Great Ziggurat of Ur

The Ziggurat was dedicated to the moon Nanna (or "Suen." The name "Nanna" is Sumerian for "illuminator".), in the Sumerian city of Ur in ancient Mesopotamia, in present-day Iraq, near Nasiriyah south of Baghdad.. The construct, a huge stepped platform, was built approximately in the 21st century BC by king Ur-Namma. In Sumerian times it was called Etemennigur. Today, after more than 4000 years, the ziggurat is still well preserved in large parts, and partially reconstructed, as the only major remainder of Ur in present-day southern Iraq. Its upper stage is over convert|100|ft|m high and the base is convert|210|ft|m by convert|150|ft|m.

The ziggurat was a piece in a temple complex, which was thought to be the dwelling of the moon god, the patron deity of Ur, on earth. The construction of the ziggurat was finished in the 21st century BC by King Shulgi, who in order to win the allegiance of cities, proclaimed himself god. During his 48-year reign, the city of Ur grew to be the capital of a state controlling much of Mesopotamia. Later though, the fortunes of Ur declined, and it was sacked by the Elamites. [ [http://www.amazeingart.com/seven-wonders/ziggurat.html Sumeria, the "Civilized Land"] ]

ee also

*Sumerian renaissance
*E (temple)

References

External links

*Geolinks-US-streetscale|30.5746|46.0610
* [http://www.amazeingart.com/seven-wonders/ziggurat.html A brief history of the Sumerian Ziggurat at Ur]
* [http://www.islamonline.net/english/In_Depth/Iraq_Aftermath/2003/07/article_02.shtml "Archaeology of ancient Iraq with a section on the ziggurat"]
* [http://www.jqjacobs.net/blog/ The Harran and Ur Latitudes, and Tell Göbekli Tepe]

The ziggurat is a place where early people think gods are in the ziggurat they think if they build a higher building they think they will be closer to the gods in heaven.