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Statue of Iddi-Ilum

The Statue of Iddi-Ilum is a 41.5 cm-high steatite statuette made in the early 21st century BC. It was discovered in the palace at Mari (Tell Hariri) during French excavations led by André Parrot in the winter of 1936/1937. The figure is a votive statuette of a standing man in a long robe and is largely preserved, apart from a broken arm and the head. An Akkadian inscription in the lower part states that it was dedicated to the goddess Inanna/Ištar by Iddin-ilum, a šakkanakku (governor) of Mari. It is now on display in the Louvre in Paris, inventory number AO 19486.

Iddi-Ilum statuette of a headless standing figure with folded arms and a decorated robe on a square base.
The Iddi-Ilum statuette shows a headless standing figure with folded arms, wearing a long decorated robe.
December 2012 © · Public domain
Close-up of the Iddi-Ilum statuette showing deeply incised cuneiform inscriptions on a dark stone surface.
Detail of the Iddi-Ilum statuette with worn cuneiform inscriptions carved into the surface.
December 2012 © · Public domain
Close-up of the inscribed stone surface of the Idi-Ilum statuette, showing vertical columns of ancient cuneiform characters.
Detail of the Idi-Ilum statuette, with deeply carved inscriptions visible on its curved stone surface.
December 2012 © · Public domain
Close-up of the Iddi-Ilum statuette showing deeply carved cuneiform script on a weathered stone surface.
A close view of the Iddi-Ilum statuette, highlighting its carved cuneiform inscription and worn stone surface.
April 2020 © · CC BY 2.5
Cuneiform symbols carved on the Iddi-Ilum statuette beside modern graphical interpretations.
Cuneiform markings on the Iddi-Ilum statuette are shown alongside modern renderings of the same symbols.
April 2020 © · CC BY 2.5

Identification

TitleStatue of Iddi-Ilum
TypeStatue; votive prayer statue
Alternative name in articleStatuette of Iddin-ilum

Historical context

DateEarly 21st century BC
Culture and originAncient city-state of Mari in eastern Syria
Historical relationshipContemporary of the Third Dynasty of Ur and probably their vassal

Creator

Depicted figureIddi-Ilum, shakkanakku (military governor) of Mari

Materials

MaterialSteatite (soapstone)

Physical characteristics

Inscription locationLower part of the robe
Height41.5 cm
ConditionHead lost; right arm and elbow lost; otherwise largely preserved
PoseStanding in traditional prayer posture with hands clasped against the chest
BeardVisible beard carved in eight braids with curled ends
ClothingLong one-piece robe draped around the body, tied at the waist with a belt and covering the shoulders
Robe decorationRichly decorated edges with fringes and tassels
Inscription layoutEngraved in ten columns

Technique

Inscription languageAkkadian
ScriptCuneiform

Iconography and meaning

Inscription contentIddi-Ilum, shakkanakku of Mari, dedicated the statue to Inanna; the inscription warns that anyone who erases it will have his lineage annihilated by Inanna
Deity named in inscriptionInanna, interpreted as Ishtar or her Sumerian equivalent

Discovery and provenance

FindspotCourtyard 148 of the royal palace of Mari (Tell Hariri)
Discovery dateWinter 1936–1937
ExcavatorsFrench excavation teams led by André Parrot
Discovery contextFound during the fourth excavation campaign at Mari
Condition at discoveryFound in two pieces

Location and ownership

Current locationMusée du Louvre, Paris
Inventory numberAO 19486

History and restoration

Ancient display locationDisplayed in the throne room of the royal palace of Mari

Significance

Other known examplesOne of the three famous statues of the shakkanakku of Mari, alongside the statue of Ishtup-Ilum and the horned statue of Puzur-Ishtar
Historical contextDuring the reign of Zimri-Lim, these ancestral rulers were actively promoted through honorific rituals known as kispum