===== Ur III Calendars =====

Despite what appears to be attempts at standardisation, the formerly independent city-states, Umma, Girsu, etc., kept their own calendars after being incorporated into the Ur III state. Although some month names are identical across the calendars (ezem-<sup>d</sup>šul-gi, found in all calendars except for Nippur; and še-sag/sag<sub>(11)</sub>-ku<sub>5</sub>, found in all), most of the names were specific to the city where they were used and presumably related to local cultic calendars.\\

All calendars intercalated by adding an extra month ([iti] diri [mn], or [mn] min<sub>[3]</sub>), but this was not done in regular intervals, nor consistently across the empire. Though not demonstrated with certainty, very probably intercalation was employed, on average every three years, in an attempt to synchronize solar and lunar calendars.\\

Go [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/tools/ur3months/month.html|here for a tabular view of Ur III month names]] in Drehem, Girsu, Nippur, Ur, Umma and Irisagrig (click on the head of columns to sort the names according to the named local calendars).

No generally accepted sub-divisions of the month into weeks are known from Ur III texts; the designations u<sub>4</sub>-sakar gu-la (“great crescent”), u<sub>4</sub>-sakar u<sub>4</sub> 1(u)-5(diš) (“crescent of day 15”), e<sub>2</sub>-u<sub>4</sub>-1(u)-5(diš) (“house of day 15”), and e<sub>2</sub>-u<sub>4</sub>-7(diš) (“house of day 7”), and variants of these qualifications, are suggestive of a simple division of the administrative 30-day month into two 15-day halves, and of each half into two “weeks” of 7-8 days.\\

We list below the month names from the different cities, with links to texts in the CDLI referencing these months names. The month names are listed in chronological order, with changes in placement noted in the comments.

===Drehem month names===

**a<sub>2</sub>-ki-ti**, "Akitu". The month of the New Year’s festival. The sixth month before Shu-Suen’s third year, and during that year. The seventh month following Shu-Suen’s third year (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti a2-ki-ti|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-an-na**, “Festival of heaven“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ezem-an-na|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-maḫ**, “Lofty festival” (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ezem-mah|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>(d)</sup>me-ki-gal<sub>2</sub>**, “Festival of Mekigal“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=me-ki-gal2|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>nin-a-zu**, “Festival of Ninazu“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=ezem-{d}nin-a-zu|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>šu-<sup>d</sup>suen**, “Festival of Šu-Suen“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=ezem-{d}szu-{d}suen|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>šul-gi**, “Festival of Šulgi“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=ezem-{d}szul-gi|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ki-siki-<sup>d</sup>nin-a-zu** “Weaving-place(?) of Ninazu” (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ki-siki-{d}nin-a-zu|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**maš<sub>(2)</sub>-da<sub>3</sub>-gu<sub>7</sub>**, “Gazelle Feast“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti masz-da3-gu7|here]] for Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**še-sag<sub>(11)</sub>-ku<sub>5</sub>**, “Harvest“. Month 12 before the reforms in Shu-Suen's 3rd year. Not used in Shu-Suen year 3. Month 1 in the years following Shu-Suen 3 (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag11-ku5|here]] for Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ses-da-gu<sub>7</sub>**, “Piglet Feast“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ses-da-gu7|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**šu-eš<sub>(5)</sub>-ša**, "...". Month 8 before the reforms in Shu-Suen’s 3rd year (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti szu-esz-sza|here]] for Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**u<sub>5</sub>-bi<sub>2</sub><sup>(mušen)</sup>-gu<sub>7</sub>**, “ubi(bird) Feast“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti u5-bi2-gu7|here]] for Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**diri**, “Extra (month)“; the abbreviated designation for the 13<sup>th</sup> month was not employed in Drehem\\

===Nippur month names===

**bara<sub>2</sub>-za<sub>3</sub>-gar**, "...". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti bara2-za3-gar|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**gu<sub>4</sub>-si-su**, "...". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti gu4-si-su|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**sig<sub>4</sub>-ga**, "Brick". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sig4-ga|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**šu-numun**, "Sowing". click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti szu-numun|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**NE-NE-gar**, "...". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti NE-NE-gar|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**kin-<sup>d</sup>inanna**, "Work of Inanna". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti kin-{d}inanna|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**du<sub>6</sub>-ku3<sub>3</sub>**, "Shiny mound". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti du6-ku6|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**apin-du<sub>8</sub>-a**, "Loosening the plough". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti apin-du8-a|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**GAN-GAN-e<sub>3</sub>**, "...". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti GAN-GAN-e3|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ku<sub>3</sub>-SZIM (var. ab-e<sub>3</sub>)**, "...". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ku3-SZIM|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month, and click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ab-3e|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning the variant month name)\\

**udru<sup>duru5</sup>**, "...". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti urdu{duru5}|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

**še-sag<sub>(11)</sub>-ku<sup>5</sup>**, "Harvest". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag11-ku5|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month, and click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag-ku5|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning the variant writing of this month name))\\

**diri**, "Extra". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Nippur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti diri|here]] for Nippur texts mentioning this month)\\

