Shul-utula

File:Goddess Shul-utul, foundation peg, 'Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the shrine Girsu', probably Girsu, Tell Telloh, Iraq, mid 3rd millenium BC - Harvard Semitic Museum - Cambridge, MA - DSC06074.jpg

Shut-utul in the form of a foundation peg, with inscription "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the shrine Girsu", probably Girsu, Tell Telloh, Iraq, mid 3rd millennium BCE. Harvard Semitic Museum, Cambridge, MA

Shul-utul (Template:Langx, ) or Shul-utulaTemplate:Sfn was the personal god of the rulers of the Mesopotamian Ur-Nanshe dynasty of Lagash.Template:Sfn His name means "youngling shepherd" in Sumerian.Template:Sfn

Despite his role as the personal deity of kings, Shul-utul was not regarded as a deity associated with ruling, and it is possible his role was instead connected to personal luck.Template:Sfn It is also possible that, similar to Ninshubur, he was envisioned as capable of mediating with higher ranked gods on behalf of humans under his protection.Template:Sfn One document states that he helped kings with building temples in Girsu.Template:Sfn He is mentioned in inscriptions in association with rulers such as Entemena and Eannatum.Template:Sfn

Shut-utul is mostly attested in association with temples of other deities.Template:Sfn Seven foundation figurines from the Ibgal temple, which dedicated to Inanna,Template:Sfn are assumed to be depictions of Shul-utul.Template:Sfn He was also worshiped in Emah (Sumerian: "exalted house"Template:Sfn), a shrine of Nanshe located in Girsu.Template:Sfn

The only certain attestation of Shul-utul from the Ur III period is the personal name Ur-Shul-utul.Template:Sfn None are known from later periods.Template:Sfn