at, about that time, the kingdom of Gishban had
become a really powerful state. It had triumphed not only over
Babylonia proper, but over Kish, Uru, Uruk, and Larsam, while one of its
sovereigns had actually established his rule in some parts of Northern
Syria. Idingiranagin vanquished the troops of Gishban, and there is now
in the Louvre a trophy which he dedicated in the temple of Ninglrsu on
his return from the campaign.

* Hilpeecht, Bab. Expcd. of the Univ. of Pennsylvania, vol.
i., 2nd part, p. 47 sqq.

[Illustration: 102.jpg IDINGIRANAGIN IN HIS CHARIOT LEADING HIS TROOPS.]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief in the Louvre. The
attendant standing behind the king has been obliterated, but
we see clearly the contour of his shoulder, and his hands
holding the reins. It is a large stele of close-grained
white limestone, rounded at the top, and covered with scenes
and inscriptions on both its faces. One of these faces
treats only of religious subjects. Two warlike goddesses,
crowned with plumed head-dresses and crescent-shaped horns,
are placed before a heap of weapons and various other
objects, which probably represent some of the booty
collected in the campaign. It would appear that they
accompany a tall figure of a god or king, possibly that of
the deity Ningirsu, patron of Lagash and its kings. Ningirsu
raises in one hand an ensign, of which the staff bears at
the top the royal totem, the eagle with outspread wings
laying hold by his talons of two half-lions back to back;
with the other hand he brings a, club down heavily upon a
group of prisoners, who struggle at his feet in the meshes
of a large net.

[Illustration: 103.jpg Page image. VULTURES FEEDING UPON THE DEAD.]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from the fragment of a bas-relief in
the Louvre. This is the human sacrifice after the victory,
such as we find it in Egypt--the offering to the national
god of a tenth of the captives, who struggle in vain to
escape from fate. On the other stele the battle is at its
height. Idingiranagin, standing upright in his chariot,
which is guided by an attendant, charges the enemy at the
head of his troops, and the plain is covered with corpses
cut down by his fierce blows: a flock of vultures accompany
him, and peck at each other in their struggles over the