Enannatum I (, ), son of Akurgal, succeeded his brother

Eannatum Eannatum ( ; ) was a Sumerian ''Ensi (Sumerian), Ensi'' (ruler or king) of Lagash. He established one of the first verifiable empires in history, subduing Elam and destroying the city of Susa, and extending his domain over the rest of Sumer and Akk ...

as '' Ensi'' (ruler, king) of

Lagash Lagash (; cuneiform: LAGAŠKI; Sumerian language, Sumerian: ''Lagaš'') was an ancient city-state located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Al-Shatrah, Iraq. Lagash ( ...

. During his rule,

Umma Umma () in modern Dhi Qar Province in Iraq, was an ancient city in Sumer. There is some scholarly debate about the Sumerian and Akkadian names for this site. Traditionally, Umma was identified with Tell Jokha. More recently it has been sugges ...

once more asserted independence under its ensi

Ur-Lumma ''Ur-Lumma'' (, ; ) was a ruler of the Sumerian city-state of Umma. His father was King Enakalle, who had been vanquished by Eannatum of Lagash. Ur-Lumma claimed the title of "King" ('' Lugal''). His reign lasted at least 12 years. Ur-Lumma ag ...

, who attacked Lagash unsuccessfully. After several battles, Enannatum I finally defeated Ur-Lumma. Ur-Lumma was replaced by a priest-king, Il, who also attacked Lagash. Enannatum had a son named Meannesi, who is known for dedicating a statue for the life of his father and mother. He has two other sons, Lummatur and

Entemena Entemena, also called Enmetena (, ; ), was a son of Enannatum I who re-established Lagash as a power in Sumer. He defeated Il in a territorial conflict through an alliance with Lugal-kinishe-dudu of Uruk, successor to Enshakushanna, who is in ...

, the latter succeeding him to the throne. His wife was named Ashumen. File:The cuneiform text states that Enannatum I reminds the gods of his prolific temple achievements in Lagash. Circa 2400 BCE. From Girsu, Iraq. The British Museum, London.jpg, The cuneiform text states that Enannatum I reminds the gods of his prolific temple achievements in Lagash. Circa 2400 BCE. From Girsu, Iraq. The British Museum, London. File:En-annatum in cuneiform.jpg, The name "En-annatum" in cuneiform File:Tablet of Enannatum son of Akurgal.jpg, Tablet of Enannatum I: "Enannatum, '' ensi'' of Lagash, son of Akurgal, ''ensi'' of Lagash, built a temple to

Ningirsu Ninĝirsu was a Mesopotamia, Mesopotamian god regarded as the tutelary deity of the city of Girsu, Ĝirsu, and as the chief god of the local pantheon of the state of Lagash. He shares many aspects with the god Ninurta. Ninĝirsu was identified as ...

,...." File:Tablet of Enannatum I.jpg, Tablet of Enannatum I: "Enannatum, '' ensi'' of Lagash, son of Akurgal, ''ensi'' of Lagash, built a temple to

,...." File:British Museum - Room 56 (21162542886).jpg, Mace head with the eagle of Lagash, dedicated to the life of Enannatum, possibly Enannatum II. File:Inscribed head of a mace with Imdugud (Anzu) and Enannatum, the British Museum, London..JPG, Inscription on the mace head: "For

of E-ninnu, the workman of Enannatum, ruler of Lagash, Barakisumun, the ''sukkal'', dedicated this for the life of Enannatum, his Master."

References

Kings of Lagash 25th-century BC Sumerian kings 3rd-millennium BC births 25th-century BC deaths {{AncientNearEast-bio-stub