Amarna letter EA 362

Amarna letter EA 362, titled: "A Commissioner Murdered," is a finely-inscribed clay tablet letter from Rib-Haddi, the mayor/'man' of the city of Byblos, (Gubla of the letters). Byblos, being a large coastal seaport Mediterranean city, was a city that was aligned with Egypt (MiÃ¡Â¹Â£ri), and housed an Egyptian community. Rib-Haddi, as the city-state leader wrote the largest number of letters to the Pharaoh, in a sub-corpus of the 1350 BC Amarna letters (about 70 letters).

Near the end of his rule, Rib-Haddi penned two large diplomatic letters summarizing conditions of his hostilities with peoples like the Hapiru, but also other city-state rulers, vying for regional ascendency. Letter EA 362 relates the hostilities, but also talks of disease, upon his land. The letter ends addressing the fate of Egypt's commissioner Pawura.

The Amarna letters, about 300, numbered up to EA 382, are a mid 14th century BC, about 1350 BC and 20Ã¢ÂÂ25 years later, correspondence. The initial corpus of letters were found at Akhenaten's city Akhetaten, in the floor of the Bureau of Correspondence of Pharaoh; others were later found, adding to the body of letters.

Letter EA 362 is numbered AO 7093, from the Louvre, in France.

The letter

EA 362: "A Reckoning Demanded"

EA 362, a letter by Rib-Haddi to Pharaoh, 1 of approximately 70 letters in the Rib-Haddi sub-corpus of the Amarna letters. (Not a linear, line-by-line translation, and English from French.)

Obverse: Photo, see here: https://cdli.ucla.edu/dl/photo/P270873.jpg

(Lines 1-4)--Rib-Haddi. Say to the king, my lord: I fall beneath the feet of my lord 7 times and 7 times.1

(5-11)--I have indeed heard the words of the king, my lord, and my heart is overjoyed. May my lord hasten the sending of the archers with all speed. If the king, my lord, does not send archers, then we ourselves must die and

(12-20)--Gubla2 will be taken. He was distraught recently: he is also distraught now.3 Recently they were saying, "There will be no archers," but I wrote with the result that archers came out and took their father. (fatherlands?).

(21-30)--Now indeed they are saying, "Let him not write or we will certainly be taken."4 They seek to capture Gubla, and they say, "If we capture Gubla, we will be strong;"5 there will not be a man left, (and) they (the archers) will certainly be too few for them.6

(31-39)--I for my part have guarded Gubla, the city of the king, "night (and) day".

Reverse:

Should I move to the (outlying) territory, then the men will desert in order to take territory for themselves,7 and there will be no men to guard Gubla, the city of the king, my lord.

(40-50)--So may my lord hasten the archers or we must die. Because my lord has written to me, they know indeed that they are going to die, and so they seek to commit a crime.8 As to his having said9 before the king, "There is a pestilence in the lands," the king, my lord, should not listen to the words of other men. There is no pestilence in the lands. It has been over for a long t(i)me.10

(51-59)--My lord knows that I do not write lies to my lord. All the mayors are not in favor of the archers' coming out, for they have peace. I am the one who wants them to come out, for I have distress (i.e. discord).

(60-65)--May the king, my lord, come out, for I have distress. Look, the day you come out, all the lands will be (re)joined to the king, my lord. Who will resist the troops of the king?

Side:

(66-69)--May the king, my lord, not leave this year free for the sons of Abdi-AÃÂ¡irta, for you know all their acts of hatred11 against the lands of the king. Who are they that they have committed a crime and killed the commissioner: sÃÂº-ki-na, (Prefect)-Pewure?--(complete Obverse & Reverse, EA 362)

Akkadian text

The Akkadian language text: Note; the Akkadian language text, is mostly a running sequential text (with many exceptions for clarity), from Rainey, 1970. But comparison with the Moran, and French, modern times translation, will show the variety, and stressing of different translations.

Akkadian:

Tablet Obverse: see here: https://cdli.ucla.edu/dl/photo/P270873.jpg Note: -///- represents, a pause, segue, or change in topic.

