ref>Transliteration: {{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P222359 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref><ref>Similar text: {{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P222363 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> Limestone, Early Dynastic III (2550–2500 BC). Found in Telloh (ancient city of Girsu). ]. | |||
| spouse = Possibly Abda<ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222359 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref><br> | |||
Menbara-abzu<ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q003641 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
| issue = {{plainlist| | |||
*] | |||
*Lugal-ezem | |||
*Anekura | |||
*Mukur...ta | |||
*Anunpa | |||
*Menusu | |||
*Adatur<ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222359 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
| reign = c. 2520 BC | |||
| father = Gunidu | |||
| predecessor = Possibly ] | |||
| successor = Possibly ] | |||
| dynasty = 1st Dynasty of Lagash | |||
| succession = ] | |||
}} | |||
'''Ur-Nanshe''' ({{langx|sux|{{cuneiform|𒌨𒀭𒀏}}}}, {{transl|sux|<small>UR-]</small>}}; {{fl.|{{circa}} 2520 BC}}) also '''Ur-Nina''', was the first king of the First Dynasty of ] in the ]ian Early Dynastic Period III. He is known through inscriptions to have commissioned many building projects, including canals and temples, in the state of Lagash,<ref name="Pouysségur"> Pouysségur, Patrick , ed. "Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe." Louvre Museum. Louvre Museum. Web. 13 Mar 2013.</ref> and defending Lagash from its rival state ].<ref name="urnanshe"> University of Oxford, 14 Jan 2010. Web. 13 Mar 2013.</ref> He was probably not from royal lineage, being the son of Gunidu ({{cuneiform|𒄖𒉌𒁺}}) who was recorded without an accompanying royal title.<ref name="urnanshe" /><ref name="HANEA">{{cite book |last1=Van De Mieroop |first1=Marc |title=A History of the Ancient Near East: Ca. 3000-323 BC |date=2004 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=9780631225522 |pages=50–51 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oknsEhcALLEC}}</ref> He was the father of ], who succeeded him, and grandfather of ].<ref name="HANEA"/> Eannatum expanded the kingdom of Lagash by defeating Umma as illustrated in the ] and continued the building and renovation of Ur-Nanshe's original buildings.<ref name="hansen"> "Royal Building Activity at Sumerian Lagash in the Early Dynastic Period." Biblical Archaeologist. 55.4 (1992): 206-11. Print.</ref> | |||
He ascended after ] (lugal-ša-engur), who was the ], or high priest of Lagash, and is only known from the macehead inscription of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222741 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
==Temples== | |||
According to ] of King Ur-Nanshe, temples attributed to Ur-Nanshe include ]'s temple in ], ]'s temple in ], and Apsubanda.<ref name="Pouysségur" /> He is known to have originally built the Ibgal of ], because of Eanatum's honorary inscriptions left after temple renovation.<ref name="hansen" /> The Ibgal of Inanna is located in modern-day al-Hiba (ancient city of Lagash). An oval wall surrounds the main mud brick temple and it is located on the southwest edge of the city. This placement within the city is different because temples were usually centrally positioned in ancient Sumer.<ref name="hansen" /> | |||
==Inscriptions== | |||
Ur-Nanshe has left behind many inscriptions and plates that depict him, his family, and court.<ref name="urnanshe" /> | |||
===The Perforated Relief=== | |||
].]] | |||
{{Location map | |||
| Near East | |||
| width = 260px | |||
| float = right | |||
| border = | |||
| caption = Location of ] | |||
| alt = | |||
| relief = yes | |||
| AlternativeMap = | |||
| overlay_image = | |||
| label = ] | |||
| label_size = | |||
| position = | |||
| background = | |||
| mark = | |||
| marksize = | |||
| link = | |||
| lat_deg = 31.411389 | |||
| lon_deg = 46.407222 | |||
}} | |||
The ] Relief of King Ur-Nanshe is on display at the ]. The king is portrayed as a builder of temples and canals, thus a preserver of order perceived to be bestowed upon them by the gods.<ref name="Pouysségur" /> It is a perforated limestone slab that was probably part of a wall as a votive decoration and is inscribed in Sumerian: | |||
{{quote|{{cuneiform|𒌨𒀭𒀏 / 𒈗 / 𒉢𒁓𒆷 / 𒌉𒄖𒉌𒁺 / 𒌉𒄥𒊬 / 𒂍𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄈𒋢 𒈬𒆕 / 𒍪𒀊𒌉𒁕 𒈬𒆕 / 𒂍𒀭𒀏 𒈬𒆕}}<br> | |||
''Ur-Nanshe / lugal / Lagash / dumu Gunidu / dumu Gurmu/ e2 Ningirsu mu-du3 / abzu-banda3da mu-du3 / e2 <sup>]</sup>nanshe mu-du3''<br> | |||
“Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, son of Gunidu, son of Gurmu, built the temple of Ningirsu, built Apsubanda, built the temple of Nanshe.”|Dedication inscription of Ur-Nanshe (top left corner)<ref name="Pouysségur" /><ref>{{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222359 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref>}} | |||
The carved illustration is in two registers, top and bottom, both depicting Ur-Nanshe in different roles as king. In the top register he is dressed in a '']'' (tufted wool skirt), carrying a basket of bricks on his head while surrounded by other Lagash elite, his wife, and seven of his sons<ref name="JF44"/> (though it is possible female figure is instead the king's daughter<ref>{{cite book |last1=Podany |first1=Amanda |title=Weavers, Scribes, and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Middle East |date=2002 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0190059040 |page=70}}</ref>). Inscriptions on their respective garments identify each person. On the bottom register, Ur-Nanshe is at a banquet, which is to celebrate the building of the temple. He is seated on a throne wearing the same outfit as the top register surrounded by other court members. In both registers Ur-Nanshe is shown using ] proportion in which he is considerably larger than everyone surrounding him.<ref name="Pouysségur" /> | |||
A part of the inscriptions, in front of the seated king, reads: “Boats from the (distant) land of ] carried the wood (for him)”.<ref name="Pouysségur" /> This is the oldest known written record of Dilmun and importation of goods into ].<ref name="urnanshe" /> | |||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4"> | |||
File:Ur-Nanshe relief (B&W).jpg|The relief at time of discovery | |||
File:Ur-Nanshe.jpg|Ur-Nanshe on the relief. He is also depicted wearing a basket for the construction of a temple. | |||
File:Ur-Nanshe perforated relief The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him wood as a tribute.jpg|Inscription in front of Ur-Nanshe: "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him wood as a tribute" (𒈣]𒆳𒋫𒄘]𒈬-𒅅, ''] ] kur-ta gu<sub>2</sub> ] mu-gal<sub>2</sub>'').<ref>{{cite web|title=CDLI-Found Texts|url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222359|website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref><ref name="urnanshe" /><ref name="Pouysségur" /> | |||
File:Akurgal as son of Ur-Nanshe, on the votive relief of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|Ur-Nanshe's son ] ({{cuneiform|𒀀𒆳𒃲}}) on the relief. | |||
File:Detail, wall or door votive plaque. The largest figure on left (with a basket on his head is Ur-Nanshe, ruler of Lagash). Cuneiform text. Early Dynastic period, 2550-2500 BCE. From Girsu, Iraq. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey.jpg|Perforated relief of Ur-Nanshe at the Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. Very similar to the Louvre's plaque. From Girsu, Iraq<ref>{{cite web |title=RIME 1.09.01.05, ex. 01 |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P222362 |website=Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative |access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> | |||
</gallery> | |||
===Door socket=== | |||
].]] | |||
An inscribed door socket from Ur-Nanshe is also known, now in the ]. The full inscription of the door socket has been translated as: | |||
{{quote|"Ur-Nanshe, the king of Lagash, the son of Gunidu, the son of Gurmu, built the house of ]; built the house of ]; built the house of ]; built the harem; built the house of ]. The ships of ] brought him wood as a tribute from foreign lands. He built the ]; built the ]; built the scepter (?)-house."|Inscription on the perforated relief of Ur-Nanshe.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kramer |first1=Samuel Noah |title=The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character |date=2010 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-45232-6 |page=308 #6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iY9xp4pLp88C&pg=PA308 |language=en}}</ref><ref>Full transcription: {{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222375 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref>}} | |||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4"> | |||
File:Door socket of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|The door socket of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery. | |||
