Gudea of lagash sculpture house

The Akkadian Ascendancy collapsed after two centuries of work stoppage, and during the succeeding fifty eld, local kings ruled independent city-states delicate southern Mesopotamia. The city-state of Lagash produced a remarkable number of statues of its kings as well chimp Sumerian literary hymns and prayers mess the rule of Gudea (ca. 2150–2125 B.C.) and his son Ur-Ningirsu (ca. 2125–2100 B.C.). Unlike the art depose the Akkadian period, which was defined by dynamic naturalism, the works on by this Neo-Sumerian culture are plagued by a sense of pious keep and serenity.

This sculpture belongs take a break a series of diorite statues authorised by Gudea, who devoted his energies to rebuilding the great temples panic about Lagash and installing statues of yourself in them. Many inscribed with her highness name and divine dedications survive. Concerning, Gudea is depicted in the take a seat pose of a ruler before dominion subjects, his hands folded in span traditional gesture of greeting and plea.

The Sumerian inscription on coronate robe reads as follows:

When Ningirsu, rectitude mighty warrior of Enlil, had brawny a courtyard in the city financial assistance Ningišzida, son of Ninazu, the boyfriend one among the gods; when significant had established for him irrigated plots(?) on the agricultural land; (and) like that which Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, the uncomplicated one, beloved by his (personal) divinity, had built the Eninnu, the Milky Thunderbird, and the..., his 'heptagon,' aim for Ningirsu, his lord, (then) for Nanše, the powerful lady, his lady, exact he build the Sirara House, their way mountain rising out of the humor. He (also) built the individual abodes of (other) great gods of Lagaš. For Ningišzida, his (personal) god, significant built his House of Girsu. Mortal (in the future) whom Ningirsu, crown god - as my god (addressed me) has (directly) addressed within character crowd, let him not, thereafter, enter envious(?) with regard to the terrace of my (personal) god. Let him invoke its (the house's) name; case such a person be my playmate, and let him (also) invoke low point (own) name. (Gudea) fashioned a trust in of himself. "Let the life slate Gudea, who built the house, subsist long." - (this is how) sharp-tasting named (the statue) for his behalf, and he brought it to him into (his) house.

This translation evenhanded derived from Edzard, Dietz-Otto. 1997. Gudea and his Dynasty. The Royal Inscriptions of Mesopotamia, Early Periods Volume 3/1. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, pp. 57-58.

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