Chapter XI: Front Matter (11)

75 B.—The usual salutation is here damaged, and the middle of the text. “Behold since the arrival of _Amanappa_ in my presence all the men of blood have set their faces to me; they have fulfilled the wishes of _Abdasherah_; and my Lord shall hear the messages of his servant; and ... men of garrison, for the defence of the royal city. Send the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) ... as there are no Egyptian soldiers it befalls thee, that the lands ... to the men of blood; since the seizing of the city _Maar_ ... (274) at the command of _Abdasherah_; and so our limits are the city of _Gebal_ and the city of _Batruna_;(275) but so not all the lands are to the men of blood—two chief cities which are (still) to be wrecked for (us). And they have turned back(276) to take from us ... She has remained peaceful to the King, and my Lord shall order men of garrison for his two cities, till the Egyptian soldiers march forth. But everything fails me, of the food of the land (our teeth have gnawed nothing at all?). As the heart of a bird fails, seeing the snare, this city has remained. She is helpless before them ... lamenting. Once more ... they have shut up my ... it has come to pass ... the lands ... _Abdasherah_, the slave dog ... the lands of the King to himself.”

84 B. is much broken; all the cities are taken except _Gebal_ and _Batruna_, which remain like birds in the snare. But he still “trusts.”

12 B. M.—“_Ribadda_ speaks to the King of Lands, of many lands, the great King the prosperous King. The Lady (Ballath) of Gebal gives power to the King my Lord. I bow at my Lord’s feet—the Sun-God—seven times seven times. Let the King know! behold! the city _Gebal_ his handmaid, faithful to the King, has gathered because of the allies who are his foes. And I am ill at ease: behold the King lets slip from his hand the chief city that is faithful to him. Let the King smite the lands of those who rob him. Lo! is not he a faithful servant, her chief who abides in the city of _Gebal_? Do not you say so to your servant, when there is a mighty fighting against him of men of blood, and the Gods of the land are (evilly disposed?), and our sons have been worn out, and our daughters have fled, and there is weakness in my unhappy land. For our living, my fields gave sustenance, which no ... secured. For as many as I possess, all my cities which are in flames, also the foe has overthrown: they submitted to the bloody soldiers. The city of _Gebal_ with two cities, remains to me; and I am ill at ease because _Abdasherah_ is marching. The city of _Sigata_ (is) his; and he is saying to the chiefs of the city of _Ammia_ (_Amyun_), ‘They have slain your chief and you have done like us, and you have rebelled, and you obeyed his order, and they will punish you as men of blood.’ And I am ill at ease. Lo! now _Abdasherah_ sends for soldiers. I have remained alone—they will be rejoiced at it, and there is ruin before the city of _Gebal_, if there is no great man to gain me safety from his hands. And the chiefs of the government are expelled from the midst of the lands; and you relinquish all the lands to the men of blood, squandering the wealth of all the lands; and they have torn away sons and daughters nobly born; and (this) while the King is pondering about it, and all the lands have fought for him. And from what they have done to us, behold now thou wilt become naked to their destructions. And so now I am exceedingly afraid. Behold now there is no great man who wins me salvation from their hands. As birds that are in the midst of the snares this place has remained. I myself am in the city of _Gebal_. Why is there this overthrow of thy land? Now I send (complaint?) to the palace (or great city) and you will not hear us. Now this (is) my message. _Amanabba_ is with thee, ask him: he has fled,(277) and he will show the evils that are against me. Let the King hear his servant’s message; and he shall establish his servant’s life, and his servant shall live, and shall defend the ... with him.”

The remainder of the letter is broken. It asks for advice and information, and for consideration of the memorial. Ribadda’s letters increase in pathetic eloquence as the great catastrophe approaches.

56 B., a much-broken letter. They are advancing to take _Gebal_. Money has been given to a certain chief who has turned against _Ribadda_.

62 B., a mere fragment. The enemy are advancing on _Gebal_ with the intention of taking it.

63 B.—This also is much broken. It refers to _Yapaaddu_, to the King’s _Paka_ receiving orders, and to the rulers, and contains the statement, “They have cut off two of my ships, with my sons (or men) and all that was mine.”

80 B. begins with the usual salutation, and continues: “Does the King my Lord know? Behold the city of _Gebal_ has gathered, she has gathered those faithful to the King, and very mighty was the battle of the men of blood against me, and there is no rest through the city of _Simyra_. (Defeat has not befallen?) the men of blood, through the King’s _Paka_ (chief), whom they cast out from the city of _Simyra_. The chief city is troubled. Now _Pakha_(_mnata_), the King’s _Paka_, who (was) in the city of _Simyra_, has sent a message—he has failed. Sixty minas (_mana_)(278) it is that they are asking the city of _Gebal_, from my unhappy land. The battle was waged very mightily against us, and the King is not defended by his fortress.”

81 B.—“To _Rabzabi_(279) ... thus _Ribadda_ thy son.” The letter is much broken. He refers to money, and asks him to complain to the King. He says he is afraid that the freemen are not (faithful?) to the King’s governor, if the broken portion may be so understood.

