Terqua

   An ancient Near Eastern city located on the Euphrates River in what is now Syria, about 42 miles (67 km) northwest of the site of ancient Mari. Terqua (modern Tell Ashara) probably had close ties with and foratimemayhavebeendependenton Mari, which was conquered by the early Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad I (reigned ca. 1813-1781 b.c.). Following Mari's fall at the hands of Babylonia's King Hammurabi around 1761 b.c., Terqua and its surrounding villages became a small independent kingdom. Terqua had at least two temples. One was dedicated to Dagan, an important god of the weather and a protector of grain. There was also a temple of Ninkar-rak, goddess of good health. Her traditional companion/symbol was a dog; and excavators found the skeleton of a dog buried beside the temple's altar. In addition, Terqua had a small school for scribes, who fashioned their own cuneiform tablets.

   See also: Dagan; Hammurabi; Mari