Chapter X: Front Matter (10)

“Moreover, now this city of _Gula_(217) is afflicted. The region behold of the city of _Gula_ is for the King my Lord. Cannot you do what we desire? But he has done as his heart (desired) with all the lands of the King. Behold this sin which _Aziru_ ... with the King; (he has slain) the King of the land of _Ammiya_(218) and (the King of _Ar_) _data_: and the King of the Land of _Ni_ ... (has slain?) a _Paka_ (‘chief’) of the King my Lord ... and the King knows his faithful servant, and he has despatched a garrison from his city, thirty men and fifty chariots, to the city of _Gebal_. I have been right. He had turned, O King, his heart from everything that _Aziru_ orders him. For everything that he orders, the messages are unanswered. But every governor of the King he has ordered to be slain. I am forgotten. Behold _Aziru_ has cursed the King my Lord.”

158 B.—The greater part of this letter is too broken to read, but refers to Abdasherah, and appears to be written to Yankhamu. The city of _Simyra_ is mentioned, and the city _Arpad_,(219) and the palace or fortress of the former, with certain men therein. The soldiers of a city _Sekhlali_ are also noticed, but it is not clear where this place is to be sought.

RIBADDA’S LETTERS FROM GEBAL

47 B.—“_Ribadda_(220) of the city of _Gebal_(221) (Gubla) to his Lord the King of many lands, the prosperous King. Baalath of Gebal she hath given power to the King my Lord. At the feet of the King my Lord my Sun seven times seven times I bow. Behold this ... it will grieve me ... our city ... my foes ... the chief ... watches O King ... no men of garrison ... were given to the King’s chiefs, or preservation by the King against him, and this I (say) is not defended, and the King has not preserved me; and being angry _Pakhura_ has gathered and has despatched men of the land _Umuti_ (Hamath).(222) They have slain a chief servant; and three chiefs (he has bound?) without appeal to the land of Egypt; and he has made gifts seducing the city against me; and woe to the place, she has become ungrateful: the city which was not base in old times is base to us. But the King shall hear the message of his servant and you shall give orders to the chiefs. Do not you ... this sin they do? ... my destruction is before me, and is it not my order that chiefs in the sight of the King should ... my destruction. Behold now since I shall gather to ... and (perchance I shall repel this?).”

46 B.—The salutation, as in the preceding letter, is peculiar to Ribadda. “Lo! the King is sending to me _Irimaia_(223): maybe, he will arrive to gladden us from before thee: he has not come before me. The King sends to me the most distinguished of thy great men, the chiefest of the city of the King that thou hast, who shall defend me ... mighty before my foes ... Now they will make a government: the city they rule shall be smitten like as (is smitten?) a dog, and none that breathes shall be left behind him, for what they have done to us. I am laid waste (by foes?) by men of blood: thus on account of this slave there was no help from the King for me. (But?) my free men of the lands have fought for me. If the heart of the King is toward the guarding of his city, and of his servant, thou wilt order men to guard, and thou shalt defend the city, thou shalt guard my ... made prosperous ...”

18 B. M.—The salutation as in the first letter (47 B.). “Again behold thy faithful city of _Gebal_. _Abdasherah_ was coming out against me aforetime and I sent to thy father who ordered soldiers of the King (_bitati_) to speed, and I went up over all his land. No allies marched to _Abdasherah_. But behold this: _Aziru_ has chosen all the men of blood and has said to them: ‘If the city of _Gebal_ is not ... he has come ..., then _Yankhamu_ is with thee, and ... if I am not obedient to his wishes. Thou art deceived ... _Abdasherah_ has marched without stopping to ... but he has watched the city of the King his Lord obediently. So now as to _Paia_ ... and is it not heard from the messages of _Kha_ ... their father, as he desires ... This _Khaib_ gave to the city _Simyra_. Lo! I lament that the King is not able to do this (for) the _Paka_ (general) when behold it has been asked. And _Bikhura_ has not marched from the city _Cumidi_ (Kamid). I have been friends with all the men of thy Government ... Lo whereas I was upright to the King ... and he makes no sign (to me?) Despatch soldiers: thou shalt march with every ... Five thousand men and 3,000 ... fifty chariots, 1,000 ... the _bitati_ soldiers, and cause (them) to take captive ... the land.’ ”

13 B. M.—The usual salutation, as given in the first letter. “Does the King know? Behold _Aziru_ has fought my chiefs, and has taken twelve of my chiefs, and has insisted on receiving at our expense fifty talents; and the chiefs whom I despatched to the city _Simyra_ he has caused to be seized in the city. Both the city _Beruta_ (Beirût) and the city _Ziduna_ (Sidon) are sending ships to the city _Simyra_. All who are in the land of the _Amorites_ have gathered themselves. I am to be attacked; and behold this: _Yapaaddu_ has fought for me with _Aziru_, but afterward behold he was entangled in the midst of the enemy when my ships were taken. And the King sees as to his city and his servant, and I need men to save the rebellion of this land if you will not come up to save from the hands of my enemies (or destroyers). Send me back a message, and know the deed that they have done. Now as they send to thee concerning the city _Simyra_ he now marches. But (give?) me soldiers for ... and these shall deliver her ... they have tried but ... now.”