(Line 1)–<nowiki/>{um ma(inferred)} [1.]-Rib-Haddi(R ib-dHaddi) qabÃÂ»–.–({"message"} Rib-Haddi, speaking..!)

(2)–a na ÃÂ arru(LUGAL) bÃÂlu-ia–.–.–.–.–(to King-Lord-mine)

(3)–a na ÃÂ¡upalu ÃÂ¡ÃÂpu(pl) bÃÂlu-ia–.–.–.–(at (the) feet, my lord)

(4)–7 ta u 7 ma qÃÂtu–.–.–.–.–.–.–(seven times and seven,.. I bow.)(?I address you?)

(5)–e nÃÂ«ma ÃÂ¡emÃÂ» a ma tu(pl)–.–.–("Now-(at-this-time)", I hear (the) words)

(6)–ÃÂ¡arru, bÃÂlu-ia ÃÂ¹ ha dÃÂ» libbu–.–((of) King, my lord, and 'rejoiced'-heart,..)

(7)--ma gal ha mÃÂtu bÃÂli--(greatly. -///- "Hotly"(Quickly) Lord)

(8)–uÃÂ¡ÃÂ¡uru Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-ti7–.–.–.–(send(issue) archers with[haste])

(9)–ar-hi-iÃÂ¡ ÃÂ¡um ma ÃÂ arru(LUGAL) bÃÂlu-ia–.–(haste!.. -///- (If) King-Lord-mine)

(10)–l ÃÂ uÃÂ¡ÃÂ¡uru Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-ta5–.–((does) not send archers)

(11)–ÃÂ¹ nÃÂ«n u nimÃÂ«t–.–.–.–.–(then,.. we die)

(12)–ÃÂ¹ ÃÂlu(pl) Gub li–.–.–(and (the) cities (of) Byblos(Gubli))

(13)–leqÃÂ»(tu-ul11-qÃÂº-ma) a ga mi–.–((are) taken. -///- ..Today,...)

(14)–tu mÃÂl ÃÂ¡ÃÂl ÃÂ¡a mi–.–(yesterday,...(and) "the day before",...)

(15)–m a gÃÂgu i n an na(eninna)–.–.–(it (Byblos) "has been in dire straits". -///- ..Now)

(16)–tu mÃÂl ÃÂ¡ÃÂl ÃÂ¡a mi–.–((formerly)-yesterday,...(and) "the day before",...)

(17)–q a bÃÂ» jÃÂn u–.–.–.–((they) were saying:.."There Are No"..)

(18)–Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-ta5 ÃÂ¹ ÃÂ¡a pÃÂru–.–(archer-troops. -///- and. ..I wrote)

(19)–ÃÂ¹ aÃ¡Â¹Â£u Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-tu–.–.–.–( (and)That "to come forth" (the) archers)

(20)–ÃÂ¹ l eqÃÂ» 1.(diÃÂ¡)-A-Ba-ÃÂ u-Nu(abu-father)–.–(and take 1.-"Father-(Land)-theirs")

(21)–a nÃÂ«ma i n an na(eninna) q a bÃÂ»–.–.–.–.–("Now-(at-this-time)" ..(Now..) ..(they) say:...)

(22)–lÃÂ ÃÂ¡apÃÂru(yi-iÃÂ¡pÃÂr u) ÃÂ¹–.–.–.–.–.–((Let him)-"Don't write.. and(But)-("that"))

(23)–leqÃÂ» ÃÂ¹ a nÃÂ«ma–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–(we be taken!" ... And,.. now..)

(24)–ba' 'ÃÂ» Ã¡Â¹Â£abÃÂtu alÃÂni(URU meÃÂ¡) Gub li–.–(they seek towns Byblos(Gubli))

(25)–ÃÂ¹ qa bÃÂ» Ã¡Â¹Â£abÃÂtu–.–.–(and they say "(when) We take)

(26)–nÃÂ«n u alÃÂni(URU meÃÂ¡)–.–.–.–.–(we towns Byblos(Gubli))

(27)–ÃÂ¹ danÃÂnu amÃÂru–.–.–.–.–.–((and)then,.. we be strong!!"-///-...See)

(28)–Ã¡Â¹Â£abÃÂtu ÃÂ¡u nu alÃÂni(URU meÃÂ¡)–.–(they seized towns Byblos(Gubli))

(29)–ÃÂ¹ danÃÂnu jÃÂnu–.–.–.–.–(and they are strong. -///-There is no)

(30)–amÃÂlu lÃÂ aÃ¡Â¹Â£u a na ÃÂ¡ÃÂ¢ÃÂ¡u–.–.–(man(people?) not coming against them !!)

