Ur-Nanshe
| Ur-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 |
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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.