61 B.—The usual salutation precedes, here much broken. “Does the King my Lord know? Lo! we know that he has fought mightily. Lo! they tell of us in thy presence what the city _Simyra_ has done to the King. Know O King boldly marching they have contrived to seize her—the sons of _Abdasherah_, and (there is) none who lives to carry the message to the King. But counsel now thy faithful servant. I say also the whole of the fortress they have destroyed ... I sent to the King ... of advice as to the city _Simyra_. As a bird in the midst of the net she has remained. The siege of the usurpers is exceeding strong, and the messenger who from...”

The letter is much broken. It refers to Yapaaddu and to his own faithfulness to the _Pakas_ (“chiefs”) of the King. He also appears to refer to the King destroying the Amorites, and goes on:

“The ruins perchance he will assign to his servant; and he has been constant and is upright against this thing—to subdue all the King’s (provinces?). He has lost all the cities which ... this has befallen to ... and from the destruction ... against me none who ... them. The two or three that have held fast are turning round. But he hears his faithful servant’s message, and a servant who has been constant in all labor, and his handmaid the city of _Gebal_ (is) the only one that holds fast for me. The evils of this deed are equally thine, but I am broken in pieces. Henceforth _Aziru_ is the foe of _Yapaaddu_. They have marched; and (there is) news that they have been cruel in their ravages against me. They rest not: they desire the evil of all that are with me. So they have waxed strong, powerful against me (a servant) faithful to the King from of old ... Moreover, behold I am a faithful servant: this evil is wrought me: behold this message: lo! I am the dust of the King’s feet. Behold thy father did not wring, did not smite the lands of his rulers (_Khazani_) and the Gods established him—the Sun God, the God ... and Baalath of Gebal. But the sons of _Abdasherah_ have destroyed from ... us the throne of thy father’s house, and ... to take the King’s lands for themselves. They have joined the King of the land of _Mitana_,(224) and the King of the land of _Casi_(225) and the King of the land of the _Hittites_ ... the King will order soldiers (_bitati_). _Yankhamu_ with the ... of my poor land ... The _Paka_ of the city _Cumidi_ ... and they have marched ... _Gebal_ ... to a faithful servant.”

83 B.—A much broken fragment, referring to the taking of Simyra, appears to belong to this period.

43 B.—“_Ribadda_ speaks to the King of many lands. At the feet (of my Lord) seven times and seven times I bow (a servant) forever. Lo! the city of _Gebal_ is his place—the Sun-God revered by many lands. Lo! I am the footstool at the feet of the King my Lord; I am also his faithful servant. Now as to the city _Simyra_ the sword of these fellows(226) has risen very strong against her and against me. And so now the destruction of the city of _Simyra_ is at her gates. She has bowed down before them and they have conquered her power.

“To what purpose have they sent here to _Ribadda_ a letter (saying) thus: ‘Peace to the palace from its brethren before _Simyra_.’ Me! they have fought against me _for five years_, and thus they have sent to my Lord. As for me not (to be forgotten is?) _Yapahaddu_ not to be forgotten is _Zimridi_.(227) All the fortresses they have ruined ... there was no cause of strife with the city of _Simyra_...” The next passage is much damaged. “And as said to what purpose have they sent a letter to _Ribadda_? In the sight of the King my Lord they have feigned to please me, they have pretended to please me, and now they proclaim peace. Truly thus behold it is with me. Let me learn the intention of my Lord, and will not he order _Yankhamu_ with the _Paka_, _Yankhamu_ joined beside the King my Lord, to lay waste? From before the chiefs of the _Hittite_ chief men have fled and all the chiefs are afraid thereat. May it please my Lord also shall not he be (degraded?) who was thy commander of the horse with thy servant, to move the chiefs when we two went forth to the wars of the King my Lord, to occupy my cities which I name before my Lord. Know my Lord when they went forth with the ally he has left your soldiers fighting hard, and all have been slain.”

52 B.—The ordinary salutation. The letter is much damaged. It states that the land of _Mitana_ had formerly fought against the King’s enemies; that the sons of the dog _Abdasherah_ destroy the cities and the corn, and attack the governors, and had demanded fifty talents. It appears that Yankhamu has arrived, and has known the chief whom the King had established. Apparently a written letter has been sent “to the Amorite land for them to swallow.” He continues: “Behold I am a faithful servant of the King, and there was none was like me a servant, before this man lied to the King of the Land of Egypt. But they have mastered the lands of our home.” They have slain Egyptians, he continues, and have done something (the verb is lost) to the temples of the Gods of _Gebal_; they have carried off a chief and shed his blood. He finally mentions his son _Khamu_.

25 B. M., a short letter with the usual salutation. He requests soldiers to guard the lands for the rulers, which have been torn in pieces. The King sends no messages about himself to the writer or to _Yankhamu_. The governor’s men have gathered to fight (for the _Khar_ or Phœnicians?).

