March-Zutra March-Zutra II

Career

March-Zutra II became Exilarch of the Jewish community in Babylon at the age of fifteen in 483 Civil Engineering, twelve years before the revolt. The Jewish state lasted seven years until 502 Civil Engineering when Kavadh finally defeated March-Zutra and punished him with crucifixion on the bridge of Mahuza. A son was born to him on the day of his death, who would be named March-Zutra III. After March Zutra"s death his successor March Ahunai did not dare to appear in public for almost thirty years following March-Zutra"s defeat and it is not known whether he ever really acted as Exilarch following Kavadh I"s reign which ended in 531 Civil Engineering.

Achievements

• After King Kavadh I denied Jews the right to organize their own militia, March-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. 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.