The Standard of Ur

"Peace side," Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur, modern Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq, Sumerian, 2600-2400 BCE, wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone

"War side," Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur, modern Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq, Sumerian, 2600-2400 BCE, wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone

Sumeria was the first known civilization in Mesopotamia and was made up of multiple city states. Sumeria was incredibly successful, which was reflected through their various technological advancements including the creation of the first writing system, cuneiform, and complex irrigation systems. Average people were divided into four social classes: nobles, free clients of the nobility, commoners, and slaves. The “free clients of the nobility" were those who were dependent on nobility for work. The Sumerian rulers were considered gods’ representatives on earth. Priests were chief civic administrators, meaning that they would take care of organized public works, construction of canals and irrigation ditches, and collection and distribution of food. 

The Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur is from modern-day Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq. It was made sometime during the period of 2600-2400 BCE out of wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone. The work of art has two separate sides that are often referred to as the “war side” and “peace side.” Each side uses three registers, or distinct levels. The “war side” depicts a king in the middle of the upper register, commanding the army and inspecting the captives in front of him. Throughout the registers are soldiers from the other side marching to become enslaved, animals, carriages with weapons, and dead bodies. On the “peace side,” there are domesticated animals walking on the two lower registers. On the upper register, there is a king and other nobles at a dinner party. The king is wearing a wool kith, while a musician plays a bull-headed harp. At the same time, food is being processioned inside the room. 

The physical function of the work of art could have been to act as a soundbox of a musical instrument or carried on a pole as a standard, or banner for a military parade. However, the symbolic function could have been to show war and dominance, as it reflects two halves of  narrative. More specifically, it could represent the dual nature of a Sumerian ruler as both the victorious general and father of his people who promotes general welfare. In addition, perhaps indirectly, Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur illustrates the Sumerians’ extensive trade network with the lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, shells from the Persian Gulf, and red limestone from India. 

The Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur is just one work of art that reflects the great power that the Sumerians had over others, but also the duality of their culture.