42 B. begins with the usual salutation given in the first letter. “Having just heard the chiefs from the presence of the King it is fit that I send back a messenger (or message). Behold O Sun descending from heaven, the Sons of _Abdasherah_ are wasting (shamefully?), as among them there is not one of the horses of the King or chariots, and the chiefs have devised evil—a rebellious race. And a chief is here with us of the Amorite country, with a written message from the allies which is with me. They have demanded what is shameful. Hereby is spoken a friendly message in the presence of the King—the Sun God. As for me I am thy faithful servant, and the news which is known, and which I hear, I send to the King my Lord. (What are they but dogs trembling?) in the presence of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) of the King—the Sun God. I sent to your father and he ... ‘to my servant ... soldiers’ ... they have not marched ... _Abdasherah_ ... the chiefs of this government ... their faces against him. So now they have joined ... But the _Misi_ men (Egyptians) ... have brought us, with speed, corn ... So now not without favor ... I have become a great man, behold: strong and powerful in their sight we have been made. But mighty and rebellious to the King is this power. (His land does not intend to help the land?) Behold I am despatching two men to the city of _Simyra_, and all the men of its chief have gathered in order to consult as to messages to the King, who will know why you hear from us your chiefs. Good is the letter they have brought us, and the letter which the messengers of the King have uttered to us.(228) Through the pretensions of this dog the King’s heart has been grieved with men, and ... has been unrighteously set up, devising in their hearts ... and ... (your chief?). I go against the men of blood from the city _Simyra_ ... to keep ... and whatsoever I have been commanded. And let the King ... the news of his servant. I have despatched ten chiefs of the Land of _Nubia_,(229) twenty chiefs of the Land of Egypt, as a guard to the King. Sun-God and Lord thy servant is faithful to thee.”

73 B.—“To the King ... thus says _Ribadda_ thy servant, the footstool of the feet of the Sun-God my Lord. Seven times and seven times at his feet I bow. Grievous it is to say what, in the sight of the King, he has done—the dog _Abdasherah._ Behold what has befallen the lands of the King on account of him; and he cried peace to the land, and now behold what has befallen the city of _Simyra_—a station of my Lord, a fortress ... and they spoil our fortress ... and the cries of the place ... a violent man and a dog.”

The next message is too broken to read, but refers to the city of _Gebal_. The letter continues:

“Will not the King order his _Paka_ to pronounce judgment? and let him guard the chief city of my Lord, and order me as I (say), and let my Lord the Sun set free the lands, and truly my lord shall order the wicked men all of them to go out. I present my memorial in the sight of my Lord, but this dog has not taken any of thy Gods. Prosperity has fled which abode in _Gebal_, which city of _Gebal_ was as a city very friendly to the King. It is grievous. Behold I have associated _Abdbaal_ the prefect with _Ben Khia_ (or _Ben Tobia_) a man of (war?); but despatch thou him to thy servant...”

57 B.—The salutation as usual mentions Baalath of Gebal. “Why shall the King my Lord send to me? The best indeed trembles, of those who watch for him against my foes, and of my freemen. What shall defend me if the King will not defend his servant?... if the King will order for us chiefs of the Land of Egypt, and of the Land of _Nubia_, and horses, by the hand of this my chief as I hope, and preservation for the servants of the King my Lord. If none at all ... to me ... to march horses ... my land is miserable. By my soul’s life! if the King cared at heart for the life of his servant, and of his chief city, he would have sent a garrison, and they had guarded thy city and thy servant. That the King shall know ... of our lands; and Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) shall be ordered; and to save all that live in his land, therefore it is spoken as a message to the King (with thy messengers?) As to the ... of this dispute of _Khaia_ with the city of _Simyra_, that they should send us without delay thirteen talents (or pieces of gold): I gave the proclamation. The men of blood are named in the letter to the city of _Simyra_.(230) It avails not. Ask _Khaia_ as to the letter of our previous dispute with the city of _Simyra_—to satisfy the King, and to give security to the King, they are sending again, and...”

24 B. M.—This is broken at the top.

“And King my Lord, soldiers are moving to the city of _Gebal_, and behold the city _Durubli_(231) has sent forth soldiers to war to the city _Simyra_. If the heart of the King my Lord is toward the city of _Durubli_ my Lord will also order many soldiers, thirty chariots and an hundred chief men of your land; and you will halt at the city _Durubli_, my Lord’s city. If the lands are to be defended, the King will order the departure of Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) to the city of _Gebal_, and (I doubt not?) you will march to us. And I ... to slay him, and ... behold the King my Lord ... faithful; and they have warred with the men _Kau Paur_(232) (Egyptian magnates) of the King. Lo! they have slain _Biari_ the _Paur_ (magnate) of the King, and he has given gifts to my ... and they are helping. And none are servants of the King. And evil in our eyes behold is this. I am spoiled, and I fear lest ... no wish of the faithful chief be granted to him. Lo! you will make my kindred to be afflicted. The King shall arm the land ... thy soldiers great and small, all of them; and _Pakhamnata_(233) did not listen to me and they do a deed that ... and thou shalt tell him this, that he shall set free the city of _Simyra_; and (the King) will listen to the message of his servant, and shall (send) Egyptian soldiers. Behold he will say to the King that the Egyptian soldiers have no corn or food to eat, all the enemies have cut off from the midst of the cities of the King my Lord the food and the corn ... and (I) have raised soldiers gathering (in) the city of _Gebal_ ... there is not ... you shall send to us ... and to march to it, and I have stopped ... and not one of the lands of the _Canaanites_ helps _Yankhamu_ though he is for the King.”

