What is lugal?

Lugal is a term used in ancient Mesopotamian languages to refer to a king or ruler. It is derived from the Sumerian word "lugal", which refers to a person who is "big" or "great" in authority. The title of lugal was reserved for the most powerful rulers of ancient Mesopotamian city-states, who had complete control over their respective territories, including the ability to initiate war, collect taxes, and enforce laws. Lugal was also considered to be a representative of the gods on earth and was responsible for maintaining harmony and order in their society. Some famous lugal in Mesopotamian history include Sargon of Akkad, Hammurabi of Babylon, and Ashurbanipal of Assyria.