Mari (2)

In addition to the now more famous Basque goddess named Mari, there is another Mari, a mysterious water goddess worshipped in the Amorite city-state also called Mari, located on the right bank of the Euphrates in what is now Syria. It is now unknown whether the city was named after the goddess or vice-versa. The city of Mari was at the peak of its power circa 2900–2370. Hammurabi conquered it in 1759 BCE. The city was abandoned in the eighth century BCE.

The Sumerian word mar may be interpreted as “womb” or “sea”. Scholars speculate that the Amorites may have been the first to venerate Asherah, Lady of the Sea. Mari may or may not be the same goddess as Asherah. Alternatively Mari may be the goddess of the star-gazing Nabataeans and/or the mysterious dolphin goddess whose image appears throughout the Middle East. This Mari may or may not be the goddess of the same name who is currently venerated in the modern Feri tradition.

SEE ALSO:

Al-Uzza; Allat; Asherah, Lady of the Sea; Atargatis; Mari (1); Maries de la Mer

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.