58 B.—This is a large and important tablet, but much broken; it begins with a short salutation, and then says at once, “I am laid low.” It refers to the loss of the city _Abur_,(234) and mentions the names of _Aziru_ and _Abdasherah_, and says there is no garrison. The enemy are marching on to the capital. He says: “I sent to the palace (or capital of Egypt) for soldiers and you gave me no soldiers.” “They have burned the city _Abur_, and have made an end in the sight of _Khamu_ my son.” “The man of sin Aziru has marched ... he has remained in the midst ... I have despatched my son to the palace more than three months (ago) who has not appeared before the King. Thus (says) my chief of the city of _Takhida_(235)—they are reaching him: of what use are the fortifications to the men left therein?” “The chief who came out of the lands of Egypt to inform, whom you announced us on account of _Aziru_ formerly, I shall send to the King. You will not have heard this message as to the city _Abur_. The dogs are wasting, as is said, do you not mark the news? If the King had thought of his servant, and had given me soldiers. ..” The next passages are much damaged, but refer to the same general subject of complaint. The next intelligible sentence is: “The people have been enraged expecting that the King my Lord would give me for my chief city corn for the food of the people of the strongholds.” He then protests his good faith, and says finally: “And my sons are servants of the King, and our expectation is from the King ... The city is perishing, my Lord has pronounced our death ...”

77 B.—After a short salutation: “Let the King hear the news of his faithful servant. It is ill with me: mightily fighting, the sons of _Abdasherah_ have striven in the land of the _Amorites_. They had subdued all the land of the city of _Simyra_, and they have wrecked the city _Irkata_ (Arkah) for its ruler. And now they are coming out of the city of _Simyra_, and it is ill for the ruler (who is) in face of the foes who come out.” The tablet is here broken, but refers to _Gebal_ and to the rulers _Zimridi_ and _Yapaaddu_. The writer hopes for the arrival of troops. “Egyptian soldiers; and the Sun-King will protect me. Friendly men have been (shut up?) in the midst of his land. Moreover, the King my Lord shall hear the message of his servant, and deliver the garrison of _Simyra_ and of _Irkata_: for all the garrison have ... out of the city _Simyra_ and ... Sun-God Lord of the lands will order for me also twenty (companies?—_tapal_) of horse, and, as I trust, to the city of _Simyra_ (to defend her) you will speed (a division?) instructing the garrisons to be strong and zealous, and to encourage the chiefs in the midst of the city. If also you grant us no Egyptian soldiers no city in the plains will be zealous for thee. But the chain of the Egyptian soldiers has quitted all the lands—they have disappeared to the King.”(236)

14 B. M.—“_Ribadda_ speaks to his Lord the King of many lands the Great King. Baalath of Gebal has given power to the King my Lord: at the feet of my Lord, my Sun, seven times seven times I bow. Why wilt not thou utter for us a message to me? And (now) know the demand which my chief is despatched to make in presence of the King my Lord; and his division of horse has marched, but the man has delayed marching—its chief—as the letters to the King were not given to the hand of my chief ... as to what has been said ... of your land, is it not needful that the allies of the _Paka_ should march to the men of blood; have not all the lands been grieved? It will be necessary for the allies, but they come not being slow. Moreover I sent for men of garrison and for horses, but you care not for us (even) to return us a message for me. And I am destroyed by _Abdasherah_ like _Yapaaddu_ and _Zimridi_—and they are fugitives. Moreover, the revolt of the city of _Simyra_ and of the city _Saarti_(237) continues against him. We remain under the hand of _Yankhamu_; and he gives us corn for my eating. We two guard the King’s city for him, and he collects for the King, and orders my chief, appointing chiefs to assist for me, fulfilling the decree which thou hast thyself appointed. We have trusted in the King. And two chiefs of the city have been despatched to be sent, having come down bound from the camp of _Yankhamu_. Moreover, as to this assistance to _Yankhamu_, _Ribadda_ is in your hands, and all that is done for him (is) before you; it is not for me to punish thy soldiers. My superior is over me. And I will send to him if you do not speak about this, or he gives up the city, or I depart. Moreover, if you do not utter for us a message for me, both the city will be surrendered, and I shall go away with the men who support me. And learn that our corn also is failing, and _Milcuru_ has measured the corn—measure of _Baalath_(238) ... very much ...”

89 B.—This is much broken. After the usual salutation he says that Abdasherah has fought strongly, and has seized cities belonging to Gebal; that news has reached the city as to what has befallen the city _Ammia_ (_Amyun_) from the men of blood. A certain _Berber_(239) chief is mentioned. He speaks of “two months,” apparently as the limit of time in which he expects to be aided by the _bitati_, or Egyptian soldiers. Abdasherah is marching on Gebal.

79 B.—Also broken. With the usual salutation, speaks of a great fight with the men of blood, who made an end of men, women, and soldiers of his poor country. He sent men, and they were beaten. The city of _Irkata_ (Arkah) is mentioned, and the King of the _Hittites_, who is making war on all the lands. The King of _Mitani_ will be king of the weak (or false) land of the writer’s people. He concludes by calling _Abdasherah_ a dog.

