Shulgi

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Shulgi of Urim is the second king of the "Sumerian Renaissance". He reigned for 48 years, dated to 2047 BC–1999 BC short chronology (also tentatively dated to 2161 BC–2113 BC on the basis of a solar eclipse). Shulgi is best known for his extensive revision of the scribal school's curriculum. Although it is unclear how much he actually wrote, there are numerous praise poems written by and directed towards this ruler.

Shulgi was the son of Ur-Nammu king of Ur. He proclaimed himself a god, and boasted about his ability to maintain high speeds while running long distances. For example, he claimed he once ran from Nippur to Ur, a distance of not less than 100 miles.[1] Kramer speaks of him as "The first long distance runner champion".

Shortly after his father's death, Shulgi engaged in series of punitive wars against the Gutians to avenge his father's death. He also developed a period of expansionism later in his career until, ultimately finding himself unable to conquer highlander raiders and some others, he built a large wall in an attempt to keep them out.[1]

Shulgi spent a great deal of time and resources in expanding, maintaining, and generally improving roads. He built rest houses along roads, so that the traveler could find a place where he could rest and drink fresh water or spend a night. For this last feat Samuel Noah Kramer calls him the builder of the first inn.

Samuel Noah Kramer wrote about Shulgi in some of his books.

[edit] See also

[edit] Art

Ginés Quiñonero

[edit] Reference

  1. ^ a b Hamblin, William J. Warfare in the Ancient Near East to 1600 BC. New York: Routledge, 2006.


History of Sumer:
Notable Rulers of Sumer
Legendary Kings:  Alulim Dumuzid Ziusudra
First Dynasty of Kish Etana Enmebaragesi
First Dynasty of Uruk Enmerkar Lugalbanda Gilgamesh
First Dynasty of Ur Meskalamdug Mesannepada Puabi
Dynasty of Adab Lugal-Anne-Mundu
Third Dynasty of Kish Kubaba
First Dynasty of Lagash Ur-Nanshe Eannatum En-anna-tum I
Entemena Urukagina
Third Dynasty of Uruk Lugal-Zage-Si
Dynasty of Akkad Sargon Enheduanna Manishtushu
Naram-Sin Shar-Kali-Sharri Dudu Shu-turul
Second Dynasty of Lagash Gudea
Fifth Dynasty of Uruk Utu-hegal
Third Dynasty of Ur Ur-Nammu Shulgi Amar-Sin Shu-Sin Ibbi-Sin