File:Ships from Dilmun brought wood tribute from foreign lands.jpg|"The ships of ], from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (𒈣]𒆳𒋫𒄘]𒈬-𒅅, ''] ] kur-ta gu<sub>2</sub> ] mu-gal<sub>2</sub>''). Door socket of Ur-Nanshe.<ref>Full transcription: {{cite web|title=CDLI-Found Texts|url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P222375|website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kramer|first1=Samuel Noah|title=The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character|date=2010|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-45232-6|page=308 #6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iY9xp4pLp88C&pg=PA308|language=en}}</ref> | |||
</gallery> | |||
===The Plaque of Ur Nanshe=== | |||
].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=Ariane |last2=Potts |first2=Timothy |title=Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins |date=2020 |publisher=Getty Publications |isbn=978-1-60606-649-2 |page=164 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsHEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA164 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus |date=2003 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |isbn=978-1-58839-043-1 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/artoffirstcities0000unse |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref>}}]] | |||
The Plaque of Ur Nanshe is a limestone plaque currently located at the Louvre Museum that honors Ur Nanshe. The figures displayed are the king and his court standing rigid and wide eyed, paying homage to the god Nanshe. They are dressed in ''kaunakes'' with their hands clasped together over their chest. Hierarchical scale of the king and the use of ] on the figures to identify them<ref name="cole">Cole, Karl. "Plaque of Ur Nanshe." SchoolArts. 100.1 (2000): 33. Print.</ref> are employed as in the Perforated Relief. | |||
{{quote|{{cuneiform|𒌨𒀭𒀏 / 𒈗 / 𒉢𒁓𒆷 / 𒌉𒄖𒉌𒁺 / 𒂍𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄈𒋢 / 𒈬𒆕}}<br> | |||
''Ur-Nanshe / lugal / Lagash / dumu Gunidu / E-Ningirsu / mudu''<br> | |||
"Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the temple of ]"|Inscription on the plaque of Ur-Nanshe. ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=Ariane |last2=Potts |first2=Timothy |title=Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins |date=2020 |publisher=Getty Publications |isbn=978-1-60606-649-2 |page=164 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsHEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA164 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus |date=2003 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |isbn=978-1-58839-043-1 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/artoffirstcities0000unse |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref>}} | |||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4"> | |||
Plaque of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|Plaque of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery | |||
Ur-Nanshe King of Lagash in the limestone votive relief of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|Ur-Nanshe himself | |||
File:Akurgal as a child in the limestone votive relief of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|] ({{cuneiform|𒀀𒆳𒃲}}) as a child in the limestone votive relief of Ur-Nanshe | |||
</gallery> | |||
====Additional inscriptions==== | |||
{{multiple image|perrow=3|total_width=230|caption_align=center | |||
| align = right | |||
| direction =horizontal | |||
| header=Ur-Nanshe inscription | |||
| image1 = Ur-Nanshe in cuneiform.jpg | |||
| caption1 = "Ur-Nanshe"<br>{{cuneiform|𒌨𒀭𒀏}} | |||
| image2 = King in Ur-Nanshe inscription.jpg | |||
| caption2 = King of<br>{{cuneiform|𒈗}} | |||
| image3 = Lagash in cuneiform.jpg | |||
| caption3 = "]"<br>{{cuneiform|𒉢𒁓𒆷}} | |||
| image4 = Fragment Ur-Nanshe Louvre MNB1415.jpg | |||
| caption4 = Fragmentary stele bearing from right to left the inscription "Ur-Nanshe/ King of/ Lagash/ son of Gunidu/ to ]..." (]) | |||
| footer= | |||
}} | |||
There are many other inscriptions found by or mentioning Ur-Nanshe. Some of them include a listing of rulers of Lagash and a hymn to Nanshe.<ref name="urnanshe"/> | |||
Excerpt from Ruler of Lagash: | |||
“Ur-Nanše, the son of ......, who built the E-Sirara, her temple of happiness and Niĝin, her beloved city, acted for 1080 years. Ane-tum, the son of Ur-Nanše”<ref name="ej"> translation : t.2.1.2." rulers of Lagaš (2003): n.pag. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Web. 13 Mar 2013.</ref> | |||
Excerpt from A Hymn to Nanshe: | |||