44 B.—After the usual salutation, this letter appears perhaps to refer to the coming of Irimaia. “Lo the King shall send the choicest of thy chiefs—a son of Memphis (_Nupi_) to guard the city.” The text is then much broken, referring to the palace and to cavalry, and to guarding the city for the King. He will fulfil the wishes of the _Pakas_, and is a faithful servant, as they would testify. The lands are to be made quiet again. “I say as to myself, lo! my heart is not at all changed as to my intention to serve the King my Lord. Now pronounce this judgment O Lord of justice. Cause all to be told that whoever crosses over from his own place the King my Lord will ... My Lord shall decide that this evil shall not go on. Who shall say anything against it? Now return a letter, and all my possessions that are with _Yapaaddu_ (he will make equally safe?) in the sight of the King.”

72 B.—“To _Khaia_(240) the _Pa_ ... (an Egyptian title) thus says _Ribadda_. I bow at thy feet. The God _Amen_ and the God _Sa_ ...(241) have given you power in the presence of the King. Behold thou art a man of good ... the King knows, and through your zeal the King sends you for a _Paka_. Why is it asked and you will not speak to the King? that he should order for us Egyptian soldiers to go up to the place—the city _Simyra_. Who is _Abdasherah?_—a slave, a dog, and shall the King’s land be smitten by him? Who set him up? And mighty with men of blood is the strength of his power. But send reinforcements: fifty _tapal_ (companies?) of horse and 200 foot soldiers; and both shall go forth from the city _Sigata_(242) (Shakkah). Know his intentions. Until the (_bitati_) Egyptian soldiers are sent he will not be mastered, (nor) any of the men of blood, and the city of _Sigata_ and the city of _Ambi_(243) are both taken, and thus ...”

17 B. M.—“_Ribadda_ speaks to ... (Amenophis IV?(244)) the King of many Lands: at the feet of ... my Sun-God. And I repeat as to ... (the expedition?) against the city of _Kappa_(245) ... and against the city _Amma_ ... cities faithful to the King my Lord. Who is this _Abdasherah_?—a slave, a dog, and shall he ... in the midst in the lands of my Lord? ... the King my Lord has asked as to his servant, and ... I send my messenger. Lo ... my cities, and with the letter ... my messages. And now behold he is marching to the city _Batruna_(246) and he will cut it off from my rule. They have seized the city of _Kalbi_(247)—the great pass of the city of Gebal. Truly the confederates are pushing on secretly from the great pass, and they have not made an end—mightily contumacious. For they have promised to take the city of _Gebal_ ... And let the King my Lord hear ... this day ... they have hastened chariots and ... I trust and ... and the fate of the city of _Gebal_ ... by them, and all the lands ... as far as the land of Egypt have been filled with men of blood. My Lord has sent no news as to this decree as I hoped by letter. And we desire that the city be saved, and the villages of the city, from him, for my inhabiting. I have been hard pushed. Help speedily O King my Lord ... soldiers and chariots, and you will strengthen the chief city of the King my Lord. Behold the city of _Gebal_: there is not, as is said, of chief cities (like) the city _Gebal_ a chief city with the King my Lord from of old. The messenger of the King of the city of _Acca_(248) (Accho) honor thou with (my) messenger. And we have given cavalry at his pleasure ... and a division of horse ... because of pleasuring him(249) ...”

60 B.—After salutation: “The King my Lord shall know: behold _Benmabenat_(250) son of _Abdasherah_ strives for the city _Gatza_.(251) They have subdued the city of _Ardata_, the city _Yahlia_, the city _Ambi_, the city _Sigata_,(252) all the cities are theirs; and the King shall order the cutting off of the city _Simyra_, so that the King may rule his land. Who is this _Abdasherah_?—a slave, a dog. O King it is thy land, and they have joined the King of the land of _Mitani_. But come to us to the King’s land to ... before the cities of your rulers are destroyed; and lo! this has been said ... thy _Paka_, and not ... his cities to them. Now they have taken the city of _Ullaza_(253) for it is as has been said, until you shall march to this city of _Simyra_. And they have slain for us the _Paka_ and the Egyptian (_bitati_) soldiers who (were) in the city of _Simyra_ ... they have done to us, and shall not I go up ... to the city of _Simyra?_ The cities _Ambi_, _Sigata_, _Ullaza_, (_Caphar?_) _Yazu_(254) have fought for me. Their destruction for us by them, will be pleaded against the city of _Simyra_, these cities ... and the sons of _Abdasherah_ ... Alas! and the city of Gebal demands of the men of blood as to the city _Tikhedi_.(255) I marched; but there befell an entering-in to spoil by the men of blood.”

23 B. M.—The usual salutation is absent, and it seems to be written to an official: “To ... as a letter thus _Ribadda_. I bow at thy feet. Baalath of Gebal the God of the King my Lord may (she?) strengthen thy power in the presence of the King thy Lord—the Sun of the lands. You know behold that a (covenant?) has been engraved. But why was it sent? And lo! this thou shalt announce: I am left in fear that an end will be made of all. Thou shalt make the whole known. Behold it was sent to me. ‘Do not wait to go forth to the city _Simyra_ till I come.’ Behold you know, the wars are exceeding mighty against me, but he comes not. I did march, and lo! the city of _Ambi_ (_’Aba_) has been burned by me. You know that the chief and the principal men of this city have gathered with _Abdasherah_, and behold I did not march farther. Behold you know all that has been; and on this account ... having asked my question of my prophet(256) behold I feared accordingly. Hear me speak—favorably as I trust (as to) coming; and you know that they strive with our country, who behold are men of good will. Because ... your favor is strong ... do not you urge ... a message to this city, and out of its midst she sends to ...”

