Gudea (/ɡuː.ˈdeɪ.ə/,goo-DAY-ə;Sumerian:𒅗𒌤𒀀,Gu3-de2-a; diedc. 2124 BC) was aSumerian ruler (ensi) of the state ofLagash in SouthernMesopotamia, who ruled or c. 2144–2124 BC (MC). Though most likely not a native of Lagash, he married Ninalla, the daughter of its rulerUr-Baba, which enabled him to enter the royal family. He was succeeded by his son,Ur-Ningirsu II. Gudea ruled during a period when theGutian dynastyMari.[1] Under Gudea, Lagash experienced a golden age, with seemingly considerable independence from theGutians, alanguage isolate populace who had came from northeastern regions beyond Mesopotamia.[2]
GudeaEnsiLagashki, "Gudea, Governor of Lagash", in an inscriptionCylinder seal of Gudea. It reads "Gudea, Ensi of Lagash; Lugal-me, scribe, thy servant".[3]
Gudea chose the title ofénsi (town-king or governor), not the more exaltedlugal (Akkadianšarrum). 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[4] as in accordance with Mesopotamian traditions for all rulers except Naram-Sin of Akkad and some of the Ur III kings.[5]
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 whenAnshan was smitten with weapons".[6]
Although Gudea claimed to have conqueredElam and Anshan, most of his inscriptions emphasize the building ofirrigation channels andtemples, and the creation of precious gifts to the gods.[7]
Foundation figurines of gods in copper alloy, reign of Gudea,c. 2150 BC, from the temple of Ningirsu atGirsu (British Museum, London)Votive stele of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, to the temple of Ningirsu: Gudea being led byNingishzida into the presence of a deity who is seated on a throne. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144-2124 BC. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul.Sacred basin, a gift from Gudea to the temple of Ningirsu. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144-2122 BC. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul.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 theHouse of Ningirsu,[11] 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,[12] 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 abull… seized like anaurochs by his fierce horn".[13]
Lagash under Gudea had extensive commercial communications with distant realms. According to his own records, Gudea brought cedars from the Amanus and Lebanon mountains inSyria, diorite from eastern Arabia, copper and gold from central and southern Arabia and fromSinai, while his armies were engaged in battles in Elam on the east.[14]
Location of foreign lands for the Mesopotamians, including Meluhha
In an inscription, Gudea referred to theMeluhhans who came to Sumer to sell gold dust,carnelian etc...[14] In another inscription, he mentioned his victory over the territories ofMagan,Meluhha,Elam andAmurru.[14]
In theGudea cylinders, Gudea mentions that "I will spread in the world respect for my Temple, under my name the whole universe will gather in it, and Magan and Meluhha will come down from their mountains to attend" (cylinder A, IX).[15] In cylinder B, XIV, he mentions his procurement of "blocks oflapis lazuli and bright carnelian from Meluhha."[16]
The first known reference toGoa in India possibly appears asGubi in the records of Gudea.[17] At the time, Sumerians had establishedtrade contacts with India.[17]
The "Libation vase of Gudea" with the dragonMušḫuššu, dedicated to Ningishzida (21st century BC). Thecaduceus (right) is interpreted as depicting godNingishzida. Inscription; "To the god Ningiszida, his god, Gudea, Ensi (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this."
^Thapar, Romila (1975). "A Possible Identification of Meluḫḫa, Dilmun and Makan".Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient.18 (1):1–42.doi:10.2307/3632219.ISSN0022-4995.JSTOR3632219.
^"J'étendrai sur le monde le respect de mon temple, sous mon nom l'univers depuis l'horizon s'y rassemblera, et [même les pays lointains] Magan et Meluhha, sortant de leurs montagnes, y descendront" (cylindre A, IX)" in"Louvre Museum". Archived fromthe original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved1 April 2020.
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![Lion macehead of Gudea, Girsu[18]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aGirsu_Lion_Macehead.jpg)
![Gudea tablet: "For Hendursaga, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagash, built his house."[19] Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin.](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aGudea_tablet_Vorderasiatisches_Museum_Berlin.jpg)
![The Gudea cylinders[20]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aCylindres_de_Gudea_-_Mus%25C3%25A9e_du_Louvre_Antiquit%25C3%25A9s_orientales_AO_MNB_1511_%3b_MNB_1512.jpg)
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