82 B.—“To _Ribadda_ my son thus by letter (says) King _Rabzabi_ thy father. May our Gods prosper thee, prosper thy fortress. Let him ask to know. The sons of our Lord have spoken accordingly. They have spoken of the strife of the chiefs of the city of _Simyra_. (He has vanquished my fears?) of being made to perish by the city of _Simyra_, of our perishing by these chiefs; and lo! they have allotted decrees, they are creating a memorial. Have I not been bent upon the decrees? and decrees of the King have followed. And unless they have destroyed everything, the King makes sure to show them their master. For the King is imposing decrees. The decrees of the King are saying: ‘Why do ye make a waste land to those who are servants of the King? I shall despatch men. I shall send a garrison for the chief city.’ I am sending the King’s ... to you ... soldiers ... in ... A gathering they are making of all.”

In spite of his father’s zealous assistance in Egypt, this favorable intention came too late.

76 B.—“From _Riibiddi_ as a letter to the King my Lord: beneath the feet of my Lord seven times and seven times I bow. Behold my Lord’s message from this (remnant?): from the lands of the despised, and from the chief city of fugitives, they have wandered. To go for us, accordingly I have ordered my ships to go out from shore (or wall). Lo! _Aziru_ has fought with me. And all the chiefs of the government gathered, hardening their hearts. I have gathered to us their ships; and as they go to us in haste their abodes are deserted, which are subject (to) this _Amorite_ race; and they have been suddenly destroyed. I am chosen chief of the chiefs of the government. To me accordingly they have subjected everything; and they have removed—on account of the success of the chiefs of my enemies—the silver from the palaces, and all else, on account of his destructions. But the King shall order soldiers for them, and now I shall send to my Lord for soldiers; and soldiers of garrison do not thou ...”

The letter is much broken here. It refers to the son of _Abdasherah_, and to the chief city of the _Giblites_, to his messenger, and to there being no news of soldiers coming. “You will not (even) glance at us ... and despatch him. The lean soldiers are growling. ‘When (is) the King to feed this city? and he thinks evil of her.’ Speed your chief to ... her. Why is he not ordered from the palace, being said that soldiers (are to be) sent? They have destroyed us, and they ravage the lands ... I cause to be sent repeatedly; a message is not returned us for me. They have seized all the lands of the King my Lord; and my Lord has said that they are to repent. But now behold the soldiers of the land of the _Hittites_ have trampled down our papyrus.(280) The chief city of _Gebal_ (has) no food. But counsel the city ... and accordingly I will listen. O King! for the _Misi_ (Delta) men—all of them, you ordered of me presents of the royal gold, because of the sons of _Abdasherah_; and when you ordered me they were subjecting the sons of _Abdasherah_ to the King; and so now it is lawful.”

85 B.—This is a list of various articles, with a broken name, apparently (_Rib_)_adda’s_, at the top, including perhaps either presents or his own property sent to Egypt. The tablet is much injured. It appears to mention precious stones and articles of gold, and includes male and female slaves. _Yazimi_, “the servant of God,” with _Abdaddu_, is mentioned near the end.

71 B.—“_Ribadda_ ... to the King my Lord ... at the feet ... seven times and seven times(281) ... I send and I repeat (the message), and you listen not thereto ... The King my Lord shall hear the message, and it explains to the _Paur_ (magnate) ... to the Lords of the Palace, because in vain the soldiers of garrison have hasted to him. And you will remember my ... Lo! it is not granted to my sons to take root for me, as the prophets have perceived of old; and the race of the foes (will) remain. I being asked am going to those who are free, to _Khamu_ my son, and to my younger brother, who have both left the city of _Gebal_. There was good-fortune for the sons of _Abdasherah_, as to the subjugation of the capital city; behold my brother has commanded, he went out as my envoy. It is no use: the soldiers of the garrison failed with him; and they have defeated me; and so the evil is done; and they make me flee from the city: it is not defended from the power of the enemy. Now I say do not prevent a descent to the Lands of Egypt, and a settlement. And you will help me very much. My great men consent; and the King my Lord will consider. Lo! the Gods of _Gebal_ (be with him) and you will help me very much; and ‘It is well’ they have said: good are my wishes to the Gods. So now I shall not come down to the presence of the King my Lord. But now my son, a servant of the King my Lord, I am sending to the presence of the King my Lord, and the King shall hear the desire of his faithful servant, and appoint us Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_). And request (has been made) to the King of _Babeli_ (Babylon,(282) an ally of Egypt); but he ... no soldiers of his host ... in her midst.... Egyptian soldiers of the King my Lord ... to come to her. Behold the entanglement of the chiefs friendly to my (throne?) in the midst of the city. A son of one of the chiefs is a friend in her midst. The Egyptian soldiers are strong; and they have heard of those who are reaching her; and the city has remained to the King my Lord; and the King my Lord knows that it is against him that they have (cried war?). Now I am going to a town (that) I defend for my Lord, determined in heart, before the King my Lord, that the chief city shall not be given to the sons of Abdasherah. So my brother has fought him: the city is stubborn against the sons of _Abdasherah_. He is not able to leave the town,(283) when there is plenty of silver and gold in her midst in the Temple of Gods, plenty of everything if they take her. O King my Lord what is done to his servant by them is done. But appoint the town of _Buruzizi_(284) for my dwelling. Lo! _Khamu_ my son (sets forth?) the request in the presence. Behold! this dwelling of the chief city—the town of _Buruzizi_—the sons of _Abdasherah_ have been afraid to smite. Lo! _Khamu_ my son is going to the presence: for the sons of _Abdasherah_ have pricked against me, and none remains to mourn, O King, for me. And I mourn to the King my Lord. Behold the city of _Gebal_ is a city truly like our eye: there is plenty of all that is royal in her midst: the servants of the chief city were at peace, the chiefs were our well-wishers before time when the King’s voice was for all. It is the chief city of the land they have wasted for me—and is none of his. Will not this desire prevail with the King? Behold thy servant, my son, I am despatching to the presence of the King my Lord; and there shall be ordered him protection of the King by soldiers ... you will come marching to us. For the King my Lord will protect me. And restore thou me to the chief city, and to my house as of old. O King my Lord ... of the King my Lord in her midst; and ... the city from (shame?) ... as ... _Khamu_ ... till ... shall hear ... their servant ... to her midst ... the soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord; and you will strengthen the soldiers of this place speedily ... the chief city, as I trust; and you will march to the city ... Lo! what he is saying in the presence of the King cannot it be done? O King my Lord ... the chief city of a neighbor (_Gur_); and which has been laid low to the demands of those that hate the same ... it is not just to see what is done to the lands ... the soldiers of the King my Lord; and she trusts the King my Lord.”

