1. Tirigan was an ancient ruler of Sumer, reigning for only 40 days before being conquered by the rival city of Uruk in 2050 BCE
Tirigan was a member of the Gutian dynasty of Sumer, succeeding Si’um as the 19th and last ruler mentioned on the historic “Sumerian King List”. According to the ancient record, “Tirigan ruled for 40 days. 21 kings ruled for 124 years and 40 days. Then the army of Gutium was defeated and the kingship was taken to Uruk.” The earliest inclusion on this list, dating to 2050 BCE, extremely little is known from this period, even about the kings and rulers of the time, but it is believed that Tirigan was defeated by Utu-ḫeĝal of Uruk, a rival Sumer city and home of the legendary Sumerian king Gilgamesh during the 3rd millennium BCE.
According to surviving texts, Utu-ḫeĝal occupied both banks of the Tigris before advancing against Tirigan, closing off roads, blocking the rivers, and strangling the enemy’s lines. Capturing the generals Ur-Ninazu and Nabi-Enlil, who had been sent to Sumer as envoys, Utu-ḫeĝal continued his advance, whereupon Tirigan sought to flee. Running away on foot to Dabrum, believing the people would protect him there, they instead arrested him and presented him before their new ruler. Whilst his ultimate fate is uncertain, it is recorded that Utu-ḫeĝal publicly shamed the former king, making him kneel before him and, although unclear, most likely executed his predecessor.
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