papuhum stood the statue of the Goddess with the Flowing Waters (Figure 27. 9 ). Then
came the majestic Throne Room ( 12 x 25 m and 12 m high) with a throne dais at one
end and at the other a raised platform on which stood statues of some of the royal
ancestors. The one of Ishtup-Ilum was found at the foot of the flight of steps leading
up to it.
The king’s own quarters lay round the Throne Room as if to demonstrate all the
aspects of royal power: his living quarters were on the first floor richly decorated with
wall painting; there was accommodation for slaves (G), the kitchen area (O), then the
administrative hall (P) with offices and archives on the first floor. Finally, the Women’s
quarters lay in the northwest corner, closely linked to the official quarter.
Thus we have a unified group of rooms all glorifying the functions of the king.
Together with the living quarters of the king and of the women, each sector of the
palace had a functional purpose, a religious quarter, rooms devoted to the storage of
–– The Kingdom of Mari ––Figure 27.9
The goddess with the
flowing vase (Aleppo
Museum, Syria)