EMAR
(ASTATA)
An early Syrian city state founded in the mid-third millennium BC,
Emar was situated at modern Tell Meskéné, a crucial
crossroads on the southern (western) bank of the great bend in the
Euphrates. Still less well-known that its contemporaries, the archaeological
site in modern Syria includes hundreds of cuneiform documents, major
architectural remains, private homes, personal archives, and a wealth
of material culture. It was an important Bronze Age trading centre
due to its position midway between cities such as Mari and those
of western Syria. By the fifteenth century BC it was part of the
kingdom of Astata, but the state's level of independence is debatable,
as by then the region was under the control of Mitanni. Following
that, it became a vassal state under the Hittites.
c.1776
- 1600 BC :
Following
the break-up of the kingdom of Upper Mesopotamia, the state of Yamkhad
becomes the dominant force in north-western Syria, controlling Emar.
Emar seems to have close relations with the city of the god Dagan
at Tuttul, with the latter perhaps serving as Emar's own religious
centre.
c.1650
- 1620 BC :
Idrimi,
son of the king of Alep, is forced to flee his homeland for Emar,
from where he organises the storming of Alakhtum by sea with his
band of habiru followers.
![](Ancient_Emar01_full.jpg)
Although
Emar's rulers for the seventeenth century BC are unknown, could
they have aided Idrimi in his conquest of Alakhtum from this city?
1478
BC :
Egypt
begins to move into Syria, on Mitanni's southern border, reaching
the Euphrates, building ships, and ravaging the banks all the way
from Carchemish to Emar, towns that belong to Mitanni.
c.1340
BC :
Suppiluliuma,
the new Hittite ruler, takes control of northern Syria. Emar remains
a Hittite subject state under the control of Carchemish but with
its own royal house, and customs and practices, albeit with a limited
role and power. No evidence can be found for a ruling house being
in place before the Hittite conquest, suggesting that it was only
established under the Hittites. In fact, it seems more than likely
that Emar had no tradition of kingship before the coming of the
Hittites, despite already having been an urbanised centre for over
a millennium.
Iasi-Dagan
Ba'al-kabar
Zu-Ashtarti
Abbanu
Pilsu-Dagan
Elli
c.1200
BC :
While
the majority of Emar's texts seem to have been produced during the
1230s BC under the regional authority of Ini-Teshub I of Carchemish,
the last texts refer to his successor, Talmi-Teshub.
c.1185
BC :
The
state is the easternmost to be sacked and destroyed by the Sea Peoples.
This take place during a period of troubles which are characterised
by attacks by seaborne raiders, following the collapse of the Hittite
empire and the general instability which hits the region. The site
remains desolate even as late as the Roman occupation of the region,
as it forms part of an unstable border area. Instead it is resettled
nearby as the town of Barbalissos, which remains under Byzantine
control and exists until at least the sixth century AD, although
it too is now in ruins.
Source
:
https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/
KingListsMiddEast/SyriaEmar.htm