Shulgi of Ur: Greatest King of the Ur III Period

Q: Who was Shulgi of Ur?

Shulgi of Ur (reign 2094 to circa 2046 BCE) was the greatest king of the Ur III period in Mesopotamia, who raised the city of Ur to its greatest height and initiated (or encouraged) the Sumerian Renaissance.

Q: Did Shulgi of Ur really run 200 miles (321.8 km) in one day?

Modern scholars believe that Shulgi of Ur ran 200 miles (321.8 km) in one day in order to distinguish himself from his father or any other king by officiating at the religious festivals in both the city of Ur and of Nippur on the same day, which had never been done before.

Q: What was Shulgi of Ur's greatest accomplishment?

Aside from his famous run and the institution of the Code of Ur-Nammu, Shulgi's greatest accomplishment was the reformation of scribal schools and the encouragement of literacy.

Q: How did Shulgi of Ur die?

Shulgi of Ur's cause of death is uncertain. Later scribes claim he was assassinated for impiety, but this has been challenged. He may have died of natural causes.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

Shulgi of Ur (reign 2094 to circa 2046 BCE) is considered the greatest king of the Ur III period in Mesopotamia (circa 2112 to circa 2004 BCE). His father was Ur-Nammu (reign circa 2112-2094 BCE), who founded the Third Dynasty of Ur, and his mother was a daughter of King Utu-Hegal of Uruk (reign circa 2119 to circa 2112 BCE), who first led the uprising against the Gutian occupation.

More about: Shulgi of Ur

Timeline

c. 2112 BCE - c. 2004 BCE
The Ur III period in Sumer, known as the Sumerian Renaissance.
2094 BCE
Death of Ur-Nammu, King of Ur, Shulgi's father.
2094 BCE
Shulgi assumes the throne of Ur.
2094 BCE - c. 2046 BCE
Reign of Shulgi of Ur.
c. 2058 BCE
Construction of the Great Wall to keep the Amorites from Sumer.
c. 2046 BCE
Death of Shulgi of Ur.
c. 2046 BCE - c. 2037 BCE
Shulgi's son Amar-Sin assumes the throne of Ur.
c. 2022 BCE
Probable year of Shulgi's famous run.