Mar-Zutra II

Mar-Zutra II was a Jewish Exilarch who led a successful revolt against Persia in the sixth century and achieved seven years of political independence in Mahoza.

Mar-Zutra II became Exilarch of the Jewish community in Babylon at the age of fifteen in the year 512. After King Kavadh I denied Jews the right to organize their own militia, Mar-Zutra took advantage of the confusion into which Mazdak's communistic attempts had plunged Persia and led a successful military revolt that achieved political independence for the Jews of Mahoza in 513.

The Jewish state lasted seven years until 520 when Kavadh finally defeated Mar-Zutra and punished him with crucifixion on the bridge of Mahuza. A son was born to him on the day of his death, who was also named "Mar Zutra." The latter did not attain to the office of Exilarch, but returned to the Land of Israel, where he became head of the Academy of Tiberias, under the title of "Resh Pirka" ('Aρχιφεκίτησ), several generations of his descendants succeeding him in this office.

After Mar Zutra's death the exilarchate of Babylon remained unoccupied until 550. Mar Ahunai lived in the period succeeding Mar-Zutra II, but for more than thirty years after Mar-Zutra's defeat he did not dare to appear in public, and it is not known whether he really acted as Exilarch even in 550.