Ur-Nanshe

Ur-Nanshe (Sumerian: ๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€, UR-NANล E) also Ur-Nina, was the first king of the First Dynasty of Lagash (approx. 2500 BCE) in the Sumerian Early Dynastic Period III. He is known through inscriptions to have commissioned many buildings projects, including canals and temples, in the state of Lagash,[7] and defending Lagash from its rival state Umma.[8] He was probably not from royal lineage, being the son of Gunidu (๐’„–๐’‰Œ๐’บ) who was recorded without an accompanying royal title.[8][9] He was the father of Akurgal, who succeeded him, and grandfather of Eanatum.[9] Eanatum expanded the kingdom of Lagash by defeating Umma as illustrated in the Stele of the Vultures and continue building and renovation of Ur-Nanshe's original buildings.[10]

This article is about the king of Lagash. For the Mariote singer with the same name, see Ornina.
Ur-Nanshe
๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€
King of Lagash
Ur-Nanshe, seated, wearing flounced skirt. The text to the right of his head reads "Ur-Nanshe" (๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€, UR-NAN). The text in front of him reads "Boats from the land of Dilmun carried the wood" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2).[1][2][3] Limestone, Early Dynastic III (2550โ€“2500 BC). Found in Telloh (ancient city of Girsu). Louvre Museum.
Reignc. 2550  BC โ€“ 2500  BC
PredecessorLugal-sha-engur
SuccessorAkurgal
SpouseAbda?[4] Menbara-abzu[5]
IssueAkurgal, Lugal-ezem, Anekura, Mukur...ta, Anunpa, Menusu, Adatur[6]
Dynasty1st Dynasty of Lagash
FatherGunidu

He ascended after Lugalshaengur (lugal-ลกa-engur), who was the ensi, or high priest of Lagash, and is only known from the macehead inscription of Mesilim.[11]

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.[7] He is known to have originally built the Ibgal of Inanna, because of Eanatum's honorary inscriptions left after temple renovation.[10] 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.[10]

Inscriptions

Ur-Nanshe has left behind many inscriptions and plates that depict him, his family, and court.[8]

The Perforated Relief
Votive relief of Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, with his sons and dignitaries. Limestone, Early Dynastic III (2550โ€“2500 BC). Found in Telloh (ancient city of Girsu).[12][13][14] Louvre Museum
Ur-Nanshe was king of Lagash, circa 2550 BC.

The 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.[7] It is a perforated limestone slab that was probably part of a wall as a votive decoration and is inscribed in Sumerian:

๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€ / ๐’ˆ— / ๐’‰ข๐’“๐’†ท / ๐’Œ‰๐’„–๐’‰Œ๐’บ / ๐’Œ‰๐’„ฅ๐’Šฌ / ๐’‚๐’€ญ๐’Šฉ๐’Œ†๐’„ˆ๐’‹ข ๐’ˆฌ๐’†• / ๐’ช๐’€Š๐’Œ‰๐’• ๐’ˆฌ๐’†• / ๐’‚๐’€ญ๐’€ ๐’ˆฌ๐’†•

Ur-Nanshe / lugal / Lagash / dumu Gunidu / dumu Gurmu/ e2 Ningirsu mu-du3 / abzu-banda3da mu-du3 / e2 Dnanshe mu-du3

โ€œUr-Nanshe, king of Lagash, son of Gunidu, son of Gurmu, built the temple of Ningirsu, built Apsubanda, built the temple of Nanshe.โ€

โ€”โ€ŠDedication inscription of Ur-Nanshe (top left corner)[7][15]

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[12] (though it is possible female figure is instead the king's daughter[16]). 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.[7]

A part of the inscriptions, in front of the seated king, reads: โ€œBoats from the (distant) land of Dilmun carried the wood (for him)โ€.[7] This is the oldest known written record of Dilmun and importation of goods into Mesopotamia.[8]

  • The relief at time of discovery
    The relief at time of discovery
  • Ur-Nanshe on the relief. He is also depicted wearing a basket for the construction of a temple.
    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" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2).
    Inscription in front of Ur-Nanshe: "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him wood as a tribute" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2).[17][8][7]
  • Ur-Nanshe's son Akurgal (๐’€€๐’†ณ๐’ƒฒ) on the relief.
    Ur-Nanshe's son Akurgal (๐’€€๐’†ณ๐’ƒฒ) 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
    Perforated relief of Ur-Nanshe at the Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. Very similar to the Louvre's plaque. From Girsu, Iraq[18]

Door socket
Ur-Nanshe door socket with inscription: "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, the son of Gurmu..." and a list of the temples he built.[19] Louvre Museum.

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."

โ€”โ€ŠInscription on the perforated relief of Ur-Nanshe.[20][21]
  • The door socket of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery.
    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 (?)" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2). Door socket of Ur-Nanshe.
    "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2). Door socket of Ur-Nanshe.[22][23]

The Plaque of Ur Nanshe
Plaque of Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, with his sons and a cup bearer. Louvre Museum.[24][25]

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[26] are employed as in the Perforated Relief.

๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€ / ๐’ˆ— / ๐’‰ข๐’“๐’†ท / ๐’Œ‰๐’„–๐’‰Œ๐’บ / ๐’‚๐’€ญ๐’Šฉ๐’Œ†๐’„ˆ๐’‹ข / ๐’ˆฌ๐’†•

Ur-Nanshe / lugal / Lagash / dumu Gunidu / E-Ningirsu / mudu

"Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the temple of Ningirsu"

โ€”โ€ŠInscription on the plaque of Ur-Nanshe. Louvre Museum.[27][28]
  • Plaque of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery
    Plaque of Ur-Nanshe at time of discovery
  • Ur-Nanshe himself
    Ur-Nanshe himself
  • Akurgal (๐’€€๐’†ณ๐’ƒฒ) as a child in the limestone votive relief of Ur-Nanshe
    Akurgal (๐’€€๐’†ณ๐’ƒฒ) as a child in the limestone votive relief of Ur-Nanshe

Additional inscriptions
Ur-Nanshe inscription
"Ur-Nanshe"
๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€
King of
๐’ˆ—
"Lagash"
๐’‰ข๐’“๐’†ท
Fragmentary 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 Nashe.[8]

Excerpt from Ruler of Lagash:

โ€œUr-Nanลกe, the son of ......, who built the E-Sirara, her temple of happiness and Niฤin, her beloved city, acted for 1080 years. Ane-tum, the son of Ur-Nanลกeโ€[29]

Excerpt from A Hymn to Nashe:

โ€œThere is perfection in the presence of the lady. Lagaลก thrives in abundance in the presence of Nanลกe. She chose the ลกennu in her holy heart and seated Ur-Nanลกe, the beloved lord of Lagaลก, on the throne. She gave the lofty scepter to the shepherd.โ€[30]

  • 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".
    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".[31][32][33]
  • "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2). Tablet of Ur-Nanshe (Urn 24).
    "The ships of Dilmun, from the foreign lands, brought him (Ur-Nanshe) wood as a tribute (?)" (๐’ˆฃ๐’†ณ๐’‹ซ๐’„˜๐’„‘๐’ˆฌ-๐’……, ma2 dilmun kur-ta gu2 giลก mu-gal2). Tablet of Ur-Nanshe (Urn 24).[34][35][36][37]
  • 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.
    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.[38][39]
  • 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
    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" (๐’€€๐’†ณ๐’ƒฒ ๐’ˆ— ๐’‰ข๐’“๐’†ท๐’†  ๐’Œ‰ ๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€) on the Stele of the Vultures.
    "Akurgal king of Lagash, son of Ur-Nanshe" (๐’€€๐’†ณ๐’ƒฒ ๐’ˆ— ๐’‰ข๐’“๐’†ท๐’†  ๐’Œ‰ ๐’Œจ๐’€ญ๐’€) on the Stele of the Vultures.[40][41]
  • Votive relief of Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, representing the bird-god Anzรป (or Im-dugud) as a lion-headed eagle. Alabaster, Early Dynastic III (2550โ€“2500 BC). Found in Telloh, ancient city of Girsu.
    Votive relief of Ur-Nanshe, king of Lagash, representing the bird-god Anzรป (or Im-dugud) as a lion-headed eagle. Alabaster, Early Dynastic III (2550โ€“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.
    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.[42][43]
  • Stele of Ur-Nanshe with goddess Nisaba, ruler of Lagash, from Lagash, Iraq, 26th century BCE. Iraq Museum
    Stele of Ur-Nanshe with goddess Nisaba, ruler of Lagash, from Lagash, Iraq, 26th century BCE. Iraq Museum

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ur-Nanshe.

References
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  2. Transliteration: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  3. Similar text: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  4. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  5. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  6. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  7. Louvre Pouyssรฉgur, Patrick , ed. "Perforated Relief of King Ur-Nanshe." Louvre Museum. Louvre Museum. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
  8. CDLI Wiki University of Oxford, 14 Jan 2010. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
  9. Van De Mieroop, Marc (2004). A History of the Ancient Near East: Ca. 3000-323 BC. Wiley. pp. 50โ€“51. ISBN 9780631225522.
  10. Hansen, Donald "Royal Building Activity at Sumerian Lagash in the Early Dynastic Period." Biblical Archaeologist. 55.4 (1992): 206-11. Print.
  11. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  12. Finegan, Jack (2019). Archaeological History Of The Ancient Middle East. Routledge. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-429-72638-5.
  13. Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
  14. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  15. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  16. Podany, Amanda (2002). Weavers, Scribes, and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Middle East. Oxford University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0190059040.
  17. "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  18. "RIME 1.09.01.05, ex. 01". Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  19. 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.
  20. Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308 #6. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
  21. Full transcription: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  22. Full transcription: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  23. Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308 #6. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
  24. Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
  25. 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.
  26. Cole, Karl. "Plaque of Ur Nanshe." SchoolArts. 100.1 (2000): 33. Print.
  27. Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
  28. 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.
  29. E, J. translation : t.2.1.2." rulers of Lagaลก (2003): n.pag. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
  30. C, G. Translation: t.4.14.1." hymn to Nanลกe (Nanลกe A) (2003): n.pag. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Web. 13 Mar 2013.
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  33. Full transliteration: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  34. Kramer, Noah (1964). "The Indus civilization and Dilmun" (PDF). Expeditions WWW.penn.museum: 49.
  35. Kramer, Samuel Noah (2010). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-226-45232-6.
  36. de Sarzec, E. (1892). "Deux Tablettes Archaรฏques de Tello". Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archรฉologie orientale. 2 (4): 146โ€“149. ISSN 0373-6032. JSTOR 23284262.
  37. Full transliteration: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  38. "Louvre Museum Official Website". cartelen.louvre.fr.
  39. Full transcription: "CDLI-Archival View". cdli.ucla.edu.
  40. Sallaberger, Walther; Schrakamp, Ingo (2015). History & Philology (PDF). Walther Sallaberger & Ingo Schrakamp (eds), Brepols. pp. 74โ€“76. ISBN 978-2-503-53494-7.
  41. Dรฉcouvertes en Chaldรฉe... / publiรฉes par L. Heuzey . 1รจre-4รจme livraisons / Ernest de Sarzec - Choquin de Sarzec, Ernest (1832-1901). pp. Plate XL.
  42. "plaque / figurine". British Museum.
  43. "CDLI-Archival View". cdli.ucla.edu.
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