86 B., a much-broken letter, supposed to be from _Ribadda_, mentions _Batruna_ and _Ambi_.(257) Toward the end it reads continuously: “The King of the land of the _Hittites_ behold is ... to the sons of _Abdasherah_, for he hastens to despatch soldiers of the royal ... and the neighboring places have joined: the lands of the King my Lord are made a desert, which the dogs bring to naught: they have mourned. If _Neboyapiza_ fears the King my Lord will he not march on them, if the King my Lord will speak to the great man of the chief city—to the great man of the chief city of _Cumidi_(258) (_Kamid_) ... to march to join ... to me...”

41 B. begins with the usual salutation from _Ribadda_. “Behold I am a faithful servant of the Sun-King, and I confess that my messages have been sad for the King, as you own. The King my Lord shall hear the messages of his faithful servant, and _Buri_ is sending out in the direction of the city _Simyra_ and _Hadar_ ... has marched against you, and they have beaten us, and they have brought us low. (These foes?) are destroying in my sight, and I was ready (to go out?) with the _Paka_ to keep watch in the presence of the chiefs of the governments. And my Lord shall hear the news. Now _Aziru_ the son of _Abdasherah_ is marching with his brethren from(259) the city _Gebal_: and despatch Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_), and thou shalt march against him and smite him—the land is the King’s land; and since one has talked thus and you have not moved, the city of _Simyra_ has been lost. The King my Lord shall hear the news of his faithful servant. There is no money to buy me horses, all is finished, we have been spoiled. Give me thirty (companies—_tapal?_) of horse with chariots ... men ... there is none of this with me ... not a horse ...”

22 B. M.—“To _Amanabba_(260) ... as a letter, thus says this _Ribadda_ thy servant. I bow at my Lord’s feet. The God _Amen_ and _Baalath_ of _Gebal_ have established your power in the presence of the King my Lord. To what purpose is thy messenger with me to go to the King your Lord? And may I indeed expect horses and chariots to be ordered of thee? Will not you fortify the city? And this is heard by your message, and I am sincere, but the covenant is mocked and no soldiers are heard of with it. And they have routed the ... The city of _Batruna_ (_Batrûn_) is his; and bloody soldiers and chariots have established themselves in the midst of the city, and I had lain in wait for them outside the great pass of the city of _Gebal_(261) ... to the King my Lord ... with thee the soldiers of the prefect ... chariots and ... here with ...”

45 B. begins with the usual salutation, and continues: “The King my Lord will be sad. Why will you not send him to me? Behold I have no ruler over my fugitives. The city of _Simyra_ they have (shut up?); all have turned on me: and two chiefs of the land of Egypt, who travelled from the palace, went not forth. No man has travelled to the King who might carry my letter to the palace. Now these two chiefs brought us letters for the King, and the two have not gone forth, as being now afraid, and (refusing?) to my face ... I send to the palace (or capital), and _Azru_ (_Aziru?_) is laying snares, gathering soldiers: has not _Abdasherah_ marched with whatever he had? As I am told they will send friendly messages to my Lord, but thou wilt say ‘Why do ye send friendly messages to me when you refuse my message?’(262)

“I have been afraid of the snare. _Azaru_ (is) like ... Lo! I am strong through the King ... The sons of _Abdasherah_—the slave dog—have pretended that the cities of the governments of the King are given to them—our cities. The fortress has not opened to _Aziru_ ... O King as to their cities are they not subject to them? From the city Simyra, to the city _Ullaza_, the city _Sapi_(263) ... chariots ... land of Egypt ... from their hands for me. So now I am despatching this chief: he has left: do I not send to the King? Now the two chiefs of the land of Egypt, they whom you sent us remain with me, and have not gone out, since no soldiers are (intended for?) me, and ... the lands for the men of blood. And since the King’s heart altogether has forgotten my Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) I send to _Yankhamu_ and to _Biri_. They have taken those that were with the governors. Lo! may the land of the _Amorites_ become (their) conquest. The corn which they have threshed for me has been stored up, a part of the whole with my ... and one part with me; and ... the King will order ... we ... all whatever breathes; (it is not right to shut them up?) for the King; he is not coming to him: the chief must help himself to what was ordered to be stored up for the King. The King shall order a memorial as to the innocence of his servant. And as to the produce of the city O King there is none at all with me; all is finished from being distributed for (my own subsistence?). But as to this chief, the King will order him as I trust, and will give us men of garrison for ... to guard his faithful servant and his chief city, and the men of _Nubia_ who are with us, as those who are your foes (exult?). Moreover behold (much to say?) ... Thinking this, I shall send to the palace for a garrison—men of _Nubia_ ... The King will ... men of garrison ... of the land of _Nubia_ for its guarding, you will not ... this city to the men of blood.”

