City of Ebla

Ebla City in northern Syria, located 60 km southwest of Aleppo, with a history of occupation extending from the Early Bronze Age until the early Roman period. Based on archeological evidence the ancient city of Ebla flourished in the 3rd millennium BC and had trade, diplomatic, and sometimes confrontational relations with the great powers of Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Ebla was large, rich and the most powerful place within its own region, encompassing the flat and fertile plains around Idlib and Aleppo. Its political influence certainly spread beyond this region, above all to the east and northeast, towards the Euphrates, and to the south, along the Orontes.

From about 2400 BC until about 1650/1600 BC, ancient Ebla probably occupied the whole of its 140-acre site, the entire city being surrounded by strong walls, pierced by four great city gates of varying size. It also acquired extensive territories around the city, which included agricultural fields and grazing land for its thousands of sheep and goats.

Ebla controlled a large area of northern Syria, in part directly through appointed governors or local overseers and in part though client kings.

Ebla was destroyed three years after its victory over Mari. Mari recovered quickly following its defeat at the hands of Ebla, and just three years later destroyed its great rival. Consequently, Mari was conquered and destroyed by Akkad.
City of Ebla