Gudea
Lord (Ensi) of ancient sumerian city state of Laga · Historical Figures
A Sumerian ruler who married into power around 2144 BC and turned Lagash into a golden-age city-state while most of Mesopotamia answered to the Gutians.
Gudea is read about 204 times a day, in 41 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 9 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 111 days, one point a day.
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Photos 8
Gudea of Lagash Girsu
A Gudea statue on display at the Getty Villa DSF7966
Circular clay brick stamped with a cuneiform text mentioning the name of Gudea, ruler of Lagash. From Girsu, Iraq. Vorderasiatisches Museum
Clay foundation nail of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, from Iraq, c. 2140 BCE. Pergamon Museum.jpg?width=1200)
Clay Foundation Peg of King Gudea of Lagash, Sumer, Late 3rd Millennium BC (43169983682)
Clay tablet. Its envelope is stamped with religious scenes of Gudea, ruler of Lagash. From Girsu, Iraq. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
Clou de fondation du temple de ningirsu
Cuneiform dedication by Gudea on a mud brick, excavated in Iraq, end of the Gutian period, 22nd century BC, clay - Tokyo National Museum - Tokyo, Japan - DSC08544In their own words 2
, I am like a sheep who has no reliable shepherd; there is no reliable herdsman to lead me on.
My god, I am not one to be hostile. May you show sympathy towards me once again.
About this person
Gudea wasn't born into Lagash's ruling line. He married Ninalla, daughter of the ruler Ur-Baba, and that wedding opened the door. He took power around 2144 BC in southern Mesopotamia, at a time when the Gutian dynasty - a language-isolate people from the northeast - controlled much of the region, including Mari. Lagash under Gudea somehow kept considerable independence from them, and the city flourished. His son Ur-Ningirsu II succeeded him when he died around 2124 BC.
