person · P0280

Rav Hilai bar Mari רב הילאי בר מרי

Gaon of Sura for nine years, first in the Iggeret's roster of Sura's second geonic century, and grandfather-line of Natronai Gaon. For Sura the Iggeret gives durations only; the absolute years follow the standard rosters.

I. Who

Hebrew
רב הילאי בר מרי
Also known as
Hilai Gaon
Era
geonim
Children
Rav Natronai bar Hilai

II. When

Traditional
gaon of Sura c. 4549–4558 AM
Academic
gaon c. 789–798 CE
Lifespan (traditional)
≈68 years
Precision
approximate

III. Where

Places
Sura

V. How do we know

ClaimEvidenceConfidenceSources
"And in these hundred years geonim stood at Mechasya: Mar Rav Hilai bar Mar Rav Mari, nine years" — placed c. 789–798 CE in the standard rosters.
The Iggeret gives tenure lengths without absolute anchors for Sura's geonim; CE anchoring follows the Sura Academy roster.
tradition external ★★★☆☆
No source names his teacher. Per this atlas's succession roster, Rav Mari HaKohen, Yehudai Gaon, and Rav Ahunai Kahana held the headship of his academy during his formative window (c. 4505–4525 AM), making reception from them the likeliest reconstruction.
Derived by era-and-institution inference, not attested. The formative window is computed from this entry's schematic dates, hence the low confidence.
reconstruction ★☆☆☆☆