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Aratta
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Aratta

ancient city, Sumer
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Quick Summary

Aratta was an ancient city, legendary ruler of which was Ensuhkeshdanna, a rival of Enmerkar, the king of Uruk in Sumer. Sumer was an ancient civilization in southern Mesopotamia.12

Enmerkar is a significant figure in Sumerian epics, known for his conflicts with Aratta. One epic, Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta, details Enmerkar's desire for Aratta's resources to build shrines. He sought aid from the goddess Inanna to acquire these materials, leading to a series of demands and counter-demands between the two cities.2

Another epic, Enmerkar and Ensuhkeshdanna, describes Ensuhkeshdanna's demand for Enmerkar to become his vassal. Enmerkar refused, and after a series of events involving a priest and a wise woman, Ensuhkeshdanna ultimately yielded to Enmerkar's authority.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. Ensuhkeshdanna
  2. Enmerkar

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