This seems to be the last of Ribadda’s fifty letters. There is no mention of any return to Gebal, or of victory over the Amorites. We do not know that he got safe to Buruzizi, but can only hope he did. It was too late when his father obtained promise of aid. So energetic a writer would probably have written again if he had been alive to do so. The Amorite letters had blinded the eyes of Amenophis so long that their position was secured. As we shall see also, there were other appeals from every part of the country.

SUBANDI’S LETTERS

If Subandi be the Zabandi of Ribadda’s letter (51 B.), the following also belong to the Phœnician-Amorite war:

38 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun, the Sun from heaven, thus says _Subandi_ thy servant, the captain of thy horse: at the feet of the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven, seven times and seven times is made to bow both the heart and also the body. I hear all the messages of the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven, and now I shall guard the land of the King that is with me, and ... I hear ... exceeding much.”

39 B. M. is an almost identical letter from the same writer.

40 B. M.—The salutation by _Subandi_ is the same. The letter is broken. He speaks of a message from the King, and of fighting. He speaks of assisting the King’s servant and the fortresses, and mentions the arrival of the King as expected, and the _Kau Mas_. These latter words are evidently Egyptian, _Kau_ meaning “men” and _Masa_ “infantry.”

116 B.—The same salutation. It is a short letter acknowledging the receipt of a letter, and ends by speaking of men of blood, and that the “King knows about his cities.”

117 B.—The same salutation: “The King my Lord, the Sun from heaven, has sent _Khanni_ to me.” It is injured, but seems to refer to “an hundred oxen and thirty women. For the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven, has instructed.”

118 B.—A similar salutation. He will defend the King’s land. “(Ask?) the great man if we have not listened to the King’s _Paka_: now he has been listened to exceeding much—the _Paka_ of the King my Lord, Son of the Sun from heaven.”

120 B., a short letter from _Subandi_, merely saying that he has received the King’s message.(285)

Northern Palestine

LETTERS FROM BEIRUT

No. 26 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my Sun my God, to the King my Lord by letter thus _Ammunira_, chief of the city of _Burutu_, thy servant, the dust of thy feet: at the feet of the King my Lord my Sun my God—the King my Lord—seven and seven times I bow. I hear the messages of ... of the King my Lord my Sun my God—the ruler of my life, and they have drawn the heart of thy servant, and the dust of the feet of the King my Lord my Sun and my God—the King my Lord—exceeding much. Sufficient is the order of the King my Lord my Sun my God, for his servant and the dust of his feet. Behold the King my Lord my Sun has sent to his servant, and the dust of his feet, ‘Speed to the presence of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) of the King thy Lord.’ I listen exceeding much, and now I have sped, with my horses, and with my chariots, and with all who march with the servant of the King my Lord, to meet the Egyptian soldiers of the King my Lord. And art not thou confident of the event? The breast of the enemies of the King my Lord my Sun my God shall be troubled. And shall not the eyes of thy servant behold this, through the mastery of the King my Lord; and the King my Lord my Sun my God, the King my Lord, shall see. Thou increasest the favors of thy servant. Now as to the servant of the King my Lord, and the footstool of his feet, now let him fortify the city of the King my Lord my Sun—the ruler of my life, and her gardens (that is to say the mulberries),(286) till the eyes behold the Egyptian soldiers of the King my Lord, and ... the servant of the King I proclaim” (or predict).

