Utu-hengal
| Utu-hengal | |
|---|---|
| King of Uruk | |
| Reign | c. 2055 BC – 2048 BC |
| Predecessor | Tirigan |
| Successor | Ur-Nammu |
| Dynasty | 5th Dynasty of Uruk |
Utu-hengal (also written Utu-heg̃al, Utu-heĝal, and sometimes transcribed as Utu-hegal, Utu-hejal) was one of the first native kings of Sumer after centuries of Akkadian and Gutian rule.
Life and reign
There are several theories regarding his background. The most common is that he was a governor of Uruk who revolted against the Gutian kings in c. 2050 BC. He led the cities of Sumer against the last Gutian king Tirigan. After a battle at an unknown location, Utu-Hengal was victorious and forced Tirigan to flee back towards Gutium.[1] He stopped at the city of Dubrum (location unknown) and the people there treated him kindly. However, once the people of Dubrum heard that Utu-Hengal was marching towards the city they took Tirigan and his family prisoner. He was brought before Utu-Hengal, and agreed to leave Sumer and retreat back to Gutium.[2] After defeating the Gutians, Utu-hengal established himself as the king of Sumer. He was, however, unable to maintain power, and was succeeded seven years later by the governor of Ur, Ur-Nammu, as the king of Sumer. He was thus the only king of the fifth dynasty of Uruk.
Family
Utu-hengal had a daughter who married Ur-Nammu and gave birth to his successor, Shulgi, and was therefore related by marriage to the third dynasty of Ur. He was an ancestor of Amar-Sin.
References
- ↑ Samuel Noah Kramer (2010-09-17). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0 226 45238 7.
- ↑ Samuel Noah Kramer (2010-09-17). The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0 226 45238 7.
- "Middle East & Africa to 1875". Sanderson Beck. 1998–2004. Retrieved 2006-11-19.