Chapter XIII: Front Matter (13)

“_Gilia_, my envoy, set forth my brother’s message before me. So I heard and it was very good; and so I rejoiced very much. Thus truly I say ‘This is thus arranged between us so that we may be zealous friends.’ Now with firm faith forever let us be friends.

“So I shall send to my brother, and I say thus myself, so let us be much more friendly; and do not you respond to us? And I say thus, that my brother has enriched me ten times more than my father.

“And I have asked much gold of my brother: so he has given me more than to my father. My brother indeed sent to me; and to my father you sent much gold: much (merchandise?) of gold; and besides all the gold you sent him you have sent me bricks of gold (lavished?) like copper.

“I sent _Gilia_ (humbly?) to my brother, and asked for gold. Thus indeed I (said) ‘Truly my brother has given me more than to my father, and may he send me untold gold.’

“May my brother send me more than to my father; and now I say thus to my brother: the (loan?) that my grandfather made, so I may (say), as (one thinking little of wealth?) he made it for thee; and now as regards (what) I say, the gold that my brother shall send, let him send it when he likes.

“Lo my brother has sent the gold saying ‘It is due to you,’ But no. No more was due; and he had satisfied the account; and when he had satisfied the account I was glad thereof exceedingly; and whatever my brother sends I have been very glad thereof.

“Now behold I sent to my brother—and may my brother extend his kindness to me more than to my father; now I asked gold of my brother, and whatever gold I asked of my brother, he has sent the double of what was asked. One (sum) for the (loan?), and a second of good-will.

“And may my brother send me untold gold; and may he send me more than to my father; and so may the Gods decree, that much more gold beside be in my brother’s land, as there now is in my brother’s land; and ten times more than there now is, may it increase.(377) And let not my brother refuse the gold that I ask by my brother’s wish; and, as for me, let me not refuse my brother’s wish; and may my brother send me very much gold uncounted; and whatever my brother needs let him send and take. Let me return the gift that my brother desires for his household. This land is my brother’s land, and this house is my brother’s house.

“Now I send _Gilia_ my envoy to my brother. Let him not refuse him. Let him speedily command him: let him send him away. So hearing my brother’s salutation let me rejoice exceeding much. Let me ever hear my brother’s salutation. And these messages that we send, let my God _Rimmon_ and _Amanu_ decree that they may arrive through their mercy. And as now it is prayed therefor, so we are friends; and as now so forever may we be friends.

“Now as to the gifts for my brother: I have sent as my brother’s gifts a quantity of solid gold, and precious stones: (its value?) includes the amount of twenty precious stones, and nineteen pieces of gold. The weight of precious stones and gold remaining includes the amount of forty-two precious stones and twenty pieces of gold _Zuzas_ of Istar: (this is) the weight of precious stones and gold remaining; and ten yoke of horses, and ten chariots, with all that belongs to them, and thirty female slaves.”

27 B.—This is the longest letter in the collection, including six lines in Aramaic, and 512 lines in Dusratta’s native language (see “Journal Royal Asiatic Society,” October, 1892, for my translation). The important passages of the letter appear to me to read as follows, and the meaning is confirmed by statements in other letters by this writer concerning his daughter’s marriage. The letter was addressed to Amenophis III, and sent by the same two envoys, _Mani_ and _Gilias_,(378) already noticed.

“_Gilias_ the envoy, who takes the messages is ordered to utter it, his duty being to go out, because Amenophis III the Egyptian (ally?) rules a far off land, and I rule in the city _Ikhibin_(379) the city of the God _Simigis_(380) the paternal deity.

“To proceed: as _Mani_ my brother’s envoy says, it is understood that my brother is very desirous that it should be speedily completed.

“Brother, I gladly empower the envoy to take back this woman, whom _Mani_ says my brother commanded him to bring, when he was ordered as an envoy.

“Understanding that my brother desires now to take her home, is it not necessary, understanding this decision to be preferred; as twenty-three months have gone by, is not her taking home to be hastened? My Court having decided to accept, and being satisfied as well as my wife, and resolved to accept the agreement; and the girl being heartily pleased—how happy she is words cannot tell—the decision is from the Gods, brother, for me the decision is from the mighty Gods, my brother. Surely you know whether I do not desire that she should be so brilliantly exalted, the girl being so fortunately (married): surely you know that I shall be glad.

“Proclaim thou for me that whatever people of _Khalci_,(381) west of the _Minyan_(382) country—whatever people of _Khalci_ I have conquered, are made subject.

“I being the great chief of the power of the land of the _Hittites_ taking to me, my brother, all the people that are conquered. Let it extend to the city of _Harran_(383) and let the land possessed by no king be taxed.

“My son-in-law being married in the city of Thebes in presence of the image of the deity.”

“Is it not thus that _Dusratta_ dwelling afar arranges the marriage of _Tadukhipa_(384)—_Dusratta_ the favored (friend?) from the Minyan land, consenting to the wish of _Amenophis III_ the Egyptian (friend) that the son of _Amenophis III_ be so married to her, in the presence of the image of the deity.”