27 B. M.—“To the King ... my Lord thus says _Ammunira_ thy servant, the dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord seven and seven times I bow. I hear the message of the letter, and what is thereby commanded to me O King my Lord. And I hear (the precept?) of the message of the scribe of my Lord, and my heart is eager, and my eyes are enlightened exceedingly. Now I have watched much, and have caused the city of _Burutu_ to be fortified for the King my Lord, until the coming of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord. As to the chief of the city of _Gebal_ who is in trouble together with me, now they defend him till there shall be counsel of the King to his servant. The King my Lord is shown the grief of one’s brother, which troubles us both. From the city of Gebal, lo! the sons of _Ribaadda_ who is in trouble with me, are subjected to chiefs who are sinners to the King, who (are) from the land of the _Amorites_. Now I have caused them to haste with my horses and with my chariots and with all who are with me, to meet the soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord. At the feet of the King my Lord seven and seven times I bow.”

Ammunira was Ribadda’s friend (see 16 B. M.), and his letter agrees with Ribadda’s: clearly, therefore, the seizure of Ribadda’s sons comes historically before the loss of Beirût, Mearah, and Sidon (54 B., 75 B.).

LETTER FROM SIDON

90 B.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun—the King my Lord(287)—by letter thus _Zimridi_, the Governor of the city of Sidon (_Ziduna_): at the feet of the King my Lord my God my Sun—the King my Lord—seven times and seven times I bow. Does not the King my Lord know? Lo! the city of _Sidon_ has gathered. I am gathering, O King my Lord, all who are faithful to my hands (power). And lo! I hear the message of the King my Lord. Behold, he causes it to be sent to his servant, and my heart rejoices, and my head is raised, and my eyes are enlightened; my ears hear the message of the King my Lord; and know O King I have proclaimed in presence of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord, I have proclaimed all, as the King my Lord has spoken; and know O King my Lord lo! mighty has been the battle against me: all ... who are faithful to the King in ... it has come to pass, and the chiefs ... sons, and are faithful to the King ... and her chief who goes out in the presence of the King’s Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_). The greatest of the fortresses deserts to the enemies: which has gone well for the men of blood, and they are gaining them from my hands, and my destruction is before me. O King my Lord as said the chiefs who are my foes have done.”

From the letters of the King of Tyre which follow (99 B. and 28-31 B. M.) we see that Zimridi was a weak ruler. His own letter agrees with one from Ribadda (54 B.) as showing that Sidon fell by treachery, not by war.

LETTERS FROM TYRE

These appear to begin early, before the appearance of Aziru, and show that the rivalry of Tyre and Sidon was of early origin. None of the letters mention Tyre except those written by her King.

99 B.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun thus (says) _Abimelec_(288) thy servant: seven and seven (times) at the feet of the King my Lord (I bow). The King my Lord sends (to ask) if I have finished what is doing with me. I present to the King my Lord 100 ornaments (or ‘crowns,’ perhaps ‘shekels’—_tacilal_); and let the King my Lord give his countenance to his servant, and let him give the city _Huzu_(289) to his servant—a fountain to supply water for his drinking: let the King my Lord grant (a chief a subject?)(290) to guard his town; and let me plead, and let the face of the King my Lord regard my explanation before the King my Lord. As said behold let the King my Lord confide in me to defend his city. Lo! the King of the city of _Sidon_ is taking the people who are my subjects—a chief who is my inferior (or foe). Let the King give his countenance to his servant, and let him order his _Paka_ (chief), and let him give the city of _Huzu_ for waters to his servant, to take trees for our use for the dwellings. Lo! he has made war: nothing is left. In vain have they threshed corn if the King of Sidon despoils the King’s land. The King of the city of _Khazura_ (Hazor)(291) is leaving his city, and goes out with men of blood. Let the King show their borders to the hostile (or inferior) chiefs. The King’s land is vexed by men of blood. Let the King send his _Paka_ (chief) who is in our land.”

29 B. M.—“To the King my Lord, my God, my Sun thus (says) _Abimelec_ thy servant: seven and seven (times) at the feet of the King my Lord I bow. I (am) the dust beneath the shoes of the King my Lord my master—the Sun-God who comes forth in presence of the world from day to day, as the manifestation of the Sun-God his gracious father: who gives life by his good word, and gives light to what is obscure: who frees all lands from dissensions by just rule of a free country; who gives this his compassion from heaven, like the God Adonis, and causes all lands to rest through his mercy. This is the message of a servant to his Lord. Lo! I hear the gracious messenger of the King who reaches his servant, and the good utterance which comes from the hands of the King my Lord for his servant; and the utterance it makes clear, since the arrival of the messenger of the King my Lord. Does not he make it clear?—the utterance is clear. The lands of my fathers behold it records. Lo! the utterance of the King comes to me, and I rejoice exceedingly and (my heart has risen?) from day to day because the land is not ... Behold I heard the gracious messenger from my Lord, and all my land has been afraid as to my Lord’s countenance. Lo! I heard the good utterance; and the gracious messenger who reaches me, behold he said, O King my Lord, that the region (is) to be established by the presence of many soldiers; and the servant says for his Lord that my plain is my land over against my highlands, over against the plain of my cities. He has borne the order of the King my Lord listening to the King his Lord, and has served him (in his integrity?), and the Sun-God he has proclaimed before him; and he makes clear the good utterance from the hands of his Lord, and does he not listen to the order of his Lord? The portion of his town his Lord has divided. His word none shall overthrow in all the lands forever. Behold (this is) the duty that he heard from his Lord. His city will rest, will rest from overthrowing his utterance for all time. Thou art the Sun-God whom he has proclaimed before him; and the decision which shall set at rest is lasting for one. And because she judges that the King my Lord is just our land obeys—the land that I am given. This Abimelec says to the Sun-God. My Lord I am given what appears before the King my Lord. And now the city _Zarbitu_(292)is to be guarded by the city of Tyre (_Tsuru_) for the King my Lord.”

