The Statue of Ebih-Il is a 25th-century BC statue of the praying figure of Ebih-Il, superintendent of the ancient city-state of Mari in modern eastern Syria. The statue was discovered at the Temple of Ishtar in Mari during excavations directed by French archaeologist André Parrot. It is made of gypsum, with inlays of schist, shells and lapis lazuli. The statue is displayed in the Musée du Louvre. It has been described as "a masterpiece by virtue of its craftsmanship, state of preservation, and expressive style."
Statue of Ebih-Il, superintendent of Mari
Excavation of the head of Ebih-Il (22 January 1934)
Head of Ebih-Il (discovery, 22 January 1934)
Body of Ebih-Il (discovery, 23 January 1934)
Mari was an ancient Semitic city-state in modern-day Syria. Its remains form a tell 11 kilometers north-west of Abu Kamal on the Euphrates River western bank, some 120 kilometers southeast of Deir ez-Zor. It flourished as a trade center and hegemonic state between 2900 BC and 1759 BC. The city was built in the middle of the Euphrates trade routes between Sumer in the south and the Eblaite kingdom and the Levant in the west.
Ruins of Mari
The name of Mari (Cuneiform: 𒈠𒌷𒆠, ma-riki), on the statue of Iddi-Ilum, c. 2090 BC
Statue of Ebih-Il, a superintendent in Mari. (25th century BC)
Helmetted warrior with axe, Mari