State Archives of Assyria 12 — Royal Grants, Temple Decrees, and Votive Donations, c. 883–612 BC

This is the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo) edition of Laura Kataja and Robert M. Whiting's Grants, Decrees and Gifts of the Neo-Assyrian Period (State Archives of Assyria 12; Helsinki University Press, 1995). It gathers 98 tablets recording acts of the Assyrian crown: land grants and tax exemptions issued to officials and temples, decrees regulating temple personnel and craftsmen, royal appointments, and votive donations of land, goods, and people to the gods. Ninety-seven of the tablets belong to the Neo-Assyrian period proper, from Ashurnasirpal II in the ninth century BC to the reign of Sîn-šarru-iškun around the empire's collapse in 612 BC; the remaining tablet is a Neo-Assyrian scribal copy of a much older Middle Assyrian decree of Tukulti-Ninurta I, recopied for a temple archive centuries after the original king's death.

Most tablets are royal grants: a king exempts a named official's land, workers, or household from taxation and corvée labour, or assigns him newly claimed territory, closing with a curse on any future king or governor who reverses the grant. A smaller group are votive donations, in which the king — or, in the volume's final chapter, ordinary private individuals — permanently dedicates land, animals, or people to a temple's service, most often to Ninurta of Kalhu. The tablets are witnessed, dated by the Assyrian eponym-year calendar, and often marked with the fingernail or seal impressions of illiterate parties in place of a signature.

The volume follows Kataja and Whiting's own seven-part division: royal grants of the eighth and seventh centuries BC in two chronological groups, a chapter of fragmentary grants too broken to place with confidence, temple-maintenance edicts, royal appointments, and two chapters of votive donations, royal and private. Nearly every tablet is damaged; 54 lines across 34 of the 98 texts are too broken for SAAo itself to have published a translation, and each such gap is disclosed in place rather than filled. The English below is SAAo's own published translation, reproduced complete and verbatim as continuous reading prose; nothing has been added, paraphrased, or supplied by this library. Brackets, ellipses, and parenthetical notes such as "(Beginning destroyed)" or "(cylinder seal impressions)" are SAAo's own markers for damaged, restored, or physically distinctive parts of the tablet.

Contents

• Chapter One. Grants of Tiglath-pileser III and Earlier Kings — SAA 12 001–018
• Chapter Two. Grants of Sargon II and Later Kings — SAA 12 019–044
• Chapter Three. Fragments of Grants or Schedules to Grants — SAA 12 045–067
• Chapter Four. Edicts and Decrees for Temple Maintenance — SAA 12 068–081
• Chapter Five. Royal Appointments — SAA 12 082–085
• Chapter Six. Royal Votive Donations and Gifts — SAA 12 086–091
• Chapter Seven. Private Votive Donations — SAA 12 092–098

Chapter One. Grants of Tiglath-pileser III and Earlier Kings

SAA 12 001–018. 18 texts.

SAA 12 001 — Adad-nerari III Grants Land to Aššur to Provide Offerings

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09626 (+) VAT 09658; KAV 094. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign. SAA 12 001; SAAo P285569.

Obverse

Seal of Aššur and Ninurta, seal of God the k[ing, ...] ... [......], which cannot be [contested]. Adad-nerari (III), overseer, son of Šamši-Adad (V), [overseer], son of Shalma[nese]r (III), [likewise overseer]. The towns, fields, buildings, orchards and people of [Šamaš-naṣ]ir, eunuch of Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria, treasurer of Aššur, belonging to his eunuchship — Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria, for the pres[ervation of] his [life] has exempted them and gi[ven] them to Aššur, his lord. I have taken an area of 1,000 hectares of land in the province of the Inner City (as a) town and named it Qibit-Aššur — adjo[ining the ... of] Kassubu, a tanner of coloured leather from the Inner Cit[y]; adjoining Kar-Mullissu of Šamaš-abu'a, the prefect of [...]na; adjoining the village of Qurdi-Aššur, the pal[ace] supervisor; [adjo]ining the ... town of the prefect of Calah; adjoining the [... of NN]; adjoining the ... town of the prefect of the Inner Ci[ty]; [adjoining] Harbat-niari of the shepherd of the (cultic) meal of Ša[bbu; adjoining Il]umma-le'i, the village manager of Šabbu; adjoining the village of Šumma-ila'i; [adjoining] Ṣuṣanu; adjoining the king's road that [goes] from Ekallat[e to ...]; adjoining the road that goes from Bit-ṣuṣani to Samanu. [I have taken an area of x hectares of land] in Kadišhu in the province of Kurbai[l (as a) town and named it ...] — adjoining the Plumbers' Town of the governor of Kurbail; [adjoining] Hazanu; adjoining Dame ...[...; adjoining the road that] goes [fr]om the Hoisters' Town to Kurbail. I have [... taken] an area of 1,000 hectares of land in the province of [... (as a) town] and named it [...] — adjoining Til-kunaši (and) the village [of NN]; adjoining [......]; [adjoining] Šibara of Šep-Issar, prefect of Naṣibina; [......]... of Dayyan-Šamaš [......; adjoining the ... of] La-ihzi-ili, the physician under Šep-šarri; [......]; adjoining the king's road from Kubanaše to Aridi; [...... adjoining] the grove to the south of the city alongside the river, on the right and left (banks) of the river of the town Nu... in the province of Guzana. [...... adjoi]ning the town Ammanayu of Adad-imme; [......] of Aradi of Harbate; [......] likewise of Salamanu of Harbate; [......] of Habil-keni, priest of Nikkal; [......] ... their water; (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...... fields, houses], orchards, and peo[ple]. [......] will hear your [pray]er. Of these towns [...... fi]elds, houses and orchards [......] have made attain may [Aššur, the great lord], establish [......] by his command. Whoever takes away from [Ašš]ur any of the t[owns th]at [I have given] t[o Aššur], [may] Aššur, the great lord, [cast] a furiously angry eye u[pon him]. Do not remove any of the towns of Aššur, (but) [add] to the towns [of Aššur]. [Aššur, the great lord], will hear your prayer. [He shall not give these] towns, fields, houses and orchards [to any other governor], he shall give them (only) [to] the governor of the temple of Aššur. [The king will punish] the one who giv[es] them to another governor — the king himself will punish the one who giv[es ...], and the town, field, house, orchard and people [shall return] to [the temple of Aššur]. Excerpted according to the wording of a valid document (sealed) with the seal of [Aššur and Ninurta]. Month Adar (XII), 7th day, eponym year of [Adad-mušammer], the prefect of Kilizi (788 B.C.).

SAA 12 002 — Possibly Part of No. 1

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09869; KAV 117. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign. SAA 12 002; SAAo P285577.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] under Palil-naṣ[ir ......] [......] Tillê; adjoining [......] [... of ...]-Zarpanitu, princess; adjoining the town of Bel-iq[bi]

Reverse

[... the temple of] Adad of Adian; adjoining the orchard [of ......; adjoining the or]chard of Dayyan-Inurta, governor of [...]; [...] Aššur-bani-ahhe [...] [... the v]illage manager of [...] [... of N]aṣibina; adjoining the king's road that [goes] from Urakka to the bank of the [...] ri[ver]; [...... un]der the prefect of Naṣibina; adjoining Suena [......] [......]-Šamaš, the village manager of [......] [...; adjoi]ning Kapar Ṣilli-Be[l ......] [...; adjoini]ng the tell of [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 003 — Possibly Part of No. 1

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). AfO 21 t3. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign. SAA 12 003; SAAo P336041.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... Habi]l-keni [......] [...]...[...] [...] water from the cistern that is bet[ween ......] [...] water from the cistern that is betwe[en ......] [... G]uzana from Dur-Šamaš [......] [......] Abu-iddina in central Hani[galbat ......] [......] Šamaš-remanni, the governor of Har[ran ......] [... the] commander-in-chief; adjoining Kapri-ša-Sin-[......] [......] ...; adjoining the cemetery of [......] [......] Mar-yababa; adjoining the cemete[ry of ......] [......] the meadow of the town ...[......] (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 004 — Fragment of a Text Similar to Nos. 1-3

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 10433; KAV 116. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 004; SAAo P285576.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) adjoining the road [......] Total: an estate of 10 hectar[es of field ......] An estate in Kapr[a... ......] adjoining the field of Ra ...[......] An estate of 8 hectares of field, adjoining the fi[eld of ......] adjoining the field of Ahu-[......] son of Nabû-lada of [......] an estate of 300 (hectares) of field, a house, an orcha[rd] of 5 hectares [......] adjoining the town of Bab-burti of the house of the te[am] commander [......]

Reverse

adjoining the town of Bit-ili of the house [of ......] adjoining the orchard of Iq[bi-... ......] adjoining the orchard of [......] adjoining the orchar[d of ......] An estate of 9 [......] adjoining [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 005 — Fragment of a Text Similar to No. 1

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09858; NARGD 50. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 005; SAAo P336286.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [may] Aššur, [the great] lo[rd, establish ...... by his command]. (Blank space) Whoever [takes away from Aššur] any o[f the towns that I have given to Aššur, may] Aššur, the gre[at] lord, [cast a furiously angry eye upon him]. Do not [remove any of the towns of Aššur, (but) add to the towns of Aššur. Aššur, the great lord, will hear your prayer]. [He shall not give these] towns, [fields, houses and orchards to any other governor, he shall give them (only) to the governor of the temple of Aššur. The king will punish the one who gives them to another governor — the king himself will punish the one who gives ..., and the town, field, orchard and people shall return to the temple of Aššur]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 006 — Adad-nerari III Grants a Field to a Eunuch

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02844 + K 11454; NARGD 02. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 006; SAAo P336249.

Obverse

[Adad-nerari (III), overseer, son of Šamši-Adad (V), overseer, son of Shalmaneser (III), likewise overseer]. (two royal seal impressions) An estate [... of x] hectar[es of land] (Break) [(under the authority) of] Bel-[ta]rṣi-[ilum]ma, prefect of Calah, Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria, exempted (from taxes) and gave to [Nabû-d]ur-beliya, his eunuch.

[2 lines of the Obverse are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

The corn taxes of this field shall not be collected, the straw taxes shall not be gathered. [The gov]ernor (and) the pr[efe]ct [shall not] e[xercise authority] over [them; ...]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 007 — Adad-nerari III Acquires Land in Bet-šašširi for a Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11441 + K 11463; NARGD 05. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 007; SAAo P336252.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (Possibly one line broken away)

[5 lines of the Obverse are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

has contracted and acquired (it) from Aššur-belu-uṣur for 4 talents and 10 minas of silver. The money is paid completely. [An estate of x+]10 hectares of bottom land; [An estate of] 20[+x] hectares of land on high ground; [a total of x+]40 hectares of land in Bet-šašširi. [x hect]ares of orchard, 7 persons, Šamaš-[..., NN, ...]-ahu-iqiša; a total of 10 person[s ...] (Break) [......] including [......], (under the authority) of Palil-ereš, Adad-nerari (III), [king of Assyria, contracted and] acquired [from NN for ...] of silver. These [fields, orchards and peo]ple [Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria, exempted (from taxes) and gave to NN], his [eunuc]h as a grant. (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 008 — Adad-nerari III Grants Land and Tax Exemption to a Eunuch

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04746; NARGD 18. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 008; SAAo P336263.

Obverse

Qarnaya and [his] people, Nabû-šallim ditto, Ahu-iddina [ditto], Issaran-mušallim ditto, Bel-... [ditto], Ubru ditto, Zeru-ibni ditto, Dari-Bel [ditto], Ahu-lamur ditto, Edu-š[allim] ditto, Palil-epuš ditto, [...]-belu ditto, Naniya ditto, Takkulu ditto, Bel-iddina ditto, Eriba-[Issa]ran ditto, Bel-ibni di[tto], Nergal-uballiṭ [ditt]o, Edu-uṣur di[tto], Ahu-uqur ditto, Bel-lešir d[itto], [...]niya ditto, Urruda d[itto], [NN] ditto, Ṭab-belu ditto, Hisayu di[tto], [NN ditto], Tuniya ditto, Ilu-naṣir d[itto], [NN ditto], Ahu-riba ditto, Urad-Issar ditto, [NN ditto], Šamaš-isse'a ditto, Ereš-Issar d[itto], Adad-iddina ditto, Eṣidayu ditto, Sa... [ditto], Adad-ila'i ditto, Bel-em[uranni d]itto, Ilu-immi ditto, Samsaya, Pilaqqaya, Šamaš-ibni, Bayâ, Babaya, [NN], Bel-lamur, Adad-belu-uṣur, Inurta-le'i ...[..., NN] Issar-gimilli, Yahalu, Gabbu-ana-Issar, [NN], Iqbi-ilu, Issar-tariba — These fields, buildings and people (under the authority) of Ahu-duri, [...], [Adad-nerar]i (III), king of Assyria, exempted (from taxes) and [gave to NN, his] eunuch, as a grant.

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 009 — Adad-nerari III Makes a Grant to Abi-ul-idi, High Priest

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10207; NARGD 41. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 009; SAAo P336280.

Obverse

Kid[... ......] (Break) [The corn taxes of these ... shall not be coll]ected, [the straw taxes shall not be gathered].

Reverse

[In the fu]ture, at any time, [neither] the descendents of Renti-[...] [nor] the men of the household of the crown prince shall dispute anything with Abi-ul-idi, high priest, or his descendents. (blank) Future prince: do not cast aside the wording of this tablet. Month March[esvan (VIII) ......] (Rest destroyed) (Rest broken away)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 010 — Adad-nerari III Makes a Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00310; NARGD 01. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign. SAA 12 010; SAAo P336248.

Obverse

Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria, overseer, son of Šamši-Adad (V), king of Assyria, overseer, son of Shalmaneser (III), king of Assyria, likewise overseer. (two royal seal impressions) (Break)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) Res[t ......] And Bel-[Harran-... ......] from the king and the crown prince [......] before all the gods for [......] as a good deed and favour [has received] for future da[ys]. By Aššur, Šamaš and [Enlil], the Assyrian Ištar, Adad, Nergal, Ninurta and the Sebetti (Pleiades), all these great gods of Assyria, a future prince shall not cast aside the wording of this document. Month Tebet (X), 26th day, eponym year of Mušallim-Inurta (792 B.C.).

SAA 12 011 — Fragment of Adad-nerari III Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02829; NARGD 03. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign. SAA 12 011; SAAo P336250.

Obverse

[Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria], overseer, [son of Šamši-Adad (V), king of Assyria], overseer, [son of Shalmanes]er (III), likewise overseer. (Blank seal space) (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [Month ...], 22nd day, [eponym year of Bal]aṭu, [the prefect of] Šibaniba.

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 012 — Fragment of Adad-nerari III Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02639 + K 03165 + K 16787 + K 16788; NARGD 04. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 012; SAAo P336251.

Obverse

[Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria], overseer, [son of Ša]mši-Adad (V), overseer, [son of] Shalmaneser (III), likewise overseer. (three royal seal impressions) (Break)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......], eponym year of [NN].

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 013 — Land Grant Mentioning the Names of Adad-nerari and Tiglath-Pileser

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0075; NARGD 06. Assigned to Aššur-dan III's reign, proposed date 762 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 013; SAAo P336253.

Obverse

[Adad-nerar]i (III), overseer, [son of Šamš]i-Adad (V), [over]seer, [son of Sha]lmanes[er (III), likewise overseer]. (royal seal impressions) (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [the cor]n taxes [of this village] shall not be collected, its [straw taxes] shall not be gathered. [... T]iglath-Pileser (III) [......]. In the future, [of t]his vi[llage] and all of its possessions, nothing shall be taken away [fr]om Sabu son of Ahi-Nanaya and his [desc]endents. [By Ašš]ur, Adad, Ber and the [Ass]yrian [Ištar] — future prince: do not cast aside the wording of this tablet.

Right Edge

[......, eponym year of] Ṭab-Bel [...... of Bi]t-Zamani (762 B.C.).

[1 line of the Right Edge is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 014 — Fragment of Tiglath-Pileser III Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 194; NARGD 07. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign (744–727 BC). SAA 12 014; SAAo P336254.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [These fiel]ds, buildings and pe[ople Tigla]th-Pileser (III), [king of Assyria, ex]empted (from taxes) and [gave to NN]. The corn taxes of these fields and orchards [shall not be collected], the straw taxes shall no[t be gathered]. [B]y Aššur, Adad, [Ber, the Assyrian Enlil] and the As[syrian] Ištar — future [prin]ce: [do not cast aside] the wording of [this] tablet. [Month Marche]svan (VIII), 7th day, eponym year of Bel-[lu-dari, pre]fect of Till[ê] (730 B.C.).

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 015 — Fragment of Tiglath-Pileser III Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05655 + K 14242; ADD 0885+. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign, proposed date 744-727 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 015; SAAo P335726.

Obverse

(Beginning broken away) Šu[... ......], Irbi-Haldi an[d his people] in the town of Irbu[...], Arhê, gard[ener, ......]. A total of 9 bow makers among the [...]. In all, 388 [......] [......] [...]..., a total of 3 doub[le hours ...] [... v]ineyards [......] [x hun]dred and sixty (hectares) of field, 384 [...] [...] orchards, fields [and ...] [... Tiglath-Pil]eser (III), king [of Assyria] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 016 — Fragment of Land Grant, Possibly Part of No. 15

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11898; ADD 0861. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign, proposed date 744-727 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 016; SAAo P335702.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [NN], farmer, 4 [persons ......] [N]N, 4 person[s ......] Banî, horse tra[iner ......] Bel-uballiṭ, 2 person[s ......] Sasu, 7 person[s ......] Mannu-ki-ahhe, [......] Šibšê, [......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 017 — Fragment of Land Grant, Possibly Part of No. 15

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14619. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign, proposed date 744-727 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 017; SAAo P336725.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] Urad-Gula 4 (persons); N[N, ...] [...] Adda-naṣapi 5 (persons); Mu[..., ...] [...] Gabrî, 5 (persons); [NN, ...] (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 018 — Fragment of Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11285; NARGD 19. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign, proposed date 744-727 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 018; SAAo P336264.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning of reverse broken away) [NN, king of Assyria], ex[empted (from taxes) and gave to NN, his] eunu[ch]. The corn taxes of these fiel[ds and ... shall not be collected], the st[raw taxes shall not be gathered]. (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Two. Grants of Sargon II and Later Kings

SAA 12 019–044. 26 texts.