As this letter is written in what is called by scholars an “unknown language,” these renderings may be questioned. The dialect appears, however, to be closely related to the Akkadian and to other Mongol dialects of western Asia, and to be also the same used (B. 10) by the Hittites.

10 B. M.—Written, as the Egyptian docket at the bottom of the tablet on the back states, in the thirty-sixth year of Amenophis III which appears to have been probably the last of his reign.

“To Amenophis III King of Egypt my brother, my kinsman whom I love, and who loves me, by letter thus _Dusratta_ King of _Mitani_ who loves thee, thy kinsman. I am at peace. Peace be to thee, to thy house, to the woman _Tachikhipa_ my daughter to the wife thou lovest be peace.(385) To thy wives, to thy sons, to thy Lords, to thy chariots, to thy horses, to thy army, to thy land, and to all that is thine, be much, much, much peace.

“Thus (I say) _Istar_ of _Nineveh_, the lady of the lands, is kind of heart to the land of _Egypt_. In the land that I love do not they walk after her?(386) Do not they cry aloud to her? Now behold it has brought thee prosperity.

“Now from the time of my father they have besought _Istar_ in her land for thy prosperity; and, as of old so now, it continues. They honor her.

“And now may my brother receive of her ten times more than before. Let my brother receive with joy: let it be hastened for him: let it endure.

“_Istar_ is the Lady of Heaven my brother, and as for me let me be guarded by her for a hundred years; and may great joy be given. Let it be granted by her that I may not fail; and as you desire may it (befall?).

“Is not _Istar_ my God, and has not she (prospered?) my brother (or been with my brother?).”

24 B.—The second longest of Dusratta’s letters, 185 lines in all, is unfortunately very much damaged, as it is perhaps the most important, giving as it does historical information extending over three generations, during which the kings of Egypt and of Mitani were allied by marriage.

“To ... _ya_(387) my kinsman, whom I love and who loves me ... the great King (King of) _Mitani_ thy kinsman who loves thee. I am at peace ... to the Lady _Teie_ ... to _Tadukhipa_ my daughter thy wife be peace, to ... be peace. To thy sons, to thy Lords, to thy chariots, to thy horses, to thy ... and to all that is thine, be much, much, much peace ... of _Amenophis III_ thy father he sent to me; he explained ... of all that he sent there was no message at all that I ... to your father as to what he sent to me; and _Teie_ the chief wife of _Amenophis III_ your mother knew all of them. All these have been seen by _Teie_ your mother ... the messages that your father caused to be addressed to me.

“... and ten times more than with _Amenophis III_ your father caused him to tell me whatsoever wish ... and whatever message I spoke, faithfully in the same day ... he himself did not turn away his heart from any message ... but faithfully in the same day he caused it to be done.

“... the father of _Amenophis III_ sent to _Sitatama_(388) my grandfather, and ... a daughter. He sent to my grandfather five or six times, and he was not given her, when ... he sent; and at length he was given her. _Amenophis III_ your father sent (humbly?) to _Sut(tarna)_ my father ... and so for my father’s daughter, my own sister, his heart was desirous; and five (or six) times he ... her: when he had sent five or six times at length he was given her. So _Amenophis III_ ... sent to me, and so desired a daughter(389) and I ... I said in ... of his envoy ‘Thus I say I have (sworn?) to give her: by our wish ... to take, and the ... which he has known: and she is a sister so it is lawful;’ and I give ... _Amenophis III_ thy (father’s) ... if these are not truths ... heaven and earth bear witness ... to give her; and _Khai_(390) the envoy of my brother ... to the (Queen?) and to _Amenophis III_ I sent with her ... in three months with the greatest speed ... and the gold ... truly was not ... which I sent.

“When you favored a daughter, and so (sent for) her, and as _Amenophis III_ your father knew her ... I rejoiced being exceeding glad, and he said ‘My brother, is not it thy wish thus to give the handmaid’; and he made public agreement with this his land, in presence of my envoy ... so men ... when they beheld; and I received from him; and _Amenophis III_ established us ... for the future; and so receiving ... I was made great; and in the cities which for _Tadukhipa_ ... in all of them he made us dwell as conquerors,(391) and among the envoys who went down ... none that _Gilia_ ... the gold of one (_limzu_) was given by weight. Truly to _Amenophis III_ for _Tadukhipa_ it was given; and _Tadukhipa_ ... was given ... and ... my envoys _Amenophis III_ with ... I received; there was no one ... _Amenophis III_ sent _Nizik_ his envoy ... myself; and he ... (refusing?) to my face the ... of gold ... the gold which ... of _Gilia_ and ... he established us ... my envoys ... to be despatched ... he did not cease to (deny?) ... and ... he took her... I was not able to refuse to please him ... he sent this to me ... they sent was wonderful, and then ... _Amenophis III_ your father in every message ... the lord of the place to protect her. Did not he order all these as I say ... do not I say that _Teie_(392) ... has known ... and _Teie_ is your mother, ask her if, among the messages that I spake, there is one message which is not vindicated by her, as to these (messages) to _Amenophis III_ your father ... if to _Amenophis III_ your father brotherhood was made by me: if it was said by _Amenophis III_ your father ‘If at all (there is) gold that ... in the land of _Khani Rabbe_ I will despatch it; and order thou thus the ... do not I desire to cause it to be sent’: the ... bore what was ordered to be given of _Amenophis III_ your father; and _Amenophis III_ said to me ‘... the treasures of gold ... all that my ... desires is sent ... and ... to do this I have sent to thee’ ... there by _Amenophis III_ with a message. Never was there a message without a reply. I never refused any of the messages.

