ABSTRACT

Mari is shown as a dot on a map; however, as well as the city itself, the name refers to a section of the Euphrates valley which runs from Baghouz to Dura Europos, a distance of some 40 km, with Mari at its centre (Figure 27.1). Because of the nature of the landscape we are able to define its territory with some certainty. Thus:

Mari was established to control the crossing of two vital trade routes linking Syria with Babylonia. These are the Euphrates from northwestern Syria and the Khabur River from the east.

At the time of the founding of Mari, river transport dominated and it was the waterways which determined the siting of any centre, whether it was regional or interregional.

The actions of the founders of Mari and the site they chose for the new city showed them to be very aware of the type of terrain which is necessary for the creation of an urban centre at the heart of a state.