Saʿumu was a king (Lugal) of the second Mariote kingdom who reigned c. 2416–2400 BC.[1] Some scholars, such as Joseph Martin 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 – 2400 BC Middle Chronology |
| Predecessor | Ansud |
| Successor | Išhtup-Išar |
| King of Mari | |
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]