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263 Me pela: 7 ve vary d g = Fig. 85 The history of Lagash (a site nowadays called Tello) records a dynasty whose reign—uninterrupted for half a millennium- began three centuries before the rise of Sargon. An island of armed stability in an increasingly violent environment, Lagash was also a great center of Sumerian culture. While Sumer's reli- gious holidays emanated from Nippur, Lagash originated tradi- tions of festivals tied to an agricultural calendar, such as_ the Festival of First Fruits. Its scribes and scholars perfected the Sumerian language; and its rulers, to whom Ninurta granted the title "Righteous Governor," were swom to a code of justice and morality. Prominent among the very First rulers of the long dynasty of La- gash was one named Ur-Nanshe (circa 2600 B.C.). More than Fifty of his inscriptions were found in the ruins of Lagash; they record the bringing of building materials for the Girsu, including special timbers from Tilmun for the temple's furnishings. They also de- scribe extensive irrigation works, the digging of canals, and the raising of dykes. On one of his tablets Ur-Nanshe is depicted head- ing a construction team, not loath to do some manual work himself (Fig. 86). The forty known viceroys who followed him left a written record of achievements in agriculture, construction, social legislation, and ethical reforms—material and moral achievements that would make any government proud. Prelude to Disaster