Ur-Baba

Ur-Baba
Sumerian: 𒌨𒀭𒁀𒌑
Ruler of Lagash
Diorite Statue of Ur-Ba'u (Ur-Baba), Prince of Lagash. Louvre Museum, AO 9.[1][2]
Reignc. 2100 BC
PredecessorKaku or Kakug
SuccessorGudea
DynastyRuler of Lagash
class=notpageimage|
Gudea ruled from Lagash

Ur-Baba or Ur-Bau (Sumerian: 𒌨𒀭𒁀𒌑 ur-Dba.ba6 or ur-Dba.U2, servant of the goddess Bau) was ensi of Lagash from 2093 BC – 2080 BC (short chronology) or 2157 BC – 2144 BC (middle chronology), roughly contemporaneous with the last king of Akkad, Shu-turul.[3] In one of his inscriptions, he refers to himself as a child of the god Ninagal (Sumerian: 𒀭𒎏𒀉𒃲).[4]

According to inscriptions of Ur-Baba, during his reign Lagash enjoyed prosperity and independence from the Akkadians. His daughter Ninalla married Gudea, who succeeded him as ensi.[3]

  • Tablet of Ur-Baba, Girsu.[4]
    Tablet of Ur-Baba, Girsu.[4]
  • Cone with name and title of Ur-Baba, king of Lagash
    Cone with name and title of Ur-Baba, king of Lagash
  • Ur-Bau foundation tablet. Walters Art Museum
    Ur-Bau foundation tablet. Walters Art Museum
  • Ur-Bau foundation tablet (front detail). Walters Art Museum
    Ur-Bau foundation tablet (front detail). Walters Art Museum
  • Foundation figurine of Ur-Baba
    Foundation figurine of Ur-Baba
  • Cuneiform dedication cone of Ur-Bau
    Cuneiform dedication cone of Ur-Bau
  • Ur-Baba inscription plaque enumerating the temples erected by him; Louvre collection (AO 261).[4]
    Ur-Baba inscription plaque enumerating the temples erected by him; Louvre collection (AO 261).[4]
  1. ^ "Site officiel du musée du Louvre". cartelfr.louvre.fr.
  2. ^ Eppihimer, Melissa (2019). Exemplars of Kingship: Art, Tradition, and the Legacy of the Akkadians. Oxford University Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-19-090302-2.
  3. ^ a b Leick, Gwendolyn (2002). Who's Who in the Ancient Near East. Routledge. p. 185. ISBN 9781134787951.
  4. ^ a b c Full translation of the tablet: Edzard, Sibylle; Edzard, Dietz Otto (1997). Gudea and His Dynasty. University of Toronto Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-8020-4187-6.