Lugalanda

Not to be confused with Lugalbanda.

Lugalanda, also Lugal-anda (Sumerian: 𒈗𒀭𒁕; died c. 2375 BC^[1]) was a Sumerian king of Lagash. He was the son of Enentarzi, the high priest of Lagash, who appointed him as king. In ancient literature, he is notorious for being corrupt.

Lugalanda 𒈗𒀭𒁕
Clay bulla impressed with the seal of Lugalanda, one of the last kings of the Ist Dynasty of Lagash. Early Dynastic III (c. 2400 BC). Found in Telloh (ancient Girsu).
King of Lagash
Reign	c. 2384 - c. 2378 BC
Predecessor	Enlitarzi or Enentarzi
Successor	Urukagina
Died	c. 2375 BC
Spouse	Baranamtarra
Dynasty	1st Dynasty of Lagash
Father	Enentarzi
Religion	Sumerian religion

Lagash

Location of Lagash

Reign

The high priests of Lagash were very influential and either occupied the throne or decided who should. Priests, especially the high priests, remained very influential during Lugalanda's reign.

Lugalanda was married to Baranamtarra, the daughter of a great landowner who had commercial connections with the queen of Adab.

Corruption

All documents mentioning the reign of Lugalanda describe him as a wealthy and corrupt king. They state his reign was a time of great corruption and injustice against the weak. Inscriptions state that the king confiscated approximately 650 Morgen (around 6.5 sq km) of land.

An artifact detailing his reign reads:

The sealings of Lugal-anda and his wife—Break in traditions inaugurated by Urukagina—Causes of an increase in officialdom and oppression—The privileges of the city-god usurped by the patesi and his palace—Tax-gatherers and inspectors "down to the sea"—Misappropriation of sacred lands and temple-property, and corruption of the priesthood.^[2]

The writing purports that Lugalanda appointed officials unjustly, widely overtaxed civilians and misused properties all for the sake of his personal gain.

Overthrow

Around 2378 BC, Lugalanda was overthrown by Urukagina. During his reign, he attempted to root out the corruption in the government.^[3][1] Lugalanda's reign lasted 6 years and 1 month.

Seals

Seals of Lugalanda

^[4]

• 
  Seal of Barnamtarra, wife of Lugalanda. Clay seal impression.
• 
  Cuneiform for the name "Lugal-anda"
• 
  Seal in the name of Lugalanda