“There is perfection in the presence of the lady. Lagaš thrives in abundance in the presence of Nanše. She chose the šennu in her holy heart and seated Ur-Nanše, the beloved lord of Lagaš, on the throne. She gave the lofty scepter to the shepherd.”<ref name="cg"> Translation: t.4.14.1." hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (2003): n.pag. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Web. 13 Mar 2013.</ref> | |||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4"> | |||
File:Tablet of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|Tablet of Ur-Nanshe (Urn 24): "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, the son of Gurmu, built the house of ], fashioned (the statue of) Nanshe (...) Boats from the land of Dilmun carried the wood".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kramer|first1=Samuel Noah|title=The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character|date=2010|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-45232-6|page=308|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iY9xp4pLp88C&pg=PA308|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=de Sarzec|first1=E.|title=Deux Tablettes Archaïques de Tello|journal=Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale|date=1892|volume=2|issue=4|pages=146–149|jstor=23284262|issn=0373-6032}}</ref><ref>Full transliteration: {{cite web|title=CDLI-Found Texts|url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P222363|website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
File:Boats from the land of Dilmun carried the wood.jpg|"The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (𒈣]𒆳𒋫𒄘]𒈬-𒅅, ''] ] kur-ta gu<sub>2</sub> ] mu-gal<sub>2</sub>''). Tablet of Ur-Nanshe (Urn 24).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kramer|first1=Noah|title=The Indus civilization and Dilmun|page=49|journal=Expeditions WWW.penn.museum|date=1964|url=https://www.penn.museum/documents/publications/expedition/PDFs/6-3/The%20Indus.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kramer|first1=Samuel Noah|title=The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character|date=2010|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-45232-6|page=308|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iY9xp4pLp88C&pg=PA308|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=de Sarzec|first1=E.|title=Deux Tablettes Archaïques de Tello|journal=Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale|date=1892|volume=2|issue=4|pages=146–149|jstor=23284262|issn=0373-6032}}</ref><ref>Full transliteration: {{cite web|title=CDLI-Found Texts|url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P222363|website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
File:Fragmentary votive inscription-AO 3866-IMG 9163-gradient.jpg|Inscription in the name of Ur-Nanshe, an incantation to the reed and to ], before the foundation of the ] sanctuary for god ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Louvre Museum Official Website|url=http://cartelen.louvre.fr/cartelen/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=9623|website=cartelen.louvre.fr}}</ref><ref>Full transcription: {{cite web|title=CDLI-Archival View|url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P222390|website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
File:Goddess Shul-utul, foundation peg, 'Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the shrine Girsu', probably Girsu, Tell Telloh, Iraq, mid 3rd millenium BC - Harvard Semitic Museum - Cambridge, MA - DSC06074.jpg|Goddess ], foundation peg, with inscription "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the shrine Girsu", probably Girsu, Tell Telloh, Iraq, mid 3rd millennium BCE. Harvard Semitic Museum, Cambridge, MA | |||
File:Akurgal king of Lagash son of Ur-Nanshe on the Stele of the Vultures.jpg|"] king of Lagash, son of Ur-Nanshe" (<small>{{cuneiform|𒀀𒆳𒃲 ] ] ] 𒌨𒀭𒀏}}</small>) on the ].<ref name="WS74">{{cite book|last1=Sallaberger|first1=Walther|last2=Schrakamp|first2=Ingo|title=History & Philology|date=2015|publisher=Walther Sallaberger & Ingo Schrakamp (eds), Brepols|isbn=978-2-503-53494-7|pages=74–76|url=https://www.assyriologie.uni-muenchen.de/personen/professoren/sallaberger/publ_sallaberger/wasa_schrakamp_2015_arcane1.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Découvertes en Chaldée... / publiées par L. Heuzey . 1ère-4ème livraisons / Ernest de Sarzec - Choquin de Sarzec, Ernest (1832-1901)|pages=Plate XL|url=http://1886.u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr/items/viewer/76267#page/n513/mode/1up}}</ref> | |||
File:Relief Im-dugud Louvre AO2783.jpg|Votive relief of Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, representing the bird-god ] (or Im-dugud) as a lion-headed eagle. Alabaster, Early Dynastic III (2550–2500 BC). Found in Telloh, ancient city of Girsu. | |||