SAA 12 019 — Sargon Renews a Land Grant of Adad-nerari to Provide Offerings for Aššur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01989 + K 04467 + 1883-01-18, 0425 + 1891-05-09 Bu, 0193; NARGD 32. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 12 019; SAAo P336273.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... who l]oves his princeliness, [...... wh]ose m[ind], Nanna, the [...]..., has t[urned] to (re)settling the wasteland. The true king [......] whose lordship the goddess Ninmena[nna ha]s magnified, that he may not oppress the weak, and may cause the feeble to prosper. The town of Maganuba, [a ...... c]ity, which [lies] like a fortress in the district of Nineveh, [......] its woods, in its irrigated fields [...... the] plough was left idle, in its meadow lan[d ......] the lives of the people of Nine[veh], which former princes [who had] exercised [the kingship of Assyria before me] and gov[erned the subjects of Enlil ......] no one among them [...... had known] how to have the land settled [......]. With a plan [conceived] in my wide understanding [......] I d[ecreed ......] the building of a city and a temple of Ea. That city I built anew [......] and I placed [......] in it, and [I called its name] Dur-Šarruk[en]. The fields surrounding it, in accordance with tablets [of purchase] I [......]ed to its owners, and [their] herds [I ......], and so that no injustice should b[e caused I ......]. [The town] of the bakers ... Adad-ner[ari (III)], son of Šamš[i-Adad (V), a king] who preceded me, had exempted (from taxes) and given to Qanuni, [Ahu-l]amur and Mannu-ki-abi. He imposed on [them] ten homers of crushed grain for offerings to Aššur [and] Babu, and sealed them a tablet. That [tow]n had reverted to fields, and the people who had lived in it had been ev[ic]ted from it by the spade. I paid great respect to the command of Aššur, my lord, who named me, who [makes] my kingship flourish and magnifies my arms, and I cleared ninety-five hectares of land for Aššur in the irrigated fields of the town of the clergymen in the district of Nineveh, field for field, and gave them to Šulmu-šarri, Paršiddu and Ubur-Issar, the sons of Ahu-lamur, to Riṣiṣu, the son of Qanuni, and to Mannu-ki-abi, and their sons. The previous ten homers of crushed grain, which Adad-nerari (III) had decreed [as offeri]ngs for Aššur, [I reaffirmed ......; in ...]..., hardship and f[amine], their [...] they shall bear and they shall not default [all th]e year round.

Reverse

The corn taxes of that land shall not be collected, the straw taxes shall not be gathered; it is exempt for all time in order to provide crushed grain for Aššur. So that the offerings of Aššur should not cease and that the decree of an earlier king not be altered, I sealed the tablet with my royal seal and gave it to them. [I]n the fear of god, which Aššur, my lord, had decreed for me, and to give the temple its full due, to strengthen the offerings, to guide the world, and to exalt myself, I received ninety-five hectares of l[and of the town of the] bakers, in return for the land of the town of the clergymen, as an exchange [...] from [their h]ands. [That] land I [allotted] and assigned to the province of Dur-Šarruken, and himself [......] possessions, [ten] homers of crushed grain [...] I exempted (from taxes) and [......]. A future prince whom Aššur [......] and his shi[ning] countenance and joyful [he]art [......] like me, Sargon, mig[hty] prince, [......, nominates to] rule the land and people: let him add to the land which supplies the offerings of Aššur and [......]; from the hands of these men and [their sons let him not take away]. Let him greatly respect the command of Aššur, Šamaš, Adad, Ber, [...... and let him not cast aside] my seal impression. [May] Aššur, the lord, father of the great gods, creator [of himself], to the limits of heaven and earth swiftly [......], may he desire his priesthood, [......], may he render [to him in t]heir entirety the lordship of the world and the judgment [of its people]. Nineveh, month Sivan (III), 9th day, eponym year of Aššur-ba[ni, governor of Ca]lah, 9th year of Sargon, king of Assyria (713 B.C.). (Rest blank)

SAA 12 020 — Fragment of Sennacherib Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04440; NARGD 33. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 704-681 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 020; SAAo P336274.

Obverse

Sen[nacherib, ......], maker of the sta[tue of Aššur, ......] (royal seal impression) (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [Witness Mannu]-ki-[..., ......]. [Witness K]anuna[yu, ......]. In all, 4 men [......]. (blank) Month [..., the xth day, eponym year of ...], [xth] ye[ar of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 021 — Fragment of Land Grant of Sennacherib

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02696; NARGD 34. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 704-681 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 021; SAAo P336275.

Obverse

Sennach[erib, ......], maker of the statue of Aš[šur, ......] (royal seal impression) (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) (blank) Month Nisan (I), [......].

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 022 — Possibly Part of No. 21

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0111; NARGD 36. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 704-681 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 022; SAAo P336277.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] I did not ta[ke] [to he]art. I heeded [the comman]d of Šamaš and Adad and placed [... and] lumps of earth from the town of Šabbu [in front of] Šamaš and Adad; I performed an oracular query and Šamaš and Adad made known to me [Ša]bbu, the town of the queen mother, in the oracle.

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

[The ... of] Šabbu and 80 hectares of field [for ...], 120 hectares of field [for] the use of [Ad]ad — in all 200 (hectares of) field. [NN], Šumma-Aššur, Nergal-iddina, [NN], Iddin-Aššur, Zaba-ahu-iddin[a], [NN, L]ibluṭu, Aššur-le['i], [NN, ...-n]atkil, Ululayu, [NN, ...]-..., Bel-[...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 023 — Possibly Part of No. 21

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-07-27, 0113; NARGD 35. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 704-681 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 023; SAAo P336276.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [and the]ir p[eople ......] and their people [......] the inhab[itants of ... ......] from the town of Šabbu t[o ......] I exempted (from taxes) [and ......] for the mother of [Esarhaddon], crown prince of the succe[ssion] palace [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 024 — Esarhaddon Grants Land to Provide Regular Offerings

Tablet; clay; Sultantepe (Huzirina). Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi, Ankara, AMM —; STT 049. Assigned to Esarhaddon's reign, proposed date 680-681 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 024; SAAo P338367.

Obverse

To [......] [my] la[dy ......] [I], Esarhaddon, [great king, king of Assyria], son of Sennacherib, [likewise] gr[eat] king, [king of Assyria], pondered in my heart [......] ...[...] they go [......] [...] ... house [......] to ...[......]

Bottom Edge

to ...[......]

Reverse

field ...[......] An estate of 30 hectares of fie[ld ......] An estate of 10 hectares of field [......] An estate of 6 hectares of orchard [......] for the regular offerings to her, as the responsibility of [NN, ...], Atar-yatê, the [...], Sin-kenu-uṣur, the tiller, [I assigned]. Their houses, t[heir] fields, [their orchards and their peo]ple [are exempt], their corn [taxes shall] no[t be collected; their] straw [taxes shall n]ot [be gathered].

Edge

[T]he governor and the herald [......] before their gate [shall] not [......].

SAA 12 025 — Assurbanipal Exempts Balṭaya, Chief of Fodder Supplies, from Taxes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00211; NARGD 09. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign (668–ca. 631 BC). SAA 12 025; SAAo P336255.

Obverse

[Assurbanipal, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, overseer; son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, overseer; son of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, likewise overseer]. (space for royal seal impressions) I, Assurbanipal, [great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria], king of the four quarters, [true shepherd, who does] good, the just king, lov[er of truth, who makes his] people [content], who always behaves kind[ly] towards the offi[cials] who serve [him] and rewards the reverent who obey [his] royal command — Balṭaya, chief of the fodder supplies of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, one who has deserved kindness and favour, [who, fr]om the 'succession' to the exercise of kingship was dev[oted] to his lord, who serv[ed] before me in faithfulness, and walked in safety, who gr[ew] with a good repute within my palace, and [ke]pt guard over [my] kingship, [at] the prompting of my own heart, and according to [my] own counsel I planned to do him [go]od, and decreed a gif[t for him]. [The fiel]ds, orchards and peop[le which] he had acquired under my protection and made [his] own estate, [I exe]mpted (from taxes), wrote [down] and seal[ed with] my royal seal; I ga[ve] them [to Bal]ṭaya, chief of the fodder supplies, [who reverences] my kingship. [The corn taxes of those fields and orc]hards shall not be collected, [the straw taxes] shall not be gathered, [the tax on their herds] and flocks shall not be collected. [The personnel of those field]s and orchard[s shall not be called up for labour and corvée service] or for the levy [of the land; they are free from qu]ay and c[rossing dues; ...... they shall not pay ... or leather taxes ...; his clients are exempt like he] himself; [...... permanent su]ste[nance ......] be[fore him ......] you will divide, they will go out.

Reverse

[Any future prince] from among the kings [my] sons, [whom Aššu]r nominat[es (for kingship), do] good and show favour [to them and] their seed. Th[ey are friends and favour]ites of the king their lord. [And if one of them] has sinn[ed against] the king his lord, [or] lift[ed] his hand against god, d[o not go on th]e word of a hostile informer, [but investiga]te, and establish whether [that] statement is true. Do not act negligen[tly again]st the seal, but impose punishment upon hi[m in acco]rdance with his guilt. [Wh]en Balṭaya, chief of the fodder supplies, goes to his fate [in] my palace with a go[od] repute, they shall bury him [wh]ere he dictates, and he shall lie where it was [his] wish. Where he lies you shall not disturb [him], and you shall not raise your [ha]nd against him, to d[o] him evil, because he is one who has deserved kindness and favour of the king his lord. Whoever disturbs [him] and removes him from the grave where he is lying, may the king his lord be angry with him and show him no mercy, may he forbid [him] to walk in temple and palace, and by the wrath of god and king may a bloodstained weapon await him. May the dog[s tear a]part his corpse as it lies unb[uried]. Neither king nor prince shall alter the wording of this tablet. By Aššur, Adad, Ber, the Assyrian Enlil and the Assyrian Ištar: A future prince shall not cast aside the wording of this tablet. Aššur, Adad, [Ber], the Assyrian Enlil and the Assyr[ian] Ištar will hear your prayer. Month Marchesvan (VIII), 9th day, eponym year of La-baši, ch[ief of trade] (657 B.C.).

SAA 12 026 — Assurbanipal Exempts Nabu-šarru-uṣur, Chief Eunuch, from Taxes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02729; NARGD 10. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign (668–ca. 631 BC). SAA 12 026; SAAo P336256.

Obverse

[Assurbanipal, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, overseer; son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, overseer; son of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, likewise overseer]. (space for royal seal impressions) I, Assurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, [kin]g of the four quarters, true shepherd, who does good, the just [kin]g, lover of truth, who makes his people content, who always [beh]aves kindly towards the officials who serve him and [re]wards the reverent who obey his royal command — Nabû-šarru-uṣur, chief eunuch of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, one who has [des]erved kindness and favour, who, from the ['succ]ession' to the exercise of kingship [was d]evoted to the king [his lord], who served before [me in faithfulness], and walk[ed in safety, who grew with a good repute within my palace, and kept guard over my kingship], [at the pr]ompting of my own heart, [and according to my own] coun[sel] I planned to do him [go]od, and de[creed a gift for him]. The fields, orchards and people which he [had acquir]ed under my protection and made his [own] estate, I exempted (from taxes), wrote down and [sea]led with my royal seal; I gave (them) to Nabû-šarru-uṣur, chief eunuch, who reverences my kingship. The corn taxes of those fields and orchards shall not be collected, the straw taxes shall not be gathered, the tax on their herds and flocks shall not be collected. [The personnel of] those [fiel]ds and orchards shall not be called up [for labour and corv]ée service or for the levy of [the land]; they are free [from q]uay and crossing dues [......] they shall not pay [...] or leather taxes; [... his clients] are exempt like he himself; [......] permanent sustenance [......] before him [......] you will divide, they will go out.

Reverse

[Any future prince] from among the kings my sons, [whom Aššu]r nominates (for kingship), do good and show favour [to them and their seed. They are friends and favour]ites of the king their lord. [And if one of them] has sinned [against the king his lord, or lifted his ha]nd against god, do not go on the word of a hostile informer, [but in]vestigate, and establish whether that statement is true. Do not act negligen[tly] against the seal, but impose punishment upon [him] in accordance with his guilt. When Nabû-šarru-uṣur chief eu[nuch], goes to his fate in my palace with a good repute, they shall bury him where he dictates, and he sh[all lie] where it was his wish. [Where he lies] you shall not disturb him, and you shall not raise your hand against him, to [do him evil], because he is one who has deserved kindness and favour of the king his lord. Whoever disturbs him and removes him from the grave where he is lying, may the king his lord be angry with him and show him no mercy, may he forbid [him] to walk in temple and palace, and by the wrath of god and king may a bloodstained weapon await him. May the dogs tear apart his corpse as it lies unburied. Neither king nor prince shall alter the wording of this tablet. By Aššur, Adad, Ber, the Assyrian Enlil and the Assyrian Ištar: A future prince shall not cast aside the wording of this tablet. Aššur, Adad, Ber, the Assyrian Enlil and the Assyr[ian] Ištar will hear your prayer. Month Marchesvan (VIII), 9th day, eponym year of La-baši, chief of trade ... (657 B.C.). (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 027 — Schedule to Nabu-šarru-uṣur Grant Document

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01753 + K 01765 + K 04291 + K 06236 + K 09797 + K 11937 + K 13448 + K 14249 + K 14271 + K 14312 + K 14348 + K 19271 + K 20353 (a) K 01749; ADD 0741+. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 657 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 027; SAAo P335606.

Obverse

[NN], gar[dener, x persons ......]; [NN], gar[dener, x persons ......]; [...]nu gardener, [x persons ......]; [...]si gardener, [x persons ......]; [...-ša]llim, gardener, [x persons ......]; [... ...]-Inurta, gardener, 2 [persons ......]; [NN and] his wife [N]N, in all 2 (persons); Urda-Nanaya, [......]; [...]ni, 4 persons; Šamaš-belu-uṣur, 2 per[sons ......]; [...]anni, 2 persons; Nuri-Issar, 2 persons; [......]; [NN, x person]s; Šar-Issar, 2 persons; Šamaš-killan[ni, ......]; [...]; Amurru-naṣapa, sing[le]; Nusku-šeziban[ni, ......]; [...], single; Urda-Banit[i, ...]; Harû'a, [......]; Bakiša, (her) mother, 4 persons; Nabû-eriba, [...; ...]ayu, [...; ......]; Urdî, Urad-Issar and Yau-idri, his brothers, Ahu'a his mother, [......]; the women Abi-rahî, Issar-remanni, Harrâ, Mullissu-du[ri, ......]; Libušu, 2 persons; the woman Bazitu, [x persons]; Mannu-ki-Adad, 2 persons; [NN, ......]; Bel-kin, single; Rahimu-Adda, Se'-suri, (both) single; A[salluhi-..., ......]; Ilu-eppaš, Adda-hutni, the woman Bannâ and her 2 children; the woman [NN, ......]; the woman Sukkitu and her 3 children; Ṣuṣu, shepherd, 3 persons; Qurd[i-..., ......]; Nurî, shepherd, his wife Hanzabâ and his 2 children, in all 4 (persons) Auirâ and his wife Asâ [in all 2 (persons); NN, x] person[s; ......]; in all 6 shepherds; Nanî, camel driver, 2 persons; Adda-idri, camel driver, [x persons; ...]a-ilu, [camel] driver, [......]; Mati'î, camel driver, 2 persons; Am-rapi', camel driver, sing[le; NN], camel driver, singl[e; ......]; Adad-uballiṭ and his wife Harrâ, in all 2 persons; Yatamâ, 2 persons; Nanî, 2 person[s; ...]-ereš, [..., ......]; In-ili, weaver of multicolored fabrics, 2 persons; Ahu-le'i, weaver of multicolored fabrics, 2 persons; [NN, ...], 3 persons; [NN, ......]; Šamgayani, 2 persons; Qitti-ilani, 2 persons; Ab-ra[hî, x persons; N]N, single; [NN, .......]; Urda-Banitu, single; Pišatti, single; the woman Hiṭubarra and her [2] children; Ahu-[..., ...; ...]-killa[nni, ......]; Gugî, single; the women Banitu-ayali, Damqaya, Deru-[... ......]; Bi'â, Ra'imtî, Adadi-ṭalli, [...]-ruhi-Mul[lissu, ......]; 1 house, 1 vegetable garden in Adia; Qurdi-Ne[rgal], til[ler, ......]. All together 1,700 (hectares) of field, 40 vineyards, 2 [vegetable] g[arden]s, [......]. 6 estates of Nabû-šarru-u[ṣu]r, [chief eunuch of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria]. 30 hectares of field in the town Šulmu-birati, 20 hectares in Kurru-[..., ......]..., 20 hectares of f[ield ......], 30 hectares of field in Anditâ, 20 hectares in Til-ra[..., x hectares in ...]hiti; total 170 [hectares of field. ......], 1 vineyard in Singara, 1 vineyard [in ...], 1 vineyard [in ..., ......], 1 vineyard, in the village of Nabû-naṣir, 1 orchard [in ...]; Šarru-lu-dari, baker, 4 p[ersons; ......]; Šarrî, farmer, 6 persons; Milki-nuri, farmer, [x persons; ...]-Issar, farmer, 2 persons; [......]; Qiti-muti, farmer, 6 persons; Adda-anâ, far[mer, x persons; (...); Ba]yadi-ilu, farmer, 12 person[s; ......]; Ahu-le'uti, 4 persons; Nazibirî, 2 pe[rsons; NN, x] persons; Samsi-id[ri, ......]; Gagi, 5 persons; Šar-[..., x persons; NN], 2 pe[rsons; NN, ......]; Hanun[u, ......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) 10 [......] 6 ...[......] Ab[..., x+]2 persons; Mannu-ki-[..., ......]; 1 vi[neyard], Nabû-zeru-iqiša; 1 vineyard of [NN, ......]; 1 [vineyard], Yarhi; 1 vineyard of seedlings, 1 vineyard of [..., ......] [N]N; in all 9 vineyards in Pattu[.... ......], [......]; 2 vineyards in Calah with [..., ...... ], [...] vine[yards] in Zabarra; in all 2 vi[neyards in .... ......] [......] in Kašieri; Ahu-la[..., ......] [......]; 1 v[ineyard ......] (Break) [......] perso[ns; ......] [......]; Yahuṭ[u, ......] [......], 4 persons; [......] [......, x+]2 persons; [NN, ......] [......, x+]2 persons; [NN, ......] [......, x+]3 persons; [NN, ......] [......, x+]2 persons; [NN, ......] [......, x+]2 persons; [NN, ......] [......, x] person[s; NN, ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 028 — Part of Preceding Text

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01749; ADD 0741b. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 657 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 028; SAAo P335607.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......]...[......] [......] 20 hectares (of field) in the village of [NN; ......] [......], 1 house in Nineveh, [......] [......] Sambuk..., [......] [......] Hatter Town, [......] [......; NN], farmer, 4 person[s; ......] [......; NN], shepherd, [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 029 — Assurbanipal Exempts a Eunuch from Taxes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0368; NARGD 11. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 657 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 029; SAAo P336257.