51 B.—The ordinary salutation: the letter goes on in an eloquent strain: “The storm (or a tumult) has burst forth. Let the King behold the city of _Simyra_. Lo! the city of _Simyra_ has remained as a bird caught in the snare: so her ... is left to the city of _Simyra_. The sons of _Abdasherah_ by their devices, and the men of the city of _Arāda_ (Arvad) by their hostility have made her wroth, and a fleet has sped ... in the sight of _Yankhamu_ ... men of the city ... they have seized, and ... Lo! the men of the city _Arvad_ searched for the coming forth of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_); _Abdasherah_ is with them, has he not marched? and their ships are set against the reinforcements from the Land of Egypt. So now there is no navigation. Let them make haste. Now they have seized the city _Ullaza_ (_Kefr Khullis_) and all whatsoever _Abdasherah_ has ... to the chiefs. And lo! we ... and the ships of the men of _Misi_ (the Delta?)(264) have been broken, with whatsoever was theirs. And as for me they went not up to fight for the mastery of the city of _Simyra_. _Yapaaddu_ has fought on my side, against whosoever was not faithful (or constant). They have trodden me down ... So now in sight of _Zabandi_(265) and of _Ibikhaza_ also, I have (joined?) myself to _Yankhamu_; and you will know their (good opinion?) of my faithfulness: as to what he thinks of my zeal make him confess, so he will (make it known?). He has fought for me and lo! they are wasting the city _Ullaza_ (to make an end thereof?).”

The back of this long letter is unfortunately quite destroyed. The final sentences are on the edge, the tablet being of considerable thickness:

“I have desired peace (like?) a faithful servant of the King. The men of Egypt, expelled from this city of our neighbor, are with me; and there is no ... for them to eat. _Yapaaddu_ has not granted my servants this ... this poor country; but we have been swift to help the city _Simyra_ ... they have gone up to fight the ships (of the city) of _Arāda_ (Arvad) ... (it was grievous?) ... _Riib_ ...”

55 B.—A much-broken letter appears to refer to a message from the King being seized, and that 300 men poured out and burned a city. It speaks of a _Paka_ and of Egyptian soldiers, and of the city _Beruti_ (_Beirût_) and of _Abdasherah’s_ forces.

16 B. M.—“To the King my Lord thus says _Ribadda_ thy servant, the dust of thy feet. I bow seven times and seven times at the feet of my Lord. And will not my Lord hear the message of thy servant? Men of the city of _Gebal_, and my family; and a wife whom I loved, they have taken away after the son of _Abdasherah_; and we have made a gathering; we have searched; and I cannot hear a word spoken about them. I am sending to the King my Lord, and once more, despatch thou men of garrison, men of war, for thy servant; and will you not defend the city of the King my Lord? But news has not arrived from the King my Lord for his servant. But he will be generous; he will remember me; and the advice (I speak) comes from my heart. The region near (us) _Ammunira_(266) has traversed throughout, and I went to him, for he gave assistance. And I myself searched for my family, but it has been made to vanish from my sight; and the King my Lord shall counsel his servant. Lo! the ally is zealous; and he has decreed a gathering of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord; and the King my Lord will counsel his servant. If there is no wish to be kind on the part of the King my Lord, I myself am helpless; and the King has no servants. Moreover, my son and my wife have been subjected to a man who sins against the King.”(267)

15 B. M.—“To _Amanabba_ my father, thus _Ribadda_ thy son. I bow at my father’s feet. Baalath of the city _Gebal_ strengthens your favor in the sight of the King your Lord. Why has it been asked, and no complaint (is made) to the King? and you hesitate about the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_), and you are brought low before the land of the _Amorites_. If you had heard of us (that) the Egyptian soldiers (are) strong, and that they have deserted their towns, and gone away, you know not the land of the _Amorites_. Behold they have taken these places from us, and I am ill at ease. Behold now do not they support _Abdasherah_? behold they have deceived us about them, and you promise us, day and night to send the Egyptian soldiers, and we are made sad about it, and all the chiefs of the Government. Thou shalt promise us to do this thing to _Abdasherah_: lo! he sends to the chiefs of the city of _Ammiya_ (_Amyûn_) to slay him who was established as Lord, and they submitted to the men of blood. So now thou shalt say for us—the Chiefs of the Government; so now they are doing to us, and thou shalt announce to him (that) all the lands are for men of blood, and speak thou this message in the presence of the King my Lord. Lo! a father and a lord this thou art to me; and as for thee my face I bend, you know, to my master: behold what is done in the city of _Simyra_, lo! I am ... with thee. But complain to the King thy Lord, and you will send ... to me as I trust.”

20 B. M.—“_Ribadda_ sends to his Lord the Great King, the King of many lands to the prosperous King. Baalath of Gebal has confirmed the power of the King my Lord. At the feet of my Lord the Sun seven times seven times he bows him. A petition has been made long ago, made for the city of _Gebal_, to despatch _Bikuru_ (to the) chiefs of the Land of _Egada_(268) ... served me, which ... I ... three of the chiefs ... they strove ... the Land of Egypt ... and ... then the King my Lord ... a sin against....

“If the King my Lord supports his faithful servant; and despatch thou ... this her chief (speedily?); and we two watch the city for the King. The King shall send the choicest of thy great men, from among those who guard him. The three chiefs whom _Bikhuru_ strove to despatch, but who have fled, (are) _Abdirama_, _Iddinaddu_, _Abdmelec_, these are sons of _Abdasherah_;(269) and they have taken the King’s land for themselves. He shall send the _bitati_...”

