Saʿumu

Saʿumu (died c. 2400 BC) was a king (Lugal) of the second Mariote kingdom who reigned c. 2416–2400 BC.^[1] Some scholars, such as Joseph Pagan, interpreted the king's name as derived from the root "ś-y-m", a cognate of the Akkadian word "šâmu-m", meaning "to buy".^[2]

Saʿumu
King of Mari
Reign	c. 2416 – c. 2400 BC
Predecessor	Possibly Ansud
Successor	Possibly Ishtup-Ishar
Died	c. 2400 BC

In a letter written by the later Mariote king Enna-Dagan, Saʿumu is attested launching a major attack on the Eblaites.^[3] The king's campaigns recorded in the letter were concentrated in the middle Euphrates valley east of Emar,^[4] where he defeated the cities of Tibalat and Ilwani, leaving ruins in the mountainous area of Angai.^[3] Saʿumu continued his war defeating the cities of Ra'ak, Nirum,^{[note 1]} Ashaldu and Badul, leaving ruins in the borders of Nahal's region.^[3]

King Saʿumu of Mari
Regnal titles
Preceded by Possibly Ansud	King of Mari c. 2416 - c. 2400 BC	Succeeded by Possibly Ishtup-Ishar

See also

• Eblaite-Mariote war

Notes

1. Located in the Euphrates' middle valley close to Sweyhat.^[5]