Obverse

Assurbanipal, mighty king, k[ing of the world, king] of Assyria, overseer; son of Esarhaddon, k[ing of the world, ki]ng of Assyria, overseer; son of Sennacherib, ki[ng of the world, k]ing of Assyria, likewise overseer. (royal seal impressions) [I, Assurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria], k[ing of the four quarters, true shepherd, who does goo]d, k[ing of righteousness, lover of justice, who makes] his [people content, who always behaves kind]ly [towards the officials who serve] him [and rewards] the reverent [who obey] his [royal command] — [NN], eu[nuc]h [of Assurbani]pal, king of Assyria, [one who has deserved kindness] and favour, [who, from the 'succession'] to the exercise of kingship [was] devoted [to king] his lord, who served [before me] in faithfulness, [and walked] in sa[fety], who gr[ew wi]th a good repute [within my palace], and [kept] guard over [my] kingship, [at the prompting] of my own heart, and according to [my own] counsel [I plan]ned to do [him good], and decreed a gi[ft for him. The fields, or]chards and pe[ople which] he had acquired [under] my [prote]ction [and made his] own estate, [I exemp]ted (from taxes), wr[ote down] and s[ealed] [with] my royal [sea]l; [I gave] (them) to [NN, eunuch, who reverences] my kingship. [The corn taxes of those fields and o]rchards [shall] not [be collected, the straw taxes shall] not [be gathered ......] (Break)

Reverse

(Lines 1-20 broken away) [When NN, eunuch], g[oes to his fate in my palace with a good repute, they shall bury him] where he dictates, and he shall lie where [it was his wish] (Break) [A future prince shall not cast asid]e [the wording of this tablet. Aššur, Adad, Ber, the Assyrian Enlil and the Assyria]n [Ištar will hear your prayer]. (Rest destroyed) (Rest blank)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 030 — Assurbanipal Exempts a Chamberlain from Taxes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09610; SAAB 02 104. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 657 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 030; SAAo P336798.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Lines 1-9 broken away) [whom Aššur nominat]es (for kingship), do good and show fav[our to them and their seed]. They are [friends and favourites of the king the]ir [lord. And if one of them has s]inned [against the king his lord, or] lifte[d his hand against g]od, do not go [on the word of a ho]stile [informer], [but investigate, and establish whether] that statement is true. Do not act [negligen]tly [against the seal], but impose [punish]ment upon him [in accordance with his guilt]. [When NN, the] chamberlain, [goes to his f]at[e in my palace wi]th a go[od] repute, [they shall b]ur[y him where he dictates, and he shall lie where it was his wish]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 031 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02814 + K 14460 + Rm 0572; NARGD 12+. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 031; SAAo P394694.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Lines 001-021 broken away) [... they shall bury him] where he d[ictates], and he shall lie [where it was his wish]. Where he lies [you shall not disturb him], and you [shall not raise] your hand [against him], to do him evil, [because he is] one who has deserved kindness and fa[vour of the king his lord]. Whoever [disturbs him and removes him] from the gra[ve where he is lying], may the king his lord [be angry with him and show him no mercy, may he forbid him to walk] i[n] tem[ple and] palace, and in the wrath of go[d and king] may a bloodstained we[apon await him]. May [the dogs] te[ar apart] his corpse as it lies un[buri]ed. [Nei]ther king nor prince [shall alter] the [wor]ding of this tablet. [By] Aššur, Adad, [Ber], the Assyrian [Enlil] and the Assyr[ian] Ištar: [A future prince shall] no[t cast aside the word]ing of this tablet. [Aššur, Ad]ad, [Ber], [the Assyrian Enlil and the Assyrian] Ištar [will hear your prayer]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 032 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 17210. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 032; SAAo P336726.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

They are free from [quay and c]rossing [dues; ......]; they shall not pay [... and leather taxe]s; [...... his clients are e]xem[pt like he himself]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 033 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14444. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 033; SAAo P336727.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [and you shall not raise your hand against] him, [to do him evil, because he is one who has deserv]ed kindness and fa[vour of the king his lord]. [Whoever disturbs him and removes him fr]om the gra[ve where he is lying, may the king] his lord be angry wi[th him and show him no mercy, may he forbid him to walk i]n temple and pa[lace, and] in the wrath of god and k[ing may a bloodstained weapon await him. May the dogs tear apart] hi[s corpse as it lies] un[buried]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 034 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 06197. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 034; SAAo P336728.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [may he forbid him to wal]k [in temple and palac]e, [and in the wrath of god and k]ing [may a] blo[odstained] weap[on await him]. May [the dogs tear apart his corpse as it lies unbu]ried. [Neither king] nor prince [shall alter] the wording of this t[ablet]. [By] Aššur, Adad, [Ber], the Assyrian [Enl]il and the [Assyrian] Iš[tar]: [A fut]ure [prince shall not cast aside] the wording of [this] tablet. Aššur, Adad, [Ber], the Assyrian Enlil and [the Assyrian Ištar will hear] your pra[yer]. (Rest destroyed) (Rest broken away)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 035 — Aššur-etel-ilani Exempts Ṭab-šar-papahi from Taxes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02075 + K 04289 + K 06332 + K 10476 (+) K 10815; NARGD 13+. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 035; SAAo P336258.

Obverse

[Aššur-et]el-[ilani ......, overseer; son of As]surbanipa[l ......, overseer; son of Esar]haddon [......, likewise overseer]. (royal seal impressions) [Af]te[r my father and begetter had depa]rted, [no father brought me up or taught me to spre]ad my wing[s, no m]other cared for me or saw to my educa[tion], Sin-š[umu-lešir], the chief eunuch, one who had deserved well of [my] father and begetter, who had led me [constantly] like a father, installed [me] safely on the throne of my father and begetter and made the people of Assyria, great and small [......, keep watch over m]y kingship during my minority, and respected [...... my royalty]. Afterwards, Nabû-rehtu-[uṣur, a ...... who had made] rev[olt and rebellion ......] assem[bled the people of] the city [and the land of Assyria ...... treaty oath ......] to Si[n-šarru-ibni, my official eunuch, ......] whom I had instal[led ...... the prefect of the city of Kar- ......] with them [...... they were] alone in their (hostile) talk [......] battle and war [......] at the command of Bel and Nabû, [great] god[s my] lords, [I ......]. Sin-šumu-lešir, my chief eunuch, and [the battle troops of his own estate ...] who had stood with him, people [......] good ...[...... I planned to do them] good [......] I clothed them with colo[ured clothing, and bound their wrists with] rings of [gold ......]

Reverse

(Break) [......] Nabû-kuṣuran[ni ...], [...... ...]-Issar and his people. [All these fields, orchar]ds, buildings and people [Aššur-etel]-ilani, king of Assyria, exempted (from taxes) and sealed with his royal seal, which is not to be altered, and gave it to Ṭab-šar-Bet-papahi, cohort commander of the chief eunuch, the son of La-qepu. The corn taxes of these fields and orchards shall not be collected, the straw taxes shall not be gathered. These people shall not be called up for labour and corvée service or for the levy of the land; [they are free] from quay, crossing and gate dues on land or [water]; in all the temples ... sa[crifices .......]; [they are free from "boat] and crossbar"; [the tax on] his [oxe]n, sheep and [goats shall not be collected]; [at the conclusion a business vent]ure he shall [not] have to turn over an[ything] of his earnings. [A future prince among] the kings, my sons, [whom Aš]šur and Ištar nominate [to rule the la]nd and the people: respect [(the oath) by Aššur, Enlil], Adad, Ber and [the Ass]yrian [Ištar] and do not alter the wording of this tablet. [The great gods] will [he]ar [your pr]ayer. [...] ... [eponym year of ..., pre]fect of Que.

SAA 12 036 — Aššur-etel-ilani Exempts a Cohort Commander from Taxes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 03409 + K 06065 + K 06223 + K 06339 + K 08856 + K 10431 + K 10727; NARGD 14. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 036; SAAo P336260.

Obverse

[Aššur-etel]-ilani, [......, overseer; son of As]surbanipal, [......, overseer; son of] Esarhaddon, [......, likewise overseer]. (royal seal impressions) After my father and begetter had dep[arted], no father brought me up or taught me to spread my [wings], no mother cared for me or saw to my [education], Sin-šumu-lešir, the chief eunuch, [one who had deserved well] of my father and be[getter, who had led me constantly like a father, installed me] safely on the throne of my father and begetter [and made the people of Assyria, great and small, keep] watch over [my kingship during] my minority, and respected [my royalty]. [Afterwar]ds, Nabû-rehtu-uṣur, [a ...... who had mad]e revolt [and rebellion ...... assembled the people] of the city and the land of Assyria [......] treaty oath [...... to] Sin-šarru-ibni, [my] eunuch, [...... whom I had installed ......] the governor of the city of K[ar- ...... with them ...] I made take [......] they were alo[ne in their (hostile) talk ...... battle] and [war ...... w]eapons [......] [at the command of Bel and Nabû, great gods] my lords, I [...... Sin-šumu-lešir, my chief eunuch, and the bat]tle [troops] of [his ow]n estate [... who had sto]od [with him, people ......] with a [good] na[me ...... I] planned [to do them good ...... I] clo[thed them with] coloured [clothing, and bound] their wrists [with rings of go]ld [......] among them [......] fiel[ds, orc]hards, buildings [and people I exempted (from taxes) and ga]ve to them. [An estate of x hec]tares of field 4 vine[yards ......] ... [...], [An estate of x hec]tares of field 3 viney[ards ......] ... [...], [An estate of x hec]tares of field 2 viney[ards ......] Nap[...], [An estate of x hec]tares of field 2 viney[ards ......] ... [...], [... 1] vineyard [......], [... hec]tares of field ... [......], [... hec]tares of [field ...] vine[yard ......], [... hec]tares of fi[eld ...] ... [......], (break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [NN] and [his people, NN and his people], [...-lam]ur and [his] pe[ople, NN and his people], [...]nu and [his] pe[ople, NN and his people], [...]û and [his] pe[ople, NN and his people], [...]ayu and [his] pe[ople, NN and his people], [...-ball]iṭanni and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]anu and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [Ahab]û and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]-eriba and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]-bani and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]ayu and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]-ilu and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]i and [his] peo[ple, NN and his people], [...]a and [his] people [......], [...]ṭu and [his] people, A[......], [NN] and his people, Ma[rduk-... and his people], [NN] and his people, Marr[i... and his people], Zurandi... [an]d his people, Dadi-[... and his people], Nušku-il[a'i an]d his people, Muš[ezib-... and his people], Ahu-le'i [an]d his people, Adad-b[ani and his people], Panu-[...... and] his people, Za[... and his people], Izaldi [... and] his people, Ubu[rtu and her people] — All these fields, building[s, orchard]s and people Aššur-e[tel-ilani, king of Assyria], exempted (from taxes) [...... and gave to NN], cohort commander [of the chief eunuch]. The cor[n taxes of these] field[s and orchards shall not be collected], the straw ta[xes shall not be gathered]. These people [shall not be called up for labour and co]rvée service or for the l[evy of the land]; in [all] the temples ... sa[crifices .......]; [they are free] from [quay], gate and c[rossing] dues [on land or water]; [they are fre]e from "boat and cros[sbar]"; the tax on [his] ox[en, sheep and goats shall not be collected]. A future prince among [the kings, my s]ons, [whom Aššur and Ištar nominate] to rule the la[nd and the peopl]e: [respect] (the oath) by Aššur, [Enlil], Adad, Ber and [the Ass]yrian [Ištar] and [do not alter] the wording of [this] ta[blet]. The great god[s will hear your prayer]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 037 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09086 + 1879-07-08, 0310; Or 42 442. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 037; SAAo P336310.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... and] gave to them. [x ... of field in ...]-kabti, 150 hectares of field in the village of Qanâ-i[lu], [x ... of field in the v]illage of Yaqiri, 80 hectares of field in the village of Ni[...] [x ... of fie]ld in the town of Isitate, [x ... of] field in the town of Langa[...], [x+]200 (hectares) of field in the village of Sa'ilu, 100 (hectares) of field in the town of Hub[...], [x+]30 hectares of field in the village of Gi[...], [x+]20 hectares of field in the village of Abu-[...], [x hectares] of field in the town of Azma[...], [...... x] hundred and ten hectares of field in the town of Za[...],

Reverse

[x ... of] field in the town of Ṣilganagâ, 20 hectares of field in the town of Yaqa[...], [x ... of] field in the town of Hara[...], [x v]ineyards in the town of Irbu[...], [x v]ineyards in the town of Bu[...], [x v]ineyards in the town of Tu[...], [x v]ineyards in the village of [...], [NN] and his people, Iglî [and his people], [NN] and [his] peo[ple, NN a]n[d his people], [NN and his people, NN] and his people, [NN and his people, NN] and his people, [NN and his people, NN] and his people, [NN and his people, N]N and his people, [NN and his people, NN] and his people, [NN and his people, NN] and his people, [NN and his people, NN] and his people, (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 038 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 08363; NARGD 16. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 038; SAAo P336261.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning of reverse broken away) [NN and] his [peo]ple, [NN and his people], [NN a]nd his people, [...]dî [and his people], [NN] and his people, Mati'-Adda [and his people], [...]a and his people, Simsiman[u and his people], [NN] a[nd] his [peo]ple, Dannu-karṣi a[nd his people], [...]dî [and] his [peo]ple, Aššur-belu-uṣur a[nd his people], [NN] and his people, Tuqunu-ereš a[nd his people], (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 039 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1905-04-09, 0153; NARGD 20. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 039; SAAo P336265.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [NN, king of Assyri]a, e[xempted (from taxes) and] sealed [with his royal seal, which is not to be altered], and gave it [to NN, cohort commander of the chief eun]uch, the son of Babilayu. The corn taxes [of these fields, ... and people shall not be collected, the straw taxe]s shall not be gathered. [These people] shall not be called up [for labour and corvée service or for the le]vy of the land; [they] are free [from quay, crossing and gate dues] on land or water; [in all the temples ......]; [they are] fr[ee from "boat and cr]ossbar"; (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 040 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04509 + K 08929; NARGD 21+. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 040; SAAo P336266.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [These people shall not be called up for labour and c]orvée service or for the le[vy of the land; they are free from] quay, cr[ossing and gate due]s [on la]nd or w[ater]; [in] all [the temple]s [......]; [they are free from] "boat and cr[ossbar"]; [the tax on] his [oxe]n, [sheep and goats shall not be collected]; [at the conclusion a business vent]ure he shall not [have to turn over anythin]g of his ear[nings]. [A fut]ure [prince among the king]s, [my] sons, [whom A]ššur and Ištar nominate [t]o rule the land and the people: respect [(the oath) by Aššur, Enl]il, Adad, Be[r and the Ass]yrian [Ištar] an[d do not alter the wording of thi]s [tablet. The great gods] will hea[r you]r [prayer]. (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 041 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04475; NARGD 22. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 041; SAAo P336267.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [A future prince among the kings, my sons, whom Aššur] and Ištar nomi[nate to rule the land and the people]: [re]spect [(the oath) by Aššur, Enlil, Adad, Ber and the Assyrian Ištar] and do [not] alter [the wording of this tablet. The great gods] will hear [your prayer]. (3 lines blank) [Month ..., xth day, eponym year of ..., pre]fect of Que. (Rest blank)

SAA 12 042 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-03-23, 0132. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 042; SAAo P336729.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [The great gods will hea]r [your prayer]. [Month ..., xth day, eponym year of ..., prefect of Q]ue.

SAA 12 043 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04491; NARGD 26. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 043; SAAo P336271.