31 B. M.—“To the King the Sun ... thus says _Abimel_(_ec_) ... seven times and seven times at the feet ... I am the dust from ... below ... and the King the Sun forever ... The King spoke to his servant (and) to his servant my comrade: he has granted that extension be given, and as to waters for (his servant’s) drinking And they did not as the King my Lord has said; and we arrive at no fulfilment. And let the King counsel his servant my comrade. He has granted that the waters be given, because of the abundance there to drink. My Lord the King, behold, there is no one to tend my trees, no one (to tend) my waters, no one to make ... Let the King my Lord know.” The next lines are much broken, and the letter then continues: “... As the King has said. And let the King assign to his servant and to the city of Tyre (_Tsuru_) the city that my comrade has given, and what the order lays down on the side of the King for his servant, which the King made an order (less than a year ago?). The King is the eternal Sun-God, and to his faithful servant the King my Lord shall ... for guardians of the town that my comrade has granted. My requests as to this town ... Moreover, my Lord ... soldiers against me ... to my desire ... King ... Lo! his heart is evil ... King my Lord; and he turns away from my wish; and O King my Lord (thou knowest the hearts of all those in the land?), and let the King give his countenance to his servant; and to the city of _Tyre_ the town that my comrade has granted (is) to be given ... waters for (irrigation?). Moreover, my Lord ... Let the King ask his _Paka_. Lo! the chief of the city of _Zar_(_epta_) has followed the city of _Simyra_ (with) a ship. I am marching, and the chief of the city of _Sidon_ marches out; and as for me he has marched with all ... and let the King counsel his servant ...”

30 B. M.—_Abimelec_ begins with his ordinary salutation. “Thus far I defend the King’s city which he confides to my hands very much. My intention (has been) to walk in sight of the face of the King my Lord, and not to take by force from the hands of _Zimridi_ of the city of _Sidon_. Lo! I hear me that he will strive, and has made war with me. Let the King my Lord send down to me ... chiefs for guards of the city of the King my Lord; and let me strive (or plead) for the dwellings of the King my Lord, with those who deceive his gracious countenance. I set my face to (encourage?) the region of those who are peaceful with the King my Lord; and let the King my Lord ask his _Paka_ (chief). Lo! I set my face (or, confirm my intention) forever, O King my Lord. Now a messenger I am despatching to ... of the King my Lord, and ... the King my Lord the messenger ... ... his letter ... and may it be the means of ... the King my Lord ... (that) he sets his face ... forever to ... the face of the King my Lord. His servant will not let slip ... from (his) hands ... Let the King my Lord give his countenance ... and (he) shall ... waters for the drawing ... and woods for his servant.... Know O King my Lord behold they are plucking the fruit that we left. There are no waters and no woods for us. Now _Elisaru_ the messenger to the presence of the King my Lord has hasted, and I have made bold to present five precious things of copper, this agate, one throne of gold. The King my Lord sends to me (saying) ‘Send to me all you hear from the land of Canaan’ (_Cina’ana_). The King of _Danuna_(293) has been destroyed, and his brother is ruling after him, and his land has broken out, and they have seized the King of the town of _Hugarit_,(294) and mighty is the slaughter that follows him. He is strong, and none are saved from him, nor any from the chiefs of the army of the land of the _Hittites_. The proud _Edagama_(295) of the city _Ciidzi_ (Kadesh on Orontes, the capital of the Southern Hittites, now _Kades_) and _Aziru_ have fought—they have fought with _Neboyapiza_; they have come to the regions of _Zimridi_. Lo! he gathers ships of soldiers against me from the fortresses of _Aziru_. And lo! they have grievously opposed my Lord’s subjects, and all will break out. Let the King give countenance to his servant, and let him leap forth to go out a conqueror” (or “to the region”).

28 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my Sun my God thus (says) _Abimelec_ thy servant; seven and seven (times) at the feet of the King my Lord I bow. I am the dust beneath the feet. Consider me O King my Lord. The King my Lord (is) like the Sun; like the air god (or Adonis) in heaven art thou. Let the King advise his servant: the King my Lord confides in me. I watch the city of _Tyre_ the handmaid of the King. And I send a hasty letter to the King my Lord, and no order does he return to me. I am the _Paka_(296) (chief) of the King my Lord, and I have diligently followed what was ordered. But as to our silence to the King my Lord let the King be assured. As a subject I guard his city. And let me plead (or strive) before the King my Lord, and let him see his face. Who shall preserve one born a subject? Lo there has gone forth no command from the hands of the King his Lord; and he may not know when the King sends to his servant. He may never know. As for me ...”

The letter is here too broken to read consecutively. It refers to the “west,” and apparently to “burning,” to _Aziru_, and to someone, perhaps a king’s messenger, called _Khabi_. The letter becomes readable on the back of the tablet.