(31)–A nÃÂ«ma a nÃÂku naÃ¡Â¹Â£ÃÂru–.–(Now(at this time) I guard)

Tablet Reverse:

(Line 32)–alÃÂni(URU meÃÂ¡) ÃÂlu ÃÂ arru(LUGAL)–.–(towns Byblos(Gubli) City (of) King)

(33)–muÃÂ¡a /// urru i nÃÂ«ma–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–(Night -///- Day -///- -///- Because)

(34)–ka ÃÂ¡ÃÂd u mÃÂtu(pl)(KÃÂR KÃÂR meÃÂ¡-ki)–.–.–.–("to Desert(to reach)"(i.e. abandon) (my)territories)

(35)– -///- ÃÂ¹ paÃ¡Â¹Âaru amÃÂlu–.–.–.–.–.–.–(-///- then men (would) desert)

(36)–a na le qi mÃÂtu(pl)(KÃÂR KÃÂR meÃÂ¡)–.–(to take territories)

(37)–a na ÃÂ¡a ÃÂ¡u ÃÂ¹ jÃÂ¤nu–.–.–.–(for themselves, -///- and there would be no)

(38)–amÃÂlu a na naÃ¡Â¹Â£ÃÂru ÃÂlu(URU ki) ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL) bÃÂlu-ia–.–(men to guard City(Gubli), (of)King-lord-mine.(segue))

(39)–ÃÂlu(URU-ki) ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL)–.–.–.–(City (of) King-lord-mine. )

(40)–ÃÂ¹ hamÃÂtu bÃÂlu-ia&bÃÂlu–.–.–.–.–.–.–("And So" may (the)Lord hasten)

(41)–Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-ta5 ÃÂ¹ "nimut"–.–.(archer-troops or(and) we die. )

(42)–I nÃÂ«ma ÃÂ¡aÃ¡Â¹ÂÃÂru bÃÂlu–.–.–.–.–.–(Because(Now) (the)Lord wrote)

(43)–a na mahru, ÃÂ¹ i nÃÂ«ma–.–.–.–.–(to me, ..and now(at this time) )

(44)–ÃÂ¹ i du i nÃÂ«ma mÃÂtu–.–.–.–(and Know .. now(at this time) They Die.(There is dying?) -///- )

(45)–ÃÂ¹ ba' 'u epÃÂÃÂ¡u arni–.–.–.–.–(and they seek to perform(commit) (a)crime)

(46)–I nÃÂ«ma qabÃÂ» a na pÃÂnu ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL)–.–.–("Now"(In that) they said "before" (the)King:.. )

(47)–mÃÂ«tu a na mÃÂtÃÂti(KÃÂR meÃÂ¡)–.–.–("Death(epidemic) (is) in the Land(Countryside ! -///-)")

(48)–l ÃÂ ÃÂ¡emÃÂ» ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL) bÃÂlu–.–( -///- (May You) Not Listen, King-Lord)

(49)–a ma tu(pl) amÃÂlu amÃÂlu ÃÂ¡a nÃÂ«B(ÃÂ¡a-nu-ti7) jÃÂ¤nu(jÃÂ-nu-mi)–.–.–( (the)Words(Stories/Reports) (of)Other Men! -///- There is no)

(50)–mÃÂ«tu a na mÃÂtu(KÃÂR meÃÂ¡) -///- ÃÂ¡a lÃÂmu(ÃÂ¡a-lim) iÃÂ¡tu pÃÂnÃÂnu–.–(Epidemic(Death) in (the)Territories! -///- (It is Peaceful(Tranquility) since "a long time" !! -///-)

(51)–- ///- ÃÂ bÃÂlu i du i nÃÂ«ma–.–.–.–.–(And (The)King knows, Now (at this time) )

