3525811 Statue of Gudea, c.2090 BC (diorite) by Neo-Sumerian, (21st century BC); 44x21.5x29.5 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; (add.info.: Mesopotamia, probably from Girsu (modern Tello) The city-state of Lagash produced a remarkable number of statues of its kings as well as Sumerian literary hymns and prayers under the rule of Gudea (ca. 2150??125 B.C.) The inscription on his robe lists the various temples that he built or renovated in Lagash and names the statue itself, "Gudea, the man who built the temple; may his life be long." ); out of copyright.