Il, king of Umma
King of Umma
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Il (Sumerian: 𒅍, IL) was king (𒈗, Lugal; fl. c. 2420 BC)[1] of the Sumerian city-state of Umma. His father might have been Eandamu, and his grandfather was King Enakalle, who had been vanquished by Eannatum of Lagash.[1] Il was the successor to Ur-Lumma. According to an inscription, before becoming king, he had been temple administrator in Zabalam: "At this time, Il, who was the temple administrator of Zabalam, marched in retreat from Girsu to Umma and took the governorship of Umma for himself."[2] He ruled for at least 12 years.[3]
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| Il 𒅍 | |
|---|---|
Stone tablet for the dedication of a temple, inscribed by Il, king of Umma, c. 2400 BC, and mentioning his father Eandamu (𒂍𒀭𒁕𒊬), and his grandfather King Enakalle (𒂗𒀉𒆗𒇷). Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago. | |
| King of Umma | |
| Reign | c. 2420 BC |
| Predecessor | Ur-Lumma |
| Successor | Gishakidu |
| Issue | Gishakidu |
| Dynasty | 1st Dynasty of Umma |
An alabaster foundation tablet with unknown provenance reads (Uttu, goddess of weaving, has been suggested for TAG.NUN):
"For the deity TAG.NUN, Il, king of Umma, son of E-anda-mua, grandson of En-akale, king of Umma, built her temple for her."[4]
He entered in a territorial conflict with Entemena, ruler of Lagash, as mentioned in an inscription:[3]
"He (Il) diverted water from the boundary-channel of Ningirsu and the boundary-channel of Nanshe (...). When because of those channels, Enmetena, the governor of Lagash, sent envoys to Il, Il, the governor of Umma, who steals fields (and) speaks evil, declared: ‘The boundary-channel of Ningirsu (and) the boundary-channel of Nanshe are mine! I will shift the boundary-levee from Antasura to Edimgalabzu!’ But Enlil (and) Ninhursang did not give it to him."[3]
Il was defeated by Entemena, who had sought the aid of Lugal-kinishe-dudu of Uruk, successor to Enshakushanna, who is in the king list.[5]
Il later fought against Enannatum II, king of Lagash and successor to Enmetena, and defeated him, ending the Lagash dynasty founded by Ur-Nanshe.[1][6]
He was succeeded by his son, Gishakidu.[7]
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