“(And when) _Amenophis III_ was obliged to be taken to his fate, and they told (me) ... I tore my cheeks, and I mourned on that same day; I sat (in the dust?); I (took) no food or water that same day; and I was grieved ... I said ‘Let me perish myself from earth, and from my ... and that he loved me God knows, and he was loved’ (and because of) these things we are cast down in our hearts.”

“... to me the eldest son of _Amenophis III_ by his wife _Teie_ ... was made, and I said ‘Has not _Amenophis III_ died ... the eldest son of his chief wife _Teie_ (is) in his stead ... shall not we be sent news ... from her abode as of old.’

“... I say thus _Amenophis IV_ is my brother whom we shall love in our hearts ... the son of _Amenophis III_ more than his father, because of _Teie_ his mother, who was the wife ... as she desires a message to the presence of _Amenophis IV_ (_Abkhuriya_) the son of _Amenophis III_ her husband. I (rejoice) very exceeding much that we shall be friends

“(As they have sent me this message?) As they have ordered it, _Gilias_ is humbly (sent?) ... they have sent _Mani_ (as an envoy?), and treasures of woods (or trees) my brother has sent, and gold ... without gold and without...”

The next passage is too broken to read, but refers to the continuance of friendship since the time of the ancestors of both kings, and for the future. The back of the tablet is very much broken, the whole of one paragraph, and the greater part of the next, which refers to _Teie_ as the mother of _Amenophis IV_ being destroyed. It continues:

“... the message of your mother which to _Gilias_ ... He has desired a message to be despatched and (as he desires) ... have not I sent my envoys, and have not I ... (and it is not my fault?) and the treasures ... which he asked of him I have caused to be given, not being desired ... my envoys four years since you(393) ...”

Eight lines are here almost entirely destroyed, referring to some speedy message, and to the former king, with a reference to certain persons, including the “father of _Teie_ (your elders?) with me,” with professions of friendship. The end of the paragraph (lines 40, 41) contains the words, “as thus he set us up over all her many lands ... all the lands are all hers in his sight.”(394) The next paragraph continues:

“... the (treasures?) of gold (allowed to be despatched?) previously by _Amenophis III_ ... he has sent. Lo! very exceedingly my brother has desired that treasures ... to us; and much of his gold ... very exceedingly my brother ... as intending for me ... whatever among ... and your father; was not he given by me; and lo! now let my brother see that I was not at all ... to your father: the treasures that he desired were given, and lo! ... I am sending back my message: there shall be nothing done to cause the heart to turn away ... all the messages ... _Teie_ has been a witness, and _Teie_ your mother ... plenty. Lo! I asked your father, and did not your father grant me? and ... let this gold be given, and let not my brother’s heart ... let him not turn from my ... when the (loan?) ... was not made, and what had ...

“... Let _Gilia_ know this day what my brother’s heart desires. I have made Gilia travel ... thus I have made my brother’s envoys to obey him, travelling with speed. If ever, my brother, my envoys ... if ever I send my envoys ... (the fault is not mine?) ... I have sent _Mani_ and _Gilia_ to my brother as before. If at all by my brother my envoys to him, and if by us they shall be received, I also shall so hasten him ... Lo! as regards messages from my brother, which he makes about anything as to my brother’s intentions ... thence; and on the throne of his father he sits this day; and let me do my brother’s will.

“I say thus, my brother, have not I sent my envoys, and much in their keeping which is for thee; and my brother let ... which is for thee. _Mazipalali_(395) my envoy is the paternal uncle of _Gilia_ and for ... my brother I have sent him, and my brother am not I (the surer?) as _Gilia_ is not ... And the other envoy whom I shall send to my brother is the brother of _Gilia_ the son of his mother(396) ... I sent him. So my brother have not I despatched him speedily without stopping, and, my brother, as to my wishes that I wish (it is not my fault?) and because of these things did not I send _Gilia_ ... for security, and for all this am not I the surer.

“_Mazipalali_ whom I shall send to my brother is the uncle of _Gilia_; and the treasures (allowed to be despatched?) ... and plenty of untold gold of the (loan?) which I desire from my brother let my brother give ... and let him not refuse; and with my brother gold in addition ... ten times more may it increase to me exceedingly ... let these things be ordered; and _Mani_ (with) my envoy my brother ... let be given of my brother; and let him send _Gilia_ to me; and ... and all the news about my brother’s mother that they shall speak, and (especially?) let me (hear?) ... that they did. And lo! as before I sent not to thee my brother, so let him ... me. Let not my brother ... and to my brother’s pleasure ... and I meditate a message of consolation for my brother.