Temple foundation figurine of Ur-Nanshe.jpg|Temple foundation figurine in the name of Ur-Nanshe. Inscription "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, has built the shrine of ]". British Museum, BM 96565.<ref>{{cite web|title=plaque / figurine|url=https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?matcult=9036&objectId=368403&page=1&partId=1&sortBy=imageName|website=British Museum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CDLI-Archival View|url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P418026|website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> | |||
File:Stele or obelisk of Ur-Nanshe with goddess Nisaba, ruler of Lagash, from Lagash, Iraq, 26th century BCE. Iraq Museum.jpg|Stele of Ur-Nanshe with goddess Nisaba, ruler of Lagash, from Lagash, Iraq, 26th century BCE. Iraq Museum | |||
</gallery> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{Portal |Asia}} | |||
{{Commons category|Ur-Nanshe}} | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
==References== | |||
* ]. | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
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{{s-reg}} | |||
{{Succession box | |||
|before=] | |||
|title=King of Lagash | |||
|years=ca. ] | |||
|after=] | |||
}} | |||
{{s-end}} | |||
{{Rulers of Sumer}} | |||
] | |||
{{bio-stub}} | |||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
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Latest revision as of 19:45, 8 January 2025
This article is about the king of Lagash. For the Mariote singer with the same name, see Ornina. King of LagashUr-Nanshe 𒌨𒀭𒀏 | |
---|---|
Ur-Nanshe, seated, wearing flounced skirt. The text to the right of his head reads "Ur-Nanshe" (𒌨𒀭𒀏, UR-NAN). The text in front of him reads "Boats from the land of Dilmun carried the wood" (𒈣𒆳𒋫𒄘𒄑𒈬-𒅅, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giš mu-gal2). Limestone, Early Dynastic III (2550–2500 BC). Found in Telloh (ancient city of Girsu). Louvre Museum. | |
King of Lagash | |
Reign | c. 2520 BC |
Predecessor | Possibly Lugal-sha-engur |
Successor | Possibly Akurgal |
Spouse | Possibly Abda Menbara-abzu |
Issue |
|
Dynasty | 1st Dynasty of Lagash |
Father | Gunidu |
Ur-Nanshe (Sumerian: 𒌨𒀭𒀏, UR-NANŠE; fl. c. 2520 BC) also Ur-Nina, was the first king of the First Dynasty of Lagash in the Sumerian Early Dynastic Period III. He is known through inscriptions to have commissioned many building projects, including canals and temples, in the state of Lagash, and defending Lagash from its rival state Umma. He was probably not from royal lineage, being the son of Gunidu (𒄖𒉌𒁺) who was recorded without an accompanying royal title. He was the father of Akurgal, who succeeded him, and grandfather of Eannatum. Eannatum expanded the kingdom of Lagash by defeating Umma as illustrated in the Stele of the Vultures and continued the building and renovation of Ur-Nanshe's original buildings.
He ascended after Lugalshaengur (lugal-ša-engur), who was the ensi, or high priest of Lagash, and is only known from the macehead inscription of Mesilim.
Temples
According to the Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe, temples attributed to Ur-Nanshe include Ningirsu's temple in Girsu, Nanshe's temple in Nina, and Apsubanda. He is known to have originally built the Ibgal of Inanna, because of Eanatum's honorary inscriptions left after temple renovation. The Ibgal of Inanna is located in modern-day al-Hiba (ancient city of Lagash). An oval wall surrounds the main mud brick temple and it is located on the southwest edge of the city. This placement within the city is different because temples were usually centrally positioned in ancient Sumer.
Inscriptions
Ur-Nanshe has left behind many inscriptions and plates that depict him, his family, and court.
The Perforated Relief
Lagashclass=notpageimage| Location of LagashThe Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe is on display at the Louvre. The king is portrayed as a builder of temples and canals, thus a preserver of order perceived to be bestowed upon them by the gods. It is a perforated limestone slab that was probably part of a wall as a votive decoration and is inscribed in Sumerian:
𒌨𒀭𒀏 / 𒈗 / 𒉢𒁓𒆷 / 𒌉𒄖𒉌𒁺 / 𒌉𒄥𒊬 / 𒂍𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄈𒋢 𒈬𒆕 / 𒍪𒀊𒌉𒁕 𒈬𒆕 / 𒂍𒀭𒀏 𒈬𒆕
Ur-Nanshe / lugal / Lagash / dumu Gunidu / dumu Gurmu/ e2 Ningirsu mu-du3 / abzu-banda3da mu-du3 / e2 nanshe mu-du3
“Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, son of Gunidu, son of Gurmu, built the temple of Ningirsu, built Apsubanda, built the temple of Nanshe.”