Obverse

[Aššur-etel-ilani, mighty king, king of the world, ki]ng of Assyria, overseer; [son of Assurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyri]a, overseer; [son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyri]a, likewise overseer; [son of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Sumer] and Akkad. (seal space) (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [Month ..., xth day, eponym year of ..., prefect of Q]ue.

SAA 12 044 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 03157; NARGD 25. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 044; SAAo P336270.

Obverse

[Aššur-etel-ilani, mighty king, king of the world], king [of Assyria; son of Assurbanipal, ki]ng of the world, king of Assy[ria, overseer; son of Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, likewise overseer; son of Sargon (II), king of the world], king of Sumer and [Akkad]. (royal seal impression) (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Three. Fragments of Grants or Schedules to Grants

SAA 12 045–067. 23 texts.

SAA 12 045 — Fragment of Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0216; NARGD 17. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 045; SAAo P336262.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) (Space with one royal seal impression preserved) [...... x+]10 hectares of fi[eld], [...... x] hundred and sixty hectares of fi[eld], [......]... 20 hectares [of field], [......]... 30 hectares [of field], [...] ... [...] 50 he[ctares of field], [......]... 100 hectares [of field], [......]... 20 hectares [of field], [......] zarri[...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Broken away)

SAA 12 046 — Fragment of Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01869; NARGD 23. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 046; SAAo P336268.

Obverse

[NN, ......, king of Assyria, overseer, son of NN, ......], king of As[syria, overseer, son of NN, ......], king of Assy[ria, likewise overseer]. (one royal seal impression preserved) (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 047 — Fragment of Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16786; NARGD 24. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 047; SAAo P336269.

(Beginning destroyed) (royal seal impression) (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 048 — Part of Land Grant for Temple Offerings

Tablet; clay; Sultantepe (Huzirina). Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi, Ankara, AMM —; STT 044. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 048; SAAo P338361.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the command of [......] (1 line blank) When this [......] town [...] Zababa and Babu, the gr[eat] lords [......] to [...] Sin (dwelling) in Harra[n ...] I saw [the ... of] his power [and ...] the fear of his divinity. In the month of Tishri (VII), I took the šigūšu-plant in my hand [and] cele[brated] a festival on the 8th day of Tishri amidst sweet music. At that time — 23 rams, 2 bulls and 2 calves to be used as burnt-offerings on braziers morning and evening, 20 altars furnished with emmer wheat, 6 homers of wine, 6 seahs of wine for the drinking vessels of ...; 3 seahs of oil and 3 seahs of honey for the regular offering; 3 seahs of oil and 3 sea[hs of] medium quality [be]er for the offering. In the month of Tebet (X): [x] ram(s), 1 homer of wine, 1 litre of oil, 1 litre of [ho]ney; i[n A]d[ar (XII): 1] lamb, [1] ram, 1 homer 9 seahs of [wine], 2 litres of oil, 2 litres of hon[ey — all] this obligation I [est]ablished in addition in Huzirina. An estate of 30 hect[ares of fi]eld [......] (Break)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

I exempte[d ......] Zababa and Babu [......] orchards. Its corn taxes [are not collected]; its straw taxes are not gathered [...] Concerning the tenure of this area ...[...], I settl[ed] Assyrians there. ....... At that time I assigned Kenu-Adad, the priest of Adad of Assur, as priest there, and I placed craftsmen under the authority of the priest Kenu-Adad. A visitor shall not learn about the sanctuary; they are the gate-guards of the temple. That sanctuary, the temple [of ...], [I gave as] their [...] for the preservation of my life, the len[gthening of my days], the protection of my path and the well-being of [my] see[d]. From those men conscripts for royal service [shall not be give]n, nor shall they be [inde]ntured; [......; the tax on] oxen and sheep shall not be col[lected; ... and] the call of the herald [shall] not [......]. The herald shall not [call them forth for ...] hoe [......] (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 049 — Fragment of Land Grant?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02698; NARGD 38. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 049; SAAo P336279.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] Assyria [......] [......] its people [...... labour-duty and cor]vée work [......] as a favour [......]... [......]... [...... th]eir [...] I established. [......]... [......]... (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 050 — Assurbanipal Type Schedule to Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0309; ADD 0742. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 050; SAAo P335608.

Obverse

[x hectares of fie]ld in Horse-Trainer Town; Tuqunu-ereš, farmer, and his people; Ahu-iddina, farmer, and [his people]. [x hectares] of field in Darraska; Didî, farmer, and his people; [...]-Nabû, farmer, and his people; Kinanni-Issar, farmer, and [his] people. [x hec]tares of field in Bet-Urbiru; Tuqunu-ereš, farmer, and his people Ahu-iddina, farmer, and his people; Šamaš-remanni and his people; Nabû'a, farmer, and his people; Bel-dipari, farmer, and his people; Sinqi-Issar, farmer, and his people. 20 hectares of field in Asayati; Belet-na'dat, farmer, and his people. 20 hectares of field in Milyaba; Kinanni-Issar, farmer, and his people. Total in the county of Arbela. 1 house at the gate of Hamri, half a vegetable garden opposite the Nineveh Gate in Arbela; Issar-duri and his people; Dari-Bel and his people; Gabbu-amur and his people; Mannu-ki-Nabû and his people. 20 hectares of field, 2 vineyards in Qabasî Town in the best part of Arbela; Šulmu-ahhe, farmer, and his people. 2 hectares of field, 1 house opposite the Nineveh Gate; Inurta-abu-uṣur and his people; Gura', ditto. Total in central Calah. 50 hectares of field in Issete; Kummayu, in Arrapha; Ahabû, farm er, and his people; Zaban-iddina, farmer, and his people; Nabû-šezib, farmer, and his people; Ilu-atkal, ditto. 40 hectares of field in the village of Remutti in Barhalzi; Laba'û, farmer, and his people; Basunâ, farmer, and his people. 40 hectares of field in the village of Nuni in Barhalzi; Balṭaya, farmer, and his people; Zeru-ukin, farmer, and his people. 40 hectares of field in Anduli; Sinqi-Issar, farmer, and his people. 2 hectares of field in Asihi; Atta'-idri, farmer, and his people; [NN, farmer], and his people; Kira-ahhe, farmer, and his people; Palhu-ušezib, farmer, and his people; [NN, farmer, and] his people; ...lâ, farmer, and his people; Astananu and his people; [NN, farmer, and] his people; Il-immi, farmer, and his people Mannu-ki-Adda, farmer, and his people; [NN, farmer, and] his [peopl]e; Natinî, farmer, and his people; Kabar-il, farmer, and his people. [x hectares of field] in Kašpu; Salamanu, farmer, and his people; [NN], farmer, and his people; Tuqunu-ereš, farmer, and his people. [x] vine[yards] in Yada'î; Abdî, gardener, and his people; Hulî, gardener, and his people. [x vineyards] in Barzanista Adraha'u, gardener, and his people. [x vineyards] in Til-zanî; Mannî, gardener, and his people; [NN], gardener, and his people; Ahi-immê, gardener, and his people [...] in Absiyayu; Attunayu, gardener, and his people; Ahu-le'i, gardener, ditto. 2 vineyards in Ispallurê; Issar-namari, Qumanayu, gardeners, with their people. Total in Izallu. [x] hectares of field in the village of Ilu-ṣalê; Zabdî, farmer, and his people; Hadiya, farmer, ditto; Mannu-ki-Issar, farmer, and his people; Aya-ṭaba, farmer, and his people; Remanni-Adad, farmer, and his people; Ahu-le'i, farmer, and his people; Hanṣî, farmer, and his people; Bel-epu[š, farmer], and his people; Kettirâ, farmer, and his people; Adad-eriba, farmer, and his people. [x hectares of field in ...]rani; Biyâ, farmer, and his people; [NN, farmer, a]nd his people; Zizî, farmer, and his people. 1[+x hectares of field] in Ardizi; Ta'lâ, farmer, and his people; [NN], farmer, and his people. [... in] Abiṣa... Il-hinni [......]. [... in] Til-halulina in the distric[t of ...]; [NN, farmer, and his pe]ople; Nergal-dan and his people; [NN and his people]; [NN, farmer], and [his] peop[le; ......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......; NN], farmer, and his people; [NN], ... [......]; Remanni-Marduk, farmer, and his people. [......] of Ilu-libši; Abi-salamma, farmer, and his people; [......; N]N; Daddî, farmer, and his people; [......]; Daddî, farmer, and his people; Hašdanu, farmer, and his people. [......; NN], farmer, and his people; [......; N]N, farmer, and his people. [x hectares] of field in [...]; [N]N, farmer, and his people. [x hectares] of field in the village of U[...]a; Ahi-ila'i, farmer, and his people. [x hectares] of field in Brewer Town; Kiqillanu, farmer, and his people. [x ...]s, 4 vegetable gardens, in Bet-Adad-ereš; Šumma-ilu, farmer, and [his] people; Tuqunu-ereš, farmer, and his people; Bel-ukin, farmer, and his people; Eṣidayu, farmer, and his people; Bel-duri, farmer, and his people; Šappulu, farmer, and his people. 40 hectares of field, 3 orchards, in the village of Nabû in Halahhu; [...]-šumu-iddina, farmer, and his people; Mušallim-ilu, farmer, and his people; Bel-lu-balaṭ, gardener, ditto. 8 decares of field in the village of Mannu-lu-ahû'a; Abbaya, farmer, his people; Bel-lu-balaṭ, farmer, and his people; Ahi-immê, farmer, and his people; Ilussunu, farmer, and his people. [x] hectares of field in Shepherd Town of the Crown Prince; Gurdî, farmer, and his people; Banitu-(t)ereš and his people; Sukkaya, Šamaš-qanâ, and their people. Total of the men of Nineveh. 80 hectares of field, 5 vegetable gardens, in Irinnih; Aqru, farmer, and his people; Qurdi-Nergal, farmer, and his people; Urad-Issar, farmer, and his people; Adad-milki-ereš, farmer, and his people; Nabû-nadin-ahi, gardener and his people; Kabar-il, gardener, and his people. 60 hectares of field in Dur-Nanaya; Daddî, farmer, and his people; Sasaya, farmer, and his people; Kanunayu, farmer, and his people. 140 hectares of field in the town of Bel-iqbi; Ṭab-šar-Issar, farmer, and his people; Asalluhi-duri, farmer, and his people; La-qepu, farmer, and his people; Gabbu-ana-Issar, farmer, and his people; Issi-Adad-ahhutu, farmer, and his people; Ṣalmuti, farmer, and his people. [x] hectares of field in [...]alahina; Sin-ereš, farmer, and his people; [NN], farmer, and his people; Ahâ, farmer, and his people; Ayabbu, farmer, and his people; [...]mur, farmer, and his people; Kanunayu, farmer, and his people. [...] of Salamme; Tuqunu-ereš, farmer, and his people; [NN], farmer, and his people. Total in the steppe of Cal[ah]. [... in] Bazrê of the mercenaries; Kurbannu, farmer, and his people; [NN], farmer, and his people; Mariddi, farmer, and [his] people. [... of fi]eld, 1 vegetable garden, 1 house, in A[...; ......]; [NN, ...], and his people; Nabû-kenu-balliṭ, tiller, and [his people]; [......; NN], farmer, and [his people] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 051 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Type Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 03061; ADD 0743. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 051; SAAo P335609.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......, Ṣi]l-[...] 1 vineyard, 3 hectares [of field ......] [......] Labudi; 50 hectares of field in Liṣ[..., ......] [......] Nargi; 20 hectares of field in the village of Šumma-šarru, [x] hectares of field in [..., ......] [...... in ...]hini, 20 hectares of field in Ṭu'yati, 40 hectares [of field in ..., ......] [...... in] its entirety in Que. Nabû-naṣir and [his] people, [......], [......, Be]l-Harran-isse'a ditto, Tabni-Issar ditto, [......], [......, ...]-Nanaya ditto and his brothers, Na[... ......], [......, ...]huru ditto, Dari-Bel ditto, [NN ......], [......, NN ditto and] his brothers, Ubru-Nergal ditto, [NN ......], [......, Kan]unayu ditto, Ahu-la-amašši ditto, [NN ......], [......, Sam]si-ila'i ditto, Barruqu ditto, [NN ......], [......, NN] ditto, Muqallil-kabti ditto, [NN ......], [......, Sa]msi-ila'i ditto, [NN ......], [......, NN] ditto, [NN ......], (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......, ...]bu ditto, [NN ......], [......], Paliṭu ditto, [NN ......], [......, NN dit]to, Urdanu ditto, [NN ......], [......, NN] ditto, Pisandi ditto, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto, Sinqi-Issar ditto and his brother, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto, La-qepu ditto, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto, Aššur-belu-uṣur ditto, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto, Šimkaya ditto, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto Madbarayu ditto, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto, Šulmu-beli ditto, [NN ......], [......, N]N ditto, Kunuš-le'i ditto and his brother, N[N ......], [......, ...]-abi ditto, Urda-Nanaya ditto, Gidgida[nu ditto, NN ......], [......, ...]ašu ditto, Silim-Taqume, ditto Tuṣa[ṣu, NN ......], [......, NN ditto], Nannâ ditto, Gabbu-ilani [..., NN ......], (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 052 — Fragment of Land Grant or Schedule

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11458; ADD 0745. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 052; SAAo P335610.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......, N]N ditto; [NN ......]; [......]; Saka-il [......]; [......; NN], farmer, ditto; Igilî [......]; [......; NN], farmer, ditto; Sa[... ......]; (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 053 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Type Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0459; ADD 0752. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 053; SAAo P335616.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [A]ttar-hu[tni, ......]; 1 vine[yard, ......]; 2 veg[etable] gardens; [......]; 1 village in [its] en[tirety; ......]; 100 (hectares) of field i[n ......]. Abbâ and [his people, ......], Abu-nuri and [his] peo[ple, ......], Urda-Belet and [his] people, [......], Samsi-nuri and [his] people, [......], Han[un]u and his people, [......], P[i]laqqu and h[is] people, [......], Hašanu and [his] people, [......], Remanni-Aššur and his people, [......], Ṭab-ahhe and his people, [......], Urdu and his people, [......], Aya-ramu and his people, [......], Kanunayu and his people, [......], Abidâ and his people, [......], Yatmâ and his people, [......], Bel-duri and his people, [......], Qurdi-Issaran and his people, [......], Danduru and his people, [......], Abi-rahî and his people, [......],

Reverse

[NN and] his people, [......], [NN and] his people, [......], [NN and] his people, [......], [NN and] his people, [......], [NN and] his people, [......], [NN and] his people, [......], [NN] and his people, [......], Asalluhi-abu-uṣur and his people, [......], Nabû-kenu-balliṭ and [his people, ......], Al-tukla-niše and [his people, ......], Humbê, Mu[..., ......], Ilu-eriba, [NN, ......], Šamaš-killa[nni, ......], [N]N, [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 054 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Type Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0423; ADD 0750. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 054; SAAo P335614.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... ...]...ru [and his people, ......] [......], Ahû'a-amur a[nd his people, ......] [......], Adda-sagab a[nd his people, ......] [......], Ṣibit-ali a[nd his people, ......] [......], Šamaš-le'i a[nd his people, ......] [......, ...]bu an[d his people, ......] (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 055 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Type Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14732; ZA 73 04. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 055; SAAo P337169.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [NN a]nd [his] people [NN] and [his] people [NN] and [his] people [NN an]d [his] people [NN an]d [his] peo[ple] [NN an]d [his people] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 056 — Fragment of Land Grant or Schedule?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13735; ADD 0726. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 056; SAAo P335598.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... and their] people (Break)

Reverse

[......] and their people [......] containing [...]. [......], house, threshing-floor, garden, [......] containing [...] [...... ...]-epuš, [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 057 — Fragment of Land Grant or Schedule?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10032; ADD 0721. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 057; SAAo P335594.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......]...[......; an estate of] 2 decares of field [......] [......] and his people [......] [......] in [its] entirety [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 058 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Type Land Grant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04506; ADD 0736. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 058; SAAo P335605.

(Beginning destroyed) [...... of fie]ld, 1 barnyard in the t[own ...], [......] of field in the town [...], [......] field in Šabarme [...], [...... of fiel]d in Issete, Harmaku [and his people], [Ib]ni-šarru an[d his people], [...]-šalhi an[d his people], (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 059 — Fragment of Land Grant or Schedule

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05574; ADD 0887. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 059; SAAo P335728.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] ditto [his] peo[ple], [......] ditto, [......]-šamê ditto, [......] lower ditto, [......] ditto, [......]... ditto, [......] his [...], [...... the to]wn of Abattê ditto, [......] estate farmer of the town of [...], [......] and his people, [...... the town of T]ina ditto, [...... es]tate farmer of the town of Bi[...], [...... Q]atar-il, [(...)], [...... esta]te farmer of [...], [...... the tow]n of Ad[...], [......] Cala[h ...], [......] Harihumba, [......] Nineveh, [......] Badû'a,

Bottom Edge

[......] Ya[...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 060 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Type Schedule

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10345 + DT 055; ADD 0746. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 060; SAAo P335611.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) 40 [hectares of field, ......], in all [......]; total in the town of [.... ......] and [his] people [......], [...]-šulmu, [......], Ṣid[..., ......] [......] [NN] and his people, [......] [...] and his people, [......] Ahu-le'i and his people, [NN ......], in Barihtu, [......], in Samhara, [......] 2 vineyards, [......]; 40 hectares of field, Adda-sagab, [NN, ......]; total in Tillê. 70 hectares of fi[eld, NN, NN, NN], in all 3 farmers; [......]. 40 hectares of field, Past[î, ......]; total [in] Guzana. [......], [...]bu, Tattî, [......]

