The templesSeven temples are known dedicated respectively to Ishtar, Ninni-zaza, Ishtarat,
Ninhursag and Shamash, or to unknown deities (the Enceinte Sacrée and the temple
of the Massif Rouge) (Figures 27. 2 and 27. 4 ), all except the first were located in the
heart of the city. The temple tower of the Massif Rouge had an almost square plan with
an internal staircase giving access to a terrace, the emphasis being on a vertical
progression, something characteristic of the Syrian world. The other temples belong to
a group typical of Mari with a simple plan of which the Enceinte Sacrée seems to be
the archetype. The plan consists of a central space more or less square, which gives
access on one or other of its sides to a large room. This extends the full length of one
side and has a low podium at one end which must have supported either a divine statue
or the symbols of the god. The central space is surrounded with other rooms and this
basic plan can be added to in any direction. Access from the exterior was to the central
space which then led the faithful to the large shrine.
Amongst the sacred buildings we should again mention the Massif Rouge with its
high terrace, which undoubtedly played an important role as a place of sacrifice for all
the temples of Mari.
Between the Enceinte Sacrée and the Massif Rouge there was a sector with buildings
of different degrees of importance, to judge from the network of streets; this has proved
to be the administrative centre of the High Priest (Figure 27. 2 ) which is similar to the
contemporary Walled Quarter at Khafaje.
It is in these temples that the exceptional series of statues were found – Ebih-Il,
Ur-Nanshe, Idi-Narum, Iku-Shamagan, l’Homme de Mari (Figure 27. 6 ) – as well as
many fragments of shell mosaics, a speciality of Mari’s.
–– The Kingdom of Mari ––Figure 27.6
The Man of Mari (©
Mission Archéologique
de Mari)