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Urukagina 𒌷𒅗𒄀𒈾 | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25th century BCE Lagash |
| Died | c. 2370 BCE Lagash |
| Nationality | Sumerian |
| Political orientation | Populism |
Urukagina (died c. 2370 BCE), also known as Uruinimgina, was a ruler of the Sumerian city of Lagash. He took power in a popular rebellion against King Lugalanda and declared himself king in the second year after the rebellion. During his six-year reign, he introduced the first laws in history, which he claimed were given to him by the god Ningirsu.[1]
Urukagina's reforms reduced taxes on priests and craftsmen and reduced the amount of conscript labor used for irrigation. He also reduced payments for religious rituals and protected citizens from debt slavery. He made temples independent from royal authority, reestablished rural courts, and abolished polyandry.[1]
In the seventh year of his rule, the cities of Umma and Uruk allied to invade and destroy Lagash. They defeated Urukagina and reversed his reforms.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grigory Bongard-Levin, Boris Piotrovsky (1988). Ancient Civilisations of East and West. https://archive.org/details/ancientciveastwest/mode/1up.