Ur-Baba

Ur-Baba or Ur-Bau (Sumerian: 𒌨𒀭𒁀𒌑 ur-^Dba.ba₆ or ur-^Dba.U₂, servant of the goddess Bau; died c. 2144 BC) was ensi of Lagash from 2093 BC – 2080 BC (short chronology) or 2157 BC – 2144 BC (middle chronology), roughly contemporaneous with the last king of Akkad, Shu-turul.^[3] In one of his inscriptions, he refers to himself as a child of the god Ninagal (Sumerian: 𒀭𒎏𒀉𒃲).^[4]

Ur-Baba 𒌨𒀭𒁀𒌑
Diorite Statue of Ur-Ba'u (Ur-Baba), Prince of Lagash. Louvre Museum, AO 9[1][2]
King of Lagash
Reign	c. 2164 – c. 2144 BC
Predecessor	Possibly Kaku
Successor	Gudea
Died	c. 2144 BC
Issue	Ninalla
Dynasty	2nd Dynasty of Lagash

Lagash

Location of Lagash

According to inscriptions of Ur-Baba, during his reign, Lagash enjoyed prosperity and independence from the Akkadians. His daughter Ninalla married Gudea, who succeeded him as ensi.^[3]

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  Tablet of Ur-Baba, Girsu.^[4]
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  Cone with name and title of Ur-Baba, king of Lagash
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  Ur-Bau foundation tablet. Walters Art Museum
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  Ur-Bau foundation tablet (front detail). Walters Art Museum
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  Foundation figurine of Ur-Baba
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  Cuneiform dedication cone of Ur-Bau
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  Ur-Baba inscription plaque enumerating the temples erected by him; Louvre collection (AO 261).^[4]