Gudea (, ; Sumerian: , Gu<sub>3</sub>-de<sub>2</sub>-a; died 2124 BC) was a Sumerian ruler (ensi) of the state of Lagash in Southern Mesopotamia, who ruled or c. 2144–2124 BC (MC). Though most likely not a native of Lagash, he married Ninalla, the daughter of its ruler Ur-Baba, which enabled him to enter the royal family. He was succeeded by his son, Ur-Ningirsu II. Gudea ruled during a period when the Gutian dynasty ruled Mari. Under Gudea, Lagash experienced a golden age, with seemingly considerable independence from the Gutians, a language isolate populace who had come from northeastern regions beyond Mesopotamia.

Inscriptions

thumb|left|Gudea [[Ensi (Sumerian)|Ensi Lagashki, "Gudea, Governor of Lagash", in an inscription]]

thumb|Cylinder seal of Gudea. It reads "Gudea, Ensi of Lagash; Lugal-me, scribe, thy servant".

Gudea chose the title of énsi (town-king or governor), not the more exalted (Akkadian šarrum). Gudea did not style himself "god of Lagash" as he was not deified during his own lifetime, this title must have been given to him posthumously as in accordance with Mesopotamian traditions for all rulers except Naram-Sin of Akkad and some of the Ur III kings.

The 20 years of his reign are all known by name; the main military exploit seems to have occurred in his Year 6, called the "Year when Anshan was smitten with weapons".

Although Gudea claimed to have conquered Elam and Anshan, most of his inscriptions emphasize the building of irrigation channels and temples, and the creation of precious gifts to the gods.

Materials for his buildings and statues were brought from all parts of western Asia: cedar wood from the Amanus mountains, quarried stones from Lebanon, copper from northern Arabia, gold and precious stones from the desert between Canaan and Egypt, diorite from Magan (Oman), and timber from Dilmun (Bahrain).

Statues of Gudea

thumb|left|upright|Statue of Gudea, [[Louvre-Lens]]

thumb|Sculpture of the head of Sumerian ruler Gudea, , [[National Archaeological Museum (Madrid)|National Archaeological Museum]]

Religion

thumb|Foundation figurines of gods in copper alloy, reign of Gudea, , from the temple of Ningirsu at [[Girsu (British Museum, London)]]

thumb|Votive stele of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, to the temple of Ningirsu: Gudea being led by [[Ningishzida into the presence of a deity who is seated on a throne. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144-2124 BC. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul.]]

thumb|Sacred basin, a gift from Gudea to the temple of Ningirsu. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144-2122 BC. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul.

thumb|Diorite mortar, an offering from Gudea to Enlil. From Nippur, Iraq. 2144-2124 BC. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul.

The inscription on a statue of Gudea as architect of the House of Ningirsu, warns the reader of doom if the words are altered, but there is a startling difference between the warnings of Sargon or his line and the warnings of Gudea. The one is length; Gudea's curse lasts nearly a quarter of the inscription's considerable length, and another is creativity. The gods will not merely reduce the offender's progeny to ash and destroy his foundations, no, they will, "let him sit down in the dust instead of on the seat they set up for him". He will be "slaughtered like a bull… seized like an aurochs by his fierce horn".

Lagash under Gudea had extensive commercial communications with distant realms. According to his own records, Gudea brought cedars from the Amanus and Lebanon mountains in Syria, diorite from eastern Arabia, copper and gold from central and southern Arabia and from Sinai, while his armies were engaged in battles in Elam on the east.

International relations

thumb|upright=1.3|Location of foreign lands for the Mesopotamians, including Meluhha

In an inscription, Gudea referred to the Meluhhans who came to Sumer to sell gold dust, carnelian etc... In cylinder B, XIV, he mentions his procurement of "blocks of lapis lazuli and bright carnelian from Meluhha."

Important artifacts

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4">

File:Girsu Gudea libation vase.jpg|The "Libation vase of Gudea" with the dragon Mušḫuššu, dedicated to Ningishzida (21st century BC). The caduceus (right) is interpreted as depicting god Ningishzida. Inscription; "To the god Ningiszida, his god, Gudea, Ensi (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this."

Image:GUDEA GOV OF LAGASH - bust.JPG|Head of Gudea in polished diorite, reign of Gudea (Boston Museum of Fine Arts)

File:Girsu Lion Macehead.jpg|Lion macehead of Gudea, Girsu

File:Gudea dedication tablet to Ningirsu.jpg|Gudea dedication tablet to God Ningirsu: "For Ningirsu, Enlil's mighty warrior, his Master, Gudea, ensi of Lagash"

File:Gudea tablet Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin.jpg|Gudea tablet: "For Hendursaga, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagash, built his house." Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin.

Foundation Nail of Gudea, about 2100 BC, Neo-Sumerian, Iraq, probably Lagash, copper alloy - Cleveland Museum of Art - DSC08176.JPG|Foundation nail of Gudea, Cleveland Museum of Art

File:Cylindres de Gudea - Musée du Louvre Antiquités orientales AO MNB 1511 ; MNB 1512.jpg|The Gudea cylinders

File:GudeaName.jpg|Name and title "Gudea, ensi of Lagash" on Statue A of Gudea

File:Clou de fondation du temple de ningirsu.jpg|Foundation nail for the temple of Ningirsu in Lagash. Reign of Gudea.

File:Circular clay brick stamped with a cuneiform text mentioning the name of Gudea, ruler of Lagash. From Girsu, Iraq. Vorderasiatisches Museum.jpg|Mudbrick stamped with a cuneiform text mentioning the name of Gudea, ruler of Lagash. From Girsu, Iraq, . Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin

File:Seal of Gudea, led by Ningishzida.jpg|Seal of Gudea, led by Ningishzida

</gallery>

References

Sources

  • F. Johansen, "Statues of Gudea, ancient and modern". Mesopotamia 6, 1978.
  • A. Parrot, Tello, vingt campagnes des fouilles (1877-1933). (Paris 1948).
  • N.K. Sandars, "Introduction" page 16, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Penguin, 1972.
  • H. Steible, "Versuch einer Chronologie der Statuen des Gudea von Lagas". Mitteilungen der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft 126 (1994), 81–104.
  • The true face of Gudea. A realistic statue of Gudea shows us how he may have looked in real life.