Mari (modern Tell Hariri; Syria) was an ancient Sumerian and Amorite city; located 11 km north-west of the modern town of Abu Kamal on the western bank of the Euphrates river; some 120 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor; Syria. It is thought to have been inhabited since the 5th millennium BCE; although it flourished with a series of superimposed palaces that span a thousand years; from 2900 BCE to 1759 BCE; when it was sacked by Hammurabi.

The citizens of Mari were well known for elaborate hair styles and dress; and are considered to be part of Mesopotamian culture; despite being 240 km (150 mi) upriver from Babylon. It is theorized by some that Mari functioned as a trading post for southern Mesopotamia.

The inhabitants of Mari worshipped a vast array of gods and goddesses. Dagan; the deity of storms; had an entire temple dedicated to him; as did Ishtar; the goddess of fertility; and Shamash; the Sun god. Shamash was believed to be all-knowing and all-seeing; and in many seals he is seen standing between two large doors. According to the Epic of Gilgamesh; these doors are between Mount Mashu; and are the eastern doors to heaven. Through Mari's extensive trade network; Sumerian gods and goddesses were taken to non-Sumerian cities such as Ebla and Ugarit and incorporated into their native religions.