Meskigal

Meskigal 𒈩𒆠𒅅𒆷
Ruler of Adab
Reign	24th century BCE
Predecessor	E-iginimpa'e
Dynasty	Dynasty of Adab
Religion	Sumerian religion

Adab

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Lugal-dalu was ruler ofAdab,circa 2500 BCE.

Meskigal(Sumerian:𒈩𒆠𒅅𒆷,mes-ki-g̃al₂-la)was aSumerianruler of theMesopotamiancity ofAdabin the mid-3rd millennium BCE, probably circa 2350 BCE.He was contemporary withLugal-zage-siand the founder of theAkkadian Empire,Sargon of Akkad.

In a fragmentary inscription, he claimed to have been on an expedition to the "Mountain of theCedarforests "(𒆳𒄑𒂞,^KURg̃eš-erin,Lebanon), perhaps together withSargon I:

"For Ninšubur, the minister of An, for the life of Meskigal, ruler of Adab, (...) from the cedar mountains. (...) For the life of his wife and children to Ninšubur his goddess he dedicated it (this statue). Though (my)... Prayer Have Compassion!"

— Inscription of Meskigal

It has been suggested that Meskigal had actually defected to the Akkadian Empire, in opposition to Lugal-zage-si.Another known case isLugalushumgal,who was also a collaborator of theAkkadian Empire.

According to an inscription however, the Akkadian rulerRimush,successor of Sargon, captured him following a rebellion:

"Rimuš, king of the world, in battle overAdabandZabalamwas victorious, and 15,718 men he struck down, and 14,576 captives he took. Further, Meskigala, governor of Adab, he captured, and Lugalgalzu, governor of Zabalam, he captured. Their cities he conquered, and their walls he destroyed. Further, from their two cities many men he expelled, and to annihilation he consigned them "

— Adab and Zabalam Inscription of Rimus.

It is uncertain if this is the same Meskigal being mentioned in these several inscriptions.

There is a statue of Meskigal in theBaghdad Museum,in a style reminiscent of Akkadian statuary.Meskigal is also known from inscriptions.