The Royal Hymns of Ur-Ninurta

Anonymous / tradition (composed for and about King Ur-Ninurta of Isin) · c. 1923-1896 BC (reign of Ur-Ninurta of Isin) · Nippur (Iraq) · poetry

A king who came to Isin's throne without an obvious dynastic claim argues for his legitimacy through hymns that cast him as Enlil's own choice, shepherd of the black-headed people, continuing the Ur III practice of using royal praise poetry to manufacture the appearance of settled succession.