Reverse

(Break) [x viney]ards, [......] [...] ... [...]nî, [......], [...] ... [...]-Issar, in all 2 [...], Nabû-dur-[..., ......], Ahû'a-riba, [......] and his people, [......]. 40 hectares of field, 10 [vineyards, ......] and his people, [......], in all 2 farmers; [......], 1 vineyard, [......] in Apku. [......] in Si[.... ......] [and] his [peo]ple, [......], [in all x farmers; ......] (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 061 — Probably Part of No. 60

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11638; ADD 0747. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 061; SAAo P335612.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......, NN] and [his] people, [......, NN] and his people, [......, NN] and his people, [......, NN] and his people, [......], Tattî and his people, [...... ...]abû and his people, [......, NN, ...]ša, in all 2 farmers and their people, [......, NN] and his people in Naṣapina. [......, NN] and his people in Bu[...]. [......, NN, NN] and their people in [...]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 062 — Possibly Part of No. 60

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 278; ADD 0748. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 062; SAAo P335613.

(Beginning destroyed) [......] in the town of Diati; [......] [......] in Til-harrapin[a; ......] [......], fields and people in Kar-Is[sar; ......] [...... x hectares of fi]eld, 1 viney[ard, ......] [...... in] the town of [...]; ... [......] [...... x he]ctares of field in Šarru-iddin[a; ......] [......] ... Diqukin[a ......] [......] 2 tillers [......] [......] ... [......] (Rest destroyed)

[2 lines are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 063 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Type Schedule

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0536; ZA 73 05. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 063; SAAo P337170.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......; N]N, [...]; ...[...]; [......, in all x] fullers; [...]-ahu-iddina, hatter; [......, ...]maku, Nabû-reṣuwa, king's guard, Šarru-metu-uballiṭ, [......], Turrukšu-iṣah, Amurrî, in all 6 escorts; [......]; Nabû-...-..., cupbearer; Lipit-Issar, 1 person; [......]; Aššur-balliṭ, Parnu'a, 2 persons; [...]gadiâ, [......; Mu]llissu-šazizinni, [NN], ...[...]-Issar, weav[er]; [......, i]n all 2 farmers. 40 hectares of field in [...], over[seer of the household]; [......, NN and] his [peo]ple; Našuh-i[dri, x] persons; ...[...]. [...... fr]om K[ar]-kalda[yu ...]; Aššur-maqtu-šatbi ...[...]. [......] in Bet-Ibla [...], in all [......]; [......], in all 2 farmers; [......]; [......], in all 2 farmers; [......]; [......]. 40 hectares of field, 1 house, in the to[wn of ...]; ...[......]; [......; ...]-ilu; Nabû-salim, farmer. 20 hectares (of field) in [... ......] [...... in Hal]ahhu; Remanni-ilu, garde[ne]r, an[d his people; ...]; [......, NN di]tto; Abatsa-na'id ditto; Suranu [...; ......]; [......]; Yali and his people; N[N ...; ......]; [......; N]N ditto; Ahu-iddina, Ar[amean] scribe [...]; [......; NN, ...]telû, in all 2 [..., ......]. [......, 1] house, 2 orchard[s ......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 064 — Fragment of Land Grant or Schedule?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09858; ADD 1116. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 064; SAAo P335916.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] 60 hectares [...], [......] 20 hectares in [...], [...... x hectares in ...]nû'a, 40 hectares in [...], [...... x hectares in] Adian, 20 hectares in [...], [...... in] Raṣappa, 100 hectares the town of Ta[...], [...... x] hectares in the town of Aššur-eṭir, [...] [... x hect]ares alongside Aqu[...]. [......], in all 600 [...] [......] [......] Inurta-[... ......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 065 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Type Schedule?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 08108; ADD 0775. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 065; SAAo P335635.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...]ti Issar-emuqiya, [......], Kê-lamši, painter, N[N, ...] Tabalayu, dyer, Ahu-immî, N[N, ...] La-dagil-ili, Nabû-šezibanni, in all 4 oil-pressers; [NN, NN, NN], Kubabu-ubri, Urad-Issar, Gabbu-amur, in all 6 [...; NN, NN], Raši-ili, Rehtu-ana-Marduk, Dagan-abi, [..., NN, NN], Ahu'a-eriba, Giri-Ba'al, Šumma-us[sezib, NN], [NN], in all 12 skin-raft boatmen ...[......] [...]-Sin Angulu, Ispiṭṭi-[..., ......] [...] Mariddi, Ilu-[...], ...[......]

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed or uninscribed)

SAA 12 066 — Fragment of Assurbanipal Type Schedule?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 17761. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 066; SAAo P336730.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[......; NN and] his people; Rem[anni-... ......] [......]. An estate of 40 hectares [of field in ......] [......]; Eriba-[... ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 067 — Fragment of Aššur-etel-ilani Type Land Grant?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 17448. Assigned to Aššur-etel-ilani's reign, proposed date ca. 630-627 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 067; SAAo P336731.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... x] vine[yards, ......] [......] in ...[...; ......] [......] 1 [vine]yard [......] [...... x viney]ar[ds ......] (Rest destroyed)

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Chapter Four. Edicts and Decrees for Temple Maintenance

SAA 12 068–081. 14 texts.

SAA 12 068 — Late Copy of a Decree of Tukulti-Ninurta for the Temple of Šarrat-nipha

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Arkeoloji Müzeleri, Istanbul, Ist A 00055; PKTA 32-33. Assigned to Tukulti-Ninurta I's reign, proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 068; SAAo P336318.

Obverse

[...... Šarrat]-nipha [...... Šarrat]-nipha [...] All t[his is the ... of Šarrat-nip]ha: [x litres of ...], 1 litre [of ... ... the pries]t of the bēt ēqi; [......] great ...; [......] the palace of the crown prince of the succession palace; 1 litre of [...] bread [...] the baker; 1 litre of [...] bread [...] the sons of the 'coiffured women.' The cons[tan]t sheep offerings of the 5th day, the 7th day and the 15th day that are performed for Šarrat-nipha: [The priest] of Šarrat-nipha and the priest of the bēt ēqi [take] a breast, a shoulder, roasted meat; [a le]ft piece, a rib cut and thigh to the palace of the crown prince; a long [...] — the baker, the brewer; shanks — the sons of the 'coiffured women'; a thigh, a rib cut, the neck, leftovers — the ti[lle]r; the liver, the lower legs — the people of Kar-Tukult[i-Ninurt]a. They wipe clean a vat of bronze and fill it with water, attend to it and cook the meal. The baker takes 20 ski[ns of ...] ...s; the chief singer (takes) 6 skins for a rope for ...[...]. 1 litre of wine and a šuganû of figs are brought before Šarrat-nipha; her priest shall have the usufruct of it. One homer of cakes for Tammuz (IV): 5 seahs the priest of Šarrat-nipha, 5 seahs the chief singer (and) the chief of the kurgarrûs. The people of Kar-Tukulti-Ninurta cu[t] the trees for firewood and put it in the centre of Kar-Tukulti-Ninurta. The priest of Šarrat-nipha comes, brings (it to the temple) and burns the firewood. The baker and brewer cut thornbushes and acacia to make bread and beer. The Huburtaeans and Kiṣirtaeans give sheep in Sivan (III) and Tammuz (IV). The priest of Šarrat-nipha wipes clean a vat of bronze and fills it with water. The baker gives porridge. The Huburtaeans and Kiṣirtaeans stand by and burn wood beneath the bronze vat. They shall have the usufruct of the thigh, skins, sinews, and hoof tendons. The head is for the chief singer. The šālibu have the usufruct of bread, beer, and all the pieces of meat. The baker and brewer have the usufruct of the intestines and bugurru of the bull of Sivan (III). The priest of Šarrat-nipha and the priest of the bēt ēqi take cooked meat together with uncooked wings and make it into a soup [fo]r the wedding night of Šarrat-nipha. The governor has the usufruct of the outer and inner cuts of the bull, the hide, the tail and the lower legs.

Reverse

The baker and the brewer have the usufruct of the intestines and the bugurru of the bull of the 2nd day of A[dar (XII)] and [o]f the 2nd day of Tishri (VII). [Al]l the barley for the offerings of Adar (XII) and Ti[shri (VII)]: The priest of Šarrat-nipha and the priest of the bēt-ēqi have the usufruct of [...] of bread; [...] of bread — the chief singer; 7 seahs of bread, bowls of hinhin[u]-seed [and] budê-confection, ..., leftovers [to] the palace. [Th]e priest of Šarrat-nipha and the priest of the bēt-ēqi [...] bags and small offering bowls of [...]. He lets two years pass and in the third year he gives two har[māku-personnel] to the baker and the brewer. The [...] gives their bread, salt and oil. The governor has the usu[fruct] of the honey, oil and two sweet cakes every month. All this is the regular offering of Šarrat-nipha: The governor [gives] barley to the baker and the brewer on the quay of the Inner City; 2 litres of bread, 2 litres of beer in the temple of Labria — the priest of Aššur; on the 2nd day of Adar (XII) and Tishri (VII) 10 minas of copper to the [baker], 10 minas of copper to the brewer; the sh[epherds] of Adia give 40 rams, the ditto of Buqi 20, Bet-Tapputi 42, Lugunu 12; the people of Šašanuri, Kagapnišu, Gabṣu[...] and Hambatia — 2 litres of licorice kernels and 2 litres of p[ista]chio ditto. The g[over]nor receives these rams and f[ee]ds them for constant offerings to Šarrat-nipha. All this is the regular offering that Tukulti-Ninurta established for Šarrat-nipha, the great mistress. Whoever, be it a king or [a prin]ce, who rises to power after me, should a[d]d to them, but he should not take anything away from them. Whoever does not fulfill and give the regular offerings, the dues of the god, Aššur, Šamaš, Marduk and Šar[rat-nipha] will not hea[r] his prayers. He dedic[ate]d a baker, a brewer and sons of 'coiffured women' to Šarrat-nipha, the [great] mistress. The [ma]yor and the town overseer shall not p[as]s through their gates. (2 lines blank) Cop[y ......] of Tukulti-[Ninurta ......]....

SAA 12 069 — Decree of Expenditures for Various Ceremonies in the Aššur Temple

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). NARGD 42. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 809 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 069; SAAo Q009251.

Obverse

Adad-nerari (III), [representative of Enlil], overseer, son of Šamši-Adad (V), [representative of Enlil], overseer, son of Shalmaneser (III), [representative of Enlil], likewise overseer. When Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria, instituted [the expenditures] of oil and honey for the temple of Aššur and the sanctuaries of [... fo]r Shebat (XI) and for Tishri (VII) and for five days of intercalary Adar (XIIa), and entrusted them to Šamaš-naṣir, the treasurer of Aššur — (Blank seal space) The expenditures for the pandugāni ceremony of the king: The confectioner takes 8 litres of honey, 8 litres of oil and 1 seah of ordinary chick-peas. — Five litres of honey and 5 litres of oil for haršu-cakes, 4 litres of white honey and 4 litres of refined oil for hinhinu-flour, 7 litres of honey and 7 litres oil for burning and 1 litre of honey to be heated. The cook takes 4 seahs of barley and 1 seah 4 litres of ordinary lentils. The bakers take 2 homers 8 seahs of barley for bread, including the dipper of oil-bread and that for the journey of the gods; 2 homers 8 seahs of wheat for qadūtu-bread, including the simdu-flour and kakkallu-flour and that for the journey of the gods. The brewers take 2 homers 5 seahs for beer, including that for the journey of the gods. The king gives 3 seahs of barley, white horses and one grain-fed bull. Total: 2 seahs 4 litres of honey, 2 seahs 4 litres of oil, 1 seah 4 litres of le[ntils], 1 seah of chick-peas, 6 homers of barley and 2 homers 8 seahs of wheat; all this for the pandugāni ceremony of the king: the treasurer of [Aššur]. In addition, the palace personnel give 4 litres of hinhinu-flour and 4 seahs of refined sesame oil for the pandugāni ceremony of the king. When the God enters the pandugāni, one gives [f]or two days. The expenditure for the vigil: The confectioner takes 5 litres of honey, 5 litres of oil, 7 litres of refined sesame oil, 3 litres of chick-peas and 1 litre of ordinary lentils. The cook takes 1 seah 5 litres of barley and 6 litres of ordinary lentils. The bakers take 1 homer 4 seahs of barley for bread, including the dipper of oil-bread and that for the journey of the gods before the Image; 9 seahs of wheat for bread including the [simdu]-flour and [k]akkallu-[flour and that for the journey of the gods]. [The br]ewers take 9 litres of barley for beer, including that for the journey of the gods before the Image. (The king gives) 1 seah of barley, white horses, one litre and a third [of honey, one litre and a t]hird of refin[ed] oil, one litre and a third of hinhinu-flour, 11 grain-fed sheep. Total: 6 litres [and a third of hone]y, 6 litres and a third of oil, 3 litres of chick-peas, 7 litres of ordinary lentils, 7 litres of ref[ined] sesame oil, [2 homers 5 seahs 5 litres of bar]ley and 9 seahs of wheat. (Once) in three years [the king] gives one grain-fed bull and 12 grain-fed sheep. All th[is is the expenditure for the vigil: the] treasurer of Aššur. (Blank space of one line with holes) The expenditure for the divine council: [The c]onfectioner tak[es] 1 seah of honey, 5 litres of oil and 4 seahs [5 litres of sesame. The bakers take] 10 homers of barley for bread and 5 homers of wheat for qa[dūtu]-bread. The brewers tak[e] 1 homer 5 litres (of barley) for the presence of the prophetesses. Total: 1 seah 4 litres of honey, 5 litres of oil, 4 seahs 5 litres of sesame, [11 homers 5 seahs of barley], 5 homers of wheat. All this [is the expenditure for the divine council]. (Blank space of one line with holes) The expenditure for the bath: [The confectioner takes] 2 litres of honey, 1 litre of o[il, and x litres of ordinary chick-peas]. — Four litres of white honey, 3 litres of refin[ed] oil [for hinhinu-flour]. The brewers take [... of barley for beer]. Total: 6 litres of hon[ey, 4 litres of oil, x litres of chick-peas, ... of barley. All this is for the bath]. The expenditure for the kalmartu festival: The [confectioner takes] 1 seah of honey, 6 lit[res of oil], 1 litre of refined sesame oil and 8 litres of chick-[peas. The bakers take], 1 homer 2 seahs of [barl]ey and 3 homers 2 seahs of wheat [for ...]. The brewers [take x homers] 9 seahs of barley for beer. [Total: ...... x+2 homers 1 seah of barley, 3 homers 2 seahs of wheat]. All this [is for the kalmartu festival]. Five litres of oil — the ascender of the dais. Three litres [of ... ......] — the expenditure for the bēl zīzi. Six seahs of [... — ......]. The expenditure for the month Tishri (VII): The confectioner takes 1 seah of honey, [......]. — Four litres [of ..., ......]. The bakers take [10 homers of barley and 5 homers x seahs of wheat for .... The brewers take] 16 homers 5 seahs [of barley for beer]. [Total: ......], 26 homers 5 seahs of barley, 5 homers 3[+x] seahs [of wheat. All this is for the month of Tishri]. Two litres of honey, 1 litre of oil, 5 litres of sesame oil [......] 3 litres of refined oil for [......] Total 6 litres [......]

Reverse

One litre for the pandugāni ceremony of the king; one litre [......] Total 5 litres of honey: the cupbearer [......] (Blank space of one line with holes) 9 seahs of honey, 5 seahs of oil [......] Total: 1 homer 6 seahs 5 1/2 litres of honey, 1 ho[mer ......] 7 seahs 4 litres of chick-peas, 3 seahs of lent[ils ......]. (Blank space of one line with holes) The expenditure for five days of [of the king for intercalary Adar (XIIa): ......], 3 seahs of chick-peas [......] 5 litres of honey [......] 2 litres of honey [......] 4 litres of honey [......] 10 [......]. 5 seahs [......]. The harmāku-personnel [......]. The commander-in-chief [gives ......]...[...] upper and lower. [The chief cupbearer] gives [x] skins for [......]. [Th]e palace herald, di[tto; ... the prefec]t of Nineveh, ditto; the pr[efect of Isana, d]itto; the prefect of Kilizi, ditto; [th]e prefect of Arbela, [ditto; ......]; the grand vizier, ditto; the chief [...], ditto. The chief treasurer gives 6 white sheepskins, [......] and iron [...] for a one-year period. The prefect of Sahupp[a, ditto. The] foremen of the harmāku-personnel give [......]. The gaddāyus daily give 6 bundles (of ...) [for 5 days of intercalary Ad]ar (XIIa). The guards of the wells under the prefe[ct of Assur give] three homers of bitumen for a one-year period. The potters give [... of c]lay for a one-year period. The [... of] the lower gardens give three litres of coriander, 1 litre of fresh samēdu-plant [and ...] to the bakers of the temple. [NN, NN, ...]-Aššur, Gabsî, [NN, ...]-Aššur, Libušu, La-ahṭi-ana-ibri, total 7 apprentices; Burzinani, [NN, NN, NN, NN], Tukulti-Aššur, Ubur-Aššur, Pulu, Sin-šallim, Dayyan-Marduk, Aššur-belu-ka''in, Babu-ahu-iddina, total 12 harmāk[u ...] give crews of boatmen [fr]om among the bakers to the boatmen of Aššur. [These] bakers, brewers, and boatmen — At (the time of) labour and corv e, drafting of the country and the call of the palace herald, the prefect, the city overseer, the mayor or the decurion shall not pass through their gate to lead [tho]se [people] f[or labour and c]orv e. No person of authority that arises shall [lead them]. [By Aššur, Ad]ad and Ber, the Assyrian Ištar: (anyone) among the kings, my sons, whom Aššur may call [to rul]e over Assyria shall not cast aside the wording of this document of Aššur. Aššur, the great lord, king of the gods, will hear his prayers. (Blank space of two lines with holes) Excerpted according to the wording of a valid document (sealed) with the se[al of Aššur (...)]. (Blank space of two lines with holes) Month Adar (XII), 6th day, ep[onym year of Ad]ad-nerari (III), king of Assyria (809 B.C.). (Blank space to end)

SAA 12 070 — Unplaced Fragment of the Text of No. 69

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 10435; NARGD 45. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 809 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 070; SAAo P336282.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...... x] litres of honey [......] [...... to be hea]ted, of [......] [......] the confectioner [takes] [......] 7 seahs 4 litres of chick-peas, 3 seahs of lent[ils ...] [...... refi]ned, 3 seahs of chick-peas, 3 litres of ordin[ary] lentils. [......] second dipper, 2 litres of honey, 2 litres of [...] [......] 1 litre ditto, 1 litre for [...]-flour [...... they gi]ve. Total: 1 seah 7 litres of honey, 1 seah 7 lit[res of ......] divid[ed] with dippers [...]. [...... t]o be heated. One litre of honey, 1 litre of [...] [......]s 1 seah 1 litre of oil. Total 5 seahs 5 litres of hon[ey] [......] of wine, 6 seahs of sesam[e oil ...] [......] simdu-[flo]ur, kakkallu-flour, [...]-flour [...... for b]eer the brewers t[ake]. [...... all thi]s is the expenditure for five days of the king [of intercalary Adar (XIIa)]. [......] all [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 071 — Decree of Regular Offerings for the Aššur Temple by Adad-nerari III

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09827; NARGD 46. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 790 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 071; SAAo P336283.

