Lagash (Lagaš) would be a modern wonder in the ancient world, a brilliant hub of trade, commerce and the meeting of minds. Inhabited before c. 3000 BCE, Lagash arises at a prolific time in Mesopotamia, when the heightened activity of the Bronze Age opens new paths to prosperity.
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By c. 2500 BCE, Lagash covers an area of about 500 ha (1236 acres). With some variations, temperature ranges between 10 °C (50 °F) in winter to 32 °C (90 °F) in summer, enough for noticeable fluctuations in seasons. At its height, the city state is home to over 100,000 people.
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In the southeast of today's Iraq, Lagash is on the fertile flood plains between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The rivers fan out into deltas of silt, as fresh waters mingle with the salt of the sea.
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This, to the early Mesopotamians, is the meeting of Tiamat, Queen of Chaos, the Primal Sea, with her consort Abzu, embodied by fresh water or groundwater. Here, in the reed marshes and flatlands of the Persian Gulf, is the beginning of all life.
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The founding of Lagash some time later brings together sea trade and cross-country trade, different cultures and civilizations. In the nearby sister city Girsu (Tello), a religious center, worshippers of all creed flood the streets.
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Along the trade routes, goods incoming and outgoing include metals like copper and tin, exotic fruit and spices such as cinnamon. Fabric and fabric dyes are popular. Precious stones such as lapiz lazuli, carnelian and turquoise and innovations like Egyptian blue faience and early glass found its way along the paths of trade.
Routes are by water or land, inland or down to the coast where the Indus Valley culture (roughly today's Pakistan) can be easily reached by sea. With luck and timing, one could also ride the trade winds to the lands of Arabia and Egypt and the Land of Punt. All roads are possible.
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The silver vase above is dedicated to Ningirsu (Ninurta):
"For Ningirsu, the foremost warrior of Enlil. Entemena, the ensi of Lagash, whom Nanshe had chosen in her heart, the great ensi of Ningirsu, the son of Enannatum, the ensi of Lagash, made for Ningirsu, the king who loved him, a vase of pure silver and stone (?), out of which Ningirsu drinks, and brought it to the Ningirsu of the Eninnu, for his life. At that time, Dudu was the sanga of Ningirsu."
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Lagash is a major center of civilization in the ancient years during the Early Dynastic Era, Sargonic Empire and Ur III (c. 2900 - 2004 BCE), nearly nine hundred years. Life is prosperous but never really peaceful, as rebellions and border battles mark the Elamite period. Throughout these times the river delta expands.
Over centuries, the coast advances, so coastal cities like Ur are inland by a hundred miles (160 km) or more. Although Lagash weathers this change better than some, the trade networks die away. Several towns built on the Tigris Euphrates trade route wither into the ground. Lagash declines in importance.
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In the ancient world the tutelary deity of Lagash is the Sumerian Goddess Gatumdug, a popular local divinity. She's already worshipped in Lagash by 2900 BCE. Later, King Gudea (above) builds a temple to her in Girsu. She's considered the divine founder of Lagash. Her name translates to holy, lustrous, sacred or shining.
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