— Dedication inscription of Ur-Nanshe (top left corner)
The carved illustration is in two registers, top and bottom, both depicting Ur-Nanshe in different roles as king. In the top register he is dressed in a kaunakes (tufted wool skirt), carrying a basket of bricks on his head while surrounded by other Lagash elite, his wife, and seven of his sons (though it is possible female figure is instead the king's daughter). Inscriptions on their respective garments identify each person. On the bottom register, Ur-Nanshe is at a banquet, which is to celebrate the building of the temple. He is seated on a throne wearing the same outfit as the top register surrounded by other court members. In both registers Ur-Nanshe is shown using hierarchical proportion in which he is considerably larger than everyone surrounding him.
A part of the inscriptions, in front of the seated king, reads: “Boats from the (distant) land of Dilmun carried the wood (for him)”. This is the oldest known written record of Dilmun and importation of goods into Mesopotamia.
- The relief at time of discovery
- Ur-Nanshe on the relief. He is also depicted wearing a basket for the construction of a temple.
- Inscription in front of Ur-Nanshe: "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him wood as a tribute" (𒈣𒆳𒋫𒄘𒄑𒈬-𒅅, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giš mu-gal2).
- Ur-Nanshe's son Akurgal (𒀀𒆳𒃲) on the relief.
- Perforated relief of Ur-Nanshe at the Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. Very similar to the Louvre's plaque. From Girsu, Iraq
Door socket
An inscribed door socket from Ur-Nanshe is also known, now in the Louvre Museum. The full inscription of the door socket has been translated as:
"Ur-Nanshe, the king of Lagash, the son of Gunidu, the son of Gurmu, built the house of Ningirsu; built the house of Nanshe; built the house of Gatumdug; built the harem; built the house of Ninmar. The ships of Dilmun brought him wood as a tribute from foreign lands. He built the Ibgal; built the Kinir; built the scepter (?)-house."
— Inscription on the perforated relief of Ur-Nanshe.
- The door socket of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery.
- "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (𒈣𒆳𒋫𒄘𒄑𒈬-𒅅, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giš mu-gal2). Door socket of Ur-Nanshe.
The Plaque of Ur Nanshe
The Plaque of Ur Nanshe is a limestone plaque currently located at the Louvre Museum that honors Ur Nanshe. The figures displayed are the king and his court standing rigid and wide eyed, paying homage to the god Nanshe. They are dressed in kaunakes with their hands clasped together over their chest. Hierarchical scale of the king and the use of cuneiform on the figures to identify them are employed as in the Perforated Relief.
𒌨𒀭𒀏 / 𒈗 / 𒉢𒁓𒆷 / 𒌉𒄖𒉌𒁺 / 𒂍𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄈𒋢 / 𒈬𒆕
Ur-Nanshe / lugal / Lagash / dumu Gunidu / E-Ningirsu / mudu
"Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the temple of Ningirsu"
— Inscription on the plaque of Ur-Nanshe. Louvre Museum.
- Plaque of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery
- Ur-Nanshe himself
- Akurgal (𒀀𒆳𒃲) as a child in the limestone votive relief of Ur-Nanshe
Additional inscriptions
Ur-Nanshe inscription"Ur-Nanshe"𒌨𒀭𒀏King of
𒈗"Lagash"
𒉢𒁓𒆷Fragmentary stele bearing from right to left the inscription "Ur-Nanshe/ King of/ Lagash/ son of Gunidu/ to Ningirsu..." (Louvre)
There are many other inscriptions found by or mentioning Ur-Nanshe. Some of them include a listing of rulers of Lagash and a hymn to Nanshe.
Excerpt from Ruler of Lagash:
“Ur-Nanše, the son of ......, who built the E-Sirara, her temple of happiness and Niĝin, her beloved city, acted for 1080 years. Ane-tum, the son of Ur-Nanše”
Excerpt from A Hymn to Nanshe:
“There is perfection in the presence of the lady. Lagaš thrives in abundance in the presence of Nanše. She chose the šennu in her holy heart and seated Ur-Nanše, the beloved lord of Lagaš, on the throne. She gave the lofty scepter to the shepherd.”