Obverse

[Adad-nerari (III)], representative of Enlil, [overseer]; [son of Šamši-Adad (V)], representative of Enlil, [overseer]; [son of Shalmaneser (III)], representative of Enlil, [overseer]. [When Adad-nerari (III)] instituted the regular offerings of Aššur, (and) [entrusted] them to [NN, the ...]; from the towns of the county of Burali, the county of Arbela, the count[y of ...] — [The chief ...]: 50 carrying-sticks of pomegranates, 1 sheep for the kimru (offering) before [..., ......, x] wineskins, 4 shovels with their 'donkeys' [...], [x cups o]f oil for the provisions of the boatmen when [they sail] the wineskin (raft) [downstream]. [The ...]: 50 carrying-sticks, ditto; one sheep for the kimru (offering), one prepared sheep; 3 litres of ..., [... together with] their [...]; rope (for) 7 tents with ... 'tongues,' of [...]; [the scheduled ... o]f one day, 5 seahs of flour, [x c]ups of oil for the pr[ovisions of ...]. [The ...]: one sheep ... before the win[eskins, x ...] for ...[...]; [......] of oil, 12 homers of barley [......], [......] the scheduled [...] of one day, 6 seahs of flo[ur ......]. [The ... o]f Šaraššu: 30 carrying-[sticks of ......]. [The ......] of the treasurer: [......]. [The ...: x carrying-s]ticks (of pomegranates), two she[ep ......], [......]s, 6 seahs of [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] does not give [......]. [The ......] gives [...] fruit, app[le ......], [...... wines]kins; the regular offer[ing ......]. (blank) He shall not gi[ve] th[ese towns, fields, houses], orchards and people [to] any other [governor, he shall g]ive them [(only) to the governor of the temple of Aššur]. The king [will pun]ish whoever gives them to [another] governor — [the kin]g himself will punish [the one who gives ...], and the town, field, [house, orchard and pe]ople shall ret[urn] to the temple of Aššur. (blank) Exc[erpted according to the wording of a valid document (sealed) with the seal of Aššur and Ni]nurta that is [kept] in the Inner City in the temple of [...]. [Month ..., xth day], eponym year of Še[p-Šamaš], the prefect of [Isana] (790 B.C.).

SAA 12 072 — Fragment of the Text of No. 71

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09635 + VAT 11321; NARGD 47. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 790 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 072; SAAo P336284.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [The ... of] Buralli gives [......] of the wineskin rafts, [......] wineskin rafts sailing downstream, [...... si]x seahs of flour for the boatmen [......]. [The ...] gives [......] the boatmen [......]. [...... that the]y give [...... to]wns [......] establishes. [......] the palace herald [......] my [...] [...... pa]lace [......] the servants of the palace herald [...... al]so give

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

[...... the coun]ty of Arbela. [......] 7 seahs, the town Dunabu-Illil; [......] 2 seahs, the town Tanat; [......] of the prefect of Arbela; [......] ... 1 seah, the town Sa'rarina; [...... fou]r seahs of their honey; [......] the chief treasurer, 3 seahs of their honey; [......] 3 seahs, the town Zaqu; [......] 1 homer 2 seahs of their honey; [......] the town Dunuequ; [......]... of the county of Arbela. [......], the chief of granaries of Nineveh; [......] the governor of Si'imme; [......] give to Aššur [......] 1 litre of honey (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 073 — Prism Fragment Containing Part of the Text of No.71

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VA 08439; NARGD 48. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 790 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 073; SAAo P336285.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] the chief of [......] (blank space) [......] oil for the boatm[en ......] [......] one ...-sheep, 12 ...[...]-sheep [......] [......]s 4 cups of oil [......] [......] ... [......] [......] ... [......] [......] Ši[...] River [......] [......] rope [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 074 — Fragment of Decree of Adad-nerari III

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09565; KAH 116. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 074; SAAo P336224.

Obverse

Adad-nerari (III), [......, overseer], son of Šamši-Adad (V) [......, overseer], son of Shalmaneser (III), [......, likewise overseer]. (Blank seal space) Ten talents 15 min[as of ......] labour dues [......] under [......] of [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) Month [..., xth day], eponym year of [......]

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 075 — Fragment of a Decree of Tiglath-Pileser III

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09657; NARGD 31. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign, proposed date 744-727 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 075; SAAo P336272.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[Tiglath]-Pileser (III), [king of Assyria, ...] [...] couch, wild bulls, house [......] [...] this [obl]iga[tion] for [...-Inurta, Mutakkil-Aššur] [and] T[uqu]n-mati, his daughter [......] [......] he has establi[shed ......] [...] wi[ne] until dis[tant] days [...] [...]-Inurta, Mutakkil-Aššur, Tuqu[n-mati, their children and their d]escendants ...[...]. Let [a futu]re [prince] among my sons whom Aššur nomi[nates (for kingship)] a[dd to] this [obli]gation; [may he not] take [away from it]. By Aššur, [..., ..., Enli]l and the Ass[yrian] Ištar, [a future prince] shall not cast aside the wording of this docu[ment]. [The great gods] will he[ar] his [pra]yer. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 076 — Collection of Decrees of Šamsi-Adad V and Adad-nerari III

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02655 + K 02800 + Sm 0318; NARGD 51. Assigned to the reign of Šamsi-Adad V and Adad-nerari III, proposed date 823-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 076; SAAo P336287.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] livers [...] [......]s, ... [...], [...... o]f the sons of 'coiffured women' [......] of the prie[st of ...] [Šamši-Adad (V), king of A]ssyria, has exempt[ed] and given to [Marduk-belu-uṣur], the overseer of the 'coiffured women.' [......] shall receive [...] in the palace. (Blank space) [Adad-nerari (III), king of the world], king of Assyria, son of Šamši-Adad (V), king of the world, [king of Assyria, son of Shalmaneser (III)], [likewise] king of the world, king of Ass[yria]. Of all the incoming [votive gifts] of the temple of the Sebetti, the Kadmu[ri] temple, [the bēt ēqi] and the bēl zīzi: [x ...]s belong to the Kadmuri temple, 100 to the temple of the Sebe[tti, 100 to] the [bēt] ēqi, and 100 to the bēl zīzi; [of] the iron [arrowhea]ds of the bodyguards, the palace se[r]vants (and) the [...]: [x belong to] the people of Nineveh, 80 to the city. The palace herald rece[ives all this income] of the iron arrowheads. [... the chief] courier of Ištar give[s] his ol[d] labour duty to the [......] of Nineveh. [Once a year he] gives [...]s to the palace. [Once a y]ear he give[s ...] for the regular offering. The palace herald also give[s the ...... of] the temples, and [......] h[e shall harvest] the harvest of Ištar. [Month ..., eponym year of] Bel-tarṣi-ilumma, the prefect [of Calah] (797 B.C.). (Blank space) [Adad-nerari (III), overseer], son of Šamši-Adad (V), over[seer, son of Shalma]neser (III), likewise overs[eer]. [All] the incoming [... of the temple of Kadmur]i and the bēt ēqi, which the palace [heral]d receives, [...] receives copper [...]. [... the temple of] Kadmuri receives [...] [...... o]f towns [......] 50 iron arrowheads [......] receives. [......] give [to] the king. Month of Tebet (X), eponym year of Mannu-ki-mat-Aššur (793 B.C.). [Thes]e [are the decrees] that Šamši-Adad (V) and Adad-nerari (III) [established and] assigned [as the responsibility of Bel-dan, t]he palace herald, and Marduk-belu-uṣ[ur, the overseer of the 'coiffured women']. (Rest destroyed or uninscribed)

SAA 12 077 — Collection of Decrees from Various Reigns

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 03042; NARGD 54. Assigned across the reigns of Adad-nerari III, Shalmaneser IV, Tiglath-pileser III, Sargon II, proposed date 772-755 or 754-745 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 077; SAAo P336290.

Obverse, Column i

(Beginning destroyed) 20 — the [......] Total: 360 [......]. The chief fuller of [the palace] gives 1 litre of oil, 1 litre of [...]. The ploughmaster of the [palace] giv[es] one glass of car[damom ...]. Total that Shalman[eser (IV)] establis[hed]. The garde[ner] of the palace [gives] 5 ...-plants. Total that was added by [...]. [The wine master] gives 1 litre of wine. Total that was ad[ded] by Tiglath-Pil[eser (III)]. The rab qaqqulāti gives 2 seahs of bread, 1 litre of so[up], 1 seah 4 litres of beer, and 2 litres of maṣhatu-flour. The chief cook of the pa[lace] takes one sheep for the constant offering from the administration of Hatrakka and Ṣimirra and gives it. Total that Sargon (II) established. One seah 7 litres of bread, small and large, loaves of 1 litre each; 3 seahs 6 1/2 litres of small breads, of second (size), half a litre each. One ram from the 3,000 sheep of Ahabû, palace scribe, which the king organized for [Iš]tar, the ... bring. (Break)

[2 lines of the Obverse, Column i are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Obverse, Column ii

(Beginning broken away) [......] temple [...] [...] bread [...] beer [...] bread [......] (Break) The cook [......] 1 litre [......] 1 litre [......] the city god [......] of the household of the [palace] herald the priest [of ...] 1 litre of bread, 1 [...] Gula of [the steppe ...] (Break)

[2 lines of the Obverse, Column ii are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Obverse, Column iii

(Completely broken away)

Reverse, Column i

(Beginning broken away) 2 [+x ......] the [......] (Break)

Reverse, Column ii

(Beginning broken away) 2 [......] 2 [......] 1 [......] 1 [......] of 2 [......] 5/6 [......] 4 lower le[gs ......] 4 low[er legs of ......] 1 litre [......] 1 litre [of oil ......] Total: the foo[d] master. 1 litre of so[up], 1 ...-fish, one third of a litre of be[er] brought before the king. One glass of cardamom [...] for the use of the chief confectioner of the palace. One seah 7 litres of bread, small and large, loaves of 1 litre each; 3 seahs 6 1/2 litres of small breads, of second (size), half a litre each; 1 seah 2 1/2 litres of regular offering bread; 2 litres of wine, 1 seah 2 litres of beer. 5 thighs, 5 shoulders, 3 haunches, 6 rib cuts, 3 breasts, 1 neck, 2 backbones; total: two sheep for meat. one sheep head [......] (Break)

Reverse, Column iii

[... who] receives [the labour dues] of all the temples; since Adad-nerari (III), son of Šamši-Adad (V), appointed the rab qaqqulāti, he receives the labour dues, and this one gives the sheep. Eponym year of Mannu-ki-mat-Aššur (793 B.C.). Total of Adad-nerari (III). The rab qaqqulāti gives 6 seahs of bread, 1 seah 2 litres of beer for libations and 1 homer of beer for the hariu ritual of the seventh day. Total of Sargon (II). In all: 6 seahs of bread, 1 homer 1 seah 2 litres of beer, 3 sheep. Total of the additional (offering) that is performed three times a month. Distribution: 3 seahs of bread, 1 seah per day, 1 seah 8 litres of beer, 6 litres per day; all for the temple of Nabû — its priest. Three times a haunch, 1 per day, before Gula of the steppe — her priest. Three times a rib cut, 1 per day, for the lamentation chanter. Total: 3 seahs of bread, 1 seah 8 [litres of beer], 3 haunches, [3 rib cuts]; all, the fo[od] master [(...)]. 3 litres [of b]read, 2 [litres per day], [x litres] of beer, [x litres per day] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 078 — Fragment of a Decree Concerning Distribution of Meat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 03167; NARGD 52. Assigned to Tiglath-pileser III's reign, proposed date 744-727 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 078; SAAo P336288.

Obverse

(Beginning broken away) [NN, ..., mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, overseer]; [son of NN, mighty king, king of the world], king of [As]s[yria, overseer]; [son of NN, mighty king, king of the world], king of Assyr[ia, likewise overseer]. [......, the chos]en one of En[lil ...]. (Space with royal seal impressions) [......] from the sheep offerings of the fi[fth] day. [......] its head, its belly, [its] liver. [......] complete[ly] [......]s of the go[d ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 079 — Fragment of a Decree?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0928; NARGD 53. Proposed date 8th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 079; SAAo P336289.

(Beginning broken away) [NN, ..., mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, overseer]; [son of NN, mighty king], king [of the world, king of Assyria, overseer]; [son of NN, migh]ty [king], king [of the world, king of Assyria, likewise overseer]. [......], the chosen one [of Enlil ...]. (Space with a royal seal impression) (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 080 — Schedule of Wine Offerings by the Magnates to the Aššur Temple

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 10157; KAV 079. Proposed date 8th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 080; SAAo P285555.

Obverse

Wine that the magnates give to the Aššur Temple — 40 homers (from) Habruri, a golden pot per day; 25 homers, Calah; 35 homers, the wine master; 40 homers, Dur-Šarruken, 2 pots per day; 10 homers from Izalla, the wine master, 3 litres per day; 12 jugs, first fruits, for the whole year, 1 per month. Total 140 homers 8 seahs, 12 jugs. All this is for the whole year. 15 jugs from Izalla, first fruits, each month. 74 wineskins, first fruits of Ti[shri (VII)]. [x+]20 homers, the commander-in-chief; [......], the chief cupbearer; (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [x+]1 homer 4 litres, 3 leather [...] wine, first fruits, regular offer[ing] — 7 litres for šahu-vessels, 20th day intercalary Elul (VIa); 1 homer 6 litres for a one-year period. 7 litres 8th day of Tishri (VII) for the offering of the water; 8 litres 20th day of Kislev (IX); 7 litres 6th day of Tebet (X); 3 litres 20th day of Shebat (XI), when the god circumambulates the temple hall; 1 seah 17th day, 1 seah 18th day of Adar (XII) for the qarrātu festival; 7 litres 7th day of Nisan (I); 7 litres 13th day of Iyyar (II); 7 litres 16th day, 7 litres 17th day of Elul (VI). Total 7 seahs 2 litres of wine for festivals.

SAA 12 081 — Schedule of Distribution of Meat from Offerings

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 11114; PKTA 35. Assigned to the reign of Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal, proposed date 672-669 or 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 081; SAAo P336319.

Obverse, Column i

(Beginning destroyed) [..., ...], ..., the inner cuts, left (thigh), bladebone, 2 joints of the backbone, 4 ribs: all for the 'House of Many Kings.' A haunch: the mausoleum of Ešarra-hamat. The right thigh: the high priest. 4 ribs: the second priest. 4 ... coverings of thighs, 4 joints of the backbone: the priest of Ea-šarri. The neck: the lamentation chanter. A shoulder: the temple scribe.

Obverse, Column ii

(Break) 2 [......], the stomach, [...], the hide, sinews, [...]: the hig[h] priest the front part of the neck, the heart, a lower leg: the temple steward. (blank) Total of beef and veal.

[1 line of the Obverse, Column ii is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse, Column i

2 sheep of ..., distributed (as follows): 2 thighs, a shoulder, ribs, a haunch: the 'House of Many Kings.' Ribs: the mausoleum of Ešarra-hamat. 2 thighs, a shoulder: the high priest. Ribs: [the second] p[riest]. 2 [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse, Column ii

(Blank to break)

Chapter Five. Royal Appointments

SAA 12 082–085. 4 texts.

SAA 12 082 — Edict Appointing Nergal-apil-kumu’a

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0863 + Rm 0864; ARRIM 1, 13. Assigned to Ashurnasirpal II's reign, proposed date 883-859 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 082; SAAo P336125.

Obverse

[NN, overseer, son of NN], overse[er, son of NN, likewise overseer.] [Whoever tries to contest a craftsman whom NN, king of Assyria, has given] to Nergal-a[pil-kum]u'a, [be it a ..., a ..., a s]ervant or a ...[..., or a baker, or a brewer, or a confectioner, or sons of the cupbearers, or a ..., or a ...], or a wainwright, [or an architect, or a scribe, or a d]iviner, or an exorcist, or a physician, [or a smith, or a goldsmith, or a coppersmith, o]r an ironsmith, or a [...] (Break) or the chief physician, [or] the chief singer, or [the chief ......] [who tries to exercise authority] over an Assyrian craftsman, an 'ente[rer' ......] (or) a performer of ilku-service, and gives [fraudulent] information about them to [...], saying: "[He is] a craftsman under [my] authority" — May [Aššur] and Ninurta look at him with wrath; may Adad, [the canal inspector of heaven and earth], take him away [wi]th his lightning-bolt; may Belet-ekalli destroy [his] path [and] his way from the palace [...].

