E-ninnu

E-ninnu

E-ninnu Shown within Iraq
Location	Tell Telloh, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq
Region	Mesopotamia
Coordinates	31°33′43.3″N 46°10′39.3″E / 31.562028°N 46.177583°E / 31.562028; 46.177583
Type	Temple
Part of	Girsu
History
Builder	Gudea
Material	mud brick
Founded	c. 2120 BC

The E-ninnu 𒂍𒐐 (House of 50) was the E (temple) to the warrior god Ningirsu in the Sumerian city of Girsu in southern Mesopotamia. Girsu was the religious centre of a state that was named Lagash after its most populous city, which lay 25 km (16 mi) southeast of Girsu. Rulers of Lagash who contributed to the structure of the E-ninnu included Ur-Nanshe of Lagash in the late 26th century BC, his grandson Eannatum in the following century, Urukagina in the 24th century and Gudea, ruler of Lagash in the mid 22nd century BC.

The site has yielded inscribed bricks naming Ur-Nanshe and Eannatum, but most bricks date from the restoration effected by Gudea. The Gudea cylinders, perhaps the longest surviving text written in the Sumerian language, give a semi-mythical account of the building of the temple, along with a description of the rituals and symbols associated with E-ninnu.

Some form of temple to Ningirsu probably existed from the early days of the city. Sumerian gods were generally associated with particular cities and Ningirsu means "Lord of Girsu". There was also a temple to Ningirsu called the Bagara in the larger nearby city of Lagash, where the rulers of Lagash had their palace.