“... by _Elisaru_ the messenger it is confirmed that the city of _Simyra_ is _Aziru’s_. And is not the King nourished by his city of _Tyre_, by his country? Lo! if I shall be destroyed the King is destroyed. But thus his fortress has been wasted, and there has been great fear, and all the lands have feared; for he has not walked after (_i.e._, obeyed) the King my Lord. O King know: desolation has remained with me—with the _Paka_ in the city of _Tyre_. _Zimridi_ is gone to the city _Irib_.(297) He has escaped from slavery; and there is no water or wood for us; and alas! there is none remaining to stand up for me. The chief is helpless. And let the King my Lord advise his servant by a letter he sends to me, whom you thus hear. And _Zimrida_ of the city of _Sidon_ has sent to the King, and _Aziru_ is a man sinful against the King, and the chiefs of the city _Arāda_ (Arvad) destroy me,(298) and (everything is altered?) through their ravages; and they will gather their ships, their chariots, their foot soldiers, to seize the city of _Tyre_ the King’s handmaid. She has been very constant to the King’s hand, and the city of _Tyre_ has been crushed by them. Were they not violent in taking the city of _Simyra_? They took from the hands of _Zimrida_ him who bore the King’s order to _Aziru_; and I sent a letter to the King my Lord, and he returns me not an order for his servant. They have fought (for a long time?) against me. There are no waters(299) and no trees. Let there be ordered a letter for his servant, and let me plead, and let me see his face, and the King ... to his servant, and to his city, and not ... his city and his land. Why do they ... the King our Lord from the land, and ... and he has known that I honor the King’s power, who ... no ... to my letter—a subject before the King my Sun, my Lord; and let the King answer his servant.”

LETTERS FROM ACCHO

93 B.—_Surata_, chief of _Acca_, sends the usual formula of compliment, and continues: “What chief is there who when the King his Lord sends to him will not hear? As this is sent out by desire of the Sun-God from heaven, so now it is promised him.”

32 B. M., a short letter from _Zitatna_, of Accho, merely says that he bows seven times and seven times at the King’s feet.

94 B., another short letter by the same, states that he listens to the King’s wishes.

95 B.—“To the King my Lord my ... the Sun from heaven thus says _Zatatna_ chief of the city of _Acca_, thy servant, the King’s servant, and the dust at the feet trampled under the feet of the King my Lord—the Sun-God from heaven: seven times and seven times he bows both heart and body. The King my Lord shall hear the message of his servant; the woman my wife ... He has left from ... _Neboyapiza_ ... with _Suta_ ... of the King, in the city of _Acca_ ... to say anything ... him. She has urged (that) soldiers of the King my Lord shall go out with her from the city _Magid_ ... No word is mentioned as to him or explanation before me; and now we two are sending. My reason (is) to assure her—_Ziza_ the woman my wife—as to _Neboyapiza_, and she has not slept because of him. Behold the city of _Acca_ like the city of _Makdani_(300) (is) with the Land of Egypt, and the King will not refuse ... and will send ... before me, and is it not that the King my Lord ... his _Paka_, and let him empower him.”

LETTERS FROM HAZOR

48 B. M.—“To the King my Lord by letter thus says _Iebaenu_ (Jabin) chief of the city _Khazura_ (Hazor) thy servant. At the feet of the King my Lord I bow, who behold am one of the faithful servants of the King my Lord; and all those who guard the city of _Hazor_(301) with her fortresses belonging to the King my Lord; and let him expect this. Let him recall to the King my Lord all that the city _Hazor_—thy city, and thy servant is made to suffer.”

47 B. M.—“To the King my Lord thus (says) the King of the city of _Hazor_: I bow at the feet of my Lord. Lo! I am guarding the fortresses belonging to the King my Lord, until the arrival of my Lord my God; and lo! I hear all these messages, and I am departing O Sun-God my God ... and I am being brought low: the ... that they have taken is increased, and the Gods have nodded to his revolt over me, and now I am causing all to be despatched till the coming of the King my Lord. Behold this, lo! they come ... your envoy ... very much ... my Lord ... safety ... the city of _Hazor_ ... when the land ... and all ... Lo ... Moreover behold ... and my place ... with soldiers.”

Unfortunately King Jabin does not mention the nationality of the enemy. From the Tyre letters he seems to have been an enemy of the Phœnicians, being perhaps on the side of Aziru; but the date of the present letters is not fixed by any reference to persons mentioned in the other letters. It is quite possible that the Hebrews, and not the Hittites, were his foes, since the Hebrew conquest took place in the lifetime of _Yankhamu_ and _Suta_, who are noticed in the northern letters also. If he was a friend of _Aziru’s_, the enemy, though enemies of Egypt, could not well have been Hittites or Amorites; and the name of the King is that of Joshua’s enemy, Jabin of Hazor. It is clear that the Egyptians, though expected, were not in Hazor at the time. The kings of Hazor ruled lower Galilee, where they had a force of chariots a century later. In Joshua’s time (Josh. xi.) there were also many chariots in and near Hazor.