21 B. M.—“To _Amanabba_ ... (by letter) thus (says) this _Ribadda_ thy servant. I bow (at my Lord’s feet). The god _Amen_ ... of thy Lord, builds up thy favor (with) the King thy Lord. Hear ... (they have fought) mightily, and over the Egyptian soldiers are victorious, and ... to the Land of the _Amorites_.” The letter becomes too broken to read consecutively, but refers to the Land of _Mitana_, and apparently to a defeat of _Yankhamu_. He asks for corn, and speaks of having nothing to eat, in connection with the city of _Gebal_; and refers to three years of (dearth?), and to the corn failing.

19 B. M.—After the usual salutation to the King, this letter reads: “The King my Lord will say that the choicest of thy great men, and the choicest of thy city that thou hast are among those who guard us. My great men and (those of?) the city, were formerly men of garrison with me; and the King asked of us corn for them to eat, from my poor country. But now behold _Aziru_ is destroying me, and I repeat there (are) no oxen, nor ... for me; _Aziru_ has taken all. And there is no corn for my eating. And the chiefs—the _Pakas_—also have been nourished by the cities, exhausting the corn for their eating. Again: (being faithful), the King shall establish for me, as men of government, the men of government of their own cities, the men who at first were with their subjects. But as for me my cities are Aziru’s, and they long for me, to whom destruction is made by him, who is a dog of the sons of _Abdasherah_, and either you shall do for us as they wish, or you shall give orders for us to the King’s cities in these matters.”

48 B.—This begins with the usual salutation, and then continues: “If perchance I send a message to the King my Lord, do not thou refuse the request of my memorial. Lo! thrice has come upon me a year of storms (or tumults), and again a year of storms begins. My wheat is naught; the wheat for us to eat: that which was for sowing for my freemen is finished; their beasts, their herbs, the trees of their gardens, are wretched, in my unhappy land. Our corn has failed. Once more the King will hear the message of his faithful servant, and will order wheat in ships, and his servant shall live; and be thou moved and send us com. The chiefs (will send?) horses, as commanded, to _Zu_ ... And thou shalt defend the city (by so doing?) ... behold _Yankhamu_ says (or asks) ... that wheat be given to _Ribadda_ ... to him ... corn (the bread of men?) ... and now with _Yapaaddu_ ... their money henceforth ... ask him, he will tell all in your presence. Mayest thou know when it is spoken in the presence of the King my Lord. And this year of storms makes the wheat scarce (in) my unhappy land ... there was scarcity before in the city _Simyra_, and now behold in the city _Gebal_.”

The text is here too broken to be read. It seems, perhaps, to refer to the enemy having possession of the sea, and to the entreaties of _Yankhamu_, and to certain waters, and the general wretchedness. A paragraph then begins:(270)

“The King of the Land _Taratzi_(271) has coveted the city of _Simyra_; and they desired to march to the city of _Gebal_; and none now has urged him, and he has stayed in his land. Now as he is strong he will send to the great ... by my wish ... they have returned to us.” The letter is again much broken; it refers to a ruler, saying: “His heart is with my heart; but _Abdasherah_ has conquered beyond the land of the _Amorites_, also since the time of your father the city of _Sidon_ has submitted to the occupation by his allies: the lands are for the men of blood, so now there is none who is a friend (or kin) to me. Let the King regard the message of his servant. Let him give men to guard his city. Is not she insulted by all the men of blood?”

The latter part, referring to allies, is much broken.

54 B.—This is broken at the top, and considerably injured. It demands soldiers, and the restoration of the rulers. “The city of (_Sidon?_), and the city of _Beirût_, the sons of _Abdasherah_ have silenced: they fought for the King, but the city of _Sidon_ and the city of _Beirût_ are not the King’s. We sent a _Paka_: he did not desert his duty to you, but she has rebelled to your face: for it was permitted by the freemen. The men of blood have seized the city.(272) Behold as for me this is my repetition ... city _Atsar_ ... restraint ...”

49 B.—This letter is much damaged; it begins with the usual salutation, and continues: “Lo! he makes the chiefs of (_Ukri?_) to dwell in fear of making an end. Lo! the King asked from his rulers as to my brethren. O King, is it not right to approach them, when the King shall ask? and we have set our faces fast toward thy servants. I desire this to strengthen my neighbor ... the city of (_Ukri?_).(273) Their ruler will go out then from my presence. They have interfered with my sister (town), and the waters of my brother’s growing corn. I am despatching to the city _Ukri_ ... from the presence of Abdasherah ... The King ... all the lands ... if as to my brethren ... the King will ask ... a neighbor ... I shall send to the King this ... Blame us not for his weakness (or affliction), and in time past we have ruled over him, and if you will ask as to my brethren, and shall be grieved, this city (has) no (government that the King should ask after it?). Do not we know this day (what) he did to all? and trust me, if the King will not ask of the rulers. Lo! if he ceases oppression as an enemy I am well pleased. Behold the land of the city of _Ukri_: there are no lands (or towns) of rulers ... his ... spoiled the land for us.” The next passage about servants, governors, and the _Paka_ is too broken to read. The letter concludes by asking support, and asks excuse on account of the enemy’s success.