“Let both _Artessupa_(397) and ... thus relate in my brother’s land this thing. I have been sent (under escort?) ... _Mani_ (brought?) before me all my wicked slaves, who have dwelt in _Egypt_, and I examined them(398) as to ... and they said ... and I said before them ‘Why is your insolence so great?’ ... So they put them in chains, and ... one of my ... one from my city who has angered the land ... and another ... did not I slay because of these things? My brother, did not he say ... was not I wroth? Behold my brother they were wicked ... and ... my brother it was necessary and now let me (afflict them?).

“As to a present for my brother. My brother’s presents (are)—a (weight?) of solid gold from the land _Ris Burkhis_, a weapon with a stone head(399) ... of precious stone ... (an ornament?) for the hands of precious stones, one part of gold: three cloths: three ... three ... (with fastenings?) of gold, ... of refined bronze (or copper) ... two ...

“As a present for _Teie_ your mother an (ornament?) for the hands of precious stones ... earrings ... two cloths.

“As a present for (_Tadukhipa_) my (daughter) an ornament for the hands ... earrings ... two cloths.”

23 B.—The salutation is the same as in the last, being addressed to _Amenophis IV_, to _Teie_ and to _Tadukhipa_.

“_Mani_ my brother’s envoy (has come) to (me). I have heard. I liked much the gifts that my brother ... I saw, and I rejoiced very much. My brother utters this message and (says) ‘As with my father _Amenophis III_ you were friends, now behold this day be friends with me thy brother. You will continue to be kind,’ and I have not delayed ... with my brother. Lo! ten times more than to your father I will be a friend.

“And your father _Amenophis III_ spoke this message in his letter (by your ...) _Mani_, ‘Continue thou the friendship,’(400) and when my brother _Amenophis III_ said this, lo! what I had sent was nothing at all, and my brother shall not consider it anything. And I do not send this present, which behold I have sent to thee, as desiring to cause you to send; but (humbly?) whatever my brother desires to be given to his wife, they shall be made to take away. They shall see her,(401) and I will send ten times as much.

“And the treasures of gold (allowed to be despatched?) one treasure for me, and another treasure as the treasure of _Tadukhipa_ my daughter, lo! I asked of Amenophis III your father. And your father said ‘Send for the gold that (remains to be remitted?) let the (rest) be given, and the precious stones that are to be given thee, and the gold, because we have increased the gift, which is marvellous with treasure to be given to you.’ And the gold of the treasures all my envoys who were in the land of _Egypt_ beheld with their eyes; and your father lavishly increased the treasures in presence of my envoys. He welcomed them on their way; he maintained them! and lavishly expended the ... on my envoys. They gazed, and so truly they beheld with their eyes his favor poured out.

“And more gold beside, which was marvellous, which he sent to me, he piled up; and he said to my envoys ‘Behold the treasures, and behold the gold in plenty, and the possessions which are marvellous,(402) which I shall send to my brother: behold them also with your eyes.’ And my envoys beheld with their eyes.

“But now, my brother, the treasures remitted, which your father sent, you shall not send, but the woods (or trees) have been received.(403) You are sending the possessions that your father sent to me. You shall not send them, but shall store them up very much.

“And thinking of all that one has known, how I rejoiced because of my brother, none ever brought salutation from him at any time, my brother, but the same day return was made to him.

“And _Khamassi_ my brother’s envoy he sent (humbly?) to my presence, and (humbly?) he spoke my brother’s message: I heard and then I said ‘As I was friends with _Amenophis III_ thy father, lo! now ten times more with _Amenophis IV_ (_Nabkhuriya_) shall I be great friends.’ So then I said to _Khamassi_ your envoy.

“And lo! my brother: the treasures of gold to be remitted you shall not send; and there (shall be) respite of gifts which your father spoke of sending. It is desired that my brother shall not send them.

“Lo! my brother, the treasures of gold which I asked of your father I may say that half of them will be carried off (or stolen) ... The lands are at strife(404) ...”

The rest of this letter, including all the back, is too much broken to be read. It appears to go on to speak of “destruction” and to refer to a state of disturbance. It mentions the envoy _Khamassi_, and says, “Of what he has brought the fourth part has been robbed.” On the back _Gilia_ is mentioned with gold, and relations between the writer and Amenophis III. He refers again to the message from Amenophis IV and to _Teie_ his mother; and invokes _Rimmon_ and _Amanu_. The words “unless they are conquered” seem also to occur. This letter contained altogether 113 lines of writing.

26 B.—A list of presents. On the back, at the bottom of the left hand column, is the statement, “These are the things carried by the female slaves, all those things which _Dusratta_ King of _Mitani_ gave to _Amenophis III_ his brother, his kinsman, when he sent his daughter _Tadukhipa_ to the land of Egypt, to Amenophis III for marriage, he gave all these that day.”

