Shulgi

Shulgi, the illustrious second king of the Third Dynasty of Ur, reigned for an impressive forty-eight years, from approximately two thousand ninety-four to two thousand forty-six BC. He was the son of Ur-Nammu, the founder of the dynasty, and his queen consort, Watartum. Shulgi's reign is marked by significant achievements, most notably the completion of the Great Ziggurat of Ur, a monumental structure that his father initiated.

Throughout his rule, Shulgi adopted several grand titles, including 'King of Ur' and 'King of Sumer and Akkad.' In the latter part of his reign, he further elevated his status by proclaiming himself 'King of the four corners of the universe.' This assertion of power reflects his ambition and the expansive influence he sought to wield over his realm.

In a remarkable display of his divine aspirations, Shulgi began to use the symbol for divinity before his name, signifying his apotheosis from at least the twenty-first year of his reign. His deification was celebrated in the Ekhursag palace, a magnificent structure he commissioned, where he was worshipped as a god.