===Ur month names===

**še-sag<sub>(11)</sub>-ku<sub>5</sub>**, "Harvest". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag11-ku5|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month, and click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag-ku5|here]] for Ur texts mentioning the variant writing of this month name))\\

**maš<sub>(2)</sub>-da<sub>3</sub>-gu<sub>7</sub>**, “Gazelle Feast“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti masz-da3-gu7|here]] for Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ses-da-gu<sub>7</sub>**, “Piglet Feast“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ses-da-gu7|here]] for all Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**u<sub>5</sub>-bi<sub>2</sub><sup>(mušen)</sup>-gu<sub>7</sub>**, “ubi(bird) Feast“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti u5-bi2-gu7|here]] for Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ki-siki-<sup>d</sup>nin-a-zu** “Weaving-place(?) of Ninazu” (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ki-siki-{d}nin-a-zu|here]] for all Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>nin-a-zu**, “Festival of Ninazu“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=ezem-{d}nin-a-zu|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**a<sub>2</sub>-ki-ti**, "Akitu". The month of the New Year’s festival. The sixth month before Shu-Suen’s third year, and during that year. The seventh month following Shu-Suen’s third year (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti a2-ki-ti|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>šul-gi**, “Festival of Šulgi“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=ezem-{d}szul-gi|here]] for all Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**šu-eš<sub>(5)</sub>-ša**, "...". Month 8 before the reforms in Shu-Suen’s 3rd year (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti szu-esz-sza|here]] for Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-maḫ**, “Lofty festival” (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ezem-mah|here]] for all Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-an-na**, “Festival of heaven“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ezem-an-na|here]] for all Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**ezem-<sup>(d)</sup>me-ki-gal<sub>2</sub>**, “Festival of Mekigal“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Drehem&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=me-ki-gal2|here]] for all Drehem texts mentioning this month)\\

**diri ezem-<sup>(d)</sup>me-ki-gal<sub>2</sub> us2-sa**, “Festival of Mekigal“ (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti diri em {d}me-ki-gal2 us2-sa|here]] for all Ur texts mentioning this month)\\

**diri**, "Extra". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Ur&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti diri|here]] for Ur texts mentioning this month)\\


===Girsu month names===

===Umma month names===

**še-sag<sub>(11)</sub>-ku<sub>5</sub>**, "Harvest". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag11-ku5|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month, and click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-sag-ku5|here]] for Umma texts mentioning the variant writing of this month name))\\

**sig<sub>4</sub>-<sup>geš</sup>i/u<sub>3</sub>-šub-ba-gar**, "Brick placed in the mold". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sig4-{gesz}u3-szub-ba-gar|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month, and click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sig4-{gesz}i-szub-ba-gar|here]] for Umma texts mentioning the variant writing of this month name))\\

**še-kar-ra-gal<sub>2</sub>-la**, "Barley is at the quay". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti sze-kar-ra-gal2-la|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\

**nesag**, "First fruit (offerings)". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti nesag|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\

**dal**, "Flight". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti dal|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\

**šu-numun**, "Sowing". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti szu-numun|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\

**min-eš<sub>(3)</sub>**, "Double sanctuary". The seventh month before Amar-Suen's 7th year, and after Shu-Suen's 2nd year (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti min-esz3|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month, and click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti min-esz|here]] for Umma texts mentioning the variant writing of this month name))\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>amar-<sup>d</sup>suen**, "Festival of Amar-Suen". The seventh month in the Umma calendar from Amar-Suen's 7th year to Shu-Suen's 2nd year. (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti ezem-{d}amar-{d}suen|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


**e<sub>2</sub>-iti-6(diš)**. "House Month-Six". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti e2-iti-6(disz)|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


**<sup>d</sup>li<sub>9</sub>-si<sub>4</sub>**, "Lisi". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti {d}li9-si4|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


**UR**, "...". Month 10 before Shulgi's 30th year. (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti UR|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


**pa<sub>4</sub>-u<sub>2</sub>-e**, "Pa-u'e". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti pa4-u2-e|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


**<sup>d</sup>dumu-zi**, "Dumuzi". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti {d}sumu-zi|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


**diri**, "Extra". (click [[http://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&requestFrom=Search&Provenience=Umma&Period=Ur+III&TextSearch=iti diri|here]] for Umma texts mentioning this month)\\


===Irisagrig month names===

**šu-gar(-gal)**\\

**<sup>geš</sup>apin**\\

**kir<sub>11</sub>-si-ak**\\

**ses-da-gu<sub>7</sub>**\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>li<sub>9</sub>-si<sub>4</sub>**\\

**ezem-a-bi**\\

**gi-sig-ga**\\

**ezem-<sup>d</sup>šul-gi**\\

**nig<sub>2</sub>-<sup>d</sup>en-lil<sub>2</sub>-la<sub>2</sub>**\\

**ezem-a-dara<sub>4</sub>**\\

**nig<sub>2</sub>-e-ga**\\

**ezem-an-na**\\

**še-sag<sub>(11)</sub>-ku<sub>5</sub>**\\

**diri**\\


===Adab month names===