Position in chronology
Gudea Statue G
Translation · reference
High confidence(i 1) For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, his master, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, the builder of Ninĝirsu's E-ninnu, built Ninĝirsu, his master's E-ĝidru, the temple of seven niches, the temple whose scepter takes precedence, (and) for which Ninĝirsu decided a good fate. Ninĝirsu dispatches the joyful bridewealth of Bau, the child of An, his beloved spouse, from this (temple). (Gudea's) personal god, Ninĝišzida follows them, (and) Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, escorts them from Ĝirsu to Iri-kug to congratulate (on the occasion). (ii 17) In this very year he transported diorite from the mountains…
Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001546/
Why it matters
Transliteration
Scholarly note
Sumerian royal inscription, published in the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI) by Gábor Zólyomi and collaborators. Translation reproduced from the ETCSRI edition. ORACC text Q001546.
Attribution
Image: .
Translation excerpted from Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Royal Inscriptions (ETCSRI), University of Vienna, edited by Gábor Zólyomi et al. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/etcsri/Q001546/.
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The earliest historical document in human history. Before this, we have lists, accounts, and dedications. Here, for the first time, a ruler tells us what happened — with names, places, and consequences.
The oldest surviving law code in human history. The principle that the state — not the wronged family — defines and enforces justice begins here.
Not the first law code, but the most complete and the most famous. Inscribed on a black diorite stele over two meters tall, displayed in a public place — law made visible, law made monumental.