The list is a very long and difficult one. It begins with two horses, and a chariot plated with gold and silver, and adorned with precious stones. The harness of the horses was adorned in like manner. Two camel litters appear to be next noticed, and apparently variegated garments worked with gold, and embroidered zones and shawls. These are followed by lists of precious stones, and a horse’s saddle adorned with gold eagles.(405) A necklace of solid gold and gems, a bracelet of iron gilt,(406) an anklet of solid gold, and other gold objects follow; and apparently cloths, and silver objects, and vases of copper or bronze. An object of jade or jasper (_Yaspu_), and leaves of gold, are noticed (both jade and leaves of gold have actually been found in the oldest ruins at Troy), the former being perhaps noticed as coming from _Elam_, by trade with central Asia, where jade was found. Five gems of “stone of the great light” (perhaps diamonds) follow, with ornaments for the head and feet, and a number of bronze objects, and harness for chariots. Boxes of strong wood to contain treasures follow next, and apparently a collar with disks and carved lions, objects of silver and gold and strong wood, bronze ornaments for horses. The last noticed objects may be written tablets, including some on the ritual of the gods.

25 B.—A list similar to the last, perhaps part of the same inventory, as it includes women’s ornaments. The tablet is much injured. The objects noticed include an earring with gems, and others of gold, with a large number of precious stones, a necklace with 122 gems set in gold, including “green stones”; bracelets and anklets of solid gold with jewels: an umbrella adorned with gold: boxes to hold treasures, and numerous objects of silver: horns of the wild bull, and wooden objects adorned with gold: cups of gold adorned with gems: other bracelets and anklets of gold with pendants and stars of jewels: a pair of gold earrings with pendants and stars of precious stones: silver anklets for women, and earrings with gold pendants. In each case the weight of gold and the numbers of the gems are stated.

These inventories of Tadukhipa’s marriage outfit show how far advanced was the civilization of western Asia in the fourteenth century B.C., and indicate not only the native wealth of gold, silver, copper, and bronze, from Asia Minor and the Caucasus, but also a trade which brought jade from central Asia. The art of the age is similar to that of the objects found at Troy and Mycenæ, and represented on the Egyptian bas-reliefs, which give pictures of the tribute from Phœnicia. From other tablets in the collection we obtain similar information, including the use of ivory, as also from the records of tribute to Thothmes III in 1600 B.C.

11 B. M.—“To ... Princess of the Land of _Egypt_(407) thus _Dusratta_ King of _Mitani_. I am at peace: Peace be to thee.... Peace be to thy son; peace be to _Tadukhipa_ thy daughter-in-law. To thy land and to all that is thine be much, much peace.

“Thou hast known of me how I loved _Amenophis III_ thy husband, and _Amenophis III_ because he was thy husband how he loved me. As for _Amenophis III_ thy husband he heard what I said; and _Amenophis III_ because he was thy husband, sent messages to me; and what he said to thee my ... both _Mani_ has known, and thou ... hast known all of these things—the messages we zealously uttered. There was nothing thus that he has not known of them.

“Now you said to _Gilia_, ‘Say to your Lord, _Amenophis III_ was friends with your father, and why should his favor be less than to your father? Nay, indeed, what he shall send to our place shall not ... will not you hasten to ... your friendship with _Amenophis III_ ... making it greater; and assure him ... that you will gladly send ...’

“... to your husband friendship ... so now ... your son, ten times more ... and the messages....

“... why from ... our good faith, and ... is given to me ... thus I ... _Amenophis IV_ (_Nabkhuriya_) ... and now behold ... to give is not....

“... when by your desire I ... and to the presence of _Amenophis IV_ ... and you wished thus ... do not desire, and ... the treasures of gold to be remitted, let _Amenophis IV_ receive. (There is nothing, indeed, he may not desire?) that is not ... ten times more than his father let him increase in friendship toward me, and in power.”

“... you yourself, your envoys, with the envoys of _Amenophis IV_, with ... let them be sent to _Yuni_ my wife,(408) for what is wished; and the envoys of _Yuni_ my wife let them be sent to (thee) as to what is wished.

“Now as to thy present ... a goodly stone, also (a coronet?) and a ... of stones.”

It seems clear from this letter, and from 24 B., that _Teie_ (or _Thi_) the Queen of Egypt, was related to Dusratta, but it is not clear that she was his sister. _Gilukhipa_, the sister whom he names, is known from Egyptian sources to have been the daughter of _Suttarna_, Dusratta’s father, and she came to Egypt with 317 ladies in her train.

It is also to be remarked that Dusratta invokes the Egyptian god _Amen_ both when writing to Amenophis III and also when writing to Amenophis IV, so that there does not appear to have been any change of religion in Egypt during the reign of the latter—at least, at the time when he wrote.

Amenophis III also married at least one Babylonian princess, as will appear in the letters that follow.

RIMMON NIRARI’S LETTER

30 B.—“To the Sun God the King my Lord the King of Egypt, thus _Rimmon-Nirari_(_409_)_ thy servant_. I bow at my Lord’s feet. Lo! _Manakhbiya_ (Thothmes IV) made my father King ... to rule in the Land of _Markhasse_ (or _Nukhasse_), and established men to dwell with him; and as the King of ... was disputing for the kingdom, which has been made ... which he established for him ... he gave him...”

About twenty lines of the letter are here destroyed; the broken lines below continue thus:

“And lo! my Lord ... and the King of the land of the _Hittites_ why ... my Lord the letters ... and fearing ... and lo! the King of _Egypt_ ... and now my Lord against ... and to the hands ... to our Lord ... thy Lord in the years that may come.... Do not scorn, since the land was faithful in service to the King my Lord. And if God commands my Lord to go forth, let my Lord also send a chief, to be sent up to him with his soldiers and with his chariots.”

