Mari

Mari was a state in Mesopotamia (Middle East) that lasted from c. 2900 to 1761 BCE, about 1,139 years. Its people spoke Semitic languages (Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya).

Euphrates trading city whose palace archive of about 25,000 tablets documents diplomacy under King Zimri-Lim. Hammurabi, once his ally, destroyed Mari in 1761 BCE.

See Mari on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 2900 to 1761 BCE
Duration: 1,139 years
Type: State
Region: Mesopotamia, Middle East
Language family: Semitic
Capital: Mari (Tell Hariri)

Events in Middle East during its time

2334 BCE Sargon founds the Akkadian Empire
2004 BCE Elamites sack Ur

Neighbours in Middle East

Old Babylonian Empire 1894 to 1595 BCE
Akkadian Empire c. 2334 to 2154 BCE
Ebla c. 3000 to 1600 BCE
Old Elamite period c. 2700 to 1500 BCE
Yamhad c. 1810 to 1517 BCE
Third Dynasty of Ur 2112 to 2004 BCE
Dilmun c. 2800 to 544 BCE
Troy c. 3000 to 1180 BCE
Byblos c. 2800 to 1200 BCE
Qatna c. 2000 to 1340 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE, Europe
Old Kingdom of Egypt c. 2686 to 2181 BCE, North and West Africa

Questions

When did Mari exist?

c. 2900 to 1761 BCE, about 1,139 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Mari?

Mesopotamia, in Middle East. Its capital was Mari (Tell Hariri).

What language did Mari speak?

Semitic. This family includes Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya.