What does Stele of the Vultures?
The Stele of the Vultures is a monument from the Early Dynastic III period (2600–2350 BC) in Mesopotamia celebrating a victory of the city-state of Lagash over its neighbour Umma. It shows various battle and religious scenes and is named after the vultures that can be seen in one of these scenes.
Where was the Stele of the Vultures found?
This ancient stele, dated to between ca. 2600 and 2350 BC, is a key piece of evidence in the history of warfare. Currently on display at the Louvre Museum, the Stele of the Vultures originates from Tello (ancient Girsu) in Iraq and dates to the Early Dynastic III period, or roughly between 2600 and 2350 BC.
Why is the vulture Stele important to the study of history?
The “Stele of the Vultures” of King Eannatum1 is often considered one of the first examples of a monument of war, commemorating the victory of the city of Lagash over its rival Umma for the control of the water source of the canal on the border of the two southern Mesopotamian cities.
Who created the Stele of Vultures?
Lagash
The Stele of Vultures was written by Lagash as war propaganda, so when interpreting the Stele, it is important to note that it is one-sided and inherently biased. Scenes are carved on both sides of the stele, with inscriptions filling in the negative space.
Who created the Stele of the Vultures?
Who is on the stele of Hammurabi?
Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god. (a parallel to Moses can be made here). Shamash is the dominate figure—he is seated on his throne, wears a crown composed of four pairs of horns, holds a ring and staff, and has flames issuing from his shoulders.
When was the Stele of the Vultures discovered?
The Stele of Vultures is an ancient limestone carving, consisting of seven fragments found in what is now Southern Iraq in the 1880s. The Mythological Face of the Stele of Vultures. This side of the stele shows the divine intervention that brings Eannatum victory.
Who is on the Stele of Hammurabi?
Why is the stele of Hammurabi significant?
The Stele of Hammurabi was placed in public locations throughout the kingdom and was written in the native language of the people of Babylon. This ensured that anyone who was literate could read the code of Hammurabi and see how the laws applied to their lives.
What is the law code of stele?
The Hammurabi code of laws, a collection of 282 rules, established standards for commercial interactions and set fines and punishments to meet the requirements of justice. Hammurabi’s Code was carved onto a massive, finger-shaped black stone stele (pillar) that was looted by invaders and finally rediscovered in 1901.
What God is Hammurabi talking to in the stele?
Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god.
What was the purpose of the stele of Hammurabi?
What is the stele of the vultures?
The Stele of the Vultures is a monument from the Early Dynastic III period (2600–2350 BC) in Mesopotamia celebrating a victory of the city-state of Lagash over its neighbour Umma.
How are the inscriptions on the stele badly preserved?
The inscriptions on the stele are badly preserved. They fill the negative spaces in the scenes and run continuously from one side to the other. The text is written in Sumerian cuneiform script.
Where was the stele of Eannatum found?
The fragments were found at Tello (ancient Girsu) in southern Iraq in the late 19th century and are now on display in the Louvre. The stele was erected as a monument to the victory of king Eannatum of Lagash over Ush, king of Umma.
What is the story of the Lagash stele?
From these inscriptions, it is known that the stele was commissioned by Eannatum, an ensi or ruler of Lagash around 2460 BC. On it, he describes a conflict with Umma over Gu-Edin, a tract of agricultural land located between the two city-states.