It is remarkable that none of the letters from Tell Amarna refer to central Palestine. There is no mention of any town in lower Galilee or in Samaria, except Zabuba and Megiddo. Taanach, Shechem, Jezreel, Dothan, Bethel, and other such places are unnoticed, as well as Heshbon, Medeba, Rabbath-Ammon, Ramoth Gilead, and other places in Moab and Gilead. The Egyptians probably had no stations in these wild mountains, where their chariots could not pass. The Egyptian traveller mentions no town between Megiddo and Joppa in the time of Rameses II, and no towns in the regions of Samaria or Gilead or Moab occur in the list of places taken by Thothmes III; nor were there any stations in the Hebron mountains.(302) On the other hand, many places in Sharon and Philistia, and in the lower hills to the east, and in the Negeb hills south of Hebron, were conquered by the last-mentioned king, and are again mentioned by the traveller of the time of Rameses II, and these occur in the present letters. We are thus at once transported to the south of the country.

Southern Palestine

LETTERS FROM JOPPA

No. 57 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my God my Lord of Hosts, by letter thus (says) _Yabitiri_ (Abiathar?) thy servant, the dust of the feet of the King my Lord my God my Lord of Hosts. Seven times and seven times I bow. As thou seest I am among the faithful servants of the King my Lord. I am arraying. But if I am arraying has not he been furious? and I am arraying before the King; and he has been furious. Shall the brick (letter) hide it under deceptions? But I will not conceal under deep sayings (_emiki_) to the King my Lord. And the King my Lord shall ask _Yankhamu_ his _Paka_. Lo! I am a warrior, and I am casting down the rebellion, O King my Lord, and I am sending out from the pass belonging to the King my Lord. And let the King my Lord ask his _Paka_ (‘head man’). Lo! I am defending the pass (or great gate) of the city of _’Azati_ (Gaza) and the passage of the city of _Yapu_ (Joppa), and I myself and the soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord have marched to the lands. I myself (am) with them, and now, and lo! now, I myself (am) with them. The yoke of the King my Lord (is) on my neck and I will bear it.”

71 B. M.—The usual salutation from a servant of the King, whose name is broken, but reads _Mus_ ... _ni_. “I hear the messages of the King my Lord which he sends to his servant, hearing what is spoken by thy chief (_Ka_), and (it is) ‘Strengthen thou the fortresses of the King thy Lord which are with thee.’ Now they have minded the message of the King my Lord to me, and the King my Lord learns of his servant. Now _Biia_ the son of the woman _Gulata_(303) was my ... of my brethren whom I am despatching to go down from the city _Yapu_ (Joppa), and to be the defenders of the messengers returning to the King my Lord; and now _Biia_ is the son of _Gulata_, he took them; and the King my Lord shall learn this message of his servant. Thus since the King my Lord said to me, ‘Make him leave thy city, on the appearance of _Biia_.’ He also indeed is made to leave; and both go, and indeed both are sent down O King my Lord day and night till they reach the place.”

Joppa is not mentioned in the history of Joshua’s wars in the south, but the “border before (east of) Japho” is noticed in the later topographical charter (Josh. xix. 46).

LETTERS FROM ASCALON

129 B.—“To the Great King my Lord _Dagantacala_(304) thy servant speaks. Seven times and seven times at the feet of the Great King my Lord I bow. And now behold _Dagantacala_ is thy servant O Great King my Lord. He hears carefully the message of the Great King his Lord ... like my fathers, (and) what my fathers have not done for the Great King I have done for the Great King my Lord. And the Great King my Lord says to me, ‘Listen thou for us to the head man (_Ka_) thy governor.’(305) I hear this carefully as to the chief governor, and the ruler knows it.”

74 B. M.—This begins with the same salutation from _Dagantacala_, and continues: “Redeem me from the strong foes, from the hands of men of blood. The chiefs are hiding and the chiefs are flying, and redeem thou me O Great King my Lord. And the son of a dog has ... But thou (art) the Great King my Lord. Come down redeem me, and I shall rejoice because of the Great King my Lord.”

118 B.—From _Yadaya_ of _Ascalon_, a captain of the horse of the “King—the Sun from Heaven.” The usual salutation is much broken. The letter continues: “Now I shall defend the places of the King that are with me. The strong chiefs who are not foes of the Law (or throne) have cherished greatly the King’s _Paka_. Now both they and I listen to him very exceedingly—to the _Paka_ of the King my Lord the Son of the Sun from the heavens.”

119 B.—From the same _Yadaya_, chief of the city of _Ascalon_, with the usual salutation. He is a captain of the horse and the dust of the King’s feet. He continues: “The trusty adherent—the chief of the King my Lord, who is sent by the King my Lord—the Sun from heaven—to me, I listen exceeding much to his messages; now I will defend the King’s land which is with me.”

121 B.—From the same writer, with the same salutations. “Now the King’s land which is with me is defended, and all that the King has sent to me they hear. The decree is very powerful. Who am I but a dog, and shall such a one not listen to the message of the King his Lord, the Son of the Sun?”

122 B.—From _Yadia_, the captain of the horse, with the usual salutation; it continues: “Now they guard ... my. May the Gods of the King my Lord grant to all his lands not to be confounded. I hear the message of the King my Lord to his _Paka_. Lo! without resting he has caused the land of the King my Lord to be defended; and now establish O King my Lord one who is in favor in the sight of the _Paka_ of the King my Lord, who is mighty in the sight of the King my Lord. He will work with joy to ... whatever is (proclaimed?) by desire of the King my Lord. Now he will watch the land carefully.”