CALLIMMASIN’S LETTERS

1 B.—“To _Amenophis III_ the King of _Egypt_ by letter thus _(Cal)limmasin_(410) the King of _Carandunias_ (Babylonia) thy brother. I am at peace. To thee, to thy house, thy wives, thy land, thy chariots, thy horses, thy ... be much peace.

“Because of the youngest of my daughters, whom you send to wed, _Irtabi_ whom you remember, they took this message. My father formerly sent a message. You collected many soldiers, you approved his message, and you sent making a present to my father.

“Now I send thee this envoy. In the sixth year you seek for this, and in the sixth year you send thirty _manahs_ of gold (instead of?) silver for my present. I return the same gold. _Casi_ your envoy has known its (value?) which he has seen. I send thy envoy well instructed as to our opinion. For I followed ... and the present that he is instructed to ... is thirty _manahs_ of gold, which you ... a gift of alliance.”

The rest is too broken to read. It mentions five women sent, and ten wooden chariots—the latter as presents. The next letter is from Egypt. Either a copy or an original never sent.(411)

1 B. M.—“To _Callimmasin_ King of _Carandunias_ my brother, by letter thus _Amenophis III_ the great King, the King of _Egypt_ thy brother. There is peace to my region. To thy region be peace: to thy house, to thy wives, to thy sons, to thy Lords, to thy horses, to thy chariots, and in thy hands be much peace. I am at peace. There is much peace to my house, to my wives, to my sons, to my Lords, my horses, my chariots, my army; and in my lands there is much peace.

“Now I heard the message you sent about her to me. Thus it was, ‘Now you ask my daughter as your wife, but my sister whom my father gave thee, being good to you, has any seen her whether she has lived or whether she has died?’ This is the message that you send in your letter. But did you ever send as your envoy, one who has known your sister, and who has spoken with her, and understood her? And let one speak with her. The chiefs you send are useless, your envoy _Zakara_ is one who is a chief(?). There is not one among them related to your father, and ... concerning this my envoy is with thee, and has spoken to her ... her heart ... concerning this, and she has given ... to her mother. And lo! you send this, ‘You spoke to my envoys, and they gathered your wives: a lady appeared before you (saying) thus, Behold your queen who is brought out before you all. But my envoys knew her not (to be) my sister.’ Now satisfy yourself as to what you thus send, ‘My envoys knew her not,’ and you say, ‘Who was it that was recognized by her?’ Why do not you send as your envoy one who shall tell you a true message as to the salutation from your sister, I pray you? And you said that they disputed as to her appearance. But you can see her with the King. And lo! you send thus, ‘Who was the princess—a daughter of one who was a native, or was she one of the land of (my neighbors?), or was she the daughter of the Land of _Khani Rabbatu_, or the princess of the Land of _Ugarit_, that my envoys so saw, and who was it that spoke to them to satisfy that nothing wrong was done?’ And does not your message say all this? But if she has died—your sister, and I am concealing, as you pretend, her ... in former times, which we ... the God _Amanu_ ... (I rejoice that the wife I love?) ... she has been made queen ... I deny that ... beyond all the wives ... that the Kings of _Egypt_ ... in the land of _Egypt_. And lo! you send thus ‘Both my daughters ... as wives of the Kings of the land of _Carandunias_.’ But if the ... of my envoys is friendly, and they have said ‘With these things our Lord has sent us, as a present, to satisfy thee concerning thy message: the princess salutes the Kings, and all her friends your daughters.’ Take thou possession from him of whatever is with them, and send me a letter, and arrange with thy sister who is with me, and make sure of everything; and I have sent to thee an overseer, so to make known to your daughters, in order to perceive the evil that they teach you. And lo! you send ‘The messages that my father has left, do not these messages of his say concerning this, that he established alliance between us?’ This is the message you send. Now you and I have fulfilled the alliance, and the portion is before your envoys as they will say in your presence. Is not all to be given by us to her who (is) to come to the land of Egypt (whom) they shall bring before me? And (choose?) one of them. (Now) I have sent silver, gold, unguents, cloths, all whatsoever the land can give, and the overseer will say what is the value of that which he has brought—every gift to be weighed to you, that my envoy is to give. And we have been shamed by the evils that they speak. They have refuted the abominations—the evil things that they told you of us. And I was grieved when they ... us all these things. For is it not of their deceit that they told you thus? And I appointed them not to ... them about this. And lo! you send thus, you say thus to my envoys, ‘There are no soldiers of my Lord, and is not (a young girl?) to be given them?’ This is thy message: ‘Thy envoys said for thee that none are going forth. It might be done safely if there were soldiers, if there be none it is impossible to arrange for us what I am asked by him. If there are soldiers I grant it you, if there are horses I grant you this.’ This reason your envoy made use of with us, who put me to shame—the evil man whom you sent. I pray thee if they feared to be slain, and lamented evils when she went out, lo! all was in your hands. Thus let my chariots be granted from among the chariots of the ruling chiefs: do not you regard them as a possession? You can send them wherever you please. Are not they all a possession? Are not there, I pray you also, chariots, are not there I pray you horses with me? Demand all my horses: the chariots behold you shall send to meet you at the stations. As for me you shall send me the girl, and send out one to lead (her) to me.”