Reverse

They shall cut out his tongue. For the future, until far-o[ff] days, among these Assyrian craftsmen, 'enterers,' [performers of] i[lku-service ......] ... his face [...] (Break) [......]... his prefect [...]. (Rest uninscribed)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 083 — Edict Appointing Nergal-apil-kumu’a

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 03374 (+) 1880-06-17, 0443; BaM24 239+. Assigned to Ashurnasirpal II's reign, proposed date 883-859 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 083; SAAo P336132.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [he g]ives. If the ki[ng or a future king se]nds into exile or [...s a ..., a ..., or an 'enterer'], the k[ing] may not say [......]; they belong to Aššur. The [palace] mana[ger responsible for ......] among the travelling zarriqus [...... o]f [his] province [......]s or the zarriqus [......] he himself will [.... The towns, fields and orchards of ...] the king's sons [...... of C]alah that are in his province that [...... he shall return] and not give them [t]o their governor. He himself shall apportion the [......], clothing and the [patrimony of the bodyguards, ......] (and) the property of the king's sons. [...... he shall] bring in. If the king [is on the attack] in the country of his enemy, [......] [...... who] run across his palaces. [...... he] himself half a stage after the third chariot [...... the k]ing will serve. When the king [...] the bread [...... of] the craftsmen of the king is involved [......] he shall not kill him without the consent of the king. [...... If the king] says, "kill" (or) "let live," [he shall act] according to the command [of the king, his lord. ......] he shall carry a [da]gger and a ring of gold and keep the watch of the king, his lord. [......] his ... shall ... opposite the magnates [...... he shall] observe. The heads of his province [...... they shall] observe. Future prince: be it your eunuch, [or (your) ..., whom you ha]ve established [......], whatever acquisitions he has made, [......] it is [for] Aššur and for Ninurta. [It shall revert] to Aššur and Ninurta. [......] the office of the recruitment officer for chariotry and cavalry

[2 lines of the Obverse are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

[......]. You shall not take away [an 'enterer'] of the province of Calah. [The ......]s (in) the province of Calah, holding estates, [be it a ..., or a ..., or a baker, or a bre]wer or confectioner or sons of the cupbearers, [or a ..., or a ..., or a wainwr]ight, or an architect, or a scribe, or [a diviner, or an exorcist, or a physician, or a s]mith, or a goldsmith, or a coppersmith, [or an ironsmith, or a ..., or a ...] or an engraver, or a priest, or a clergyman, [or a ..., or a ..., or a ..., or] a maker of bows, or a weaver, or a fuller, [or a ..., or a ...], or a sash-weaver, or a tanner of coloured leather, [or a ..., or a peddler of fi]rewood or a gaddāyu, or an oxherd [or a ..., or a ...], or a bird keeper, or a milkman, or a cook, [or a ..., or] a dishwasher, or a fowler, or a boatman, or a reed-worker, [or a ..., o]r a prostitute or a son of a palace maid, or a farmer, [or a ..., or an all]oy-worker, or a gardener, or a vegetable gardener, o[r a ..., or a ...], or a donkey driver, or a horse trainer, or an armourer, or a ...[..., or a...]..., or a worker with alum, or a merchant, or a messenge[r, or] a palace [manager], or the overseer of royal palaces, or a travelling zarriqu [who] resides in the province; [be it a Ham]udean, or a Sirganean, or a Yalunean, or a Harṭunean, or a Bit-[...]ean, or an Azalean, or a Qatnean, or a (Ša)dikannean, or a Kassi[te, or a ...]ean, or from the far-off lands of the magnates, as many as are resident in Calah; be it [......] of the zarriqus of the governors, of those eunuchs [who] were provided [for Cal]ah, and were assign[ed] to Nergal-apil-kumu'a [for the future, un]til distan[t] days; from among these Assyrian craftsmen, 'ent[erers' and performers of ilku-service], Ner[gal-apil-kumu'a shall give (some)] for chariot fighters and for bodyguards. He shall give (them) to the king; the king [shall] not [...] to anybody [......]. [...] royal bodyguard [......] [...] performs its [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 084 — Text Duplicating No. 83

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, IM —; CTN 4 256. Assigned to Ashurnasirpal II's reign, proposed date 883-859 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 084; SAAo P363670.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too broken for translation) [......] the Halzeans [......] [......]. If the king or [a future] king s[ends into exile or ...s a ..., a ..., or an] 'enterer,' [...] [......] ... goodness to him [...] [......; they belong to Aššur]. The palace manager res[ponsible for ...] [......] he shall place. The [...] [......] palace manager or [travelling] zarriqus [...... he him]self shall .... The towns, fields and orchar[ds] [of ... the king's sons, or the ...] ... or 'enterers' of the province of [Calah], [who are in his province ......] he will return and not give them to their governor. [......] the patrimony of the bodygua[rds] [....... If the king is on the atta]ck [in the country of his enemy], let him s[peak] ... [...... who] r[un across] his palaces. [......]s of the meal [(...)] (Rest destroyed)

[4 lines of the Obverse are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 085 — Adad-nerari Adds the Land of Hindanu to the Territory of Raṣappa

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0029; AAA 20 105+. Assigned to Adad-nerari III's reign, proposed date 810-783 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 085; SAAo P336732.

Obverse

(Space with incised drawings) [Adad-nerari (III)], [gre]at [king], mighty king, king of the world, king of [Assyria]; [son of Šamš]i-Adad (V), mighty king, king of the [world, ki]ng of [Assyria]; [son of Shal]maneser (III), king of the four quarters; has assigned the [...] of the land of Hindanu to Pal[il-ereš], governor of Raṣappa, and [has ...ed (it)] to him. No one shall change (anything) concerning (this) [......]. The governor of Raṣappa shall rule the pref[ect of Hindanu]; he is his lord; he is [his ...; the prefect] is his agent. No one [at any time in the future shall make any] claim against Palil-ereš or say anything unfavourable (about him). [Adad-nerari (III), king of Assyria], in steadfastness of heart has ass[igned (this responsibility)] to [Palil-ereš], governor of Raṣappa — [by Aššur], Adad and Ber and [the Assyrian Ištar], a future prince whom [Aššur] nominates [to r]ule Assyria shall not cast aside the wording of this document; nor shall he take the land of Hindanu away from Palil-ereš, governor of Raṣappa and assign it to another province under the authority of another governor; for the future and forever, it will be reckoned with the province of Raṣappa [and] the governor of Raṣappa [shall ...]. [A futu]re [prince] who [......] (Break)

Reverse

Whoever, be it a pri[nce, ......], or the brother of the king, [or ......], or a vizier, or a [......], or an influential person, or a destitute person, o[r a ...... who] serves [...], and his word [......] (only) good words and no one shall speak un[pleasant words ...] to the [king, his lord,] concerning Hindanu or [say] to the king, his lord, "Take the land of Hindanu away from Palil-[ereš], governor of Raṣappa, and assign it to someone else." The king, his lord, will cast him out of his palace with a curse and a bad reputation. All the days of his life, his entrance to the palace will be forbidden. His province will be taken from him and he will be delivered to his (enemy). Whoever voices a thought about Hindanu as follows: "Take the land of Hindanu away from the governor of [Raṣappa]," may Mar[duk], the great lord, l[ook at] him with wrath and [decree him] an evil fate forever [(...)]. The king will take an oath that the land of Hind[anu, which he ...] assigned to Palil-ereš, he will ne[ver] take away. Whoever [removes] this tablet from the presence of the Lady of Nin[eveh], or throws it in the water, or burns it, or buries it in the earth, or sets it up in another place, or takes it to a forbidden place where it is inaccessible and throws it (in) — May Aššur, Šamaš, Nabû, Marduk, Enlil, father of the gods, Ninurta, the warrior, Nergal, lord of plagues, and the Assyrian Ištar — these great gods — look on him with wrath and make [his name, his seed] and his progeny dis[appear] from the land and cl[othe] his body with leprosy like a garment. Month Sivan (III), 24th day, [eponym year of] Bel-tarṣi-il[umm]a, pre[fect of Calah] (797 B.C.) Whoever says to the king: "Take [the land of Hindanu] away [from Palil-ereš, go]vernor of Raṣappa, and appoint me [......] (Rest destroyed) (Rest broken away)

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Chapter Six. Royal Votive Donations and Gifts

SAA 12 086–091. 6 texts.

SAA 12 086 — Sennacherib Dedicates Personnel to his Newly-built Akitu Temple

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 09656; PKTA 27. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 683 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 086; SAAo P336316.

Obverse

The se[al of] Aššur, king of the gods; the seal of God the King, not to be contested. I am Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, circumspect monarch, the perfecter of the forgotten cult of Ešarra according to the oracular command of Šamaš and Adad, the enlarger of their purificatory cult, the restorer of the protective deity of Ešarra, which had ceased to function, [to] its place. (Blank seal space) In Nisan (I), when at the New Year's Festival, on account of chaos and anarchy, [A]ššur was going to the festival banquet in a garden within the city; at that time, after I had made the statue of Aššur, king of all the gods, the creator of himself, the father of the great gods, whose figure was exalted in the Abyss, king of heaven and earth, lord of all the gods, the progenitor of the Igigi and the Anunnaki, the builder of the roof of heaven and the basement of earth, the maker of all the regions, living in the [pur]e starlit heave[ns], the foremost god, the one who decrees the destinies, the one who lives in Ešarra [which] is in Assur, the [great] lord, my lord, and (after I had made) the statues of the great gods, with the clever understanding that Ea bestowed upon me, and with the [wis]dom that Aššur, king of the gods, had given unto me; I pondered and on my own initiatve I performed an oracle query concerning the Akitu Temple of the steppe. Šamaš and Adad commanded me to build the Akitu Temple for the festival of Aššur, which is appropriate for his great divinity. I took its foundations down until I reached the underground waters. Of my [own initiat]ive I ski[lfu]lly built it from the foundation to the parapet with mountain [limestone] and raised it as high as a mountain. I opened [a canal] and called its name "That which Purifies the New Year's Festival." I encircled it with [trees] of the orchard, all kinds of fruits and aromatic plants, as with a garland. (1 line erased) [...]-Adad 3 persons, Ta'allu 15 persons, Nabû-zaqip-enši 4 pe[rsons], [...] 3 persons, Yaluzu 4 persons, Nabû-le'ani 2 [persons], [... x] persons, Balṭaku-ammar 5 persons, Nabû-šulmu-amur 3 [persons], [... x] persons, Nabû-kašir 3 persons, Nabû-kenu-uṣur 7 per[sons], [Ki]nziru 3 persons, Urad-Gula 5 persons, Hanaba' 4 per[sons], [Pi]rahu 4 persons Nabû-balliṭ 4 persons Ahu'a 10 per[sons], [Pu]hunu 3 persons, Nabû-iddina 5 persons, Lidbubu-lipušu single, [...]-aplu-iddina 2 persons, Urda-Nabû 2 persons, Nabû-šabši 7 per[sons], [Rem]uttu single, Haruranu 4 persons, Napusî 4 persons, [...i]q-ili 14 persons, Il-yaba 2 persons, Uqayyaqi 2 persons. [Total x pe]rsons from Raṣappa (that) I have donated as a present to the Akitu Temple of the steppe of Nisan (I) [which] I built skilfully [according to] my own wish. I have assigned them [as the responsibility of ...]. The prefect, the mayor or the city overseer [shall not exercise au]thority [over them]. They are [re]sponsible for the Akitu Temple.

Reverse

(Break) [......] of heaven and earth [......] ... [...] the great [god]s of heaven and earth [......] their offices, their ..., their seed, their offspring [......] ...... by the command of Aššur and the great gods. They are [......]. [Witness NN], chief judge. Witness Inurta-na'id, grand [vizier]. Wi[tness NN], deputy [vizier]. Witness Nergal-šumu-lešir, [...] of Aššur. Witness [NN, .... Witness] Nabû-šumu-iškun, [chari]ot dri[ver ...]. Witness [NN, 'third] man.' Witness Aššur-bani, chief sc[ribe ...]. Wi[tness NN, .... Witness] Aplaya, chief [...]. Wi[tness NN], chief physician. [Witness Ašš]ur-duri, recruitment officer. Witness Mutaqqin-ahhe, recruitment officer. Witness [N]N, 'third man.' Witness Aššur-dur-paniya, 'third man.' Witness ...-damqu, cohort (commander) of [...]. Witness Aššur-šimanni, cohort commander of the ša šēpi guard. Witness Aššur-matu-taqqin, [...]. [Witness Ma]nnu-ki-Aššur, ...[...]. [Witness ...]-abu-uṣur, ditto. Witness Abi-ram, c[ity] overseer [...]. Wi[tness] Nabû-eṭiranni, temple scribe. Witness Šamaš-ila'i, inspector of the Aššur Gate. Witness [...]su, inspector of the Šamaš Gate. Witness Mannu-ki-Ištar, ditto of the Tigris Gate. Witness Nabû-mudammiq, city scribe. Witness Kanunayu, chariot driver of Aššur. Witness Aššur-isse'a, 'third man' of Aššur. Witness Kakkusu, scribe. Witness Aššur-le'i, chief gaddāyu. Witness Sangu-Issar, commander-of-fifty of the tanners of coloured leather. 22nd year of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assy[ria (...)].

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 087 — Sennacherib Dedicates Personnel to the Temple of Zababa and Babu

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, VAT 08883; KAV 039. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 683 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 087; SAAo P285515.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Concerning] Za[ba]ba I performed an oracular query and asked Šamaš and Adad. Šamaš and Adad announced to me "Zababa is the son of Aššur" in the oracle. I made the sta[tue of] Zababa and Babu conforming with his dignity, [...], and built a [(...) temple for th]em before the Tabira Gate. (Rest uninscribed)

Reverse

Bel-ubal[lit, ...]-kenu, his adolescent son, 2 daughters, total of 5 people. Nabû-šezib, [his] wife, [1] adolescent [son], 1 weaned son, 3 daughters, total of 7 people. Nabû-šumu-ka''in, his wife, 1 weaned son, total 3. Nabû-rešu-išši, 1 adolescent son, 1 weaned son, total 3. Nabû-eṭir-balaṭi, his wife, 1 weaned son, total 3. Ṣil-Nabû, his wife, 3 adolescent sons, 1 suckling, total 6. Qisaya, his wife, 2 daughters, 1 son, total 5. Nabû-eṭiranni, his wife, his 2 daughters, total 4. Nabû-kumu'a, single; Basasu, single; Nabû-šezibanni, single; Nabû-išdiya-ka''in, single; Kakkullanu, single. (Blank space of three lines) Total: 41 people from Arbela that I have given to Zababa as tillers. (Space of one line) (They are) under the responsibility of ...; nobody else shall exercise authority over them. (Space of one line) [...... o]r a bearded courtier or a [eunuc]h [...... o]r a [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 088 — Gift of Sennacherib for Esarhaddon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01620b; ABL 1452. Assigned to Sennacherib's reign, proposed date 683-681 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 088; SAAo P334915.

Obverse

Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria — golden bracelets inlaid with ivory, a golden crown, a golden necklace, rings for the upper arm; all these pieces of jewellery, inlaid with agate, ..., and chalcedony, weighing 1 1/2 minas and 2 1/2 shekels, I gave to Esarhaddon, my son, who henceforth shall be called Aššur-etellu-mukin-apli, as a token of love.

Reverse

(From) the booty of Bit-Amukani. Let the one who trusts in you not come to shame, O Nabû.

SAA 12 089 — Royal Votive Gift for Ištar of Arbela

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1730; IAsb pl.50. Assigned to the reign of Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal, proposed date 680-669 or 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 089; SAAo P336176.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......], Raṣappa, Bit-Zam[ani] [......] ... of the province of Upu[mu] [......], a gardener, bakers, cooks, br[ewers] [......]s I handed over to Ištar residing in Arbela, my lady. [......] those sheep which I donated, [......] 2 litres of wine daily, 10 sheep month[ly]. [For the preservation of m]y [life], the lengthening of my days, the longevity of my kingship, and the destruction of my enemies, [... I ...ed] and in Egašankalamma until distant days I [established]. [The decrees of the king]s, my fathers, I added to and confirmed. [......]... may your heart rejoice, [may] your mood [be happy] [......]s, choicest drink; continually bless [my] king[ship]. Decree [for me a fate of peace of body and] mind, of achieving what I strive for. [......]... and intercede for [me]. [...... the b]ursaggu-offerings which are made to [you] [......] Girru ...[...] [...... which] I dedic[ated]. (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 12 090 — Assurbanipal Recovers a Stolen Village

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 02564; IAsb pl.21. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 090; SAAo P336174.

Obverse

For Sin, foremost of heaven and earth, [......], the honored Namraṣit, power without equal, [......], the compassionate lord who [...]s to the king who is pious to him, [......] — I am Assurbanipal, great king, mighty king, ki[ng of the world, king of Assyria], who heeds his weighty command a[nd ......]. Il-yabi, the eu[nuch of ...], who a village in its entirety amounting to such and such [an area of land and orchards ...] to Sin residing in Elumu o[f his own accord donated as a votive offering] for the preservation of the life of the ki[ng and set up a stele]; afterwards, his disposition changed and he took [that stele] away by thievery and [took that village] for [his own]. Sin, the great lord, to whom duplicity is anathema, [......] saw this deed and the hidden things [......]. That stele to [...... and] I read it and I r[espected] the command of Sin, my lord, [and ...... and] had the stele fashioned anew and pr[aise of Sin, my lord, my written name, and] the village in its entirety amounting to such and such an area of land [and orchards ......] I had inscribed on it and to Si[n, ......], for the preservation of my life I [donated it] anew [and ...]. O Sin, exalted lord of the gods, [......], [accept] this village, fields and orchards joyfully [...... and] give me a life of long days, ... [......]; establish for me we[llbeing, joy, ...] by the command of your pure mouth.