(52)–l ÃÂ ÃÂ¡a pÃÂru a matu(a-ma-at) bÃÂlu-ia–.–.–( (I) not write words(Reports) Lord-mine)

(53)–kazbÃÂ«tu a na bÃÂlu-ia–.–.–.–.–.–( (of)Falsehood to Lord-mine !! )

(54)–ÃÂ¹ gab bu awiluti (LÃÂ-meÃÂ¡) hazzanu–.–.–( And all "City-Rulers" )

(55)–l ÃÂ ra 'ÃÂmu i nÃÂ«ma–.–.–.–.–.–.–.–("do not" like(love) (it) that)

(56)–aÃ¡Â¹Â£ÃÂ» Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-tu–.–.–.–.–.–("come-forth"(emerge) (the) archer-force, -///- )

(57)–i nÃÂ«ma pa ÃÂ¡ÃÂhu a na ÃÂ¡u nu–.–(Since(and) "it is tranquil(relief)" for them ! -///-)

(58)–ÃÂ¹ a nÃÂku ba'u aÃ¡Â¹Â£ÃÂ»–.–.–.–.–(But(and) I seek (their) "coming forth" )

(59)–i nÃÂ«ma ma rÃÂÃ¡Â¹Â£u i ÃÂÃÂ¡i–.–.–(because(since) "events/things"(i.e. warfare) are grievous(ill, painful) for me !! )

(60)–ÃÂ aÃ¡Â¹Â£ÃÂ» a Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂ» ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL) bÃÂlu-ia amÃÂru–.–(And "may (the) coming forth" King-Lord-mine he see)

(61)–mÃÂtu(pl)-ÃÂ¡u(KÃÂR-meÃÂ¡-ÃÂ¡u) ÃÂ¹ leqÃÂ» gab bu–.–.–( Lands-his, -///- "and that" (he) Retake All (Lands) ! )

(62)–A mÃÂru a na ÃÂ«muA aÃ¡Â¹Â£ÃÂ»–.–.–( -//- See, for the day "coming forth" )

(63)–ÃÂ¹ epÃÂÃÂ¡u gab bu–.–.–(then(and) "will be turned back" all... )

(64)–mÃÂtu(pl)(KÃÂR KÃÂR meÃÂ¡) a na ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL) bÃÂlu-ia–.–(Lands to King-Lord-mine ! -//- )

segue

(65)–Mi ja uzuzzu a na pÃÂnu Ã¡Â¹Â£ÃÂbu(pl) pÃÂ-Ã¡Â¹ÂÃÂ¡-tu ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL)–.–( Who "can stand(resist)" before (the)Archer-Troops,.. King ? )

( major segue to tablet side )

Side:

(66)–L ÃÂ muÃÂ¡ÃÂ¡uru ÃÂ¡arri(LUGAL) bÃÂlu ÃÂ¡attu(MU) ÃÂ¡anÃÂ» ÃÂ¡anita(m) annÃÂ»–.–(Not sending(issuing) King-Lord "year-another-this" )

(67)–a na mÃÂrÃÂ«(DUMU meÃÂ¡) Abdi-Ashirta ÃÂ¹ idÃÂ» mÃÂrÃÂ«(DUMU meÃÂ¡)–.–("Towards"(against) (the)Sons (of) Abdi-Ashirta,.. Then(And then) Know (the) Sons )

(68)–(All of them within the Territories of King-Lord-mine,.. -///- Who (are) they )

(69)–(now (at this time) make (commit) crime,.. -///- Or(and) kill commissioner Pawura ? !! )

Cuneiform score, Akkadian, English

Cuneiform score (per CDLI, Chicago Digital Library Initiative), and Akkadian, and English.

References

Moran, William L. The Amarna Letters. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, 1992. (softcover, )
Parpola, 1971. The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Parpola, Simo, Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project, c 1997, Tablet I thru Tablet XII, Index of Names, Sign List, and Glossary-(pp. 119Ã¢ÂÂ145), 165 pages.
Rainey, 1970. El Amarna Tablets, 359-379, Anson F. Rainey, (AOAT 8, Alter Orient Altes Testament 8, Kevelaer and Neukirchen -Vluyen), 1970, 107 pages.

External links