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Ubaid Uruk Period Early Dynastic Akkadian Empire Ur III · Neo-Sumerian Old Babylonian Old Assyrian Middle Babylonian Middle Assyrian Neo-Assyrian Neo-Babylonian Achaemenid Persian

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Page 4 / 410

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticEditorial

Stele of the Vultures

The earliest historical document in human history.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.

Law·Writing & Literature

~2450 BCE·Early Dynastic

ETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 31add

Dedicatory inscription naming the goddess Lama as owner of a votive bowl: early evidence of object consecration practice in Early Dynastic Lagaš.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Nippur 65add

A fragmentary Early Dynastic royal inscription from Nippur, one of the earliest attestations linking royal authority to the office of chief governor of Enlil — evidence of how Sumerian kingship was legitimised through priestly-administrative titles c. 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

E-anatum 02

Records E-ana-tum of Lagaš restoring a boundary stela originally set by Me-silim — one of the earliest attestations of a ruler invoking a prior landmark to legitimize territorial claims under divine sanction.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

E-anatum 09

Enumerates E-anatum's conquests — Elam, Arawa, Umma, Ur — and his temple-building for Ninĝirsu, anchoring the chronology of Early Dynastic Lagašite expansion roughly a generation before the Stele of the Vultures.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Elili 1

Attests a king of Ur, Elili, dedicating a temple precinct to Enki of Eridu: evidence that Early Dynastic rulers sponsored cult construction across city-state boundaries a full century before Sargon unified Mesopotamia.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-anatum I 03

Attests the transport of white cedar timber from distant mountains to Lagaš c. 2450 BCE, documenting the long-range resource networks that Early Dynastic rulers mobilized for temple construction under divine patronage.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-anatum I 11

Attests Ninĝirsu's divine investiture of En-anatum I as ruler of Lagaš, adding a fragment to the corpus of Early Dynastic royal ideology linking military authority to temple patronage of the goddess Bau.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-anatum I 14

Records En-anatum I's construction of the Ebgal and embellishment of the E-ana at Lagash, attesting the mid-third-millennium practice of commemorating temple patronage through inscribed clay nails driven into mudbrick walls.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-anatum I 17

A scribe named Id-lusikil records his own act of dedication within En-anatum I's temple-building inscription — one of the earliest named scribes to insert himself into a royal monument.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-metena 03

Records En-metena of Lagaš's pact of 'brotherhood' with Lugal-kiĝeneš-dudu of Uruk, one of the earliest attested inter-city alliances in Sumerian history, embedded in a temple-building dedication to Inana ca. 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-metena 05a

Records En-metena of Lagaš constructing the E-muš for Inana and Lugal-emuš, naming his personal deity — rare direct evidence of Early Dynastic royal piety and patron-god theology c. 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-metena 18

Dedicatory inscription of En-metena of Lagaš (~2450 BCE) attesting the ritual gifting of a silver vessel to Enlil, documenting how Early Dynastic rulers performed piety through precious-metal votive offerings.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-šakuš-Ana 1

Records En-šakuš-ana's defeat and capture of Enbi-Eštar of Kiš, one of the earliest dated royal inscriptions to claim kingship over all Sumer — predating Sargon of Akkad by roughly two centuries.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-šakuš-Ana 2

Dedicates the spoils of a conquered Kiš to Enlil, attesting En-šakuš-Ana of Uruk's supremacy over rival city-states roughly two centuries before Sargon's unification of Sumer and Akkad.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-šakuš-Ana 3

Attests the royal title 'en of Sumer, king of the Land' for En-šakuš-Ana c. 2450 BCE, placing this ruler among the earliest documented claimants to pan-Sumerian sovereignty before Sargon of Akkad.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-šakuš-Ana 4

A grand vizier's temple dedication on behalf of king En-šakuš-Ana of Uruk: one of the earliest attestations of high Sumerian officialdom acting as royal proxy in monumental piety, c. 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

En-šakuš-Ana 5add

Records En-šakuš-Ana of Uruk's capture of Enbi-Eštar, king of Kiš, one of the earliest attested military victories over a rival city-king preserved in Sumerian royal inscription.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Lugal-kigine-dudu 1

Attests a ruler simultaneously holding the titles of en at Uruk and king at Ur — early evidence that one man could unite distinct sacred and secular offices across two rival Sumerian cities, c. 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Lugal-kigine-dudu 6

A merchant named Anuzu dedicates a votive vessel to the moon-god Nanna on behalf of Lugal-kiĝeneš-dudu, king of Kiš — attesting private mercantile piety and royal titulature at Kiš circa 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Lugal-zage-si 1

Lugal-zage-si's votive inscription to Enlil attests the first known claim by a Sumerian ruler to kingship over 'all lands' — a universal-sovereignty ideology that Sargon of Akkad would soon appropriate and militarily enforce.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Ur-Nanše 07

Attests Ur-Nanše's construction of the Ĝirsu shrine, anchoring his reign's temple-building program — the political-religious foundation of Lagašite dynastic legitimacy circa 2450 BCE.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-Ane-pada 1

(1) Aya-Ane-pada, king of Urim.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-Ane-pada 2

(1) For ..., Aya-Ane-pada, king of Urim, ....

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-Ane-pada 3

(1) For Ninhursaĝa: Aya-Ane-pada, king of Urim, child of Meš-Ane-pada, king of Urim, built a temple for Ninhursaĝa.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-Ane-pada 4

(1') ... when he built ..., he šarried a holy šhariot to .... Inim-zid and Nanna-ursag dedišated this (bowl) for the well-being of Aya-Ane-pada.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-Ane-pada 6

(1) To Ninazu, Luduga dedicated this for the well-being of Aya-Ane-pada.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-Ane-pada 7add

(i 1) The dwelling AB.IGI.BUR, the sanctuary, the mountain of snakes, where? Inana ..., the Abzu (whose) god no crown (i.e., ruler) would disobey, its owner, the god of Aya-ane-pada, Enki, the father who created him, made his (= Aya-ane-pada’s) lordship apparent. (ii 1) He (= Aya-ane-pada) (then) established the AB.IGI.BUR for him (= Enki), called its name for him, and fashioned his crown for him.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

A-kurgal 1

(1) For Ninĝirsu, Aya-kurgal, ruler of Lagaš. child of Ur-Nanše, king of Lagaš, built the Antasura.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Abzu-kidu 1

(1) To Inana, A-kalam, spouse of Abzu-kidug, ruler of Nibru, dedicated this (bowl).

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anam 1

(1) For Inana, the great lady of the E-ana, his lady, Anam, the true shepherd of Unug, the favourite of An and Inana, the beloved child of Inana, built the outer courtyard of the en-priest’s E-ĝipar, the dwelling that fills her heart with joy.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anam 3

(1) For An, the king of the gods, his master, for Inana, the great lady of the E-ana, his lady, when he renovated and restored their old temple, Anam, the true shepherd of Unug, the beloved child of Inana, installed a door anointed with oil.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous 06 (FAOS 05/2, Anonym 06) (FAOS 05/2, Anonym 06)

(1) To Ninšubur of Bad, Enzid, the shepherd, and Amar-kikug, child of Enzid, dedicated this (statuette).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous 10 (FAOS 05/2, Anonym 10) (FAOS 05/2, Anonym 10)

(1) To Lugal-ega, Ursaĝ-Utu, child of Lugal-pada, the gusur, fashioned this (statuette).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Adab 07 (FAOS 05/2, AnAdab 07)

(1) E-kiri, Ama-ana-ak, spouse of Inim-Utu-zid.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Ešnuna 1 (FAOS 05/2, AnEshn 01)

(1') To ..., ... dedicated this (object) for his own well-being and for the well-being of his spouse and children.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Ešnuna 2 (FAOS 05/2, AnEshn 02)

(1) To Abu, Lugal-kisale-si, child of Ardu, dedicated this (vessel).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 01 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 01)

(1') ..., he displayed his booty for Bau.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 02 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 02)

(1) For Bau, the kind woman, Luma-mešni, scribe of the granary supervisor, ... for his well-being.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 04 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 04)

(1') ... dedišated this (vessel) for ... to Ninĝirsu.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 06 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 06)

(1') ... Lugal-mudakuš fashioned ... for Lugal-Uruba. ....

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 07 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 07)

(1) To Ninĝirsu, Dudu, the scribe, and Aya-anzud dedicated this (statue).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 13 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 13)

(1) To Ninĝirsu of the Bagara, Udbikura, the envoy, dedicated this (bowl).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 14 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 14)

(1) To Ninĝirsu of the Bagara, ... dedicated this (bowl).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 15 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 15)

(1) To Ninĝirsu of the Bagara, ... the stone-cutter, child of Ama-abzu-si, the stone-cutter, dedicated this (mace).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Lagaš 26 (FAOS 05/1, AnLag 26)

(i 1') ..., whose name was proclaimed by Enlil, chosen by Nanše in the heart, who makes the foreign lands submit to Ninĝirsu, ..., (when Ninĝirsu) placed all lands in his hand, and placed the rebellious lands at his feet, ....

Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Nippur 01 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 01)

(1) For Inana of Eden, Ur-Enlil, the chief merchant, dedicated this (plaque).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Nippur 09 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 09)

(1') ..., the child of Lugal-aĝi, dedicated this (vessel) for the well-being of his spouse and child.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Nippur 10 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 10)

(1) To Inana, Me-niĝarta, the spouse of ..., dedicated this (vessel) for her well-being.

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

~2450 BCE·Early DynasticETCSRI

Anonymous Nippur 11 (FAOS 05/2, AnNip 11)

(1) To Inana, Urur, the land recorder, child of ..., and ..., his spouse, dedicated this (vessel).

Writing & Literature·Religion & Myth

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