Ur-Nammu

AncientEmperorSumer-2112 — -2095

Founder of Ur III, oldest known legal code.

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Quick Facts

Born

2112 BCE

Died

2095 BCE

Country

Sumer

Era

Ancient

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)50

Political (20%)59

Influence (20%)57

Legacy (20%)52

Leadership (15%)72

Strategy (15%)53

Total Score57.1

Ur-Nammu — Complete Timeline

2112 BC

Defeated the Gutians and expelled them from SumerWar◆ Major

Ur-Nammu led a military campaign against the Gutian rulers who had dominated Sumer for decades. He defeated them and drove them out of the region, restoring Sumerian independence and establishing his dynasty.

WarGutiansIndependence

Impact: regional

Founded the Third Dynasty of UrPolitical Action◆ Major

Ur-Nammu overthrew the Gutian rulers and established the Third Dynasty of Ur, reuniting Sumer under a single rule. This marked the beginning of the Ur III period, a time of centralized administration and cultural revival in Mesopotamia.

DynastySumerUnification

Impact: regionalconstructive

2100 BC

Promulgated the Code of Ur-NammuReform

Ur-Nammu issued the oldest known written legal code, predating Hammurabi's code by three centuries. The code established laws covering property, family, and criminal justice, with penalties including fines and compensation rather than physical punishment.

LawCodeJustice

Impact: globalconstructive

Built the Great Ziggurat of Ur (initial construction)Cultural◆ Major

Ur-Nammu began construction of the Great Ziggurat of Ur, a massive stepped temple dedicated to the moon god Nanna. The project was later completed by his son Shulgi and became one of the most iconic structures of ancient Mesopotamia.

ArchitectureZigguratReligion

Impact: regionalconstructive