Utu-hengal, also written Utu-heg̃al, Utu-heĝal, and sometimes transcribed as Utu-hegal, Utu-hejal, Utu-Khengal, was one of the first native kings of Sumer after two hundred years of Akkadian and Gutian rule, and was at the origin of the foundation of the Third Dynasty of Ur by his son-in-law Ur-Nammu. He was officially "King of Uruk" in his inscriptions, and is therefore considered as the founder, and only member, of the "Fifth dynasty of Uruk".
Utu-Hegal, Prince of the Sumerian city of Uruk, praying for victory against the Gutian king Tirigan. 19th century illustration.
Utu-hengal name and titles on his victory stele (photograph and transcription): "Utu-hengal, the great man, King of Uruk, King of the four quarters of the world".
Utu-Hengal victory stele AO 6018 (photograph and transcription of the obverse). Louvre Museum.
Inscribed copper-alloy vessel of Utu-hengal. British Museum
The Guti, also known by the derived exonyms Gutians or Guteans, were a people of the ancient Near East. Their homeland was known as Gutium.
Tablet of Lugalanatum
"Gutium"
The Gutians capturing a Babylonian city, as Akkadians are making a stand outside their city. 19th century illustration.
King Anubanini of Lullubi, holding an axe and a bow, trampling a foe. Anubanini rock relief, circa 2300-2000 BC. Sar-I Pul, Iran. The Gutians "were close neighbours, hardly to be distinguished" from the Lullubi.
