An ancient Sumerian cuneiform inscribed clay foundation cone of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, in which the ruler dedicates the building of a temple to the hero Ningirsu in honor of the primeval god Enlil, the temple was adorned with an image of Anzu, the brilliant lion headed eagle demon. The eleven line text reads: “Ningirsu, the mighty warrior of Enlil, Gudea, governor of Lagash, made appear that which will last forever, the Eninnu, Brilliant-Lion-Headed-Eagle, Anzu Temple, he built.”
Lagash, a provincial Akkadian town, became the center of a dynasty of which Gudea was perhaps the greatest ruler. Gudea recorded many pious and industrious acts performed under his reign, including bringing timber from the Mediterranean, clearing canals, and building temples. The diorite sculptures found at Girsu (modern Tello), that depict him as a serene architect are now in the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museums. The text (Type III, eleven lines in one column):TRANSLITERATION………………TRANSLATION1. Nin-gir-su……………………………For Ningirsu2. ur-sag kalag-ga…………………….the strong warrior3. En-lil-la-ra…………………………..of Enlil,4. lugal-a-ni…………………………….his lord5. Gu-de-a……………………………….Gudea6. Ensi……………………………………the ruler7. Lagas-ke……………………………..of Lagash8. ni-ul-e pa mu-na-e……………….made appear that which will last forever9. e-ninnu Anzud babbar-ra-ni….he built his Eninnu, the thunderbird Anzu10. mu-na-du……………………………flashing (brilliant)11. ki-be mu-na-gi…………………..(and) restored it at its place
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