The Wars of Ebla at the Time of Minister Ibrium

Abstract The formation of regional states started in Syria around the middle of the twenty-fifth century BC, and rivalry opposed one state against another already at the beginning of the following century. Mari defeated Abarsal (Tall Ḥuwēra), and Ebla payed tribute to Mari. Ebla then destroyed Abarsal and became an ally of Nagar (Tell Brāk) against Mari. Other four wars opposed Ebla to Mari: the first three were won by Ebla, the last was fateful to it. The documentation from Ebla comprehensively covers about forty years, a period that each power spent in war: either with its rival or its own revolting allies. This article follows year after year the wars of Ibrium during his eighteen years as minister of Ebla.