- Tablet of Ur-Nanshe (Urn 24): "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, the son of Gurmu, built the house of Nanshe, fashioned (the statue of) Nanshe (...) Boats from the land of Dilmun carried the wood".
- "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (𒈣𒆳𒋫𒄘𒄑𒈬-𒅅, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giš mu-gal2). Tablet of Ur-Nanshe (Urn 24).
- Inscription in the name of Ur-Nanshe, an incantation to the reed and to Enki, before the foundation of the Girsu sanctuary for god Ningirsu.
- Goddess Shul-utul, foundation peg, with inscription "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the shrine Girsu", probably Girsu, Tell Telloh, Iraq, mid 3rd millennium BCE. Harvard Semitic Museum, Cambridge, MA
- "Akurgal king of Lagash, son of Ur-Nanshe" (𒀀𒆳𒃲 𒈗 𒉢𒁓𒆷𒆠 𒌉 𒌨𒀭𒀏) on the Stele of the Vultures.
- Votive relief of Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, representing the bird-god Anzû (or Im-dugud) as a lion-headed eagle. Alabaster, Early Dynastic III (2550–2500 BC). Found in Telloh, ancient city of Girsu.
- Temple foundation figurine in the name of Ur-Nanshe. Inscription "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, has built the shrine of Girsu". British Museum, BM 96565.
- Stele of Ur-Nanshe with goddess Nisaba, ruler of Lagash, from Lagash, Iraq, 26th century BCE. Iraq Museum
See also
References
- Louvre Pouysségur, Patrick , ed. "Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe." Louvre Museum. Louvre Museum. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
- Transliteration: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- Similar text: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- ^ Louvre Pouysségur, Patrick , ed. "Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe." Louvre Museum. Louvre Museum. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
- ^ CDLI Wiki University of Oxford, 14 Jan 2010. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
- ^ Van De Mieroop, Marc (2004). A History of the Ancient Near East: Ca. 3000-323 BC. Wiley. pp. 50–51. ISBN 9780631225522.
- ^ Hansen, Donald "Royal Building Activity at Sumerian Lagash in the Early Dynastic Period." Biblical Archaeologist. 55.4 (1992): 206-11. Print.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- ^ Finegan, Jack (2019). Archaeological History Of The Ancient Middle East. Routledge. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-429-72638-5.
- Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- Podany, Amanda (2002). Weavers, Scribes, and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Middle East. Oxford University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0190059040.
- "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- "RIME 1.09.01.05, ex. 01". Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308, Door socket. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308 #6. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
- Full transcription: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- Full transcription: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308 #6. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
- Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
- Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2003. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-58839-043-1.
- Cole, Karl. "Plaque of Ur Nanshe." SchoolArts. 100.1 (2000): 33. Print.
- Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
- Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2003. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-58839-043-1.
- E, J. translation : t.2.1.2." rulers of Lagaš (2003): n.pag. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
- C, G. Translation: t.4.14.1." hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (2003): n.pag. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
- de Sarzec, E. (1892). "Deux Tablettes Archaïques de Tello". Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale. 2 (4): 146–149. ISSN 0373-6032. JSTOR 23284262.
- Full transliteration: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- Kramer, Noah (1964). "The Indus civilization and Dilmun" (PDF). Expeditions WWW.penn.museum: 49.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
- de Sarzec, E. (1892). "Deux Tablettes Archaïques de Tello". Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale. 2 (4): 146–149. ISSN 0373-6032. JSTOR 23284262.
- Full transliteration: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
- "Louvre Museum Official Website". cartelen.louvre.fr.
- Full transcription: "CDLI-Archival View". cdli.ucla.edu.
- Sallaberger, Walther; Schrakamp, Ingo (2015). History & Philology (PDF). Walther Sallaberger & Ingo Schrakamp (eds), Brepols. pp. 74–76. ISBN 978-2-503-53494-7.
- Découvertes en Chaldée... / publiées par L. Heuzey . 1ère-4ème livraisons / Ernest de Sarzec - Choquin de Sarzec, Ernest (1832-1901). pp. Plate XL.
- "plaque / figurine". British Museum.
- "CDLI-Archival View". cdli.ucla.edu.
Regnal titles | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded byLugalshaengur | King of Lagash ca. 25th century BCE |
Succeeded byAkurgal |