Classical Akkad (2370-c. 2004)

Bronze head of an Akkadian king, perhaps Sargon of Akkad 1. Life-size bronze or copper head of an Akkadian king, perhaps Sargon of Akkad (2370-2316), found as loot at Ishtar Temple in Nineveh. 30 cm. (Baghdad: Iraq Museum). Sargon I (Sharrukin), king of Semitic Agade, created a fully developed absolute monarchy with hegemony over surrounding peoples.
Copper casting from near Dohuk 2. Copper casting from near Dohuk of a seated man. Scarcity of tin in the era makes bronze scarce, but there is high quality castings in copper.
Impression from the cylinder seal of Secretary Kalki 3. Impression from the cylinder seal of Secretary Kalki. The king's brother is followed by two officials and led by two figures, including a soldier, which suggests a foreign expedition c. 2300 B.C. British Museum, UK.
Impression from the cylinder seal of Secretary Kalki 4. Fragment of an Akkadian relief showing prisoners of war. No provenance. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.
Inscriptions on stone bowl 5. Inscriptions on stone bowl: a) part of Naram-Sin of Akkad's (2254-2218 B.C.) booty from Magan (prob. Oman) b) dedicated to Moon god Sin at Ur by daughter of later king Shulgi. Found at Ur. British Museum, UK. The Akkadian kings followed trade roots to loot from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranian.
Baked clay head of a god from Telloh 6. Baked clay head of a god from Telloh, c. 2000 B.C. Wears the triple crown of divinity. 10 cm. tall. Le Louvre, Paris.

The Guti and rise of Girsu dynasty in Sumer
(end of 3rd millenium)

Statue, prob. of King Gudea, Lagash 1. Diorite statue found hear Telloh, probably of King Gudea of Lagash. 105 cm. tall. Le Louvre, Paris. The Sargonid era experienced deepening contradictions associated with the ethnogenesis of a pastoral people known as the Guti, but then, starting with King Gudea of Lagash, there was a Neo-Sumerian revival that culminated in the Third Dynasty of Ur.
Statue, prob. of King Gudea, Lagash 2. Diorite statue, probably of King Gudea of Lagash or his son Ur-Ningirsu. British Museum, London.

Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112-2004 B.C.)

relief on the Stela of Ur-Nammu, Ur 1. Detail of a reconstructed relief on the Stela of Ur-Nammu, Ur. King instructed by seated gods to build a temple or ziggurat. 304 cm. tall. The Sumerian revival owed much to this king. University Museum, Univ. of Pennsylvania, US.
Necklace with large agate beads set in gold from Ur III 2. Necklace with large banded agate beads set in gold from Ur III. It belonged to the Priestess Tiamat-bashti, and was found in the temple of Eanna at Uruk. The largest bead is 9 cm. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.