In the third millennium BC the kingdom of Mari was an important center in the Mesopotamian world. Lying between the Tigris and the Euphrates Mari linked the states in the lands between the rivers .

From Mari, Sumerian civilization spread westwards dominating most aspects of ancient near eastern culture.

In Sumerian literature Mari figures as one of the main ruling dynasties; its position enabled it to wield considerable power. However, Sargon of Akkad captured the Sumerian city state in about 2300 BC.

Following the collapse of the Akkadian empire, Mari experienced prosperity under the semitic dynasty of Amorite rulers.

In about 1800BC the Assyrian king Shamsy-Adad overthrew the Amorites. After his death the Amorites reemerged under king Zimri-Lim. Zimri-Lim built Mari overseeing the construction of the great palace and highly embellished temples. However, at the same time another Amorite king Hammurabi of Babylon rose to power.The two kings were allies for a short time but clashed in 1760 BC.

Hammurabi sacked the city destroying its ramparts and its temples. After this Mari never recovered and disappeared quickly in history.

Nevertheless, French excavations have been ongoing in Mari since its discovery in 1933. Many of the monuments from this site are housed today in the Damascus National Museum and in the Louvre.