person · P0327

Rav Shmuel (of Sura) מר רב שמואל

Gaon of Sura for eighteen years — a Pumbeditan of Ameimar's line, taken by the exilarch Shlomo bar Chasdai and seated at Mechasya "since there was no one there who compared to him in wisdom"; grandfather of the later gaon Abba bar Ammi of Pumbedita.

I. Who

Hebrew
מר רב שמואל
Era
geonim

II. When

Traditional
gaon of Sura c. 4490–4508 AM
Academic
gaon c. 730–748 CE
Lifespan (traditional)
≈68 years
Precision
approximate

III. Where

Places
Sura

V. How do we know

ClaimEvidenceConfidenceSources
"After him, Mar Rav Shmuel, eighteen years — and he was of our metivta of Pumbedita, of the descendants of Ameimar... Shlomo bar Chasdai the exilarch took Mar Rav Mar and seated him at Mechasya" (c. 730–748 CE).
Years chained from the Iggeret's century anchor (Sel. 1000 = 689 CE) and its stated durations; the chain meshes with Yehudai Gaon's independently anchored 757–761 to within a few years.
tradition external ★★★☆☆