Syria - Mari

Mari, capital of a Middle Euphrates kingdom, was founded ex nihilo at the beginning of the third millenium BC on the right bank of the valley ; its main function was to control the traffic between Syria, especially its western part (Mediterranean sea) and Northern region (Taurus mountains), and Mesopotamia. An irrigation system and a transport canal had been planned at the same time. This capital had been very powerful three time in history : firstly at the beginning of the third millenium - 29^th and 28^th centuries - with the first development of the cities in the Near East, secondly during the Early Dynasty III and the Agadean period (26^th a-24^th/23^rd centuries), finally from the 22^nd to 18^th century, with the Shakkanakku amorite dynasties. Imposing monuments - palaces, temples, living houses - and very important art products characterized each periode. Finally, in 1760 BC the king of Babylon, Hammurabi, destroyed the city.