Vizier ( or ), is the title used by modern scholars to indicate the head of the administration in the
first Eblaite kingdom. The title holder held the highest position after the king and controlled the army. During the reign of king
Isar-Damu
Isar-Damu (reigned c. 2320 BC), was the king ( Malikum) of the first Eblaite kingdom. Isar-Damu fought a long war with Mari which ended in Eblaite victory; he was probably the last king of the first kingdom.
Reign
Isar-Damu succeeded his father ...
, the office of vizier became hereditary.
Title and responsibilities
Vizier
A vizier (; ar, وزير, wazīr; fa, وزیر, vazīr), or wazir, is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in the near east. The Abbasid caliphs gave the title ''wazir'' to a minister formerly called '' katib'' (secretary), who was ...
is a rendering presented by
Alfonso Archi to indicate the second in command official of
Ebla
Ebla ( Sumerian: ''eb₂-la'', ar, إبلا, modern: , Tell Mardikh) was one of the earliest kingdoms in Syria. Its remains constitute a tell located about southwest of Aleppo near the village of Mardikh. Ebla was an important center t ...
,
whose native title was probably "head of the administration" (lugal sa-za).
Eblaite viziers' authority was of great importance, that they were thought of as kings during the earliest stages of deciphering the
tablets of Ebla, as the names of actual monarchs rarely appeared in administrative tablets.
Aside from heading the administration, the vizier was in command of the kingdom's trade, army and acted as the head of provincial governors.
History
The title was not created until after the period of king
Igrish-Halam (fl c. 2360 BC),
but high officials were already prominent during his reign, most importantly
Darmiya and
Tir (whose name appear on an important agreement named the Abarsal treaty).
The first vizier was
Arrukum and he was appointed by king
Irkab-Damu
Irkab-Damu (reigned c. 2340 BC), was the king ( Malikum) of the first Eblaite kingdom, whose era saw Ebla's turning into the dominant power in the Levant.
During his reign, the vizier started to acquire an important role in running the affair of ...
.
He was followed by
Ibrium
Ibrium (2322-2302 BC), also spelt Ebrium, was the vizier of Ebla for king Irkab-Damu and his successor Isar-Damu.
Ibrium is attested to have campaigned against the city of Abarsal during the time of vizier Arrukum. He took office after Arrukum d ...
who kept his office for 20 years, and managed to establish a parallel dynasty of viziers next to the royal family, being succeeded by his son
Ibbi-Sipish.
Eblaite viziers
See also
*
Vizier
A vizier (; ar, وزير, wazīr; fa, وزیر, vazīr), or wazir, is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in the near east. The Abbasid caliphs gave the title ''wazir'' to a minister formerly called '' katib'' (secretary), who was ...
Citations
{{reflist, 2
Ebla
Noble titles
Positions of authority