Stelae

Ancient peoples often commemorated historical events on stelae. One well-preserved Mesopotamian stele from Lagash depicts the ruler Eannatum’s victory over the nearby city of Umma. A segment of the stele shows Eannatum leading his well-shielded army while vultures and lions feast on naked corpses. The opposite side of the stele commemorates the spiritual forces that were believed to have brought victory—particularly the god Ningirsu, who is depicted as destroying the men of Umma, whom he has caught in his net.