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Utu-hengal
King of Uruk
Utu-Khegal, Prince of the Summerian city of Erech, imploring victory against the Gutian king Tirikan.jpg
Utu-Hegal, Prince of the Sumerian city of Uruk, praying for victory against the Gutian king Tirigan. 19th century illustration.
Reign c. 2119  BC – 2112  BC

(Middle Chronology)

c. 2055  BC – 2048  BC

(Short Chronology)
Predecessor Tirigan (Gutian Dynasty)
Nam-mahani (Second Dynasty of Lagash)
Successor Ur-Nammu (Third dynasty of Ur)
Dynasty 5th Dynasty of Uruk

Utu-hengal was an important king from ancient Sumer, a land in what is now modern-day Iraq. He became king after Sumer had been ruled by outsiders, first the Akkadians and then the Gutians, for about 200 years. Utu-hengal is famous for leading the Sumerian people to freedom from Gutian rule.

He was known as the "King of Uruk," a powerful city in Sumer. He is also seen as the founder of the "Fifth Dynasty of Uruk." His rule helped set the stage for a new golden age in Sumer, as his son-in-law, Ur-Nammu, later founded the powerful Third Dynasty of Ur.

Utu-hengal's Rise to Power

Utu-hengal's journey to becoming king is quite interesting. Many historians believe he was a governor in the city of Uruk. Around 2050 BC, he decided to rebel against the Gutian kings who controlled Sumer.

Defeating the Gutians

Utu-hengal gathered the cities of Sumer to fight against the last Gutian king, Tirigan. They had a big battle, and Utu-hengal won! King Tirigan had to run away from Sumer.

Utu-hengal titles on his victory stele (photograph and transcription)
Utu-hengal's name and titles on his victory stele. It says: "Utu-hengal, the great man, King of Uruk, King of the four quarters of the world."

Tirigan tried to find safety in a city called Dubrum. But when the people of Dubrum heard that Utu-hengal was coming, they captured Tirigan and his family. They brought them to Utu-hengal, and Tirigan agreed to leave Sumer for good. This victory was a huge moment for the Sumerian people.

King of Sumer

After his great victory over the Gutians, Utu-hengal became the king of all Sumer. He was seen as a hero who brought freedom back to his people.

End of His Reign

Utu-hengal ruled for seven years. Sadly, he died in an accident while checking on a dam. After his death, his son-in-law, Ur-Nammu, who was the governor of the city of Ur, took over as king of Sumer.

Utu-hengal was the only king of the Fifth Dynasty of Uruk. However, the Sumerian people often saw his rule and the later Ur III dynasty as one continuous period. Utu-hengal is still remembered as one of the most important heroes in Sumerian history.

What His Titles Meant

On a special stone monument called a Victory Stele, Utu-hengal described himself with grand titles. He called himself:

  • "Utu-hengal, the great man"
  • "King of Uruk"
  • "King of the four quarters of the world"

This last title meant he saw himself as the ruler of the entire known world at that time.

Important Inscriptions

We know a lot about Utu-hengal from various inscriptions he left behind. These are like ancient writings carved into stone or metal.

The Victory Stele

Utu-Hengal victory stele AO 6018 (photograph and transcription of the obverse)
The Utu-Hengal victory stele, now in the Louvre Museum. This stele tells the story of his victory over the Gutians.

Utu-hengal had a special stone stele (a tall, carved stone slab) built in Uruk to celebrate his victory. A copy of this stele is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The stele tells the story of how Utu-hengal defeated the Gutians and their king, Tirigan. It describes the Gutians as a "fanged snake" who had taken away Sumer's kingship and filled the land with trouble. It says that the god Enlil commanded Utu-hengal to bring Sumer back to its rightful rulers.

The inscription also explains how Tirigan and his family were captured and brought before Utu-hengal. It says that Utu-hengal made Tirigan lie at the feet of the god Utu and placed his foot on Tirigan's neck, showing his complete victory.

The Copper Vase

Vase inscribed with Sumerian text mentioning the name of Utu-hegal, king of Uruk, c. 2125 BCE, from Uruk, Iraq. British Museum
An ancient copper-alloy vase with Utu-hengal's inscription, found in Uruk. Now at the British Museum.
Vase inscribed with Sumerian text mentioning the name of Utu-hegal, king of Uruk, c. 2125 BCE, from Uruk, Iraq. British Museum (transcription)
A closer look at the inscription on the vase.

Another important item is a copper-alloy vase, which is now in the British Museum. This vase also has an inscription from Utu-hengal.

The inscription on the vase says: "This is Utu-hengal, Powerful male, King of Uruk, King of the four quarters." It also includes a warning, or a "curse," for anyone who might try to erase his name or remove the vase. It asks the gods to cut short their reign and wipe out their family. This shows how important it was to ancient kings that their names and achievements were remembered.

Stone Fragment

There is also a small piece of a stone monument, also in the British Museum, that mentions Utu-hengal's name and titles. It repeats the phrase: "Utu-hengal, the great man, King of Uruk, King of the four quarters of the world."

Images for kids

  • Part of a stone monument inscribed with the name of Utu-hegal, king of Uruk. Circa 2125 BCE. From Ur, Iraq. The British Museum, London

    Part of a stone monument inscribed with the name of "Utu-hengal, the great man, King of Uruk, King of the four quarters of the world". Circa 2125 BCE. From Ur, Iraq. The British Museum, London.

  • Utu-Hengal in cuneiform

    "Utu-Hen(gal)" in cuneiform

  • Utu-hengal inscription

    Utu-hengal inscription. "Utu-hengal, the great man, King of Uruk, King of the four quarters of the world".

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