3 B. M.—This is broken at the top, but supposed to be from _Callimmasin_.

“... my envoys ... the many ... that they send to me I ... Thou my brother without ... for thy daughter to wed, as I send ... (you say) thus, ‘From of old a daughter of the King of Egypt was not given for anything.’ Why so? Thou art a King, and doest thy will. As they spake this message to me I then sent thus, ‘Many of (your) daughters are grown up. So send one who is grown up as (I ask for) her.’ Who says thus, ‘There is no daughter of the King to give.’ Thou hast sent without enquiring as to this. Thou dost not rebuke alliance and good-will, as you send approaching me eagerly as to a taking to wife. And I sent to you because of these things, in brotherhood and good-will, because eagerly approaching me as to taking a wife. My brother, why not send a woman? Why am I repulsed? I myself have sent like thee, I have intrusted a woman. As there were daughters I did not refuse thee. Why associate by taking a wife as ... I have sent to thee to know this ... all your ... so ... they said your ... Lo! my daughter whom I have sent(412) ... you do not take unwillingly, consenting to whatever you desire ... and as for the gold that I send you, your envoy has agreed with me as to the amount of the gold I.... Behold speedily, within this year, whether in the month of June (_Duzu_) or in the month of July (_Ab_),(413) this message being taken away, let her whom I have taken be.... If within this year, in June or in July, I send you the gold, you shall send ... the daughter whom I am given by you, and you in return shall send the gold for your ... But if in June or in July the gold is not sent, do not cause her whom I have taken to be sent away. And in return for what will you send to be carried away her whom I have taken. Why, indeed, is it necessary to trouble about gold? Truly sending 3,000 (pounds?) of gold have not I completed the exchange for you, and have not I given my daughter to take to wife?”

ASSURUBALID’S LETTER

9 B.—“To _Amenophis IV_ (the great King?) the King of _Egypt_ my brother, thus _Assurubalid_,(414) King of _Assyria_ the great King thy brother. Peace be to thee, to thy house, and to thy land. I was very glad when I saw your envoys. Let me send your envoys again with my message. I have sent as a present for you a chariot (of the royal forces?) of my ... and two horses swift and sure. A chariot (without harness?) and a precious stone.

“The sending of gold from your land that has formerly come across to the great King has ceased.(415) Why should he be repulsed from your sight? They have taken as much gold as there was; as much as I have received, which also I have needed, is caused to be sent.

“In the time of _Assurnadinakhi_(416) my ancestor they sent to the land of Egypt twenty (pounds?) of gold.

“In the time that the King of _Khani-Rabbatu_ sent to your father, to the land of Egypt, they sent him twenty (pounds) of gold.

“... To the King of _Khani-Rabbatu_ and to me ... you have sent gold. I sent ... and you ... from the hands of my envoys....

“If fortunately your face is favorable send gold, and let him who executes the message take what is needed. In return let our envoys be sent to thee from us. Your envoys who have tarried with me needing men to guide them it is granted, in order that I may send this. They took from me men to guide them as they went down. Do not disgrace my envoys, and do not delay them for me. Why should we not in future send out envoys? In future they will carry news, in future they will be sent out to the King to carry the news. And in future let it be declared ‘Whosoever of us is treacherous let him be destroyed for the King.’ I have received (envoys) thirteen times, why should not other envoys beside from the King in future again...”

LETTERS FROM BURNABURIAS

2 B. M.—“To _Amenophis IV_ (_Nibkhuarririya_) King of _Egypt_, by letter thus _Burnaburias_ King of _Caradunias_(417) thy brother. I am at peace. May there be much peace to thee, to thy house, thy wives, thy sons, thy land, thy Lords, thy horses, thy chariots.

“Since my fathers and thy fathers spoke good things zealously, sending eagerly to make presents, and making friends—and did not they speak eagerly—lo! now my brother has sent two _manahs_ of gold as a present to me. Lo! there is much gold beside, which your father sent, and as this has increased beyond what your father gave, why should you send two _manahs_ of gold? Lo! I have received much, even very much gold, which remains in the temple. Enough gold has been sent. Why should you send two _manahs_ of gold? But as for thee, whatever is needed in thy land send for it, let it be taken of me for thee.

“In the time of _Curigalzu_(418) my father, all the Canaanites sent to him (saying) thus, ‘What sayest thou as to the setting up of the land. It is weak. What sayest thou?’

“My father clave to thy (father). He sent to them thus, ‘It has been sent to me as to your discontent. If you are foes with the King of _Egypt_ my brother, you must cleave to some other. Shall not I go out against you for this? Shall not I destroy you, as if you were discontented with me?’ My father heard them not because of your father. Now behold _Assyria_ has arrayed against me. Did not I send to you, as to their thoughts about your land? Why do they send against me? If you have pity on me it will never be done. They will fail to win these things. I have sent to thee, as a present for thee, three _manahs_ of precious stones, fifteen pairs of horses for five wooden chariots.”