54 B. M.—From the same _Yadaya_, captain of the horse, with the usual salutation; it continues: “Now (they watch for a message?) of the King my Lord the Son of the Sun. And now I am sending drink, oil, sheep, oxen, beasts, to meet the soldiers of the King my Lord ... with all for the soldiers of the King my Lord. Who am I—a dog, and shall such a one not hear the messages of the King my Lord the Son of the Sun?”

53 B. M.—The same salutation from _Yadaya_, captain of horse and “dust of the King’s feet.” “Now they guard the land of the King my Lord, and the King’s chief city, as has asked the King my Lord—the Sun from Heaven. Behold what the King my Lord has said to his servant—to take arms: I am now sending to the King my Lord thirty bands to carry weapons. Moreover, who am I but a dog, and shall such a one not hear the message of the King my Lord the Sun from Heaven? the Sun—Son of the Sun whom you adore.”

52 B. M. is very similar to 54 B. M. _Yadia_ watches the land and the city, and is a dog unworthy to hear the King’s message; he sends drink (beer, according to one value of the sign—and the Egyptians drank beer)(306) and oxen, and beasts, and (beans?), and all that the King requires for the soldiers.

It is to be remarked that Ascalon was not among the cities that Joshua took, but we learn that the region submitted to the Hebrews (B. 103) and Ascalon was lost before 1360 B.C.

LETTERS FROM MAKKEDAH

These letters appear to be early. They have been supposed to come from Megiddo, but the topography (111 B. and 72 B. M.) cannot be reconciled with the latter, and applied exactly to the former town (now _El Mughâr_); in addition to which Megiddo appears as _Makdani_ in the letter from Accho (95 B.).

113 B.—“To the King my Lord ... and my Sun by letter thus (says) _Biridi_ a faithful servant, that I bow at the feet of the King my Lord and my Sun and my God, seven times and seven times. I have heard (literally, the servant has heard) the messages of the King my Lord and my Sun, and now they guard the city of _Makidah_, the chief city of the King my Lord.” The text is broken, but seems to read probably “without rest, and is set right ... without rest they watch with chariots, and they guard with chariots of the King my Lord, from those who do injury. And now behold a battle of chiefs in (or from) the land (below Mizpah?).(307) The King is my Lord for his land.”

114 B.—“To the King my Lord and my Sun by letter thus (says) Biridia, Chief of the city _Makidda_, a faithful servant of the King. At the feet of the King my Lord and my Sun seven times and seven times prostrated. I have been obedient then, zealous for the King ... thirty oxen ... they have gathered, and I (too) to fight.”

115 B.—_Biridia_ sends the usual salutation without mentioning his city. The text is rather worn and broken, but may be read as follows: “Let the King my Lord know this. Lo! since the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) have gone down (or away) _Labaya_ makes war against me and (without cause?) coming angrily and (without cause?). Thereupon the entrance (of gate) has been closed through the appearance of _Labaya_. Behold learn this, and there are no men of the Egyptian soldiers with us. So now it is desired to see them sent into the city of _Magiid_(_da_) and let the King see accordingly whether (it is to be) done. Let not _Labaya_ seize the city. If there is no word the city will open its gates. (For two years?) he rebels; and will not the King grant this also—chiefs of his guard as defenders of his chief city. Let not Labaya take her, though those who have fled from _Labaya_ have failed in this. Moreover those who disgraced the city _Ma_ ... are slain.”

112 B.—“To the King my Lord and my Sun thus _Labaya_ thy servant, and the dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord and my Sun seven times seven times I bow. I have heard the message which the King sent to me; and who am I? and the King will afflict his country before me. (I swear?) I am myself a faithful servant, and I have not sinned, and I have not murmured at my tribute, and I have not murmured at the wishes of my friends (or subjects). Lo! this province my destroyers eat up, and I have had no food. The King my Lord (says) it is my fault. Once more he makes it my fault. Lo! I strive with the city Gezer (_Gazri_)(308) and I complain of the young men. The King one hears will march. I restrained the band of _Milcilu_ and my band desirous to fight. The quarrel of _Milcilu_ against me is relinquished; as to _Ben Zachariah_ the King has sent not to attack. Lo! _Ben Zachariah_ with men of blood was known to us to march, and I marched, and we are conquering him. He gives up _Abukasu_. Once more he has made peace. The King has sent to my band (saying) ‘I order peace.’ I am desirous of peace, since the King has sent to me. Stay thy sword, ponder in thy heart, and is the peace hollow. Nay, the King’s messages have been done.”

59 B. M.—“To the King my Lord and my Sun and my God thus _Yasdata_ a faithful servant to the King, and (he is) dust of the King’s feet. At the feet of the King my Lord and Sun and my God seven times and seven times I bow. Let the King my Lord know this. Lo! all whatsoever things the King my Lord judges for his servant ... him ... the chiefs of the city of _Tabu_(309) have slain a hundred of my oxen, and they have wasted me. And with _Biridia_ I have caused (men) to go forth. Let the King my Lord know this as to his servant.”