1.11. A Trading Town in a Pastoral Zone

After 2000 BCE the royal capital of Mari flourished. You will have noticed (see Map 2) that Mari stands not on the southern plain with its highly productive agriculture but much further upstream on the Euphrates. Map 3 with its colour coding shows that agriculture and animal rearing were carried out close to each other in this region. Some communities in the kingdom of Mari had both farmers and pastoralists, but most of its territory was used for pasturing sheep and goats.

Mari, the royal capital, is situated upstream on the Euphrates, indicating that it did not benefit from the highly productive agricultural lands of the southern region. Instead, most of the land was primarily used for grazing sheep and goats, which are livestock that benefit from pasturing rather than crop-related farming. This shows a blend of agricultural life and pastoralism, with communities that relied on both crops and pastoral resources.

Imagine living in a town near a river that is great for fishing. Most families depend on both fishing and farming the riverbanks. Some families may choose to focus solely on fishing while others might raise crops. Similar to these families, the people of Mari balanced farming with livestock rearing.

Herders need to exchange young animals, cheese, leather and meat in return for grain, metal tools, etc., and the manure of a penned flock is also of great use to a farmer. Yet, at the same time, there may be conflict. A shepherd may take his flock to water across a sown field, to the ruin of the crop. Herdsmen being mobile can raid agricultural villages and seize their stored goods. For their part, settled groups may deny pastoralists access to river and canal water along a certain set of paths.

The relationship between herders and farmers is characterized by both cooperation and conflict. Herders traded animal products with farmers for grains and tools, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. However, this relationship could lead to disputes. For instance, herders might accidentally damage crops while seeking water for their animals, and farmers might prevent herders from accessing important water sources, resulting in conflicts over resources.

Think of a town where one group raises animals and another grows crops. The animal owners might trade milk and wool for fresh vegetables. But if the animals wander into the farmers’ fields and eat their crops, conflict could arise, similar to neighbors arguing over who gets to use a shared garden space.

Through Mesopotamian history, nomadic communities of the western desert filtered into the prosperous agricultural heartland. Shepherds would bring their flocks into the sown area in the summer. Such groups would come in as herders, harvest labourers or hired soldiers, occasionally become prosperous, and settle down.

Throughout history, nomadic groups have moved into wealthier agricultural regions, seeking opportunities. In Mari, shepherds brought their flocks to graze in fields during the summer and sometimes integrated into settled communities by working as hired laborers or soldiers. Over time, some nomads became successful and chose to settle, establishing their own lifestyle within the agricultural society.

Imagine a group of travelers who traditionally raise goats decide to migrate into a neighboring town known for agriculture. They might start working there during harvest season, helping farmers in exchange for some food. Over time, they might earn enough to rent land and start their own farm.

The kings of Mari were Amorites whose dress differed from that of the original inhabitants and who respected not only the gods of Mesopotamia but also raised a temple at Mari for Dagan, god of the steppe.

The rulers of Mari, who belonged to the Amorite tribe, blended their culture with that of the indigenous people of Mesopotamia. They maintained respect for local deities, which demonstrates a cultural exchange and adaptation. They even built a temple for Dagan, a god associated with the steppe, highlighting the integration and acceptance of different cultural practices in Mari.

Just like a new family moving into a neighborhood might incorporate local traditions while also sharing their own cultural practices during festivals, the Amorite rulers respected existing beliefs while introducing their own, creating a richer cultural community in Mari.

--