Editing History of Sumer (section)

====First Dynasty of Lagash====

{{see|Lagash}}

[[File:Relief Ur-Nanshe Louvre AO2344.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ur-Nanshe]]: top, creating the foundation for a shrine; bottom, presiding over its dedication ([[Louvre]])]]

[[File:Stele of Vultures detail 01-transparent.png|right|thumb|Fragment of [[Eannatum]]'s [[Stele of the Vultures]] ([[Louvre]])]]

This dynasty is dated to the 25th century BC.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} [[En-hegal]] is recorded as the first known ruler of Lagash, being tributary to Uruk. His successor [[Lugal-sha-engur]] was similarly tributary to [[Mesilim]]. Following the hegemony of [[Mesannepada]] of Ur, [[Ur-Nanshe]] succeeded [[Lugal-sha-engur]] as the new high priest of Lagash and achieved independence, making himself king. He defeated Ur and captured the king of Umma, Pabilgaltuk. In the ruins of a building attached by him to the temple of [[Ningirsu]], [[terracotta]] ''[[bas relief]]s'' of the king and his sons have been found, as well as onyx plates and lions' heads in onyx reminiscent of [[Art of ancient Egypt|Egypt]]ian work.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911 |inline=y |wstitle=Babylonia and Assyria |volume=3 |pages=99–112 |first1=Archibald Henry |last1=Sayce |author1-link=Archibald Sayce |first2=Leonard William |last2=King |author2-link=Leonard William King |first3=Morris  |last3=Jastrow |author3-link=Morris Jastrow Jr.}}</ref> One inscription states that ships of [[Dilmun]] (Bahrain) brought him wood as tribute from foreign lands. He was succeeded by his son [[Akurgal]].

[[Eannatum]], grandson of Ur-Nanshe, made himself master of the whole of the district of Sumer, together with the cities of Uruk (ruled by Enshakushana), Ur, Nippur, Akshak, and Larsa.<ref name=EB1911/> He also annexed the kingdom of Kish; however, it recovered its independence after his death.<ref name=EB1911/> Umma was made tributary—a certain amount of grain being levied upon each person in it, that had to be paid into the treasury of the goddess Nina and the god [[Ningirsu]].<ref name=EB1911/> Eannatum's campaigns extended beyond the confines of Sumer, and he overran a part of Elam, took the city of [[Az (city)|Az]] on the [[Persian Gulf]], and exacted tribute as far as [[Mari, Syria|Mari]]; however many of the realms he conquered were often in revolt. During his reign, temples and palaces were repaired or erected at Lagash and elsewhere; the town of Nina{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}—that probably gave its name to the later [[Niniveh]]—was rebuilt, and canals and reservoirs were excavated. Eannatum was succeeded by his brother, [[En-anna-tum I]]. During his rule, Umma once more asserted independence under [[Ur-Lumma]], who attacked Lagash unsuccessfully. Ur-Lumma was replaced by a priest-king, [[Il, king of Umma|Illi]], who also attacked Lagash.

His son and successor [[Entemena]] restored the prestige of Lagash.<ref name=EB1911/> Illi of Umma was subdued, with the help of his ally [[Lugal-kinishe-dudu]] or Lugal-ure of Uruk, successor to Enshakushana and also on the king-list. Lugal-kinishe-dudu seems to have been the prominent figure at the time, since he also claimed to rule Kish and Ur. A silver vase dedicated by Entemena to his god is now in the Louvre.<ref name=EB1911/> A frieze of lions devouring ibexes and deer, incised with great artistic skill, runs round the neck, while the eagle crest of Lagash adorns the globular part. The vase is a proof of the high degree of excellence to which the goldsmith's art had already attained.<ref name=EB1911/> A vase of [[calcite]], also dedicated by Entemena, has been found at Nippur.<ref name=EB1911/> After Entemena, a series of weak, corrupt priest-kings is attested for Lagash. The last of these, [[Urukagina]], was known for his judicial, social, and economic reforms, and his may well be the first legal code known to have existed.