Architect 01 / 10

Gudea

• c. 2144–2124 BCE

Role

Ruler of Lagash · the earliest documented name tied to architecture

In brief

A building ruler, not a professional architect. His statues show him seated with a temple plan and measuring tools on his lap, known as “The Architect with a Plan”. His works include the E-ninnu temple at Girsu and the rebuilding of some fifteen temples in Lagash.