Al-Mada'in > Mahoza Iraq

King Kavadh I denies Jews the right to organize their own militia, but Mar-Zutra II, who at the age of fifteen had become Exilarch of the Jewish community in Babylon, takes advantage of the confusion into which Mazdak's communistic attempts have plunged Persia and leads a successful military revolt that achieves political independence for the Jews of Mahoza in about 495.

Exilarch Mar Zutra II and his grandfather, Mar Hananiah, after seven years of independence wrested from Persia, are taken prisoner and executed, and their bodies nailed to the cross on the bridge of Machuza.

In the ensuing persecutions, the office of Exilarch will remain for some time in abeyance.

The colleges are closed, and the teachers driven into hiding.