Ur-Nammu

Ur-Nammu founded the Third Dynasty of Ur around 2112 BCE, reunifying Sumer after the collapse of the Akkadian Empire and establishing one of ancient Mesopotamia's most prosperous periods. He is best known for the Ur-Nammu law code, the earliest surviving law code in human history, which established fixed penalties for various offenses — including monetary compensation for physical injury — predating Hammurabi's more famous code by roughly three centuries. He undertook massive building projects including the Great Ziggurat of Ur, dedicated to the moon god Nanna. He died on campaign against the Gutians.

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