Reverse

May [my] dynasty renew itself forever [......]. May Nikkal, your beloved spouse, [look upon my] deeds [with favour]. Whoever disputes these fields and orchards with Sin, my lord, [......] be he a later king, a governor, a prefect, a [......], or by force [......]; or [destroys] the stele (with) the praise of Sin, my lord, [and my written name], or by any kind of treachery [or ......] carries it off and to ...[......], may Sin, the great lord, who lights up the dark[ness, ......] make his face ever darker and [......] and make his portents evil and [......]. (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 12 091 — Memorandum Concerning Votive Donation

Tablet; clay; Sultantepe (Huzirina). Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi, Ankara, AMM —; STT 406+. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 668-ca. 631 (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 091; SAAo P338720.

Obverse

[The servants of] Ištar of Huzirina, [that the king] has given [to] Nusku. [NN], son of Se'-dillini, baker [NN], cupbearer [NN], ditto [NN], cook [N]N, [son of] Kabar-Dadi, ditto Nasrâ, son of [Q]arhâ, [...] Nanî, son of Li[...]su, [...] Miniwî, so[n of N]N, [...] [N]N, [son of B]alasu, [...] [NN, son of N]N, [...] (Break) N[N, son of NN, ...] Qarhâ, son of [NN, ...] Nušku-šezibanni, son of [NN, ...] Bir-yatate, son of [NN, ...] Našuh-suri, son of Adda-[..., ...] Rahime-Dadi, son of Il-gab[biri, ...] Nušku-ayali, son of N[N, ...] Šer-barakki, so[n of NN, ...] Anu-nuri [son of NN, ...] Mu[g]ara, [son of NN, ...] Auirâ, s[on of NN, ...] Se'-ita, son of [NN, ...]

Reverse

[NN], son of [NN, ...] [...]ni, son of Il-qat[ar, ...] Allî, daughter of [NN, ...] Inurta-šumu-iddina, son of Hanî, [...] Bar-[...], son of Dadi-qa[tar, ...] Aruas-madi, son of Il-u[..., ...] Atar-yati' in [...] Il-gabbiri, son of Ahatâ Sin-..., son of Bel-Harran-ilê, [...] Ura[s]u, son of Si[...] [...]-šallimanni, son of Se'-laua[ni] [......]-pahir [......] (Break) Bi-qatar, [......] Atar-y[atî, ......] Atar-[idr]i [......] Našu[h-m]adi, son of [Ṣ]ua[......] Sal[am]u-annu, Aruas-mad[i ...] Naš[u]h-madi, son of [N]anî, confectio[ner] [S]e'-madi, son [of] Asalluhi-duri, ditto [Ab]i-ul-idi, son of Zabdî [A]r[u]as-ma[di], son of Bi-Nanaya [NN, son of] Bayâ [NN], son of Atar-suri [...]te, son of Se'-qatar [... x+]70 hectares of field in Huzirina

Edge

Našuh-madi, Sa[..., ...]s, ...[...] to Ištar wh[o dwells in Huzi]rina [(...)].

Chapter Seven. Private Votive Donations

SAA 12 092–098. 7 texts.

SAA 12 092 — Four Men Donate a Bastard to Ninurta

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00382; ADD 0640. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign (668–ca. 631 BC). SAA 12 092; SAAo P335553.

Obverse

Seal of [Bel]-na'id, seal of [Nabû]-na'id, his brother, seal of Urad-Issar, son of Bel-na'id, seal of Šumma-[u]ssezib, son of Kanunayu — in all 4 men, owners of the man being dedicated to Ninurta of Calah. (cylinder seal impressions) Dur-maki-Issar, son of Ra'imtu the sister of [Bel]-na'id and of Nabû-na'id, who gave birth to him during her prostitution — they have brought him up and presented him as a gift to Ninurta, their lord. For labour-duty or corvée work he is considered part of the temple of Ninurta. Any future person: do not cast aside the wording of this document; Ninurta will hear your prayer. But whoever casts (it) aside, may Ninurta, who is called on in his prayer, turn and punish him.

Reverse

Witness Iddin-Ea, priest of Ninurta. Witness Nabû-šumu-uṣur, priest of Nabû. Witness Marduk-šarru-uṣur, priest of Nabû. Witness Muše[zi]b-Nabû, scribe. Witness Nabû-[ahu]-uṣur, palace manager. Witness Ubr[u-Na]bû, palace manager. Witness [Ṣil]li-bel-[dall]i, overseer of the household of the crown prince. Witness Remanni-Šamaš, scribe. Witness Salim-ken, scribe. Witness Urad-[Issar], priest of Ištar; witness [NN], priest of Adad; witness [NN], incenser; witness [NN], chief singer of Ninurta; witness Šulmanu-[...], cook of the temple of Ninurta; in all 5 men, temple [enterers]. Witness Nanî, temple steward of Nabû. Witness Urdu, temple cook of the temple of Nabû. Witness Nergal-šumu-iddina, son of Nabû-mudammiq, scribe, keeper of the contract. Month Elul (VI), 18th day, eponym year of Aššur-gimilli-tere, chief treasurer.

[1 line of the Reverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

SAA 12 093 — Mannu-de’iq Donates his Son to Ninurta

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00418; ADD 0641. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign (668–ca. 631 BC). SAA 12 093; SAAo P335554.

Obverse

To Ninurta of Calah — Mannu-de'iq, shield bearer of the eunuch, has presented Nabû-maqtu-šatbi, his son, (stamp seal impressions) to Ninurta, the powerful, the mightiest of the gods, the warrior, for the life of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, to Ninurta of Calah as a gift. Whoever takes him away from Ninurta, whether his prefect, his commander-of-fifty, his un[cle], his cousin, or [his ...], by force or through vi[ndication] —

Bottom Edge

May Ninurta defeat him with a merciless weapon. May Gula place a never-healing sore on his body. May Adad, canal inspector of heaven and earth, make [him perish] through famine. May Nabû [curse him] with a curse that cannot be undone. May Ištar residing in [Arbela] [clothe him] with lepro[sy].

Reverse

May Aššur, [Sin, Šamaš], Bel, [Nergal], Ninurta and Gula make his name and [his seed] disappear [from the land of Assyria]. Month [...], 11th day, eponym year of Bulluṭu. Witness Iddin-Ea, priest of Ninurta. Witness Nabû-šumu-uṣur, priest of Nabû. Witness Ubru-Nabû, palace manager. Witness Nabû-ahu-uṣur, palace manager. Witness Našuh-d[alâ], mayor. Witness Urad-Issar. Witness Dudû. Witness Inurta-mutaqqin. Witness Dilil-Issar. Witness Ahu-eriba. Witness Arzabutu.

SAA 12 094 — The Ninurta Temple Purchases a Devotee

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00296; ADD 0642. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign (668–ca. 631 BC). SAA 12 094; SAAo P335555.

Obverse

Seal of Na'id-Issar, seal of Aššur-matka-da''in, sons of Issar-šumu-iddina, weaver of the queen, owner of the man being sold. (stamp seal impressions) Šumma-Nabû, weaver of multicoloured trim, their servant — Iddin-Ea, priest of Ninurta, has contracted, purchased and bought him for Ninurta residing in Calah for 1/2 mina of silver from Na'id-Issar, (and) from Aššur-matka-da''in. Any revocation, lawsuit or litigation is void. Whoever in the future, at any [time], lodges a complaint or [breaks the contract, wh]ether [these] men [or ......], (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] any litigants of [theirs ...] [......] shall place 10 minas of [refined silver (and) x] minas of pure gold in the lap of Ninurta residing in Calah, and shall return the money tenfold to its owners. He shall contest in his lawsuit and not succeed. (Guaranteed against) seizures of epilepsy for 100 days (and against) fraud forever. Witness Nabû-šumu-uṣur, priest of Nabû. Witness Aššur-šarru-uṣur, chariot driver of the chief eunuch. Witness Ṣilli-bel-dalli, overseer of the household. Witness Urad-Issar, priest of the Kidm[ur]i temple. Witness Salim-kenu, scribe. Witness Remanni-Šamaš, ditto of the palace manager. Witness Danninu. (Witness) Pulu.

Right Edge

Witness Ubru-Nabû, palace manager. Witness Dudû, temple steward of [DN]. Witness Nanî, ditto of [Nabû]. Witness Nabû-ahhe-riba, ditto. Adad-na[...].

Edge

Month Tammuz (IV), 17th day, eponym year of Zababa-eri[ba]. Witness Ribate. Witness Na'dî. Witness Ṭur[i...]

SAA 12 095 — A Man Donates his two Nephews to Nabu

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, IM 067588. Assigned to Ashurbanipal's reign, proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 095; SAAo P336733.

Obverse

[Seal of ...]ayu, [owner of the people being g]iven. (seal impressions) Urad-Issar and Nabû-hamatu[a], in all 2 sons of La-ṣahittu, his sister — He has fed them and kept them alive, wea[ned them] and brought them up. He made [them] free from claims and g[ave them] to Nabû of Cal[ah], his lord. Whoever claims to have autho[rity] over them or tries to take them from the control of Nabû by force — May Nabû, scribe of the universe, make his name and his seed disappear from the land, [curse] him with a horrible curse that [cannot be undone] and [command] that [his] life not (last) a day (longer).

Reverse

May Tašmetum, [great] daughter-in-law, vi[lify] him before Nabû, her spouse, may [she decree] an unpleasant fate for him and [grant] him neither peace of mind nor [body]. Witness Iddin-Ea, priest of Ninurta. Witness Nabû-šumu-uṣur, priest of Nabû. Witness Nabû-šarru-uṣur, overseer of the household. Witness Nabû'a, merch[ant ...]. Witness Tabalayu, ditto. Witness [...]a, chanter [...]. [Witness NN], chief musician of Nabû. [Witness Urdu, co]ok of the temple of Nabû. [Witness ...]-..., household cook of the temple of Nabû. [Witness Nabû-ahu-iddina], firewood supplier of ditto. [Witness Abu]-ila'i, son of a cupbearer of ditto. [Witness NN], gate-guard. [Witness NN], chief ... of ditto. [Witness NN, sc]ribe of ditto. [Month ..., xth day, eponym year of Am]yanu, [governor of Q]ue. [Witness NN, ..., keeper of the con]tract. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 096 — Nabu-sakip Donates two Slaves and an Estate to Nabu

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad. Assigned to Sîn-šarru-iškun's reign (ca. 626–612 BC). SAA 12 096; SAAo P336734.

Obverse

To Nabû who dwells in Ezida in Calah, great lord, his lord — (seal impression) Nabû-sakip, son of Ahhe-damqu — Lul[...] and Palhu-ušezib, in all 2 sons of Isse-Urkittu-libbi, his slaves; and an estate of 7 hectares of field in the town Ṣabat-lukun, adjoining the road going to Ṣabat-lukun, adjoining the road going to the village of the vizier, adjoining the field of Adumu, the Sidonian, adjoining the field of Ba'al-haluṣu, commander of [fif]ty — for the preservation of the life of Sin-šarru-iškun, king of Assyria, his lord, and the preservation of the life of his queen, he dedicated and presented (them) to Nabû, his lord. Whoever in the future, at any time, lodges a complaint and raises objections, whether a future prince, his prefect, his neighbour, anyone connected with him, his labour-duty superior, his ..., his sons, his grandsons, his brothers or his nephews, tries to exercise authority or, without the permission of Nabû, imposes labour-duty or corvée work on him or takes him away from the service of Nabû by force —

Reverse

May Nabû, who dwells in Ezida, by his weapon deliver him into the hands of the king. May Tašmetum, the spouse of Nabû, accuse him before Nabû her husband. May Šamaš, judge of heaven and earth, take away his eyesight so that he wanders perpetually in darkness. May Mar Biti, grand vizier of Nabû, make his name and his seed disappear from the land. [These are the witnesses] who heard the words of this tablet: [NN], eunuch of the king; [Arbayu], the mayor of Calah; [NN], royal delegate of the temple of Nabû and the temple of Ninurta; [...]-šarru-uṣur, priest of Nabû; Tab[ni]-Issar, chief ...; In[...]i, palace manager; Harṣû, palace manager; Gallulu, temple steward of Ninurta; Nanî, temple steward of Nabû; Nabû-ahu-iddina, firewood supplier; Abdî, merchant;

Right Edge

Inurta-eriba, merchant. Month Tishri (VII), 25th day, eponym year of Bel-iqbi, governor of Tušhan.

Edge

Urdu, cook of the temple of Nabû. Nabû-kuṣuranni, scribe. Šumu-ukin, cohort commander of the household of the queen. Aššur-matu-taqqin, [... of the] palace superintendent of the queen.

SAA 12 097 — Private Votive Donation to Nabu

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). British Museum; NARGD 37. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 097; SAAo P336278.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) 100 rams [......] he has cleared (of claims) and [donated] to Nabû, [his lord]. Whoever raises a claim against t[hose] people and tries to assert his authority over them, may the mighty king, lord of lords, [...], Marduk and [his] s[pous]e Zarpanitu make his dynasty disappear from the land; may Nabû, the scribe of Esaggil, shorten his long days and may Tašmetu, the spouse of Nabû, speak unfavourably of him in the presence of her husband Nabû.

[1 line of the Obverse is too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Reverse

May Ištar dwelling in Arbela fill him with leprosy and cut off his entrance to temple and palace, and [may] Ninurta dwelling in Calah slay him with his [sharp] arrow. [Witness NN, the] mayor [of Calah] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 12 098 — Aššur-reṣuwa Donates Property and People to Nabu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, BM 118796; SAAB 01 59. Proposed date 7th century (SAAo's own notation). SAA 12 098; SAAo P336797.

Obverse

To Nabû, great lord, his lord, Aššur-reṣuwa [has dedicated] for the preservation of his life and the prolongation of his days: a house in the city of Calah; an estate of 30 homers of tax-exempt land in the village of Mallaṣi; Remanni-Ištar, a farmer and 3 persons (of his family); Nabû-qata-ṣabat, Nabû-nashir and Ṣil-Nabû, a shepherd and 3 persons (of his family), with his sheep; Kapar-ili, a baker; an estate of 12 homers of land in the town of Urad-Ištar, the farmer ...... (Break)

Reverse

(Three lines illegible) (Two lines illegible) (Four lines illegible) May Marduk, king of heaven and earth [impose on him] a heavy punishment, [may] Gula, the great physician, [visit him with a curse] which cannot be cured ...... (One line illegible) May [DN], ferocious hero [......] smite him with his weapons.

[5 lines of the Reverse are too damaged for SAAo's published translation; nothing is invented here to fill the gap.]

Colophon

Source and license. This edition reproduces the English translation of the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo, oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa12/), the digital edition of Laura Kataja and Robert M. Whiting, Grants, Decrees and Gifts of the Neo-Assyrian Period (State Archives of Assyria 12; Helsinki University Press, 1995), lemmatised by Mikko Luukko (2018) as part of the research programme of the Alexander von Humboldt Chair in the Ancient History of the Near and Middle East at LMU Munich (Karen Radner, Humboldt Professorship 2015), fetched 2026-08-08. SAAo's own text credits state the annotated edition is "released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license 3.0"; the project's machine-readable catalogue data carries the further statement "This data is released under the CC0 license" (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). Both statements are recorded here; this edition credits SAAo, Laura Kataja, Robert M. Whiting, and Mikko Luukko regardless of which license term governs a given file, per academic courtesy and the Good Work Library's own attribution practice.

What this edition is. The English text above is SAAo's own published translation of all 98 tablets edited in Kataja and Whiting's Grants, Decrees and Gifts of the Neo-Assyrian Period, reproduced complete and verbatim from the project's HTML reading editions and reformatted from an interlinear line-by-line display into continuous reading prose. The seven-part division follows the print edition's own chapters, and each tablet's obverse, reverse, edges, and columns are marked where the source itself marks them. No word has been altered, paraphrased, or supplied by this library. Brackets, ellipses, and parenthetical markers such as "(!)" and "(?)" are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or grammatically uncertain cuneiform.

Gap disclosure. This is a fragmentary corpus of Neo-Assyrian legal and administrative tablets, and the source reflects that: 2,346 of 2,400 tablet lines (97.8%) carry a published translation cell or an explicit SAAo editorial note; 34 of the 98 tablets have at least one internal stretch — most often a single illegible line amid otherwise-translated text — where neither survives, 54 lines in all, and each such gap is marked in place rather than filled. Where SAAo's own editorial apparatus supplies a note describing an untranslated or physically distinctive stretch — "(Beginning destroyed)," "(Break)," "(Rest uninscribed)," "(cylinder seal impressions)," and similar — that note is kept in place verbatim. 83 of these notes exist in SAAo's own published page only as a transliteration-side annotation beside an otherwise empty translation cell, rather than duplicated into the translation cell itself; they are carried into this edition in the same bracketed form for the same reason SAAo publishes them, with no wording changed, only enclosing parentheses added where SAAo's own formatting omitted them. One tablet (SAA 12 076) is served by SAAo only as a raw transliteration-and-translation text block rather than an interlinear reading table; its translation is drawn from that same published block by the identical verbatim rule.

Composite identification. Each tablet above is given by its SAA 12 catalogue number, its museum or excavation registration number where recorded, its citation in the earlier Assyriological literature (KAV, ADD, NARGD, PKTA, and similar) where SAAo notes one, and its SAAo text ID (a CDLI P-number, or in one instance a Q-number) under which the full transliteration and morphological analysis can be studied further at SAAo's own site.

Prepared for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church with AI-assisted research, transcription, and editorial work.

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