Marhaši was a 3rd millennium BC polity situated east of Elam, on the Iranian plateau. It is known from Mesopotamian sources, but its precise location has not been identified, though some scholars link it with Jiroft. Francfort and Tremblay on the basis of the Akkadian textual and archaeological evidence, proposed to identify the kingdom of Marhashi and Ancient Margiana.
History
The main inscription describing the rule of Lugal-Anne-Mundu of Adab in the 24th century BC mentions Marhasi among the seven provinces of his empire, between the names of Elam and Gutium: "the Cedar Mountains, Elam, Marḫaši, Gutium, Subartu, Amurru, Sutium, or the Eanna Mountain". The same inscription also recorded that he confronted Migir-Enlil, the governor of Marhashi, who had led a coalition of 13 rebel chiefs against him. It is also recorded that the Awan kings of Elam were in conflict with a Sumerian ruler's attempt to seize the market at Warakshe, a kingdom apparently near Elam on the Iranian plateau, rich in luxury products of all types, especially precious stones. During the Akkadian Empire, Parahshum was conquered by Sargon the Great, and king Abalgamash of Parahshum and his general Sidgau, along with Luh-ishan of Awan, rebelled unsuccessfully against Rimush, while Hishep-ratep of Awan in alliance with Warakshe was defeated by Naram-Sin. King Shulgi of the Ur-III dynasty gave his daughter Nialimmidashu in marriage to king Libanukshabash of Marhashi in his 18th year, in an attempt to forge an alliance, but this proved short-lived, for Shulgi's successor Amar-Sin records having to campaign against their new king, Arwilukpi. Hammurabi of Babylonia's 30th year name was "Year Hammurabi the king, the mighty, the beloved of Marduk, drove away with the supreme power of the great gods the army of Elam who had gathered from the border of Marhashi, Subartu, Gutium, Tupliash and Malgium who had come up in multitudes, and having defeated them in one campaign, he secured the foundations of Sumer and Akkad."
Rulers of Marhasi
The main rulers known from inscriptions are: c. 2550–c.
Migirenlil
Unnamed King
Abalgamash
Hubshumkibi
Unnamed King
Hashibatal
Arvilukpi
Pariashum
Libanugshabash
Mashhundahli
Artifacts
Literature
Potts, D. T., Total prestation in Marhashi-Ur relations, Iranica Antiqua 37.
