Vizier (Ebla)
{{Short description|Title in the Syrian first Eblaite kingdom}}Vizier ({{IPAc-en|v|ɪ|'|z|ɪər|}} or {{IPAc-en|'|v|ɪ|z|ɪər|}}), 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, the office of vizier became hereditary.
Title and responsibilities
Vizier is a rendering presented by Alfonso Archi to indicate the second in command official of Ebla,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Rwals-oh6kC&pg=PA59|title= Eblaitica Vol. 4|author1=Cyrus Herzl Gordon |author2=Gary Rendsburg |author3=Nathan H. Winter |page=59|year= 2002|isbn= 9781575060606}} whose native title was probably "head of the administration" (lugal sa-za).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0d1JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA122|title= The Ancient Near East: History, Society and Economy|author= Mario Liverani|page=122|year= 2013|isbn= 9781134750849}} Eblaite viziers' authority was of such 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 Treaty between Ebla and Abarsal).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8l9X_3rHFdEC&pg=PA462|title= Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C|author1=Joan Aruz |author2=Ronald Wallenfels |page= 462|year= 2003|isbn= 9781588390431}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8PNAnIome3AC&pg=PT148|title= Pre-Sargonic Period: Early Periods, Volume 1 (2700-2350 BC)|author= Douglas Frayne|page= 148|year= 2008|isbn= 9781442690479}} The first vizier was Arrukum and he was appointed by king Irkab-Damu.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JSftAAAAMAAJ|title= Archiv für Orientforschung, Volume 44,Deel 1 -Volume 45,Deel 1|author= Alfonso Archi| page=108|year= 1998}} He was followed by Ibrium 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.