Iraq: A temple hymn and praise poem addressed to the Sumerian king Iddin-Dagan, incised in cuneiform script on a hexagonal baked clay tablet, c. 1950 BCE. Photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen (PD). Iddin-Dagan (r. c. 1975 - 1954 BCE) was the third king of the Dynasty of Isin, ruling for roughly 21 years according to the Sumerian King List. He is best known for his participation in the annual sacred marriage ritual, in which he impersonated the god Dumuzid while a priestess played the role of Inanna. The ceremony reached its climax with the copulation of the king and the priestess.

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Size: 3400px × 5100px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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