---
title: Detail of the War Scene of the Standard of Ur
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8425/detail-of-the-war-scene-of-the-standard-of-ur/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-10-08
---

# Detail of the War Scene of the Standard of Ur

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Detail of the War Scene of the Standard of Ur](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8425.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8425.jpg)

## Image Caption

Detail (middle part of the top and middle registers) of the so-called "[War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) Scene" of the Standard of [Ur](https://www.worldhistory.org/ur/), a (reconstructed) hollow box, the precise purpose of which is unknown. From the Royal Cemetry of Ur, Ur, Sothern [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), modern-day Iraq. [Early Dynastic](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Early_Dynastic/) Period, c. 2500 BCE.

The British Museum, London.

At the center of the upper register, a male figure, taller than all others (his head projects beyond the upper frame), stands and faces right. This is probably the king. He holds a long object in his hand. He wears a leather head cap and a long garment. Behind him, his bodyguards stand, wearing flounced skirts, and holding spears and axes. In front of him, a group of prisoners of war is being led by soldiers. On the left side lower register, [Sumerian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sumerians/) soldiers, fully attired in leather head caps and cloaks as well as flounced skirts, parade a group of prisoners of war. The prisoners are naked, bound, held, and fallen. There are wounds on their bodies with blood gushes. The artist was successful in delivering the scene of their humiliation and defeat. The depictions, in [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/), were made using lapis lazuli, red limestone, and shell set in place with bitumen.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2018, April 06). Detail of the War Scene of the Standard of Ur. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8425/detail-of-the-war-scene-of-the-standard-of-ur/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Detail of the War Scene of the Standard of Ur." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 06, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8425/detail-of-the-war-scene-of-the-standard-of-ur/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Detail of the War Scene of the Standard of Ur." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Apr 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8425/detail-of-the-war-scene-of-the-standard-of-ur/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 06 April 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.