3 B. M.—The salutation is the same as in the preceding.

“Since the time of _Caraindas_, since your father’s envoys to my father came to me, until now there has been good-will. Now I and thou are well with each other. Your envoys have come thrice to me, making also presents, whatever was sent. And I have sent to thee whatever present has been made. As for me, is it not all an honor, and as for thee have not I honored thee in all? Your envoy whom you send, has not he paid the twenty _manahs_ of gold that he has brought? And as for the gifts that remainder, is not the amount five _manahs_ of gold.”

Five lines of the letter are here destroyed. On the back of the tablet it continues:

“... the forces of the land (of _Egypt?_) ... these let him gather within the year, which thy envoy says he has sent, and he shall cause the women of the princess to be guided to you, any time that you order. Let me ask for her that the speed may be greater; and having been delayed, when he has made speed let your envoy take (them), and he shall do more than they did before. So I have told my envoy _Sindisugab_ to say. So let them both station the chariots speedily. Let them come to me, and let them make proper arrangements; so let my envoy and your envoy come to me, speedily conveyed.

“As a present for thee I have sent thee two _manahs_ of precious stones; and (to enrich?) your daughter my son’s wife(419) he gave a ... and (an amulet to cause safety?); and I have sent thee as a present precious stones to the number of one thousand forty and eight; and I sent, as your envoy was sent back with _Sindisugab_.”

4 B. M.—With the same salutation as before, is very much broken. It contains a list of presents sent in connection with the same royal marriage of a daughter of the King of Egypt to the Babylonian prince. The envoy’s name was _Sutti_; the presents included a throne of strong wood, ivory, and gold, and another of wood and gold, with other objects of gold and strong wood.

6 B.—The salutation is the same, but the Kings’ names are spelled “_Nabkhururia_” and “_Burnaburias_.” This tablet is very much injured. It refers to a daughter and a promise. It continues:

“He takes her people with (him in) seven chariots, with seven chariots which he took from me; all that belongs to her behold ... let me send her people to you. The Kings who ... of the daughter of the great King, in five chariots ... to your father ... three overseers ... us he (sent?)...”

About half the obverse of the letter is then lost, and about a quarter of the upper part of the back. It then continues:

“If (the arrangements) are already complete ... if there are no previous arrangements let ... to send _Zalmu_ for the Royal Princess, for _Zalmu_(420) was your envoy whom I sent out, let him (come) ... let him take back the soldiers whom he has sought of me, and let him (take?) ... of the people of the neighborhood, who being speedily sent he may take back, and let them add as many as ...

“_Khai_(421) your chief, whom you send, is given soldiers and a chariot of our ... and send plenty of soldiers with _Khai_, for the King’s daughter ... and otherwise do not send the King’s daughter to travel.... Do not delay; send speedily ... in the course of this year you shall send a chariot and soldiers, so gathering ... let them unite as many as he says (are necessary?).

“Your father sent much gold to _Curigalzu_ ... of _Curigalzu_, the quantity thereof increased in the palace ... so, because he heard the Kings (or great men) who gave advice, thus the gold ... the Kings, brotherhood, and good-will, peace, and fealty ... the ... increased the silver, increased the gold, increased....

“As thy present I have sent ... of precious stone. To the Lady of thy house twenty (?) of precious stones: so my wife causes me to send, because very greatly ... and as she desires shall it not be done, as I rejoiced being glad ... let them take of me much gold for thyself ... let them take of me according as I ... may it come quickly; and has not my lord ordered thus, that your envoy should bring to his brother much ... so let me send to thee...”

7 B.—The salutation from _Burnaburias_ is the same as in the preceding letters. The letter continues:

“On the day that my brother’s envoy arrived, and brought me this message, his envoy (came) wearied to my presence: he had eaten no food, and (had drunk) no strong drink ... the envoy you send told me the news, that he had not brought to me the caravan(422) on account of (wicked men?) from whom it was not (safe?). So he has not brought to me the caravan. The explanation of the (head man?) was, because of fear of being destroyed, which my brother has (known of). Thus as I desired explanation, not ... why the (chief?) did not ... his envoy, why he had not sent it, had not ... my brother’s envoy he has caused to say this ... ‘Is it not that the region was at strife?’ thus ... your brother heard this. He has sent you salutation. Who is it that has told my brother thus that the land has risen? Your brother sends with speed to salute you, as wishing to hear this. Does not he send his envoy to thee? I have told him then to say to my brother, ‘A great multitude has arisen, and the land is at strife: the thing is true that thy envoy thus said. As thy brother heard not that the expedition has marched on thee, he has asked. Has not he sent to salute thee?’ So as I asked my envoy he said, ‘As the foe has arisen let him be destroyed.’ My brother, have not I ordered this?(423) And so they told me all that has happened in my brother’s country, and is not all this explanation necessary? And all has thus happened in my land, and as for me is it not all needful? ‘The lawful command that was previously in the hands of our kingdom has been opposed,’ he said. We have speedily sent salutation: an interchange of messages between us has been established ... to your presence ...”

Several lines are here missing at the top of the tablet on the back, and the letter then continues: