State Archives of Assyria 13 — Temple Officials Write to the Crown

Between roughly 680 and the early 630s BCE, under the Assyrian kings Esarhaddon and his son Assurbanipal, temple stewards, priests, mayors, and other officials attached to the great sanctuaries of Assyria and Babylonia wrote regularly to the crown. Their letters survive from Assur, seat of the god Aššur's own temple; from Calah (Nimrud); from Arbela, cult city of Ištar; from Nineveh; from Babylon; and from a scatter of smaller towns — Kurba'il, Harran, Kilizi, and others. Most concern the ordinary business of running a temple under royal patronage: building and repair work on shrines and their fittings, the movement of temple silver, gold, and materials such as serpentine and cedar, disputes over property and personnel, requests for the king's ruling on a contested matter, and the courtesies of the letter form itself — health, blessing, and loyalty. Steven W. Cole and Peter Machinist edited these 210 tablets and fragments in 1998 as "Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Priests to Kings Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal," State Archives of Assyria volume 13. This edition follows their own sixteen chapters exactly: letters are grouped first by the city they were sent from, then, within several of those cities, by the individual official who wrote them, with a final chapter gathering letters that could not be assigned to a known sender or place.

None of these 210 letters carries an internal date allowing it to be pinned to a particular year; the whole corpus can only be assigned, as a body, to the shared reign-span of Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal. One catalogue entry, SAA 13 041, is a tablet published together with its own clay envelope; the envelope carries no separate number of its own in this edition (SAAo's own catalogue records it only as "and envelope (= SAA 13 042)"), so the sequence of numbers below passes directly from 041 to 043 with no independent SAA 13 042.

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 markers such as "(?)" and "(!)" are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or uncertain cuneiform. These are working letters on small, often fragmentary tablets, and many break exactly where a sender's name, a place, or the substance of a request would otherwise stand: 167 lines across 109 of the 210 texts are too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation, and each such gap is marked in place — by SAAo's own words where SAAo records one ("beginning broken away," "rest uninscribed," "blank space of one line"), otherwise disclosed plainly — rather than filled.

Contents

• Chapter One. Royal Letters — Letters from the King — SAA 13 001–007
• Chapter Two. Letters from Assur — Marduk-šallim-ahhe, Scribe of the Aššur Temple — SAA 13 008–017
• Chapter Three. Letters from Assur — Dadi — SAA 13 018–024
• Chapter Four. Letters from Assur — Sin-na’di, Mayor of Assur — SAA 13 025–029
• Chapter Five. Letters from Assur — Varia — SAA 13 030–055
• Chapter Six. Letters from Calah — Urdu-Nabu — SAA 13 056–069
• Chapter Seven. Letters from Calah — Nergal-šarrani — SAA 13 070–077
• Chapter Eight. Letters from Calah — Nabu-šumu-iddina/Nadinu, Inspector of the Nabu Temple — SAA 13 078–123
• Chapter Nine. Letters from Calah — Varia — SAA 13 124–137
• Chapter Ten. Letters from Arbela — Aššur-hamatu’a — SAA 13 138–142
• Chapter Eleven. Letters from Arbela — Varia — SAA 13 143–153
• Chapter Twelve. Letters from Nineveh — Varia — SAA 13 154–160
• Chapter Thirteen. Letters from Babylon — Urdu-ahhešu — SAA 13 161–172
• Chapter Fourteen. Letters from Babylon — Rašil and Šuma-iddin — SAA 13 173–185
• Chapter Fifteen. Letters from Various Locations — Kurba’il, Harran, Kilizi, etc. — SAA 13 186–190
• Chapter Sixteen. Unassigned and Unattributed Letters — SAA 13 191–211

Chapter One. Royal Letters — Letters from the King

SAA 13 001–007. 7 texts.

SAA 13 001 — If There is Extra Serpentine, You May Have Some

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, Germany, VAT 11510; KAV 114. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 001; SAAo P285574.

Obverse

The word of the king to Aššur-mudammiq, Aššur-šarru-uṣur and Aššur-hussanni. I am well — you may be happy too. Concerning the serpentine that is in the house of the temple steward about which you wrote to me — it is good that you wrote and informed me. Now then, I will write that they check on the extra stones about which you told me. They will give (you) as many as are appropriate to give for (such) work.

SAA 13 002 — Gutters for the Temple of Aššur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14569; CT 53 520. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 002; SAAo P313933.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [They] should transport [here a ...] 12 cubits [...] and [x] cubits thick and lay it [down] in the temple of Aššur. They [will be used] for the gutt[ers] of the temple of Aššur. I have written to you; do n[ot be negligent]. (rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 13 003 — Do Your Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01134; ABL 0607. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 003; SAAo P334420.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] No[w] do the [wo]rk. The [...] of Aššur [will act as]intercessor. And concerning Bel-le'i about whom you wrote: "Bel-le'i [will do] the work." I will personally examine his report.

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

Bottom Edge

(edge uninscribed)

Reverse

The metalworker of the Assyrians is saying: "They are not denouncing the horse trainer. You mustn't seize (him)." They are exami[ning] the [...]-owner's horses. Now you, [...], do your [wo]rk, and [make your] name [good befo]re me. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 004 — There will be an Intercalary Adar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0030; ABL 0401. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 004; SAAo P237242.

Obverse

Order of the ki[ng] to Zeruti and to the clergy of Der. I am well, you may be content. Be informed that there will be an intercalary Adar (XIII). Perform the festival and rites of my gods in a propitious month.

Reverse

(Traces of date on reverse)

SAA 13 005 — There will be an Intercalary Adar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0071; ABL 1258. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 005; SAAo P237678.

Obverse

Order of the king to Nabû-iddina and to the clergy of Cutha. I am well, you may be content. Be informed that there will be an intercalary Adar (XIII). [Perform the festival] and rites [of] my [god]s [in a propitious month].

Reverse

(Traces of date on reverse)

SAA 13 006 — Enlil will Go Out in Ayyar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0020; ABL 1172. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 006; SAAo P237663.

Obverse

[Order of the king to NN]. [I am] well, you may be content. Concerning what you wrote, saying: "In the month of Iyyar (II) Enlil will go out into the fort of [...]" — let him go out safely. Let [your] guard be st[rong]. And as soon as [he has entered], writ[e to me] about [Enlil's] well-being.

SAA 13 007 — Golden Waters and Flood Monsters

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01051; ABL 0580. Sender: Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal. SAA 13 007; SAAo P334399.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Concerning the chief of] the masons [about whom you wrote] to me: I have now issued an order. And concerning the ... about which you wrote to me: they should make them with cedar. And concerning the golden waters about which you spoke to me: write to Marduk-šarru-uṣur, Marduk-eriba, Nergal-šarru-uṣur, the 'third man,' and Issar-šumu-ereš (that) they should go; if it can be done, they will make the gold available; they will also inspect those Flood monsters.

Reverse

And concerning the bronze and iron about which you wrote to me: write me how much the Flood monster of [...]. (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Two. Letters from Assur — Marduk-šallim-ahhe, Scribe of the Aššur Temple

SAA 13 008–017. 10 texts.

SAA 13 008 — No Deliveries from Talmusu on the 5th of Kanunu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05213B; ABL 1023. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 008; SAAo P334682.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Bel, Nabû, Sin, Šamaš, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela very g]reatly bless [the king, my] lord. May they give to the king, my lord, lon[g days] and years of physical well-being. This 5th day of Kanun (X) belongs to Talmusu. Nothing has been brought; no one came. Nevertheless for the sake of the life of the king, my lord, [I have performed and p]resented every sac[rifice] before Aššur [and the gods of] the king, my lord.

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 009 — No Deliveries from Talmusu on the 5th of the Month

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0011; ABL 1171. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 009; SAAo P334769.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Bel, Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela very greatly bless the king, my lord. May they give to the king, my lord, long days and years of physical well-being. This 5th day belongs to Talmusu. No oxen, no rams — nothing whatever has come.

Reverse

For the s[ake of the li]fe of the k[ing, m]y [lord, ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 010 — No Deliveries from Talmusu on the [5th] of Kanunu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1904-10-09, 0041; ABL 1384. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 010; SAAo P334878.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Bel, Nabû, Sin, Šamaš, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela very greatly bless the king, my lord. May they give to the king, my lord, long days and years of physical well-being. This [5th day] of Kanun (X) belongs to Talmusu. No oxen, no rams — nothing whatever has been brought. For the sake of the life of the king, my lord, his name, and [his] progeny, I have carried out the sacrifices before Aššur and the gods of the king, my lord. I have prepared the entire meal to perfection and brought it into the presence of Aššur.

SAA 13 011 — No Deliveries from Kurba’il on the [5th] of the Month

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0282; ABL 1160. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 011; SAAo P334764.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May they give to the king], [m]y [lor]d [......]. Th[is 5th day of the month ... belongs to] Kurba'il. [Noth]ing has been brought. [...], early in the morning [that which NN] brought he left before the gate. I did [not ...] or see [the ...] who brought it. (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) I have completely carried out [the sacri]fices of the 5th day [fo]r the king, my lord, and his lord. I performed them [be]fore Aššur and the gods [of] the king, my lord. I also prepared to perfection the entire meal for the [5]th. [...] just as [NN ...] [...] the father of the kin[g, my lord] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 012 — The Sanctuary of Mullissu is Completed

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0056; ABL 1092. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 012; SAAo P334730.

Obverse

To the king, my lord, your servant, Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Bel, Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela very greatly bless the king, my lord. May they give to the king, my lord, long days and numerous years of happiness and physical well-being. The sanctuary of Mullissu is completely built. Iyyar (II) and Sivan (III) are favorable months. In the Abšegeda (almanac) it is written as follows: "On the 11th day, the god of the temple will be favorably disposed toward the temple." If the king, my lord, commands: "[On the 11th da]y of Sivan (III), let Mullissu rise and take up residence [in] her sanctuary."

Reverse

(Break) of/which ...[...]. Sin [......] [......] [...... sacri]fice [......] [......] Now Iyyar and Sivan are favorable months. Let the king, my lord, give the order that they should hold back the kettledrums. Only one copper kettledrum will circumambulate the temples.

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

SAA 13 013 — Grain for the Kushites and Egyptians in Assur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0159; ABL 1143. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 013; SAAo P334752.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Bel, Nabû, Sin, Šamaš, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbel]a [greatly] bless the [king, my lord]. May they give to the king, my lord, long days and many years of happiness. [Concerning] the fie[ld] and the seed and stored grain of the [Kushit]es and Egyptians [about which the king] wrote to me, his servant, saying: "[Why do you take] grain rations [of the Kushites]?" — [......] (Break)

Reverse

However, now I am attending [to the ...] of the Kushites. I will bring forth and give [them] what [...], and I will completely work [the field] of theirs which was not cultivated.

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

SAA 13 014

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01063; ABL 0979. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 014; SAAo P334657.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. [Good hea]lth to the king, my lord. May [Aššur], Sin, Šamaš, Bel, Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar o[f Arbela greatly bless the king, my lord ...].

Reverse

(Break) [What is it that the king, my lord], commands?

SAA 13 015

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0118; ABL 1218. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 015; SAAo P334800.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: yo[ur servant], Marduk-šallim-ahhe, the one who blesses you. [Good health to] the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Bel, Nabû, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela very greatly bless the king, my lord. [May they give to the king, my lord, l]ong [days] and [years of ha]ppiness. The [...]s [......] (Rest destroyed or uninscribed)

Reverse

(beginning of reverse broken away; remainder uninscribed)

SAA 13 016 — Final Accounting Made

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 1763; ABL 0840. Sender: Ṭab-šar-Sin, Akkullanu, Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 016; SAAo P334585.

Obverse

[To the king, our lord]: y[our servants], Ṭab-šar-Sin, Akkullanu, and Marduk-šallim-ahhe. [Good health t]o the king, our lord. [May Aššur, (Sin)], Šamaš, [Nabû], Marduk [...... bless the king, our lord] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) We did [not] perform [the ......]. [... we will writ]e to the king, [our lord, con]cerning the final accounting of [the ...]. (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 017 — Sheep for the Temple of Dagan

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01153; ABL 0615. Sender: Marduk-šallim-ahhe. SAA 13 017; SAAo P334427.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Concerning the ... incumbent] upon Kilizi and Dur-Samedi — NN, the [...] of the governor of [...] (normally) brings it and makes it pass before [me], and they (then) seal it and bring it to the Inner City. [Now] nothing [...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [7 sheep o]f Kilizi, 10 sheep of Dur-samedi — total: 17 sheep for the temple of Dagan — are at the disposal of the king. They did not transfer them here. They are on the other bank [...]. The king, my lord [...] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Three. Letters from Assur — Dadi

SAA 13 018–024. 7 texts.

SAA 13 018 — Lapsed and Undelivered Offerings

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00548; ABL 0724. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 018; SAAo P334513.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant, D]adî. [Good health t]o the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. Two oxen and 20 sheep, offerings of the king's heart (to be provided) by Diquqina, have not been delivered. The king, my lord, should inquire about them. Three rams are for the temple of Dag[an, x] are for the town of [... for the me]al of [...]. It has now been [x] years that they have not been delivering. They have ceased. The king, my lord [should ...] his soldiers.

Reverse

The priest of Aššur consumes [(...)] 20 sheep from the [offerin]gs of Shebat (XI). Last year I wrote to the king, my lord, about it. The king, my lord, wrote back, saying: "Assign (them) to the storehouse for pickled meat." I assigned (them). Now the temple scribe is saying to me: "Give (them) to the harem governess of the Inner City." Now then, I have written to the king, my lord. What is it [that] the [ki]ng, my lord, commands?

SAA 13 019 — Recalcitrant Assyrian Shepherds

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0024; ABL 0726. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 019; SAAo P334515.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, [my] lord: your servant, Dadî. [Go]od health to the king, [my] lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. From the beginning of the month until now the shepherd responsible for the cultic meals has refused to go for his tax collection. I myself am buying sheep from the market (lit. 'The city gate') and fattening them. The shepherd who serves in the house of the [harus]pices also did [not] come [for the tax collection. ...he has not t]aken the sheep [...], therefore I [cannot] give them.

Reverse

(If) these people, who are Assyr[ians], refuse to fear the [king], my lord, how will foreign[ers] behave [towards] the king, my lord? [Per]haps the king, my lord, [will s]ay: "Where [are th]ey from?" — Arbailaiu and Šamaš-abu-uṣur are from Luddin-ilu; [...]-aplu-eriba is from Salammê. [The ki]ng, my lord, [should call] his servants to account. Otherwise [......]

Right Edge

(Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 020 — Shepherds Turned Criminal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0067; ABL 0727. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 020; SAAo P334516.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Dadî. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. Arbailayu and Girittu, the shepherds responsible for the cultic meals, from Luddin-ilu — It has [no]w been seven years [sin]ce they have given sheep [to] the king. [They re]fuse to come in [for the tax col]lection. They do not fear [the king]. They rove about like runaways.

Reverse

I have now written to them as follows: "Why do you not fear the king?" Ten men run around with them, draped with weapons, saying: "Whoever comes against us we will cut down with (our) bows."

Right Edge

I have now written to the king, my lord. The king, my lord, should c[all] his servants [to account].

SAA 13 021 — Big Problems with Sheep Deliveries

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1904-10-09, 0026 (+)? Sm 1097; CT 53 129. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 021; SAAo P313544.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: yo[ur servant, Dadî]. Good heal[th to the king, my lord]. May Nabû and [Mardu]k ble[ss] the [king, my lord]. Your father ma[de] a decision. The previous year, the king [...]ed 10,000 sheep [...]. Now then, it's been four year[s s]ince they would give (any). The servants o[f the king] have dispersed [the sheep. ....]

Bottom Edge

The king, my lord, [commanded]: "[The ...] shall provide these sheep [...]," (but) the [...] are assigning [...] to the prefect and giving [the sheep].

Reverse

Now (it is) the second year (that) Raṣappa and Arzuhina refuse to give the tribute sheep. [I have] three times [written] to the king, my lord [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 022 — Tracking Down Deliveries

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05560; CT 53 281. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 022; SAAo P313696.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] of the 'third m[en]' about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, saying: "Assign it to the storehouse for pi[ckled meat]" — I assigned it.

Reverse

I have hea[rd] that at the same time they [...] 5,000 [...]. I have now written to the king, [my lord]. Wha[t is it that the king, my lord, commands]? (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 023 — Sacrifice of Bulls, Rams, and Spring Lambs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00606; ABL 0184. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 023; SAAo P334129.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Dadî. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. [I/they ......] 2 bulls, 3 rams, and 3 white spring lamb[s ...] in Dur-[...] before [ ...]. (Break)

Reverse

[......]. I/He/They ha[ve ...]. Wh[at] is it that the king, [my] lo[rd], commands?

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

SAA 13 024

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12989; ABL 0725. Sender: Dadi. SAA 13 024; SAAo P334514.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant], Dadî. [Good health] to the king, my lord. [May Nabû and Mard]uk [bless] the king, my lord. [The ...] of the overseer of the palace should ask [...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [...]... [...] are/is well. [As] he does not have access to the king [and] all of his men [are...] [he should not] enter the palace.

Right Edge

[His men] will run around.

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

Chapter Four. Letters from Assur — Sin-na’di, Mayor of Assur

SAA 13 025–029. 5 texts.

SAA 13 025 — Arrest of Temple Thieves

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00598; ABL 0150. Sender: Sin-na’di. SAA 13 025; SAAo P334096.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Sin-na'di, mayor of the Inner City, whom the king, my lord, appointed. May Aššur and Ešarra bless the king, my lord. ...[...]... ... of the thieves ... [...] ... gold. [...] ... I interrogated (him and) recovered half a mina of gold. [W]hen I re[cove]red it, I wrote to the king, my lord. Now there is another thief. I arrested him on the 21st. I myself and Ṭab-šar-Sin interrogated him and recovered the gold.

Reverse

Perhaps they [will sa]y to the king, my lord: "[He is] a st[aff-bearer]." (But) Nabû-ahhe-šallim captured temple thieves before me. This is the second time. Let Nabû-ahhe-šallim come and ask questions. But the city must not be wrecked on account of repressive measures. The king, my lord, should appoint a city overseer.

SAA 13 026 — More on the Arrest of Temple Thieves

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00634; ABL 0551. Sender: Sin-na’di. SAA 13 026; SAAo P334376.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant, Sin-na'di, may[or of the Inner City]. May Aššur and Ešarra bless the king, my lord. I am here; I came to greet the king, my lord. I have been informed that the sheet of gold of the temple of Aššur which they took [has been recovered]. The [... and] the thieves [...] are in custody, and the [...] who took the gold (from them) is in hand. Basali, the goldsmith, has come and remou[nted it]. I heard (first-hand) and wr[ote] to the [king], my lord.

SAA 13 027 — Service at the Offering Pipes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0093; ABL 0812. Sender: Sin-na’di. SAA 13 027; SAAo P334566.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Sin-na'di, mayor of the Inner City. May Aššur and [Ešarra] bless the king, my lord. May they grant you long days and an everlasting throne. The king [......] who [......] [......] of [...] ... [......] strong [......] ... [......] Now [......] ...

Reverse

[......] [......] t[o...] the king, my lord I have wr[itten. Whether in] the city or in [......] [......] May the king, my lord, write to the people of the Inner City. Šep-Aššur-aṣbat, the goldsmith, a servant of the king attending to the (offering) pipes of Aššur and of the king — Bel-naṣir has now removed him from (service) under Aššur and the king, saying: "He is my servant." The paritu-official working for Bel-naṣir pushed the case.

Edge

Thirty-one 'brothers' have released him from the 'locks' of Aššur.

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

SAA 13 028 — Report on Gold and Silver Work for the Temple of Sin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0293; ABL 1194. SAA 13 028; SAAo P334784.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) We weighed out [the gold which] had been reported [in the ... of the] scribe, I split it up item by item, and dispatched it to the king, my lord. We have melted down 23 minas of gold in the agate-standard, including the votive gifts. They will hammer it as thin as the king, my lord, commands. Later, they will use it for gilding. One talent, 19 minas of gold are also in town, (namely) that of the agate in the treasury of Sin, along with all the votive gifts; and the 18 1/6 minas of gold and 21 minas of silver for the guard(ian) of the oxen to be sacrificed before the king are likewise deposited in the treasury of the temple of Sin. Two big royal images, 50 images of cherubs and winds, of silver, 3 silver doorjambs, 1 silver kettle. All this work is done. Their weight is each 5 talents of silver less 12 minas. What the king, my lord, made for the walls of the shrine of Nikkal is stored in the treasury of Nikkal.

Reverse

Furthermore, there is one mina of silver by the heavy standard (= 60 kg) with a scroll (bearing) the seal of Sin-na'di, chief goldsmith, attached to it, who says: "It is from my work allotment." But he has no work allotment yet at his disposal. What is it that the king, my lord, commands? This silver, about which I am writing to the king, my lord, is from revenues, and has been neither refined nor cleaned. And concerning the pole of the divine emblem about which the king, my lord, spoke, saying: "I have heard that it collapsed of its own accord" — it is (in fact) in excellent condition, O king, my lord. There is no break, no burn-hole, [an]d no blister on it. [When they ma]de [the burn-hole, they made] it too quickly, [so that the lower stem did not sl]ip through. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 029 — Letter Similar to No 28

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01524; ABL 0997. SAA 13 029; SAAo P334669.

Obverse

Concerning the work of [...] about which the king, my lord, wro[te to me], saying: "Let them process the gold according to this [...]" — we have now weighed out the gold and silver which are the property of Sin and carry the seal of Nabû-zeru-ibni. We have melted down 23 minas of gold in the agate-standard, including the votive gifts. Now they will hammer (it) as thin as the king commands. [......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) Let [them] w[rite to me what the king, my lord], commands. And concerning the pole of the divine emblem about which the king, my lord, spoke, saying: "I have heard that it collapsed of its own accord" — it is (in fact) in excellent condition, O king, my lord. There is no break, no burn hole, no blister on it. When they made the burn-hole, they made it too quickly, so that the lower stem did not slip through nor suck itself in. [......] stem [......] [...] ... [......]

Right Edge

[......] [Let him d]o. The wo[rk ...] as long as the heavens and earth e[ndure ...].

Edge

We have spok[en with the archit]ect. [...] in a month's time.

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

Chapter Five. Letters from Assur — Varia

SAA 13 030–055. 25 texts.

SAA 13 030

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0115; ABL 0941. Sender: Aššur-na’di. SAA 13 030; SAAo P334637.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Aššur-na'di. May Aššur and Ešarra bless the king! Concerning the water conduits made of musukannu-wood ...

Reverse

(Remainder broken away)

SAA 13 031 — Cultic Dues Not Delivered

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0015; ABL 0532. Sender: Nadin-Aššur. SAA 13 031; SAAo P334363.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nadin-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord. As of now, no one is bringing in the first fruits of your land or the one-fifth tax from Barhalzi. I sold your servants in the merchant house, carried away the one-fifth tax, and performed it (the offering). The king should ask the scribes of the governor of Barhalzi as follows: "Why didn't you give the one-fifth tax to Aššur?" Moreover, the king should bear in mind that they are on strike at the expense of your gods. [...] (one line destroyed)

Reverse

If the king does not punish one scribe, [the others] will not get scared. This [...: if] a prefect does [not] bring in the one-fifth tax and give it to your temple, the rest of the magnates, observing him, will also go on strike against your temple(s). Moreover, the king should bear in mind that his servants have been sold.

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

SAA 13 032 — Bringing the Gods to a Treaty Ceremony

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00682; ABL 0213. Sender: Mutakkil-Aššur. SAA 13 032; SAAo P334156.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: [your] servant, Mutakkil-Aššur. May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord. As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me, saying: "Let the gods come for the treaty (ceremony)," [Na]bû is [sta]ying in the bedroom until the 12th day. On the [xth] day [...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 033 — Officers Turned Criminal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0024; ABL 0419. Sender: Mutakkil-Aššur, Issar-na’idi. SAA 13 033; SAAo P334287.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Mutakkil-Aššur, deputy priest, and your servant, Issar-na'di, mayor. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur and Ešarra bless the king, our lord. Bibiya, the prefect of the Itu'eans, and Tarditu-Aššur, the prefect of the Itu'eans, his deputy, sit outside the Inner City, in front of the gate, eating [bread] together, drinking wine, and squandering the exit-dues of the Inner City.

Reverse

When I opened negotiations with them, they grabbed the best things, molested me, and let my garments go back to me. I am not strong enough to fall upon them. They have seized the Sinneans who transport wood to the Aššur temple and received [1]8 minas of silver from them.

Edge

The postmaster released their fetters, and they ran away. (Now) no one is serving under the express messengers.

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

SAA 13 034 — Features of a Royal Statue Disputed

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01268 + Sm 0488; CT 53 041. Sender: Nabu-ašared. SAA 13 034; SAAo P313456.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: y[our servant], Nabû-ašared. May [Ašš]ur and Ešarra bless [the k]ing. [Concerning] what the king [as]ked me: "[...] Bel-ibni [...] death [...] front/opposite [......] ... We have now sent two ro[yal im]ages to the king. I myself sketched the royal image which is an outline. They fashioned the royal image which is in the round. The king should examine them, and whichever the king finds acceptable we will execute accordingly. Let the king pay attention to the hands, the chin, and the hair.

Reverse

As for the royal image which they are making, the scepter is lying across his arm and his arm is resting on his thighs. I myself do not agree with this and I will not fashion (it so). I could speak with them about features —about anything whatever — but they wouldn't listen to me. On their own volition [they ......]. [...] The king [...] [...]. I myself should fashion the [bod]y, [but] they [don't a]gree.

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

SAA 13 035 — Performing a Ritual

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01187; ABL 0217. Sender: Nabu-ašared. SAA 13 035; SAAo P334159.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my] lord: y[our servant], Nabû-ašar[ed]. [May Aššur] and Ištar ble[ss] the king, my lord. [Concerning what the kin]g, my lord, has written me, [saying: "Wh]y did [Nabû]-šezib without yo[ur] order sum[mon] Aššur-abu-uṣur? The priests [should perform] the ritual utterly" — we shall perform it. Concerning what I wrote to the king, [my lord], namely: "[I ha]ve experienced an adversity [...]" — ... [...] has grown stronger, and Ubru-ahhe [and NN] have quit the work. (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......] Ubru-[ahhe ...] [...] the treasurer [......] [...] ... [......]

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

SAA 13 036 — Fragmentary Letter Concerning a Statue

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01555 + K 15409; CT 53 051. Sender: Ubru-ahhe. SAA 13 036; SAAo P313466.

Obverse

[T]o the king, my lord: your servant Ubru-ahhe. May Aššur and Ištar bless the king, my lord. The king, my lord, can be very glad indeed. The work which the king, my lord, is assigning therein, the stat[ue .......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......] will glaze [bricks ...] (rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 037 — Shall I Let the Prophetess Take the Throne from the Temple?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00540; ABL 0149. Sender: Adad-ahu-iddina. SAA 13 037; SAAo P334095.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Adad-ahu-iddina. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur, Mullissu, Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! The prophetess Mullissu-abu-uṣri, who took the king's clothes to Babylonia, has prophesied [in the] temple: "[The t]hrone from the te[mp]le [...]

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[L]et the [t]hrone go! I shall overcome my king's enemies with it." I said: "I will not turn over the throne without (the permission of) the king, my lord." Whatever the king, my lord, commands, we will act accordingly.

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

SAA 13 038 — The Work is Too Difficult for Us, They Say

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0094; ABL 0479. Sender: Nabu-[...]. SAA 13 038; SAAo P334327.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant, Nabû-[...]. Good health to the king. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. I turned in a report to the king, my lord, and he sent me to the Inner City for the sacrifices. (Now) the [...] has written: "Come, the work is hard for us." I have appointed here two servants of the king who are acceptable to me. If the king, my lord, comm[ands ...].

SAA 13 039 — Repairing the Seats of Divine Statues

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01396; ABL 0185. Sender: Nabu-belšunu. SAA 13 039; SAAo P334130.

Obverse

A tablet of Nabû-bessunu to Aššur-mudammiq. Good health to you. Give the silver, whether two or three minas, as much as Akkullanu requests of you, for the repair of the seats of Aššur and Mullissu. When the work is finished, inspect it together. They should make the delivery to you, and he should then receive the shearings in your presence. Take note of his share and record it on your writing board for reference.

Reverse

(uninscribed)

SAA 13 040

Tablet; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, Germany, VAT 11511; KAV 113. Sender: Taqiša. SAA 13 040; SAAo P285573.

Obverse

Letter of Taqiša to Aššur-šarru-uṣur. Good health to my brother. Concerning the (offering) pipes of Adad and Babu, I have written to the palace. They said the following: "The first day of Shebat is good. Let them break through and set to work. Let them apply themselves and perform the work quickly." I am now writing to you: instruct the carpenters about the woods which we selected and make (everything) clear to them. Let them set to work and do a good job on the first day (of Shebat).

Reverse

Also for the rest of your work, don't be negligent. Apply yourselves and do a good job. What else? As I have (already) written to you, don't be negligent.

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

SAA 13 041 — (no title) and envelope (= SAA 13 042)

Tablet and envelope; clay; Qalat Sherqat (Assur). Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin, Germany, VAT 08872, VAT 08877; KAV 112, KAV 206. SAA 13 041; SAAo P285572.

Obverse

Letter of the temple steward to the temple steward. Good health to my brother. May Aššur and Ešarra bless my brother. Now I am sending you the hundurāyus. The day they arrive, give them two sets of massuku textiles at once, so that they may perform the work with them in the king's service. What else? Don't be negligent. Send them immediately on their way. Don't delay them. Let them come on account of their work.

Envelope

(cylinder seal impression)

Envelope, Reverse

Good heal[th to] my brother. (cylinder seal impression) May Aššur and Ešarra bless my br[ot]her.

SAA 13 043 — Gods at Your Gate

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0249; ABL 1369. SAA 13 043; SAAo P334868.

Obverse

On the day that you performed the previous sacrifices in front of Ešarra, I sent Hammâ (and) an outrider to you with a message for your well-being. Now they (and) Gugal-namruti stand at your gate, and Bel-matati stands with them. The outrider has come with a message concerning the prayer bowl. Give it to him. Let him go to Ešarra that I may take possession of it, and that I may send Gugal-namruti to the lands.

Reverse

Your chariot should come to Ešarra straightaway so that I may give you the royal scepter of life. (This) message that I've sent you is the absolute truth!

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

SAA 13 044 — The Runaway Chariot

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01143; ABL 0611. SAA 13 044; SAAo P334423.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] before the king. I asked [...] the chariot-driver [of DN] who set it up, "Why are you setting up the table of Šamaš?" He told me as follows: "Aššur has gone outside and come back in again. I myself asce[nded] the chariot when it was empty. It kept going [all right], but the ground was narrow and while I paid attention to the chariot's ..., I damaged the rim of the table and the front side of the image. The house truly fell to the ground!"

Reverse

[In] the days of the king, my lord, your father, they upset the table [of Šamaš in] the same way. The man [who ...] was [pu]nished, and the prefect was [rem]oved (from office). [...] ... thither [...] this (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 045 — The Priest of Ea-Šarru Visits the Aššur Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00677; ABL 0555. SAA 13 045; SAAo P334380.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "Let [...] be [...]ed from Ešar[ra]!" I confirmed the king's order, and gave (what was due) to the king. Now then, Nergal-belu-uṣur, the chief cook, can report on me. The king's order is now fixed in my mouth, and I keep the king's treaty. Binunî, the priest of Ea-šarru, stands in the middle of the Aššur temple, and says to the chariot knight of Aššur: "Why does a chariot knight [...] the chariots [in thi]s way? [If] within 10 days I have not destroyed your [...] from the temple of Aššur — what else?"

Reverse

Let the king ask (about it). A young man who caught the tail of a lion sank in the river, but the one who caught the tail of a fox was rescued. He has silver at his disposal and trusts in his gold; but I trust in the king, my lord.

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

SAA 13 046 — Where are the Sacrifices to be Performed?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0125; ABL 1221. SAA 13 046; SAAo P334803.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) May [(the gods) ... bl]es[s the king], my [lo]rd. [Concerning the sacrific]es of the 5th day [which the king], my [l]ord, put in the [ch]arge of the chief cupbearer — are they to come and perform them before Aššur, and are they to bring [to the king], my lord, the coo]ked meat, the portions of meat and the [insid]e cuts of meat which are (to be laid) before Aššur? [Wha]t is it that the king, my lord, [com]mands? I have set aside the [... of] Lisikutu [... for the ki]ng, my lord. [The ... of] this [...] concerns every(thing); I have written it down [...].

Reverse

[As for the ...] which were changed, [NN the] priest of Nergal [is saying]: "It is [...]. I myself will not perform [the sacrifices]." [The king], my [lord], should know this. I have also set aside [for the king], my [lo]rd, [the sheep(-offerings) which] he should be performing [be]fore the temple of Šarrat-nipha [...]. The [festival] is approaching. [The king, my lord], should decide and write about it [t]o his servant. [The king, my lord], is the [ima]ge of Marduk. The word of [the king], my lord, [is] just as [final] as that of the gods. [...] the flesh of the gods, Šamaš [...] the king, my lord, [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 047 — Passage of Rites

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0130; CT 53 906. SAA 13 047; SAAo P314315.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [They ham]mered the [...] thin and re-[did it]. [......] the wing of [...] [which ...] they raised [......] they removed again [......] saying: "The old one wasn't fastened." [...] They hammered the gold thin and re-did it. [...] ... under my arms [...] [They ...ed the image] of the king inside the loop of Nikkal, as well as the gold cast.

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

Bottom Edge

(uninscribed)

Reverse

[He says] that they have now m[ade it] of lead and mounted it with [go]ld. They have [set] aside the old [rit]es of Nikkal and instituted new ones. [He says] the arm of Tambaya is [...]. I tore off the gold [...] from them. [The ...]s removed Tambaya's hands and made new ones. They [rem]oved the [...]s inside the front part of the pedestal of Šamaš [and the ...] inside [...]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 048 — The Gods Have Gone Out and Come Back Safely

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07521 + K 07555; CT 53 390. SAA 13 048; SAAo P313804.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May the god ... who] g[oes before] him bless the king, [my] lord. (It is) for 1,000 years [that the king] will rule the wh[ole extent] of the universe [and all] the lands of the four quarters. Moreover, Mullissu, mother of mercy, and Šerua, who intercedes for the king, and all the other gods who [sit with Aššur], your god, in judgment, [have gone out] safely [and come back] in fine condition. They have completed [their days. All the gods] have taken up residence in their dwelling(s). [Now] every day they have blessed [the king, my lord. All is ve]ry [well]. The king, my lord, can be [very] pleased.

Reverse

(rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 049

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 19971. SAA 13 049; SAAo P336735.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) in [......] N[ow ...]

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

Reverse

he/they ... [...] Aššur will come to the temple ... [...] [...] ... [...] [...] ... [...] [W]ha[t ...] [which the k]ing, [my] lord [...] (Remainder destroyed)

SAA 13 050 — Disposition of the Property of Aššur-ili-muballissu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0382; ABL 1078. SAA 13 050; SAAo P334720.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [The king, my lord, can be] glad. [Regarding the property o]f Aššur-ili-muballissu [...], when [he slipped away] from the hands of the king, my lord, Ilu-šezibanni the major domo transp[orted] all the [go]ld, gems, silver implements, [and] fine utensils that your [father had donated] to Aššur-ili-muballissu to the Lower Land, all of it. Now then Huddaya [the ...] has re[trieved] the silver, the gold, and the gems. [I myself] will [... and] give [to the king], my lord, the gold implements and [al]l the [fine] utensils, ......, [ ... v]essels of milhu-stone, [...] ..., and copper drinking bowls, [everything that yo]ur [father gave] to Aššur-ili-muballissu and that they transported [to the L]ower [Land].

Reverse

[The ... which] your father gave [..., ...] as a pledge [......] statue of a lion [......] upon/concerning [......] lion (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 051 — Gold for a Crown?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14642; CT 53 559. SAA 13 051; SAAo P313971.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... w]ill be stor[ed]. [......] gold for ... [...] [... gol]dsmiths [......] crown (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(completely broken away)

SAA 13 052 — Stone for Statues

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01157; CT 53 165. SAA 13 052; SAAo P313580.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, [my] l[ord: your servant, NN. Good health to the king, my] lo[rd] — an abun[dance o]f [good health]. [Concern]ing the stones for the hair and chins [of] the statues, [about which the kin]g, my lord, [wr]ote to me, the old [stones ...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) I have sent [...] to the king, [my] lo[rd]. (rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 13 053 — A Golden Statue

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0220 + Sm 0451; CT 53 811+. SAA 13 053; SAAo P314220.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) And the artisans will make a golden [statue] of [...] in my presence.

SAA 13 054 — Doing the Work of the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0317; CT 53 890. SAA 13 054; SAAo P314299.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [...] ... [...] The apprentic[es] are staying [...]. [...] large cuts of meat [...] tents [...] They ... [...] They are casting the [...] beasts, they are refining the silver of the god [...], and they are doing the work of the ki[ng, my lord].

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

SAA 13 055

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16106; CT 53 759. SAA 13 055; SAAo P314169.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) after [......] the cell[a ...] which after [...] we will place [...] [their] watch [...] which he/they [...] (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)

Chapter Six. Letters from Calah — Urdu-Nabu

SAA 13 056–069. 14 texts.

SAA 13 056 — Offerings for the King and his Family

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00501; ABL 0113. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 056; SAAo P334061.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age. May they appoint a guardian of health and vigor (to be) with the king, my lord. The 4th day of Iyyar (II), Nabû and Tašmetu will enter the bed chamber. At the beginning of your reign, [I performed] the sacrificial offerings before Nab[û and Tašmetu] which have given [life] to the king, my lord. Now then I a[m writing to the king], my lord:

Reverse

I have given orders [regarding the matte]r which the king, my lord [...e]d and (regarding) the offerings. I have given instructions about the offerings for Assurbanipal, the gre[at crow]n prince, for Šamaš-šumu-ukin, the crown prince of Babylon, for Šeru'a-eṭerat, for Aššur-mukin-paleya, and for Ašš[ur-et]el-šame-erṣeti-muballissu. I [will brin]g their offerings before Nabû and Tašmetu, and will perform them in the [bed]room. May they allow them to live 100 years. Their children and grandchildren will grow old, and the king, my lord, will see it.

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

SAA 13 057 — Offerings for the Sons of the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01133; ABL 0606. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 057; SAAo P334419.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lor]d: [your servant, Urdu]-Nabû. [Good health to the king], my lord. [May Aššur, Sin, Ša]maš, [Marduk, Zarpan]itu, [Nabû, Tašm]etu, [Ištar of Nin]eveh, [and Ištar of Arbe]la — [these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age].

Reverse

(Break) [The king, my lord], should issue an [or]der for them to bring [offeri]ngs for the king's sons. They should perform them before Tašmetu. I will also bring an offering for burning on the brazier.

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

SAA 13 058 — An Outing for Aššur, Sin and Adad

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0035; ABL 0427. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 058; SAAo P334293.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age. May they appoint a guardian of health and vigor (to be) with the king, my lord.

Reverse

On the 6th day Aššur and Sin will descend to the garden below the terrace. There is a ritual, and it will be performed. Offerings for the king will be made. Adad-of-Plenty will go to the park. More offerings for the king will be made.

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

SAA 13 059 — Preparing a Statue of Ištar for a Festival

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0064; ABL 1094. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 059; SAAo P334732.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: yo[ur servant], Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur and Šamaš bless the king, my lord. On the 28th day we will clear the temple, and I will bring in the wooden ladders. On the 29th, we will draw the curtain, take down all the jewelry of Ištar and [rem]ove Ištar from the lion. [...] the king [...].

Reverse

On the 29th, if the (moon) god is seen, we will fill the (ritual) bath.

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

SAA 13 060 — The Festival of Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0054; ABL 0971. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 060; SAAo P334651.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship] — [allow] the king, my lord, to live [100 year]s. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age. [Concernin]g the offerings about which the king, (my) lord, wrote to me, saying: "Be on the alert! Let there be nothing lacking," [every]thing is in very good order. The king, my lord, can be glad. [Nob]lemen of Babylon and of Borsippa have come to greet the king, my lord, saying: "It is the festival of Babylon. How do we intercalate? We would like to move on, enter (Babylon) and perform sacrifices [be]fore Bel." [Wh]at is it that the king, (my) lord, commands?

Reverse

(As for) Marduk-zeru-ibni, the grandson of Eṭeru, [the king], my [lo]rd, knows him. He is a clergyman, the [grandso]n of a clergyman. He says: "Let me enter and set out the regular offerings."

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

SAA 13 061 — Gold for Making Royal Statues

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00538; ABL 0114. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 061; SAAo P334062.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Šamaš, Bel, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age. The gold which the treasurer, the palace scribe, and I weighed in the month of Tishri (VII) — 3 talents of refined gold and 4 talents of unrefined gold — was deposited in the storeroom of the director of the royal storehouse. He sealed it and did not give any for the royal statues or the statue of the queen mother. The king, my lord, should issue an order to the treasurer and to the palace scribe to make the gold available. Once the beginning of the month is favorable, they should give (the gold) to the craftsmen so that they can do their work.

SAA 13 062 — The Key is Lost

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00627; ABL 0115. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 062; SAAo P334063.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age. On the 29th of [...], an apprentice of Adad-[...] lost the key to the lock of the temple of [...] and the temple of [...] in the tem[ple of ...].

Reverse

It is being rumor[ed that ...]. Let the king, [my] l[ord ......]. [Could we possibly] act [without] the king, [my lord]? We will act (only) when the king, my lord, says so.

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

SAA 13 063

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00970; ABL 0116. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 063; SAAo P334064.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû, Marduk, and Sin, the great [god]s, bless the king, my lord. [...] all [......] [...] of/which anyone/anything [...] ... the king I shall speak [...] of our statement [...], [......] before ...,

Reverse

and read it [befor]e the king, my lord. May the king, my lord, give heed.

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

SAA 13 064 — It is Not Our Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0066; ABL 0495. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 064; SAAo P334342.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health [to the king], my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Ša[maš, Bel], Zarp[anitu, Nabû], Ta[šmetu, Ištar of] Ni[neveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age].

Reverse

(Break) t[o .....] not [......] The 1st day we dr[opped it]. It is not our work — (it is) nothing. The king, my lord, can be glad.

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

SAA 13 065 — A Report on Young Girls at the Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0023; ABL 0494. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 065; SAAo P334341.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May [Aššur, Sin], Šamaš, Bel, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age.

Reverse

On the 7th, I saw some beautiful young girls in the temple. One was the granddaughter of Qannasusi. I have sent (word) and had the home inspected. The name of the other one is Urkittu-reminni; [sh]e is the daughter of [N]N, a bodyguard. I saw her on the royal road. I have sent (word) and had (her) home inspected.

Right Edge

[...] ... [...] ...

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

SAA 13 066 — Plea to the King to Cure Sickness

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0128; ABL 1133. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 066; SAAo P334746.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu], Ištar of Nineveh, and [Ištar of Arbela] — the[se great] gods who lov[e your kingship] — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. [May they grant] the king, my lord, [the satisfaction of] o[ld age, extreme old age. May they appoin]t a guardian of health and vigor (to be) with the king, my lord. May they assign a benevolent [šēd]u-spirit and a benevolent la[massu]-spirit to follow you. [As for wh]at the king, my lord, wrote to me, [saying: "W]hy didn't you go to the Inner City [but tu]rned back?" I cannot go, I am sick. (If) I go, I will die along the road. [The king] will say: "Who are you [who ...] does not wait upon me?" [... May Aššur], your [go]d, know [...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [...] let [the king], my lord, ask. Let them tell the king, my lord, just how things are. The king's servants are saying to me: "Appeal to the king, go, get yourself cured." I (keep asking myself): "How is the king, my lord, disposed? Nevertheless, I will appeal to him." Now let me not be lost to my lord. Let him appoint one exorcist and one physician to attend me. They should treat me [to]gethe[r ...] that I m[ight live ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 067

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0255; ABL 0668. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 067; SAAo P334466.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-[Nabû. Good health] t[o the king, my lord]. May Aššur, Šamaš, Bel, Zar[pani]tu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Ištar [of Nineveh, and Ištar o]f Arbela — [these great] gods [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(broken away)

SAA 13 068

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0168; ABL 1147. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 068; SAAo P334755.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Bel, Zarpanitu], Nabû, [Tašmetu], Ištar of Nineveh, and [Ištar of Arbela] — these great gods who love your kingship — allow the king, my lord, to live 100 years. [May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of] old age, extreme old age.

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 069

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07419; CT 53 349. Sender: Urdu-Nabu. SAA 13 069; SAAo P313763.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-Nabû. The ve]ry [best of he]alth t[o the king, my lord]. May Aššur, [Sin], Šamaš, Bel, Zarpanitu, Nabû, and Tašmetu allow the king, m[y lord], to live 100 years. M[ay they grant the king], my lord, [the satisfaction of ol]d age, extreme old age. (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(completely broken away)

Chapter Seven. Letters from Calah — Nergal-šarrani

SAA 13 070–077. 8 texts.

SAA 13 070 — Sacred Marriage of Nabu and Tašmetu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0096; ABL 0366. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 070; SAAo P334242.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nergal-šarrani. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. Tomorrow, on the 4th day, in the evening, Nabû and Tašmetu will enter the bedroom. On the 5th day, they will serve (them) the royal banquet. The 'inspector' will attend. They will bring the lion-head (rhyton) and a tallakku-object to the palace. From the 5th to the 10th, the gods will be in the bedroom, and the 'inspector' will sit by. On the 11th, Nabû will go out and stretch his legs. He will go to the game park and kill wild oxen. (Then) he will ascend and take up residence (again) in his dwelling. He will b[less] the king, my lord, and [his] ho[use].

Reverse

I have written to the king, my lord, that the king, my lord, may know (about it).

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

SAA 13 071 — Measures Against Fungus in the Nabu Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0038; ABL 0367. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 071; SAAo P334243.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nergal-šarrani. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. A certain kamunû-fungus has appeared in the inner courtyard of the temple of Nabû (edge-line erased)

Reverse

and a katarru-fungus on the walls of the central storehouses. There is an apotropaic prayer against them, and there is a ritual Adad-šumu-uṣur will perform tomorrow. He should perform them both together.

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

SAA 13 072 — Burnt Offerings to Heavenly Bodies

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0039; ABL 0648. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 072; SAAo P334449.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Nergal-šarran]i. [Good health to the kin]g, [my lord. May Nabû] and Marduk [bless the king], my [lord]. [Concern]ing the stars [about which the king wrote to] me, [(saying): "Before] Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, Mars, Sin, Šamaš, Bel-matati, Sirius, Antares, Belet-balaṭi, the Pleiades, and Išum — before these gods let them make burnt offerings" — They should at the same time make small ones before Nergal, [be]cause of [...].

Reverse

[Tomo]rrow, [in the e]venin[g, ......]. (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 073 — Complaint of Sickness

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00577; ABL 0203. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 073; SAAo P334147.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nergal-šarrani. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk greatly bless the king, my lord. Today it is a month since I have been ill and since this acute pain has been piercing me. They have pierced my... and jaw.

Reverse

I am being told: "You are afflicted with the 'hand of Venus,' due to intercourse with women." I am afraid. There is (nothing) I can do without the king's permission. Now, therefore, I am writing to the king, my lord. Let the word come forth from the king that he should act and get me through this [sick]ness of mine.

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

SAA 13 074 — A Promise

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07344; ABL 0734. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 074; SAAo P334523.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, my lord: [your servant], Nergal-šarrani. [Good health t]o the king, my lord. [May Nabû] and Marduk [bl]ess [the king, my lord]. [...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......] [... ... yea]rs [... to the ki]ng, my lord [...] I will give.

SAA 13 075 — Cultic Procession During the Reign of a Substitute King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0135; ABL 0735. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 075; SAAo P334524.

Obverse

To the 'farmer,' my lord: your servant, Nergal-šarrani. Good health to my lord. May [Nabû] and Marduk bless my lord. [......] on the [... day] [......] [...... will] take up residence.

Reverse

(Break) [...] the city of Ašš[ur] [...] the palace [The god will go o]ut and take up his seat. In the evening he will come back in.

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

SAA 13 076 — Report to the Queen Mother about a Ritual

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1889-04-26 Bu, 0005; ABL 0368. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 076; SAAo P334244.

Obverse

To the queen mother, my 'lord': your servant, Nergal-šarrani. Good health to the queen mother, my 'lord.' May Nabû and Marduk bless the queen mother, my 'lord.' May Tašmetu, whom you revere, take your hands. May you see 1,000 years of kingship for Esarhaddon. As for what the queen mother, my 'lord,' wrote to me, saying: "What is going into the ritual?" — These are its constituents: sweet-scented oil, wax, sweet-scented fragrance, myrrh, cannabis, and ṣadīdu-aromatic. [I will] perform it [for a]ll [the ... th]at the queen mother com[manded].

Reverse

[On the xth] day, they will perform the whole-offerings: one ox, two white sheep, and a duck. Damqaya, the maid-servant of the queen mother, will not be able to participate in the ritual. (Accordingly,) whomever the queen mother, my 'lord,' designates should open the basket and perform the ritual.

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

SAA 13 077 — Report to the Queen Mother about a Offering

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00980; ABL 0569. Sender: Nergal-šarrani. SAA 13 077; SAAo P334391.

Obverse

[To the queen mother, my 'lord': your servant, Nergal-šarrani. Good health t]o the [queen] mo[ther, my 'lord']. May Nabû and Marduk bless the queen mother, my 'lord.' Concerning the offerings about which they wrote to me, saying: "Before whom do they make (them)?" — They are all made before Tašmetu: a bull and 2 rams, and a duck. This is all.

Chapter Eight. Letters from Calah — Nabu-šumu-iddina/Nadinu, Inspector of the Nabu Temple

SAA 13 078–123. 46 texts.

SAA 13 078 — Preparations for the Sacred Marriage of Nabu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00629; ABL 0065. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 078; SAAo P334016.

Obverse

To the crown prince, my lord: your servant, Nabû-šumu-iddina. Good and abundant health to the crown prince, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the crown prince, my lord. On the 3rd day of Iyyar (II), in Calah, the bed of Nabû will be set up and Nabû will enter the bed chamber. The 4th is the wedding night of Nabû. The crown prince, my lord, knows that I am the 'inspector' of the temple of Nabû, your god. I should therefore go to Calah. The god will set out from the threshing floor of the palace. From the threshing floor of the palace he will come to the garden. There a sacrifice will be performed. The chariot-driver of the gods will go (with) the team of horses of the gods. He will bring the god out and back in again. He himself will then move on.

Reverse

Of the apprentice priests, whoever has a sacrifice to make will do so, and whoever brings even one seah of food may eat it in the temple of Nabû. For the sake of the life of the crown prince, my lord, they should perform the rites of their gods to perfection. What are the written instructions of the crown prince, my lord? May Bel and Nabû, who are betrothed in the month of Shebat (XI), protect the life of the crown prince, my lord. May they extend your kingship to the end of time.

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

SAA 13 079 — They will Protect the Crown Princes

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01017; ABL 0066. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 079; SAAo P334017.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nabû-šumu-iddina. Very good health indeed to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk very greatly bless the king, my lord. The queen of Esaggil (= Zarpanitu), of whom the king today [......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) They will keep watch over [Assurbanipal], great [crown prince] of the Succession Palace, and over [the crown prince] of Babylon.

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

SAA 13 080 — Request for a Personal Audience with the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0043; ABL 0377. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 080; SAAo P334253.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. Good health, good health, good health to the king, my lord. A thousand (times) good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Bel, and [Nabû] bless the king, my lord. The face of the king my lord has been seen by very many (people). Let an order be given to the palace-overseers: when the elders pass by beneath the terrace, let them allow me to see the face of the king, my lord, and may the k[ing] look at me. Let them constantly send me word on the health of [the king, my lord].

Reverse

Upon whom are my eyes fixed? (In) that I have written, let them allow me to enter before the king and speak (with him).

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

SAA 13 081 — The Commander-in-Chief’s Deputy Hasn’t Arrived Yet

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0025; ABL 0428. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 081; SAAo P334294.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-idd[ina]. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! As to the message which the king, my lord, sent me, asking: "Has the commander-in-chief's deputy come in?" — he has not yet come in.

SAA 13 082 — The Cavalry Gets Priority

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00557; ABL 0546. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 082; SAAo P334371.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant Nabû-šu[mu-iddina]. Good health to the king, [my] lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! We will give the first shipment that arrives from the household of the magnates to the cavalry. We will then wait for the rest of the shipment. The king, my lord, may be asking: "For how many of the cava[lrymen] is the shipment co[ming]?" — it is c[oming] for 50 (separate) households. We have given millstones, [household] ute[nsils], and pigs to these 50 cavalrymen [...]. Beds, chairs [and ...] remain to [be given]. [should the king] say: ["...] [...]...[......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 083 — The Cavalry Mounts Did Not Arrive

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0550; ABL 0683. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 083; SAAo P334481.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: [your servant] Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of [health] to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, [my] lord! [......]... [......]... [......]... (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......]... [......]... [The ...] cavalry [mou]nts [did not arr]ive, [and the ...] about which [I w]rote to the king, [my lord, are] in Adia. If the king, my lord, commands, they should cross over to Nineveh. Let king, my lord, send a letter in reply to (this) letter. Let the king, my lord, issue an order to the 'third men'

Edge

[...]...... They should wipe clean (the) [... o]f the temples.

SAA 13 084 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Nisan 6

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0113; ABL 0686. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 084; SAAo P334484.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of he[alth] to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! ...[... day x]+3 ...[......]...s (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) 90 [......] from the town of [...]: a total of 164 Kushite horses, 35 cavalry mounts, and 6 mules — 207 horses and mules in all — have come in today. [Month of N]isan (I), 6[th] day.

SAA 13 085 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Iyyar 7

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01053 + K 01533; CT 53 011. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 085; SAAo P313426.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 8 horses trained to the yoke, 15 cavalry mounts: 23 [horses] in all; 3 m[ules] from [...], 3 ...-mu[les]:

Reverse

6 mule[s] in all — a total of 29 horses and mule[s] have come in today from Manṣuate. (Blank space of two lines) Month of Iyyar (II), 7th day.

SAA 13 086 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Sivan 2

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0026; ABL 0372. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 086; SAAo P334248.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 13 Kushite horses, 3 ...-horses of Kushite stock: 16 horses trained to the yoke in all; 14 cavalry mounts: 30 horses total; 9 mules: 39 [in all] from Qarnê;

Reverse

6 Kushite horses, [3] ...s of Kushite horses: 9 trained to the yoke in all; 14 cavalry mounts: 23 horses total; 5 mules: 28 in all from Dâna; 19 Kushite horses, 38 cavalry mounts: 57 in all from Kullania; 25 cavalry mounts, 3 mules: 31 in all from Arpad, incomplete; 13 cavalry mounts, 10 mules: 23 in all from Isana:

Edge

[a total of 45] Kushite horses and 104 cavalry mounts — 148 horses and 30 mules [all together] — a grand total of 178 have come in. Month of Sivan (III), 2nd day.

SAA 13 087 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Sivan 4

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0042; ABL 0376. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 087; SAAo P334252.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [x] Kushite horses, [x] ...-horses of Kushite stock: 2[4] Kushite horses total; 10 cavalry mounts, 13 mules: 50 in all from Damascus; 10 Kushite horses [from the] recruits:

Reverse

a total of 34 Kushite horses and 10 cavalry mounts — 44 horses and 16 mules all together — a grand total of 60 have come in today. Month of Sivan (III), 4th day.

SAA 13 088 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 5

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01113 + K 01229; ABL 0071. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 088; SAAo P334021.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 121 cavalry mounts, 1 cavalry ...-mount: 122 cavalry [mounts] in all have come in from the commander-in-chief, incomplete; 5 cavalry mounts have come in from the governor of Calah, incomplete — a total of 127 cavalry mounts have come in today. [Concerning] the [hors]es trained to the yoke which came in yesterday from Barhalzi and Arrapha and about which I wrote to the king, my lord. — I will array them early in the morning. I will also array the hitched-up Mesean horses, which are kept hitched up at all times.

Reverse

What are the written instructions of the king, my lord? 5th day.

SAA 13 089 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 11

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00487; ABL 0060. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 089; SAAo P334011.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 12 Kushite horses have come in from the governor.

Reverse

11th day.

SAA 13 090 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 15

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1904-10-09, 0033; ABL 1379. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 090; SAAo P334875.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 4 Kushite horses from the treasurer of the queen mother; [7] Mesean horses trained to the yoke from Dur-Šarrukku; [14] Mesean [horse]s trained to the yoke,

Bottom Edge

34 cavalry mounts, 2 mules:

Reverse

50 in all from Tillê: a total of 4 Kushite horses, 21 Mesean horses trained to the yoke, 34 cavalry mounts, and 3 mules — 53 [horses and mule]s in all — have come in. 15th day.

SAA 13 091 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 16

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01069; ABL 0069. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 091; SAAo P334019.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your [servant] Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [x] horses [have come in today].

Reverse

16th day.

SAA 13 092 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 23

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 008; ABL 0371. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 092; SAAo P334247.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May Bel, Nabû, and Nergal guard the life of the king, my lord! May they preserve the [rul]e of the king, [my lord], for all [eternit]y! You are a just [king]. [May] they [main]tain ... kingship for your posterity and progeny until the end of time! [x] cavalry [mounts from Ra]ṣappa;

Reverse

[x] cavalry [mounts fr]om Dur-Šarruken: a to[tal of x] hors[es] have come in today. They will handle (them) tonight. I arrayed the horses yesterday. Why must I constantly harass the king's horses? But if the king, my lord, commands it, I will array the horses (again). What are the written instructions of the king, my lord? 23rd day.

SAA 13 093 — Broken Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 23

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0037; ABL 0684. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 093; SAAo P334482.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. [The very best of] health to the king, my lord! (Break)

Reverse

[x] Kushite [horses]; 39 cavalry mounts from the commander-in-chief; 47 cavalry mounts from Mazamua: a total of 86 cavalry mounts — 103 horses in all — have come in today. 23rd day. Grand total 348.

SAA 13 094 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Day 28

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0172; ABL 0374. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 094; SAAo P334250.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 14 Kushite horses from the prefects; 4 Kushite horses from the horse trainers of the ...s: 18 Kushite horses in all have come in today.

Reverse

28th day.

SAA 13 095 — Arrival of Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00493; ABL 0440. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 095; SAAo P334304.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 25 teams have arrived from the tax-collection centers of Calah, Nineveh, and Dur-Šarruken. Should I array them tomorrow? What is it that the king, my lord, commands?

SAA 13 096 — Thirty-six Horses and Mules Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00550; ABL 0064. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 096; SAAo P334015.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 3 Kushite horses from the recruits of the chief eunuch; [x] mules [from] Kilizi; [x] mules from Arbela: [a total of 3] Kushite horses and 33 mules —

Reverse

36 horses and mules in all have come in today.

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

SAA 13 097 — Arrival of Kushite Horses from the Magnates

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0099; ABL 0373. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 097; SAAo P334249.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 104 Kushite horses from the commander-in-chief; 72 Kushite horses from the palace herald; 69 Kushite horses from the chief cupbearer; 1 Kushite horse from the deputy [...]:

Reverse

[a total of 246 Kushite] horses have come in [to]day. When are the horses trained to the yoke to come before the king, my lord? Let the king, my lord, send word so I can be alerted and I can have orders issued for the horses to stay overnight and be provisioned.

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

SAA 13 098 — Six Horses and Mules Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0041; ABL 0375. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 098; SAAo P334251.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant Nabû-[šumu-iddina]. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 2 cavalry mounts, 4 mules: 6 in all have come in from Arrapha today. I shall array the horses early in the morning. What is it that the king, my lord, commands?

Reverse

Will the Melidian horses which will come today before the king, my lord, stay in the Review Palace, or will they leave? The king, my lord, should give the order whether they should leave or whether they should stay.

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

SAA 13 099 — Ninety-five Horses and Mules Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00531; ABL 0538. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 099; SAAo P334368.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 41 Kushite [horse]s from [...]na; 42 cavalry mounts, 5 mules: 47 in all from Si'immê;

Reverse

7 cavalry mounts from Dur-Šarruken: a total of 41 Kushite horses and 49 cavalry mounts — 90 horses and 5 mules altogether — a grand total of 95 horses and mules have come in today.

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

SAA 13 100 — One Hundred and Seven Horses and Mules Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00465; ABL 0545. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 100; SAAo P334370.

Obverse

[T]o the k[ing, my lord]: your servant Na[bû-šumu-iddina]. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! The 7th is the day for balancing accounts. May Nabû forevermore balance the account of the king, my lord, and those of the sons of my lord, in his ledger of life! 3 horses, [......],

Reverse

[...]...[...]: 67 horses and 8 mules: 75 in all from Guzana; 2 horses from Calah: a total of 99 cavalry mounts and 8 mules, 107 in all, have come in today. Should I array the horses early in the morning? What is it that the king, my lord, [commands]?

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

SAA 13 101 — Thirty Horses and Mules Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00549; ABL 0063. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 101; SAAo P334014.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 4 Kushite horses from the treasurer of the queen mother; 17 cavalry mounts, 9 mules: 26 in all from Isana; a total of 30 horses and mules ...

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 102 — The Horses from Ebir-nari Are Not Arriving

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01050; ABL 0067. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 102; SAAo P334018.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! I am a dog, but the king, my lord, has remembered me. [May] Aššur, Bel, Nabû, Si[n, Šamaš], Ninurta, and Nergal [guard the life of the king, my lord]!

Reverse

Are [the ... horses] from the magnates of Bet-kari coming in? What are the written instructions of the king, my lord? Those of Ebir-nari have not yet come in.

SAA 13 103 — Broken Report of Arrival of Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00608; ABL 0682. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 103; SAAo P334480.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Nabû-šu[mu-iddina]. The very best of health to the king, [my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bless the [king], my lord! 9 horses trained to the yoke, the commander-in-chief, complete; 8 horses trained to the yoke, the palace herald, complete; (those from) the deputies are not coming in;

Reverse

62 horses trained to the yoke, from Arrapha, complete; (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 104 — Broken Report of Arrival of Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00529; ABL 0061. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 104; SAAo P334012.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 30 Kushite horses from Parsua, 5 horses — deficit of the teams of Aššur,

Reverse

16 Kushite, 47 Mesean: 88 horses in all from Lahiru; 46 Kushite horses, 52 Mesean: 98 in all from the land of [...] (Rest illegible)

SAA 13 105 — Broken Report of Arrival of Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0086; ABL 1122. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 105; SAAo P334743.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-idd]ina. [The ve]ry best of [health to the ki]ng, [my lord! May Nabû and] Marduk bless the king], my lord! [x horses trained] to the yoke [from Dur]-Šarruken; [x] cavalry mounts [of] the ...-type [from] the commander-in-chief; [x] cavalry mount[s from] the palace herald;

Bottom Edge

[... x horses] trained to the yoke;

Reverse

[... x] cavalry [mounts]; [......]... (Rest of reverse destroyed)

Right Edge

[...]... 34 horses

SAA 13 106

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01272; ABL 0072. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 106; SAAo P334022.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. [The very b]est [of health] to the king, [my lord]! (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(completely broken away)

SAA 13 107 — Village Managers Missing from the Review

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0075; ABL 0767. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 107; SAAo P334542.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nadinu. The v[er]y best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [Sa]'ilu, Tab-šar-[Sin], Sukki-Aia: [a total of] 3 village managers; [A]habû, Adda-natan: a total of 2 from Raṣappa; Gabbê, Mar-larim: a total of 2 from Barhalzi; Addî, Šarru-lu-dari, Bagusu: a total of 3 from Tillê —

Reverse

in all 10 runaway village managers [who did not c]ome in for the review. [...] horses [of the kin]g, my lord, [which he/they ...] ... [...] the king [...] [......]...[...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 108 — Eighty Horses Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0025; ABL 0393. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 108; SAAo P334268.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nadinu. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 8 Kushite horses, (from) the treasurer of the queen;

Reverse

12 Kushite horses, (from) the treasurer of the queen mother; 11 Kushite horses, 49 cavalry mounts: 60 horses in all from the commander-in-chief, incomplete: a total of 31 Kushite (horses), [49] cavalry mounts — 80 horses in all — have come in today.

SAA 13 109 — One Hundred and Sixty Draft Horses Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0057; ABL 0394. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 109; SAAo P334269.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nadinu. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 111 Kushite, 11 Mesean: 121 horses trained to the yoke in all from Barhalzi; 11 Kushite horses from Arrapha; 17 Kushite, 10 Mesean:

Reverse

27 horses trained to the yoke in all from Calah, incomplete: a total of 139 Kushite and Mesean (horses) — 160 horses trained to the yoke in all — have come in today.

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

SAA 13 110 — Report of Arrival of Horses: Nisan 8

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0136; ABL 0395. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 110; SAAo P334270.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nadinu. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! 40 [horses trained to the y]oke, [6]9 [cav]alry (mounts): 109 in all from Arpad

Bottom Edge

[...]...[...]...[...]

Reverse

and 61 from Hada'il — a total of 170 horses have come in today. Month of Nisan (I), 8th day.

SAA 13 111 — Twenty-nine Horses Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01005; ABL 0575. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 111; SAAo P334395.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your] servant [Nabû-šumu-iddina]. The very best of [hea]lth to the k[in]g, m[y lo]rd! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [x] Kushite [ho]rses [from] Si'immê; [x] Kushite [horse]s [from] the deputy [...]: [x in all from] Guzana —

Reverse

a total of 29 horses have come in today. The horses which are in the palace that are to be hitched up, about which the king, my lord, issued me instructions, [...]...[...]

Edge

What is it that the king, my lord, c[ommands]? (What) [are his ins]tructions for me?

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

SAA 13 112 — Ninety-six Horses Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0110; ABL 0649. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 112; SAAo P334450.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May DN and DN bless the king], my [lord]! [x] Kushite hors[es] from the commander-in-chief of the left; he is handing over in installments the 5 teams of colts of the memorandum; [x]+5 Kushite horses and 33 cavalry mounts from the commander-in-chief;

Reverse

8 cavalry mounts from Šuhupa: a total of 41 cavalry mounts — 96 horses in all — have come in today.

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

SAA 13 113 — Ninety-eight Kushite Draft Horses Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0097; ABL 0973. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 113; SAAo P334652.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord]! May N[abû and Marduk] bl[ess the king], my lord! 90 Kushite horses from the palace herald; 4 Kushite horses from the governor of Nineveh; 4 Kushite horses from Aššur-belu-taqqin, the prefect — a total of 98 Kushite horses trained to the yo[ke] have come in today.

SAA 13 114 — Five Hundred and Ninety Draft Horses Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04691; ABL 1017. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 114; SAAo P334678.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) May [DN and DN] give to the king, my lord, [lo]ng [days and ever]lasting ye[ars] of well-being, happiness, joy and endurance of reign! 122 horses trained to the yoke from the [commander]-in-chief; 58 from the palac[e herald]; 89 from ...[...]...[...]; 28 from [......]; 12 from [......]...[...]; 130+[x from ......]...[...]; 69 [from ......]; 13 [from ......]; 28 [from ......]; 41 from Dur-Šarruken [...]: in all 5[90+x horses] trained to the yo[ke, (from) ...], which [are] in the surroundings of [GN], and about which [I have written] to the king, [my lord], in [this] letter, have come in today.

Reverse

Concerning the tablet which the [...s] sent [me ...] ...[......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 115 — One Hundred and Eighty-eight Horses and Mules Arrived Today

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12045; CT 53 434. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 115; SAAo P313847.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Bottom Edge

18 E[gyptian] horses,

Reverse

157 cavalry mounts: 175 horses in all; 13 mules — a total of 188 horses and mules have come in today.

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

SAA 13 116 — Broken Report of Arrival of Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01126; ABL 0601. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 116; SAAo P334414.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord! May] Nabû [and Marduk bless the king], my lord! 32 hors[es], 4 Kush[ite] hors[es]: 36 hors[es] trained to the yoke in all; 12 cavalry mounts, 4 mules: 52 in all from Arpad 32 Kushite horses, 7 ...-horses of Kushite stock:

Reverse

39 [ho]rses in all from [...]; 40 [......], x [......]: 60 in all [from ......] — ... [......] ho[rses ...] 10 mu[les ...] have come in [today]. Ditto [...].

SAA 13 117 — Broken Report of Arrival of Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01554; ABL 0959. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 117; SAAo P334647.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. The very best of health to the king, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! Today is New Year's Day. May Bel and Nabû turn the days of the king, my lord, into success and the years of the king, my lord, into profit! [May they grant him] an old age of well-being [... de]liberation!

Reverse

(Break)

Edge

[......] have come in [today]. [...]

SAA 13 118 — The Team of Black Horses Has Not Arrived Yet

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0273; ABL 1153. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 118; SAAo P334759.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant [Nabû-šumu-iddina]. The very best of] health [to the king], my lord! May Nabû and [Marduk] ble[ss] the king, [my] lo[rd]! Concerning the tea[m] of black (horses) charged to the people of Calah about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, saying: "Has it come in?" — it has not yet come in.

Reverse

What (can I say)? May [I] not per[ish] because of the reminder of the king, my lord; the king will remember where [I am] stationed. May Nabû grant (even) broad(er) under[standing] to the king, my lord!

SAA 13 119 — Fragmentary Report Concerning Egyptian Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0514; ABL 1427. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 119; SAAo P334900.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my] lo[rd]: your [servant Nabû-šumu-iddina]. The very be[st] of health to [the king, my lord]! May Nabû and Mar[duk] bless the king, my lord! The 5 wounded Egyptian horses from Adad-ereš [abou]t which the king, my lord, wrote to me [...]... Egypt [......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 120

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10910; CT 53 418. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 120; SAAo P313831.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] day [......] the king, [my] lo[rd ...] month of Shebat (XI), [xth] da[y ...] horse[s ...] Egypt[ian ...] [...]...[......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(broken away)

SAA 13 121 — Fragment of a Letter Mentioning Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05611; CT 53 297. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 121; SAAo P313712.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May DN and DN speak] favorably of [the king, my lord! May they grant to the king], my lord, long days, [everlasting years], and prolongation of reign! eyes ...[......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) ...[......] I keep hear[ing ...] I am alive [......] Concerning the [...] horse[s] about which I wrote to the king, [my] l[ord ...] of Assyria ...[......] yoke [......] from the town of [......] ...[......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 122 — Fifty-eight Horses Have Arrived

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0281; ABL 1159. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 122; SAAo P334763.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ...[......]

Bottom Edge

have not [...]...[...]; 24 horses from the recruits have arrived;

Reverse

16 horses have not yet arrived: a total of 58 Kushite horses have arrived.

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

SAA 13 123 — Fragment of a Horse Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0808; CT 53 949. Sender: Nabu-šumu-iddina (Nadinu). SAA 13 123; SAAo P314358.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May DN ... the ...] of all the four quarters to the yoke of the king, my lord! [May he gi]ve [to the king, my lord], old age, [extreme old age, h]appiness, [......]! (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) I will [arr]ay the [... horse]s trained to the yoke [wh]ich have arrived. [...] 578 horses trained to the y[oke], [x] cav[alry] mounts: [a total of 6]06+ horses. [xth] day. [... t]own of ...[...] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Nine. Letters from Calah — Varia

SAA 13 124–137. 14 texts.

SAA 13 124 — Transport Order for Lahiru and Dur-Šarrukku

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00896; ABL 0558. Sender: Nabu-balassu-iqbi, Iddin-Ea. SAA 13 124; SAAo P334383.

Obverse

[To the king, our lord: your servants, Nabu-bala]ss[u-iqbi] and Nadin-Ea. Good health to the king, our lord. May Bel and Nabû bless the king, our lord. All is very well with our watch. Aššur-naṣir has sent a royal bodyguard to the governor of Lahiru and the governor of Dur-Šarrukku (with the message) concerning the transport order for this work. The governor of Lahiru has obeyed; the governor of Dur-Šarrukku has not. The king, my lord, should know.

SAA 13 125 — All is Well with the Watch of the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00553; ABL 0176. Sender: Nabu-balassu-iqbi, Iddin-Ea. SAA 13 125; SAAo P334121.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, our lord: your servants, Nabû-balassu-iqbi and Iddin-Ea. [Go]od health to the king, our lord. May Bel and Nabû bless the king, our lord. All is very well with the watch of the king, our lord.

Reverse

I have kil[led] a colle[ague of ours] who [...] the off[ice of] under ... [...] Because of it he [...]. As soon as they have questio[ned ...], let the king hear [everything] about it. Aššur-naṣir knows. The king should ask him.

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

SAA 13 126 — Expropriation of Field, House and People

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00575; ABL 0177. Sender: Iddin-Ea. SAA 13 126; SAAo P334122.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Iddin-Ea. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Ištar, Nabû, and Marduk bless the king, my lord. May they grant the king, my lord, the satisfaction of old age, extreme old age. May they firmly establish the throne of the king, my lord, forever. [The foundat]ion of the throne of the ki[ng, my lord], is Ištar of [GN]. [The king], my [l]ord, k[nows it]. (Break)

Reverse

(several lines broken away) [...] [Tomorrow or the d]ay after, the king, my lord, will hear. I will certainly die because of this if (the king) says: "Why didn't you inform me?" Urdu-Nabû, the priest, has written a field, a house and people, sons of temple votaries, in a sealed document and has thus made them his own. Therefore, I am left with no control over them. I have now written to the king, my lord, that the king, my lord, may know (about it).

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

SAA 13 127 — The Statues Require Gold, Copper and Lapis Lazuli

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0050; ABL 0531. Sender: Nabu-bani-ahhe. SAA 13 127; SAAo P334362.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nabû-bani-ahhe. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. The gold statue is now finished. The gold for the copper statue has arrived. Let whomever the king, my lord, commands, come and weigh it out, so we can apply it. The ... with which they weigh(ed) the gold are in the treasury, a sealed building. When whomever the ki[ng, my lord], is going to send [comes], let him bring a seal(ed order) with him, and we[igh out] the gold [for the statue] with it.

Reverse

[They] are ask[ing me] about the lapis lazuli. I have written to the king, my lord, two or three times but it has not been sent to me. Now if there is no lapis lazuli, the king, my lord, should issue an order that they give me a monthly (allotment of) copper just as they gave to Urdu-Nabû, and, in addition, whatever is in the magazine. Kulu'u and Mannu-ki-Arbail, the stone-carver, should come along as well. They will be able to tread before it ices up.

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

SAA 13 128 — Theft of Temple Property

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0013; ABL 0493. Sender: Aššur-reṣu’a. SAA 13 128; SAAo P334340.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Aššur-reṣuwa, priest of Ninurta. Good health to the king, my lord. May Bel, Aššur, and Ninurta bless the king, my lord. May they give to the king, my lord, long days, everlasting years, long life, and the attainment of all he strives for. In the time of the father of the king, my lord, the clergy of the temple of Ninurta cut off 3 fingers (worth) of golden appendages from the beams of gold at the head of Ninurta. I turned in a report to the father of the king, my lord. All the men [went] to meet [...].

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[...] inside [......] their [...] ... [...] They cut off a [... x] spans wide and 11 cubits (= 5.5 m) long, and they removed 8 silver bands from the walls. The eunuch of the king, my lord, should come and investigate. Nabû-eriba, the lamentation priest, and Galul, the temple guard, were in charge of the cutting. They should be interrogated, and their accomplices should be brought out. Now then I and the mayor of Calah had the overseer of the city-gates go down to Urdu-Marduk and Sangu-Issar, and he had a look. The king, my lord, should ask him how much was cut off. How many have they become now? They have been taught (a lesson), but (still) they don't keep their hands off the temple.

Right Edge

(When in the time of) your father they didn't keep their hands off the temple, some of the men were killed. The king, my lord, should do as he d[eems best].

Edge

I am alone; there is no one to take care of the case. They are one [...]. The king, my lord, should know (this).

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

SAA 13 129 — Royal Order for a Waterskin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0087; ABL 0710. Sender: Issar-[...]. SAA 13 129; SAAo P334503.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Issar-[...], priest of Bet-Kidmuri. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. The mayor and the city overseer have come and said: "This is an order from the king: 'Send me a waterskin from Bet-Kidmuri.'"

SAA 13 130 — Tašmetu Goes to the Festival Chapel

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00822; ABL 0858. Sender: Nabu-kudurri-uṣur. SAA 13 130; SAAo P334591.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your [servant], Nabu-kudurri-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. Tomorrow is the 'party' of Tašmetu. Tašmetu, the beloved, will go out and take up residence in the festival chapel. Sacrifices will be offered before her, and she will break her .... In the evening she will come back in and take up her seat. [May] she bless the king, my lord. May she give to the king, my lord, long [days] everlasting [ye]ars, happiness, and good health. The king, my lord, [should know (about this)].

SAA 13 131 — An Ominous Offering Sheep

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00832a; ABL 0975. Sender: Pulu. SAA 13 131; SAAo P334653.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Pulu. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk very greatly bless the king, my lord. The regular sheep offering which was set before Nabû on the 13th day — its left kidney was small [...]. The king, my lord, should see whatever there is to ... (Break)

Reverse

[......] let them give. [...o]f the king, my lord. La[te]r on the king, my lord, will say: "Why did you [...]?" [If] the servants o[f the king w]ho are with me would a[ppo]int [......], would not [the ......] the [next] day, "Why did he not send it to the palace?" I have now sealed up the left kidney, which is small, and forwarded it to the king, my lord. The scholars should inspect it. (Otherwise) the king would later hear (about it) and say: "Why didn't he send it?" and put the blame on me.

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

SAA 13 132

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1067; ABL 1060. Sender: Pulu. SAA 13 132; SAAo P334706.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, my lord: [your servant], Pulu. The best of health to the king, my lord. May Sin, Nabû, and Marduk [bles]s the king, my lord. May Mullissu, the merciful mother, look joyfully with her pure glance upon the king, my lord. May she gra[nt] victory and strength to the king of kings, my lord. From the [...] of your [ki]ngship [...]

Reverse

(Break) let [......] wat[ch ......] let him st[and ......] [......] [...] is the watch [of ...] I will also keep [watch] ... for the king, my lord [...] ... to [...] ... [...] ... Now let them do whatever is acceptable to the king, my lord.

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

SAA 13 133 — A Faulty Offering Sheep

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01386; ABL 0634. Sender: Pulu. SAA 13 133; SAAo P334438.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Pulu. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and] Marduk bless the king, m[y lord]. The regular sheep offering which we made before Nabû — its right kidney was missing. The slaughtered sheep is now in storage. Let them bring it where the king commands.

SAA 13 134 — Letter of Complaint about Pulu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00189; ABL 0951. SAA 13 134; SAAo P334641.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or not translatable) The matter which [he ...] will not pl[ease] the king. Now Pulu, the lamentation priest, has been acting arbitrarily in the temple of Nabû. Without the permission of the king, he tore out doorposts, fastened others, and cut down the ... in the Akitu house of N[abû] and the Akitu house of Tašmetu. As for the golden table of [Mar]duk, which Sargon had made, he assigned a goldsmith to it. He removed the old work and replaced it with new. Furthermore, the dragons upon which Nabû stands, and the socle between them — he has made a sketch out of them. One of the clergymen saw him, but he turned him back and let him go. No one has authority, and no one says (anything) to him. He has appointed officials of his own choosing in the temple. Moreover, the king's father set up golden bottles of ...-liter capacity (with) royal images on them. They would fill with wine the one in front of Bel and the one in front of Nabû. They would be decanted. The wine was the palace allotment. Now this has been stopped. He himself measures out the wine and carries it in. And formerly, when my father supervised the house of eunuchs ordinary beer from groats was decanted, and he used to inspect [new] and old (beer) at the same time.

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

Bottom Edge

[......] regular offerings [Pulu is the one who i]s to blame [for ...] [... which he/th]ey [...] [...(and)] all the [tr]easuries are under his supervision: he is the one to open and seal them. He enters the ritual bath house of Bel and Nabû. (There) twice a year the loins of Marduk are ungirded. All the precious stones and jewelry are under his custody; he does not show them to anybody with him.

Reverse

He also does the work of the woman who carries out the lighting ceremony for Tašmetu. Nobody with him sees (her), neither the deputy priest, nor the temple steward, nor the king's official know. The ... has been left at his disposal and is being placed in [front of Bel] and in front of Nabû with the help of hired laborers. Moreover [they ...] as they please, and [they ...] the regular sheep offering in the afternoon as they please. The regular sheep offering which is car[ried] out in the temple of Marduk should be stopped — for at least one month if not two. The regular sheep offering of the pilgrims (lit. 'the blesser'), which is performed before Nabû, is [incom]plete. They carry out the regular sheep offering in full before Marduk — but having performed its ritual in the temple of [...]mar. No one can do (anything); there is an order to remain silent. But they have changed the old rites! The 'opener of the eyes' [...] the food allotment [...]. Just let [the king], my [lord], ask! [...] the exorcist, the [...]-official [...] [......] [...] the 'opener of the eyes' and [...] [......] Uraš, Nabû, [DN] [......] ... and if [...] [...] which the king, my lord, ... [...] I have stood [...]. Why does [NN] serve [in] my father's [o]ffice while I am dying of hunger? [Con]cerning what [...]

Right Edge

[......]

Edge

[......] to [......] [......] May [Nabû] and Marduk bless [the king]. [... w]rote concern[ing ......]. Let the king try him, and let him write me in detail about the work of the house of eunuch[s].

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

SAA 13 135 — It Is Not an Ancient Ritual

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0118; CT 53 965. SAA 13 135; SAAo P314374.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I will go to [...]. There is [a ritual]. In [the month of ...], on the 16th day, in the even[ing, Ištar] will g[o] through the great gate [and] descend into the cana[l ...]. There is a ritual [he will perform]. She will then come up from the canal, go under the gate of the temple of Nabû, and take a seat in the shrine's gate. [Th]ere is a [ritual] he will perfo[rm]. She will then go d[own] from the shrine's gate in[to the ...] of the palace which faces the [...] of the drinking place. He will fin[ish] 3 libation jars. This is not a ritual; this is nothing. It is not ancient — your father introduced [it].

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

Reverse

On the 19th is the mudarriktu (ritual). Ištar will proceed to the temple of Gula in the countryside and si[t] on a brick. We will make an offering [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 136 — The Ritual is Performed as Commanded

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04689; ABL 1297. SAA 13 136; SAAo P334838.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Concerning [...] the king, my lord [......] ... [......]. Concerning [......] when I/he ... [......] "The 10th day [......] on account of the ass[ignment ...]." Now ... [......] of the temple of Nabû [......] and of the 5 royal body[guards ......] who [many] days [...] (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) A re[port ......] a writing-bo]ard ......] let him give [......] If the king ... [...], it is good not to ... [...]. And whoever wrote to the king, [my] lord, saying: "The day is not auspicious," does he in the same way tell the king the day which [...]? [...]. Now then, I have per[formed] the ritual [which the king] commanded me. [Let the king send] the royal bodyguard [...] who [...] the rituals. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 137

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01132; ABL 0605. SAA 13 137; SAAo P334418.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) May they grant to the king, my lord, lo[ng life] and fulfillment of wishes. May they grant you the [en]tirety of the four quarters. May all the lands be obedient to the king, my lord. Yesterday and the day before yesterday, I did not bother the king, my lord, since there was nothing (wrong). Now, when we did not pour out the straw

Reverse

[...] with Nabû [... x] liters of beer [...] of the day [... o]f 22 [......] my presence (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Ten. Letters from Arbela — Aššur-hamatu’a

SAA 13 138–142. 5 texts.

SAA 13 138 — The Priest of Ea Robs the Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1904-10-09, 0052; ABL 1389. Sender: Aššur-hamatu’a. SAA 13 138; SAAo P334880.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Aššur-hamatu'a. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Ištar, Bel, and Nabû bless the king, my lord. Nabû-epuš, the priest of Ea, has stolen property from the temple. He peeled off and removed the golden ... from the massive (offering) table which is in front of Ištar. Nabû-nadin-apli, the temple guard, caught him red-handed. Even before my time, the [pries]t of Ea committed a [thef]t, but they (the temple authorities) retrieved it and covered it up.

Reverse

The king should question him about both (cases). When the king, my lord, had not yet stationed me in my post, they used to commit thefts and cover them up. (Left) on their own, they (can) cover (everything) up without any effort, (thus) causing great whispering in the temple. Now they are all of one accord, saying: "Let's do it this way." I speak to them, but they don't listen. (What) I have heard I have written to the king, my lord. The king, my lord, should do as he deems best. (One other note): Nabû-epuš, who committed the robberies, is a lamentation priest. He is not to ascend the dais.

SAA 13 139 — Bel Reconciles with Mullissu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0361; ABL 1249. Sender: Aššur-hamatu’a. SAA 13 139; SAAo P334817.

Obverse

[I] am the Lord. I have entered and made peace with Mullissu. Assurbanipal, king of Assyria whom she raised, fear not! I am the Lord. I have forgiven you (Mullissu). Assurbanipal is in a country which is loyal. Together with his country, I have forgiven you. I departed safely and securely from your city. Mercy, compassion ... (Break)

Reverse

(beginning (about 4 lines) broken away) I entrea[ted] and prayed to the Lord. I (then) dispatched Nabû-šarru-uṣur, a tracker of my contingent. (Space) To the king, my lord: your servant, Aššur-hamatu'a. May Aššur and Ištar bless the king.

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

SAA 13 140 — Royal Statues in the Ištar Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0127; ABL 1098. Sender: Aššur-hamatu’a. SAA 13 140; SAAo P334735.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Aššur-hamatu'a. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar [of] Arbela bless the king, my lord. Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me, the royal [images] stood on [the right] and left sides [of Iš]tar [......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [...] May [the gods] who dwell in Arbela bless the king, my lord.

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

SAA 13 141 — More on Royal Statues in the Ištar Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01036; CT 53 018. Sender: Aššur-hamatu’a. SAA 13 141; SAAo P313433.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, my lord: [your servant], Aššur-hamatu'a. Good [health] to the king, my lord. May [Aššu]r and Ištar bless the king, [my lo]rd. Concerning the statues of the king for the temple of Ištar of [Arbela], the work on them has been done. [We] have now delivered the copper for the [...]. (Break) [The ...] of the king should give [... to the chie]f victualler. [And should] the chief victualler say: "It is no good," [... will w]rite [......]. (Break)

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

Reverse

(beginning broken away) I keep hearing [...]. The [chief vic]tualler should give [......] [...] you (pl.) have not said. Let the king, my lord, hear [my ...].

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

SAA 13 142 — Divine Statue(s) in Cultic Activity

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01996; CT 53 223. Sender: Aššur-hamatu’a. SAA 13 142; SAAo P313638.

Obverse

To the king, [my] l[ord]: your servant, A[ššur-hamatu'a]. May Aššur and [Ištar] ble[ss] the ki[ng, my lord]. On the 27th day [of Tammuz (IV)], T[ammuz ...]. On the 28th da[y ...] he/they [...] (Break)

Reverse

(uninscribed)

Chapter Eleven. Letters from Arbela — Varia

SAA 13 143–153. 11 texts.

SAA 13 143 — Exemption of the Servants of Ištar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0044; ABL 0533. Sender: Aplaya. SAA 13 143; SAAo P334364.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant, Aplaya, the temple steward of Ištar of Arbela. Good health t[o the king, my lord]. May Aššur and Ištar bless the king, my lord. When the sealed order of the king, my lord, came before the servants of Ištar, with the message: "Let them be exempted," we blessed the king.

Reverse

Now the chief of servants, whom your father appointed over them — they gathered and unanimously dismissed him, saying, "You will not exercise the office of prefect, the king has made the ap[pointmen]t." What is it that the king, [my lord], commands? All the chief of servants are taking [...] from the major domo.

SAA 13 144 — Report of a Prophecy

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0145; CT 53 969. Sender: Nabu-reši-išši. SAA 13 144; SAAo P314378.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nabû-reši-išši. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur, Ištar, Nabû, and Marduk let the king, my lord, live 100 years. The sacrifices of the king [...] have been performed on the [14]th [day], the 16th, [the 18th], the 20th [......]

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[... ] will go [...] ... [...] ... [...] [...] within [...] ... [...] she prophesied: "Why did you give the [...]-wood, the grove, and the ... to the Egyptians? Say in the king's presence that they should be given back to me. I will (then) give total abundance [to] his [...]."

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

SAA 13 145 — The Temple Weavers are Behind on their Quota

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00636; ABL 0209. Sender: Nabu-mušeṣi, son of Nabu-reši-išši. SAA 13 145; SAAo P334153.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Nabû-mušeṣi, son of Nabû-reši-išši. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur and Ištar bless the king, my lord. The temple weavers have not readied their assigned quotas for me. They are performing masonry-duty.

SAA 13 146 — The Ritual was Successful

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0145; ABL 1415. SAA 13 146; SAAo P334893.

Obverse

The temple of [...] is well. Good health to the [king, my lord]. Your servant, Bel-[...]. May Aššur and Ištar bless th[e king, my lord]. The ritua[l ...] which we perform[ed turned out ver]y, very well. [The king,] my lord, can be glad. [...] ... [...] [...] we ourselves [...]

Reverse

(Break) [...] the [x]th day of Kanun (X) [......] [... of the king,] my lord [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 147 — Ištar Has Gone to the Divine ‘Party’

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0144; ABL 0876. SAA 13 147; SAAo P334603.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant], Marduk-[...]. [Good health] to the ki[ng, my lord.] May [Aššur,] Sin, [Šamaš, Nabû], and Mar[duk] very greatly bless the king, [my lord]. The king, my lord, knows that Ištar of Arbela is powerful. She has gone up to the divine 'party' in Arbela. I am holding a horse for the chief victualler, but he refuses to accept it from me, [nor will he allow] me to transfer it.

Reverse

[...] is passing by on account of it. They should take a horse from the palace and give me a sealed order concerning the chief victualler (to the effect) that he should give me sacrificial bread, lest Ištar kill me. They have made me slip from the grasp of the king, my lord. (But) [if] I am still living, I will revere the [ki]ng, my lord.

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

SAA 13 148 — Fragment of a Report of a Prophecy?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10865; CT 53 413. SAA 13 148; SAAo P313826.

Obverse

[N]N, a votary [of] Ištar [of] Arbela [reported] [th]is mes[sag]e for the k[ing, my lord] — "[...] Ištar [...] (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 13 149 — How Will the King Meet Ištar?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1889-04-26 Bu, 0006; ABL 1164. SAA 13 149; SAAo P334766.

Obverse

Tomorrow Šatru-Ištar will arrive early from Milqia and enter before the king, and afterward the king will enter. Or the king will enter (first), and afterward Ištar will enter. As to which is acceptable to the king, my lord, the king, my lord, should write, and it will be carried out accordingly. Perhaps Ištar (will come) from there and the king from here (simultaneously). How will the king, my lord, fall under the gaze of Ištar? It is about this matter that I have written to the king, my lord.

SAA 13 150

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04784; CT 53 235. SAA 13 150; SAAo P313650.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your [serv]ant, [NN]. May Aššur, Iš[tar], Bel, and Na[bû] bless the king, my lord. The work/ritual which the king, my lord, assigned to me has been completed. I have looked to the matter of the king, my lord. [L]et the [...] en[ter the ...].

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[L]et him perform his [...]. (rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 151

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05476; CT 53 246. SAA 13 151; SAAo P313661.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) May Nabû [and Marduk] ble[ss the king, my lord]. May Aššur and Iš[tar grant to the ki]ng, [my] lord, [lon]g life, lo[ng] days, and everlas[ting yea]rs. (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

Reverse

(beginning broken away)

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

Edge

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

SAA 13 152 — The Bearers of Ištar are All Common Men

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0117; ABL 1103. SAA 13 152; SAAo P334738.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) The day when Ištar went up (in procession) on the w[all], the bearers came up and I saw them in the temple. They are all common men. There is not one from Nineveh's old families. Those who served your father are all in Calah.

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

Reverse

Now then [I hav]e written to the king, my lord. To the chief [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 153 — Parisat-Palê Entered the Akitu Chapel

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13163; CT 53 500. SAA 13 153; SAAo P313913.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May DNN give to the king, my lord], lo[ng days] and everla[sting years]. [...] is well. May Aššur and Ištar bles[s the king], my [lo]rd.

Bottom Edge

On the 24th day [of ...], Parisat-palê came forth [from her temple] to enter the a[kītu] house. All is [very well]. May Aššur and Ištar bless th[e king, my lord ...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

Chapter Twelve. Letters from Nineveh — Varia

SAA 13 154–160. 7 texts.

SAA 13 154 — The Chief Victualler has Stolen My Property

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01101 + K 01221; ABL 0152. Sender: Dadi, son of Bel-remanni. SAA 13 154; SAAo P334098.

Obverse

To the crown prince, my lord: your servant, Dadî, son of Bel-remanni, priest of Bet-Kidmuri. May Aššur and Ištar bless the crown prince, my lord. The chief victualler arrested and interrogated me without (the authorization of) the king or the crown prince. He plundered my patrimony. All that my father had acquired under the king's aegis he plundered and carried off. At the same time, he took away one talent of refined silver and 20 minas of silver in the form of household utensils — gifts of the king and queen mother. I received/inherited my father's office, (but now) I am (even) chased away from the temple.

Reverse

Let the crown prince take care of (this) lest I die without (the help of) the king or the crown prince.

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

SAA 13 155 — They Should Start the Work before the Sacrifices Begin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00940; ABL 0976. SAA 13 155; SAAo P334654.

Obverse

The king, my lord, should give an order to Dari-šarru, Ašš[ur-...], Urdu-Ea, Kiṣir-Aššur, and [NN]. We should go, and [they] should [sta]rt the work before the performance of the sacrifices of the [Inner City] is upon us. The king, my lord, knows that if they [have not started it], the people will get gl[oomy] the very first day.

Reverse

How do I know it? It is what Nabû-[... sa]id to me, so this time we shall do as it is appropriate to do. As soon as we have [...] something, we shall vi[sit] the work and wr[ite].

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

SAA 13 156 — The Leftovers of Aššur Go to the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00675; ABL 0889. SAA 13 156; SAAo P334611.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord], your servants: [NN] and [...]...[...]. Good health to the king, [my lo]rd. May Nabû, Marduk, Si[n], Ištar of Nineveh, and Ištar of Arbela very greatly bless the king, my lord. (Break)

Reverse

When ... [...] He/they [...] the temples The day before yesterd[ay] the meal was offered to the god [...]. The customary leftovers of Ašš[ur] have come to the pal[ace].

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

SAA 13 157 — Theft of a Gold Statue of Erra

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1904-10-09, 0012; ABL 1372. SAA 13 157; SAAo P334870.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the middle [...] He has given out [silv]er and gold from the house of Nabû-šallim-[ahhe], saying: "I have given (it) to the [...]-official of Nabû-šallimšunu." The [...], a servant of Nabû-šallim-ahhe, said the following: "When the king transferred me from Nineveh to Calah, and when the deportees petitioned for barley rations and the cupbearer returned from Calah for the rations, I sealed his (load of) produce on the second day out from the Succession Palace and brought out the golden Warrior Erra from inside it." And the temple stewardess says: "When Nabû-zer-ketti-lešir returned from the Inner City, he entered the presence of Nabû-šallim-ahhe. Nabû-šallim-ahhe questioned him over and over, saying: 'From where have you come?' [He replied: 'I came] from the Inner City.' (Whereupon Nabû-šallim-ahhe) said: 'You! You! — [Wh]y do you want to die as a liar?! Produce the [...] goods in your possession and bring them to me!' Then Nabû-abu-da''in, the cook, cried out. He picked up Warrior Erra and gave it to him along with one set of clothing. That evening and the following morning, he produced 2 ...-containers. This cook, Nabû-abu-da''in, was beaten on the fifth day and died from the beatings."

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

Reverse

(rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 158 — Why Does the Crown Prince Torment Me So?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0170; ABL 1149. SAA 13 158; SAAo P334756.

Obverse

(beginning broken away) [To the crown prince, my lord: your servant, NN.] [Good he]alth [to the crown prince, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk] bless [the crown prince, my lord]. Concerning [what the crown prince, my lord, wrote to me, say]ing: "Why are you here? [Pas]s by and go on to the Inner City" — it is now the second time that the crown prince suddenly writes (like this), (when) it is not time for the sacrifices, and there is no ritual and nothing that would make them send for me hastily. Why the same thing again? The crown prince should have come out so I could have seen his face and health; you should have spoken with me and given me orders — I would then have gone where I had to go, and I would not have said the word [to the crown prin]ce. O crown prince, if [...] [......] ... [...] [......] with me [...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [...] my hunger [...] or in a house enclosed by bricks [...] But why do I s[peak] so much? This is the gist of the whole discourse. I may weep before all the lands, but there is no one who would give heart to me. So it is to you alone that I look — you who are my lord. It is before you that I have wept. If your gods [have m]oved you to have pity for me, then wipe away my tears. [I]f not, tell me, "Go and die!" [Then I wo]uld go away and die. What (else) could I say? I have entreated the crown prince for [...]. [......] offerings.

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

Edge

(Rest destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 13 159 — We Have Started Work on the Ritual Bath

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01861; CT 53 193. SAA 13 159; SAAo P313608.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I will f]inis[h the ... i]n a favorable [...]. (As to) the ritual about which the king, my lord, [questio]ned him, I am expecting the king [a]t the ritual bath in the month Iyyar (II). We have s[tarted work o]n it.

Reverse

[In] the house of the [...]-official is a [...] for the lap [of N]abû 2 cubits [long and x] cubits wide. [... a w]riting board [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 160 — Fragment Mentioning Nineveh

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0149; ABL 1229. SAA 13 160; SAAo P334809.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Your] s[ervant, NN. May] Nabû and [Marduk bless the king, my lord]. That cook [whom the king, my lord ...] sent m[e, saying]: "Show (him) the [...]" — I show[ed (him) the ......]. He said, "I [do] not [...]." The [...... which] he brought [......]

Reverse

(Break) the gods [......] He is a priest [......] of Ninev[eh ......] he has said [......] by my command [......] to the [...]-official [......] "If [......] to [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

Chapter Thirteen. Letters from Babylon — Urdu-ahhešu

SAA 13 161–172. 12 texts.

SAA 13 161 — Restoration Work on the Temples of Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0041; ABL 0471. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 161; SAAo P334324.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May ......] Ma[rduk, .......], lord [of ...], [Zarpani]tu, Nabû, and Tašmetu greatly bless [the king, my lord]. May they lengthen [the days of the ki]ng, my lord. May [Nabû in Ezid]a and Bel in Esaggil show [prosperity] to the king, my lord. [Concerning the lay]ing of the gate(s) in Babylon, [about which the king, my lo]rd, wrote to me, saying: "Go lay it," [it has been laid]. The gate of the temple of Ea [has been l]aid too, and we will lay those of the perimeter of Esaggil [and of ...]. Furthermore, it is [ti]me to (begin) work [on the foundations] of the ziggurat. [We] will issue the ord[er] and they shall begin with it. Shebat (XI) is a favorable month. (Once) the king sends word, they will lay it. Didî, the architect who was appointed for the work on Esaggil, is here. I told him: "Come with me to lay the foundations," but he said: "There is no way I can go without the king's order. I delivered a document to the palace concerning the magazine of Esaggil about which I came. But they have not yet issued an order to me." They should issue an order for him so that he can go with me. Without him, we will not be able to lay the foundations.

Reverse

Concerning the perfumes, sweet-scented oil, red earth paste and precious stones [which] we are to lay [in] the foundations, let [the king,] my [lo]rd, issue an order for them to give (them) to us.

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

SAA 13 162 — Restoration Work in the Esaggil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01461; ABL 0120. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 162; SAAo P334068.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Ur]du-ahhešu. [Good he]alth to the king, my lord. May [Aš]šur and Ešarra bless the king, my [lor]d. May Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Nanaya, and all the gods who dwell in Esaggil lengthen the days of the king, my lord. May they firmly establish the throne of the king, my lord. May they grant happiness and physical well-being to the king, my lord. 138 cedars have been brought here this year from the magazine [of] Carchemish. Of these 30 large cedars [... for] the outer cella of Bel; [x+]2 cedars we fastened on top of [...] [... up]on the city gate ... [...]

Reverse

[......] [...... we] fastened [... u]pon [... w]e fastened [...] concerning [......] work involving brick(s) [......] not remaining [...]s, drainage pipes [...] walls [...] enclosures. This is a work [involving] burn[t bricks ...]. We will do our [...]. [The king, my lord, s]hould know (about this). [We h]ave written the name of the king, my lord, on [all] the pedestals (and) all [the n]ecks [of the statues]. Your gods [...] we have made [......] dust [......] ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 163 — Plaster and Cedar Beams for the Esaggil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0122; ABL 1219. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 163; SAAo P334801.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-ahhešu. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur and Ešarra bless the king, my lord. May Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Nanaya, and all the gods who dwell in Esa]ggil lengt[hen the days of the king], my lord. May they firmly establ[ish the throne of the ki]ng, my lord. [May they grant happiness] and physical well-being to the kin[g, my lord]. 64 ced[ar] roof-beams [...] 360 door-beams [...] Aššur-šallim-ahhe [...] who is under the authority of Mannu-ki-Issar-le'i [...] Didî will not release the [cedar] roof-beams to us [...] saying, "...[...]

Bottom Edge

From this we [......] this year [......] which ... [......]

Reverse

a gold statue without [......] gate of the secret word [......] The king, my lord, should know (about this). [......] We gathered [......] for this year, and we applied plaster to Es[aggil...]. All the [...] of Esaggil [...] Marduk-aplu-idd[ina ......] [...] of the gate of [the secret] wo[rd] [...] had set aside [...] [...] the wal[l(s) ......] [...] yet [......] [...] ... [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 164 — Roofing Shrines in the Esaggil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01911; CT 53 060. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 164; SAAo P313475.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) their [...]s [......] [May they lengthen] the days of the king, [my] lord. [May they grant] happiness and [physical] well-being to the king, [my] lord. May they guard the throne of the king, [my lord]. [......] of Esaggi[l ... about which] he wrote to me: "[...] of cedar [......]" (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) We roofed the temple of [DN and] the cella of [... and] of My Lady wit[h ...]. [We ...] the cella of [...] with cypress and fir. We roofed Eengurra with cypress and [fir]. All this has been [completely done]. The rem[ain]der of the fir, the [...], and the [...]s of [... (and)] of [...], was in the charge of the [...] of the temple [...]. The king, my lord, should know (about this). [......] [...] has been roofed [...] (Break)

Edge

[The citizen]s of Borsippa have inspected [......].

SAA 13 165 — Restoration Work in the Esaggil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1666; CT 53 846. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 165; SAAo P314255.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] attaching [......] brick courses [......]... [......] of the temple of Marduk [......] they elevated [...] ... the carpenters [...] are open [...]s [...] brick courses [...] ... of the sanctuary on the terrace (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) [......] has been overla[id with ...] the [...] of the beams [...] are left over. (rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 13 166 — Memorandum on Affairs to be Discussed with the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01519; ABL 0464. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 166; SAAo P334319.

Obverse

Concerning the doors of Esaggil to be mounted with precious metals. Concerning the cedar beams for Babylon, Sippar, and Cutha to be used in roofing the temples. Concerning the wine of Ass[yria about which] I spoke to the king, saying: "In the time of your father and [grandfat]her they [filled] 800 jars ... for Bel, Nabû, and Nergal. Now t[hey are filling] 300." Concerning the regular sheep offerings about which I spoke to the king, saying: "The Halmaneans annually give 330 sheep to Bel. Now since the crown prince took the throne, they have withheld them and will not give (any)." Concerning the masons of Cutha, about whom the king said: "I shall send word. They will do (it)."

Reverse

Concerning the tax of oxen and sheep for Bel, Nabû, and Nergal, which the governors have collected. Concerning Bel-le'i, the zazakku, about whom I spoke to the king, saying: "Let them write and bring him. He should come and work in the Inner City." Concerning the king of Babylon, about whom the king spoke, saying: "I shall have inquiries made; as for the report about which you spoke, make it good, explain [...] to me, [and ...] what you intend (to do)."

SAA 13 167 — Restoration Work on the Esaggil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0061; CT 53 959. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 167; SAAo P314368.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [May they grant] to the lord [of kings], my lord, happ[iness, physical well-being, long] days, and [everlasting] year[s]. 8 beam[s ...] which are in [...] to [...]

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

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

(beginning (a couple of lines) broken away) saying: "[I/he] received (it/them). You will give the [...] to u[s]. Let them return to [...]." The [...] of the cella of [... ] and the foundation o[f the cella] of Taš[metu ...]. Wh[at ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 168 — The Restoration of Esaggil is Completed

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00499; ABL 0119. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 168; SAAo P334067.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Urdu-ahhešu. Good health to the king, my lord. May Aššur and Ešarra bless the king, my lord. May Marduk, Zarpanitu, Nabû, Tašmetu, Nanaya, and all the gods who dwell in Esaggil lengthen the days of the king, my lord. May they firmly establish the throne of the king, my lord. May they grant happiness and physical well-being to the king, my lord. Esaggil, (including) the upper courtyard in the temple in which Bel and Beltia reside, together with its sanctuaries, and the cella of Tašmetu, the lower courtyard, together with its san[ctuaries] — every bit of this has been c[ompletely] rebuilt. The plaster, the [...], the front and bac[k of ...], the daises of [Bel] and Nabû [...], the burnt brick[s for...] we have made and we have [...]. All the drainage pipes [are finished]. We have placed battlements of bitu[men and] burnt brick on all the temples. We are awaiting the rites. The king, my lord, should know (this).

Reverse

The king of Babylon has told us: "You should rebuild the continuous enclosure wall of Esaggil. You should also rebuild the temple of Belet-Babili. Let the oth[er] masons glaze the kiln-fired bricks for the enclosures of Esagg[il]." The king, my lord, should know (this too).

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

SAA 13 169 — Cult Objects Stolen

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15277; CT 53 635. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 169; SAAo P314047.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] ... [...] greatly [bless the king], my [l]ord. The [...]ians have ta[ken] the [suppor]ts for the pedestals, [the ...], and the wooden water ornaments [for the table of Za]rpanitu. [...] Nabû-ahhe-bulliṭ, [NN, and N]abû-ašared [......]. (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) [...] gold [co]ntainers [...] abundant lapis lazuli [...] goes there. [the ...] is much [which ...] will come [......] ... gold (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 170 — Fragment Mentioning Esaggil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 19683. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 170; SAAo P336736.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) 150 [......] 5 tables ... [...] Adad-... [...] the king ... [...]

Reverse

arm-bands, ri[ngs ...] Esaggil [... front] and rear [...] on the 15th day ... [...] in order to a[pply] the plaster (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 171 — Killers on the Loose

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-07-27, 0099; CT 53 905. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 171; SAAo P314314.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] in the hands of m[y] friend Concerning the killing of the men [who conspired with NN] and about whose killing he spoke [with the king], my [lord] —

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

Bottom Edge

[The ...s who] were sent [with] the letter [...] Asalluhi-ahu-uṣur, the priest of Bel [......], saying: "Capture [and ...] the[se ...]; the men [......]."

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 172 — We Have Not Been Selling Sheep

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 514; CT 53 876. Sender: Urdu-ahhešu. SAA 13 172; SAAo P314285.

Obverse

(Obverse and beginning of reverse too fragmentary to translate) (rest broken away)

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

Reverse

(beginning broken away) When [......] saying: "How many [have you sold] for [silver]? [These are] sheep of [...]." The shepherds of regular sheep-offerings told them a[s follows]: "We have not sold [a single sheep] for silver, (nor) [...] from [...]. In truth, we supply (sheep) of our own as food for Bel. This [year], either the [...] sheep or the tamītu-sheep which were presented t[o the ... o]f Bel [...]." Concerning the ox which [......] [... we shall] perform [......] [...] ox [......] (Break)

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

Edge

[...] Since he has not brought it [...]

Chapter Fourteen. Letters from Babylon — Rašil and Šuma-iddin

SAA 13 173–185. 13 texts.

SAA 13 173 — We Are Rebuilding Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1891-05-09 Bu, 0039; ABL 0501. Sender: Rašil. SAA 13 173; SAAo P237672.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your servant, Rašil. May [Marduk and Zarpan]itu bless the king, my lord. I [was a dead dog], but the king, my lord, revived me. He helped me conquer [my famine and h]unger. [Now if] I had not written [to] the king, my lord, concerning the house of my lords [and ...], they would not have sought [... from] my [hands, and the king, my lord], would not have stretched out [his hand towar]d me. [And because the]y saw [that we ourselves] are rebuilding Babylon, they too complained. [Just now], when I heard, I wrote [to the king, my lord]. (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......] land of the king (Break) [...... s]ent [The king should d]o [as he] deems best.

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

SAA 13 174 — Let Me Have the Gems So I Can Finish My Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00646; ABL 0498. Sender: Rašil. SAA 13 174; SAAo P237841.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Rašil. Good health to the king, my lord. May Marduk and Zarpanitu bless the king, my lord. Your temples are well. I have made the statues which the king, my lord, ordered. I have made the crown of Anu which the king, my lord, ordered. (Both) the sun disks about which I spoke to the king and the ...-emblems have been made. About what I said to the king, my lord: "The 12 minas of gold which came in to me as gifts for Bel I have made into rosettes and ...-ornaments for Zarpanitu." I will now fashion the seals which the king, my lord, gave me. The gems going on the crown of Anu, and those gems of yours going on the sun disks are stored in the treasury of the temple of Aššur. No one can open (it) without the authority of the priest and Nabû-eṭir-napšati. I have now written to the king, my lord, that the king send me anyone whom the king, my lord, pleases to open (the treasury), so that I can finish (the work) and give it to the king, my lord.

Reverse

I am the who blesses the king, my lord. I trust in the king, my lord. I pray to Marduk and Zarpanitu for the life, happiness, health, and longevity of the king, my lord. I must not become estranged from the king, my lord. Marduk-zeru-ibni is slandering me because he trusted Urdu-Nabû and Nadinu. I, (on the other hand,) trust in the king, my lord. May the eyes of the king be upon me. Marduk-zeru-ibni has opened the chests (under) the seals of Šuma-iddin and removed gems from them. The king should know (this).

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

SAA 13 175 — The Design for the Bed of the Lord of Heaven and Earth

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00545; ABL 0497. Sender: Rašil. SAA 13 175; SAAo P237825.

Obverse

To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant, Rašil. Good health to the king, my lord. May Marduk and Zarpanitu bless the king of the lands, my lord. Concerning the sketch of the bed of the Lord of heaven and earth, about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, saying: "Send it" — I have now [sent it t]o the king, my lord. The king, my lord [... i]n regard to [... wro]te to me [......] (one line broken away)

Reverse

[...] gold in [...] [...] will go [...]s ... I have now written to the king, my lord. The king, my lord, should do as he deems best.

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

SAA 13 176 — Send Me Assistants for the Clothing Ceremony of Bel

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00474; ABL 0496. Sender: Rašil. SAA 13 176; SAAo P237815.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your [servant], Rašil. [Goo]d health to the king, my lord. May Marduk and Zarpanitu grant you long days, everlasting years, happiness, and physical well-being. The 3rd of Elul (VI) is the clothing (ceremony) of Bel; the 4th day is the grand opening of the gate. The king, my lord, knows (this). Iddin-ahi and Ina-qibi-[Bel], the two clergymen about whom [they issue]d an or[de]r [to me], saying: "Send them" — they have gone to the king, my lord. Now let the king, my lord, send them back here so that they can serve with me at this clothing (ceremony).

Reverse

The king knows that I myself am taking care of the clothing (ceremony) according to orders and that there is no one else with me. The king should do as he deems best.

SAA 13 177 — Send Their Carpenters

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0003; ABL 0475. Sender: Rašil. SAA 13 177; SAAo P237235.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, [Rašil]. May Nabû and Ma[rduk] bless [the king], my lord. Concerning Nadin-ahi and Ina-qibi-Bel, his brother, the two clergymen about whom the king, my lord, issued an order to me, saying: "Send their carpenters (here)" — I have now sent them to the king, my lord.

Reverse

(rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 178 — Report to Esarhaddon on Recent Events in Babylonia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi, Istanbul, Turkey, TKSM 21/676; BBEA. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 178; SAAo P336737.

Obverse

To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Šuma-iddin. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king of the lands, my lord. I was coming to the king, my lord, (but) when Mar-Issar came saying: "I will inscribe the pedestals" — as far as he was concerned there was nothing worth looking at. (So) I was delayed in his presence. As soon as he has finished with me here, I will come and kiss the feet of the king, my lord. The statues of the king which Mar-Issar brought here, saying: "Inspect (them), and let the one which is perfect stand" — when the scholars and I, (all) servants of the king, inspected (them) together, the very statue which I sent to the king, my lord, was perfect in that the king, my lord, is girding himself, and you(!) are entering before Marduk, your god; (this) is the very statue which I sent to the king, my lord. The arrangement of the clothing of the king, my lord, is just like that (of the statues) which they are setting up in Assur upon the dais of Bel (and) I have set up in Esaggil and the temples of Babylon. Let the king have a look; and if it pleases the king, my lord, let one exactly like his stand, or if it does not please the king, my lord, let the very statue of the king, my lord, which I sent, stand. When Aha-iddina, the chief votary, Balaṭu, the 'farmer' of Bel, Bel-ušallim, and Nabû-eriba — grooms of the royal delegate — invoked the right of appeal to the king, I sent them to the king. Let the king hear what they have to say. But they are telling me the following: "When the two eunuchs ran away from Assyria, the royal delegate hid them in his house. And now he has sent them to Borsippa." I can not act on my own authority and bring them from Borsippa. If it pleases the king, my lord, let the king's messenger come with them and lead them here (from) where they are living before they hear and go somewhere else.

Reverse

I have captured the eunuch about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me. I am now occupied with Mar-Issar. As soon as we have completed our work, I will bring him (the eunuch) with me. Whoever has a brother or someone inside the palace can rely on him. I, however, have no one in the palace of the king, my lord, except the king, my lord. I pray to Marduk and Šeru'a for the sake of the life of the king, my lord.

Edge

Imbâ, of the Gallabu family, the 'measurer' of the governor, has come from Elam. The governor hasn't seen him. You, O king, should know (this).

SAA 13 179 — More About Events in Babylonia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04789; ABL 0968. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 179; SAAo P238356.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] man of [......] [......] men of the king, whe[n ...] [...] all of Babylonia [...] [There is no relative of] mine in the palace of the king, [my] lord. [Should they ...] here, I will disperse their encampment and dw[ellings] here, saying: "The 60+[x men] who have gone must not [...] to the king. Did I myself not say: '10 is all [I commanded], and you who would go, [wait] for me?'" As for the work of the gods of the king in which I was e[arlier] delayed, I have (now) show[n him] the work. In addition to the work which [I have done] on the god of heaven and earth, I have [fashioned] the front sides of the golden pedestals, and [have inscribed] the name of the king, my lord, the[reon]. But when the royal delegate came, he said: "This is an order of the king: '[You will] not [do] any work.'" And he he[ld back] the regular offerings for Bel. Now I ha[ve written] to the king, my lord. He [...] inside it [......]. [......] wo[rk in] the palace [......] house [......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......] cell[a ...] [......] When I brou[ght in NN], the royal bodyguard [...] and the royal bodyguard who came with the son of [...], the merchant who [...] the seal testified in their presence that [he had spoken] untruthfully to the king, my lord. Even before he was on his way to the king, my lord, I said: "You will [give] the seal to Dadâ." How did he come into possession of the seal? I have confirmed that [the seal] was with him. I seized it for the account of Bel [...]. Because in our opinion [he is a liar]. He spoke equivocably to the king, my lord. One seal is work I can ha[ndle] on my own. But when one talent of gold and nu[merous] gems turn up here, should I be the one to take them to [DN] or should that be [their] responsibility? I must not be the one to give them to Bel. But [...] his officials who [...] [...] to the king, my lord [...] [...] them. If [......] [...wi]thout th[em ......] [......] the king to [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 180 — The Statue of Marduk is Coming, They Say

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0161; CT 54 395. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 180; SAAo P240243.

Obverse

(Beginning broken away)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [......] when he/they returned [......] [......] they did [......] [...] let [the ki]ng, my lord, identi[fy ......] [...] will n[ot] listen and [......] [......] are aware ... [..] [He ...] and [...] of the feet of [...] [Wh]en [...] came, he kept retreating. In the face of [an uprising and] revolt of the people [...] did not go [bef]ore you. [Now] they are speaking [abou]t the statue of Marduk, [saying: "The statue] is coming." Whatever he says is gossip for the city. [......] and now in the tents [......] his gods will [...] (Rest broken away)

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

SAA 13 181 — Troubles with a Chaldean Chieftain

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0032; CT 54 506. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 181; SAAo P237244.

Obverse

[To the king of the lan]ds, [my] lo[rd: your servant, Šuma-id]din. [May Nabû and Marduk] bless the king of the la[nds], my [lo]rd. [The sta]tue of Bel which the king, my lord, made [in] Babylon, is short one-half of a ...-garment and the ...-wood for the .... Had the king indeed sent (them), it would have been finished quickly. The 'Son of Dakuru' has frightened the town(s) of Malilati and Apak which the king gave to Bel (and) the official which the royal delegate and I appointed therein. Moreover, he has tu[rned away] his ears and refuses to give dates to Bel. He has shown no respect for the king, saying: "I will give of my own accord and establish my own name." The king should do as he deems best.

Reverse

As for what I said to the king, my lord, namely: "My money is in the possession of the '[So]n of Dakuru,'" to which the king, my lord, then replied: "[There is no] sealed order. Let (one) come and you will receive [your money] from him." (Rest destroyed)

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

Right Edge

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

SAA 13 182 — Broken Letter Mentioning Rašil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 08530; ABL 1034. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 182; SAAo P238742.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] Beltia [...] [......] you must not sa[y ......] Because you are withholding [...], he c[ame here], saying: "Go and [...] the gods. Moreover, perform the full ilku-duty in the temple [(of) ...]." As soon as I went, the royal bodyguard [of the kin]g, my lord, said: "He will give an accounting." In anger, they took away every single thing that I had re[ceived]. When the city overseer and Issar-na'di, the mayor, joined in the conspiracy with the royal bodyguard, saying: "Fall upon Rašil and take the [...] from him, and with [......]" (Break)

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

Reverse

I have now written to the king, my lord, that the ritual must not be carried out in the temple of your gods. I always used to lie down with Marduk and Zarpanitu. I always used to lie down with the king, my lord. The king must not abandon me, nor must I go to ruin because of oppressive acts. If he has deducted that which belongs to the king, my lord, and put at my disposal even one or two shekels of gold, then let the king kill me in the assembly of the lands. [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 183 — Fragment Mentioning Rašil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0164; CT 54 467. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 183; SAAo P236996.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) and [......]

Bottom Edge

let him send [...] to Rašil, the clergyman of Be[l ...]. As for what Bel-naṣi[r, the ...-official] of the king, said, I summoned (him) [......].

Reverse

As soon as I [...] into the Inner City, into Ešarra, the garden, which is under the authority of ... The king [should do] as he [deems best]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 184 — Fragment Mentioning Rašil

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00908; ABL 0861. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 184; SAAo P334593.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, NN]. G[ood health t]o the king, [my] lord. May Marduk and Zarpanitu bless the king, my lord. The order came straight from the king, my lord's mouth: "Rašil [will give you] the wooden [...]." Until no[w] no one has issued an order, and he has not given (any) to me.

Reverse

May the king, my lord, not [forsake me]! Let the king, my lord, [send] a royal b[odyguard ...] outs[ide ...] (and) [let] the king, my lord, [...] me. Now the ki[ng], my [lo]rd, raised me to heaven. Why, (then), from before the feet [of the king], my lord, [......]. (Break)

Edge

If I [cannot see] the face of the king, my lord, why should I live?

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

SAA 13 185 — Threats and Beatings

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0134 + 1904-10-09, 0022; ABL 1374+. Sender: Šuma-iddin. SAA 13 185; SAAo P334871.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... N]N, so[n of ...] [...] his mouth and hands [...] They should hand (him) over. His mouth [...] [...] their wrists ...[...] They should ..., and they should raise the ...[...] in their hands. If he in fact did not attack [me] and they are not handing (me) over, then he should say so before the king! The threat to my person about which I testified against them in the king's presence is the fact that they daily take an oath against me, saying: "Let's kill him!" But because they couldn't kill me they are speaking to the king's magnates, their allies, and they are filing complaints against me before the king. It was only when they said to me "Swear to us" about an earlier letter which I in fact had not sent to the king, that I sent my letter to the palace. I said nothing to them, but they still beat me! The king has seen this face of mine which they beat, but not one report or one oath against them enters the palace. They've turned the whole palace against me!

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

Reverse

May Marduk and Zarpanitu bless the king of the universe, my lord! The king must not deliver me into their hands! I am alone. I have no one. They beat me, and with each blow [...] I die. I have no one. What the king ...[...] [Let] the king [...] before the palace supervisor. If before someone el[se ...] [...] let [them] appoint [...] [...] I am dying! I [...] (Break)

Edge

Let the king give me [...] that I may do [...]. Let the king see my work [...].

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

Chapter Fifteen. Letters from Various Locations — Kurba’il, Harran, Kilizi, etc.

SAA 13 186–190. 5 texts.

SAA 13 186 — The Weavers Have Not Given the Garments

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1889-04-26 Bu, 0396; SAAB 02 72. Sender: Aplaya of Kurba’il. SAA 13 186; SAAo P336800.

Obverse

To the king, lord of kings, [my lord]: your servant, Aplaya, the priest of Kurba'il. Good health to the king, my lord. May Adad, Šala, and Šarrat-nakkanti — the gods who dwell in Edurhenunna — bless the king, my lord, and keep him alive. May they give the king, my lord, happiness and physical well-being. May they grant long days and everlasting years to the king, my lord. (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [...] I did [n]ot wr[ite/send]. [... the we]avers have [not] given the cloth[ing]. Perhaps [the king], m[y lord], will say: "From where did they issue them in the past?" They used to issue the work-quotas from the palace, and the we[av]ers from Arbela used to weave them.

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

SAA 13 187 — The King Had Mercy on his Servant

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00477; ABL 0514. Sender: Bel-iddina of Harran. SAA 13 187; SAAo P334354.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Bel-iddina. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and [Marduk] very greatly bless the king, my lord. May Aššur, Nikkal, and Lord-Crown, who love the name of the king, my lord, ask forever after the health of the king, my lord. May they give to the king, my lord, happiness and physical well-being. May this Sin, (as well as) Nikkal and Nusku, to whom the king, my lord, has been obedient and whom he has revered, [...... to] the king, my lord.

Reverse

(Break) [...] to [......] [...] the king [...] [...with]in [...] [...] ... [...] May Ištar of Nineveh and Ištar of Arbela return to the king, my [lord], many regnal ye]ars of good luck. [The king], my lord, had pity on his servant, saying: "Praise Sin (for it)!" Today is the second day I am praising him; I will finish it tomorrow. I will make a sacrifice of well-being before Sin and bless the king, my lord.

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

SAA 13 188 — Thirty Talents (Plus a Few Minas) of Silver for Cultic Objects

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0152 + 1883-01-18, 0066; CT 53 921. Sender: NN of Harran. SAA 13 188; SAAo P314330.

Obverse

[To the mother of the kin]g, [my] lor[d], [your servant: NN]. Good [hea]lth to [the mother of the king, my lord. May Sin], Nikkal, [Nusku], Šamaš, Aya, [DN, and DN] bless the king and the mot[her of the kin]g, [my lor]d. I myself, the deputy of the governor, the scribe, the deputy of the treasurer, the temple scribe, the priests of the temples of Harran, together with Šarru-lu-dari, the chariot-driver, weighed out and received 30 talents and [x+]6 minas of silver. [In] Shebat (XI) [...] the month [ ..., we] moved up [......] the works. [...] at the right of the gods [...] the tail of a lion [...] the temple of [...] [...] a bed inlaid [with silver] [...ca]me as far as the threshhold [... x] royal cubit(s) wide [we have st]arted [work] on the lion. The heig[ht is ...] [... they] will per[form] the [r]itual

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

I will bring the [... just a]s the mother of the king [commanded]. [...] ... [...] they approached [the mot]her of the king, my lord. [...] ... [...] I did not see a [...] of silver in the likeness of the wo[rk of the mother of the ki]ng, my lord. I in[scribed the name of the mother of the king] on as many [statues of the mother of the king] as they had made. [I also inscribed the name of RN], king of Assyria, on them. ... [...] [... the ki]ng to the [...]s [...] (the city of) [...] [......] the mother of the [kin]g I had [a stat]ue of the mother of the king made for the [...]s which are [...] in the streets of Gadisê. Utensils [...] for (the city of) [...] of/which [......] [......] [......] the mother of the king, [my] l[ord] [......] which in [...] [...] ... [...] [...] up to two days [......] will be present [...] I will inspect [...]

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

Right Edge

[... w]ith Nikka[l ...] (one line uninscribed)

SAA 13 189 — Adad Will Go to the Festival Chapel

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0032; ABL 1197. Sender: NN of Kilizi. SAA 13 189; SAAo P334787.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king], my [lord]. The temple[s] of Kili[zi] have been provid[ed with...]s. (In) the month of Iyyar (II), on the 6th day, Adad will set out in procession and take up residence in the Akitu house.

Reverse

The king, my lord, [will make] the exorcist and the lamentation priest [g]o, [and they will ta]ke Adad [...] into his temple. (rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 190 — These Gods Should Go to Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0067 + 1889-04-26 Bu, 0017; CT 53 141. Sender: Šamaš-šumu-lešir of the Province of the Chief Cupbearer. SAA 13 190; SAAo P313556.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant, Šamaš-šumu-lešir. Good health to the king, my lord. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord. When the king, my lord, sent me to the Land of the Chief Cupbearer and gave fields to his servants, in that city to which I ascended, in one temple these six deities were dwelling: Marat-Sin of Eridu, Marat-Sin of Nemed-Lagudu, Marat-Eridu, Nergal, Amurru, and Lugalbanda. The people there told me: "These gods came with the king's father from Issete. The king's father said: 'I will send them with Bel to Babylon.'"

Bottom Edge

No one has spoken about this to the king. They indeed came here with Bel.

Reverse

Now if the king, my lord, (so) commands, let a royal messenger go, and let them bring these gods (there) and have them sent on their way. Why should they dwell here? I have written t[o the king], my [lord], about what I have seen. [Unlike a] servant of the king, on [the day w]hen I came here at the written order of the ki[ng], my lord, I did not even get an audience with the king, my lord. And I perish at my work, like a [dog]; I have not even entered the presence of the king, my lord. Am I not your servant? O king, my lord, let me behold that beautiful face of yours. Why must I die for want of food? Like a dog, I bound about and roam around. I have no house, no maid, no servant. (If this is) the way the king, my lord, regards me, I am finished. O king, my lord, for what reason did you bring me here?

Chapter Sixteen. Unassigned and Unattributed Letters

SAA 13 191–211. 21 texts.

SAA 13 191

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1428; ABL 0940. Sender: Bel-šarru-uṣur of the Ekur. SAA 13 191; SAAo P334636.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: [your servant], Bel-šarru-uṣur, [priest of] Ekur. [May DN bl]ess the king, [my lord]. The 12 [...]s which he/they [...] to the king, my lord. [NN and Be]l-ušabši (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) May [...] bless [...]

SAA 13 192 — Damage to Divine Furnishings

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0121; ABL 1212. SAA 13 192; SAAo P334796.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[When NN] and the men with him were bringing Šarrat-samme down from the temple, one of them slipped, and a leg of the ceremonial couch came in contact with the ground. [Now] there is [a ...] [...] the ground [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 193

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0114; ABL 1243. SAA 13 193; SAAo P334815.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant, NN. Good health to the king, my lord. May Bel] and Na[bû] grant l[ong] days, everlasting years, happiness, and physical well-being to the king, my lord. The middle entrance to the courtyard of the temple of Adad which they dismantled is [...].

Reverse

of their [...] those who enter [......] not [......] to (the city of) [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 194

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07319; CT 53 316. SAA 13 194; SAAo P313731.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] are strong. [......] ... [... which he/they will s]urround [......] ... [......] ... [......] ... [... in the p]ossession of the palace [... in] the possession of the priest [......] the cooks

Bottom Edge

(uninscribed)

Reverse

[......] the [...]s [...pl]us the storehouse [... t]he priest [...] (rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 195 — Letters to the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09777; CT 53 406. SAA 13 195; SAAo P313819.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [... NN], son of the chief singer, is saying: "[......; I heard it] from the mouth of the temple ste[ward]. I and the chief singer have written a letter and sent it [to the pala]ce." (blank space of about three lines) [NN], the horse trainer, says: "[I heard] from the mouth o[f ......]; the temple steward [wrote] a letter [about it to the palace]. Later [...]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 196 — A Problem in Samaria?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11456; CT 53 425. SAA 13 196; SAAo P313838.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] to the king, [my] lord [...] [... NN], his legal [adversary, invoked] the right of appeal to the king concern[ing ..., saying: "[N]N who in Samar[ia comp]letely [...]. I will g[o ...]." Now [the king, my lord, should ...] to [his] servant[(s) le]st I die [......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [... u]s [...] [...] he/they do not [...] [...] the image of the ki[ng ...] [...] I have seen. The king, [my] lo[rd] my [...] to the king, [my] lo[rd] [...] a break of [...] [...] is [in] fear [...] [... which he/they] ... the king, my lord [...] [...] all not [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 197 — About a Divine Party

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12997; CT 53 452. SAA 13 197; SAAo P313865.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] The seal [...... the king] my lord should command: "[......]" their 'party' which [......] let them bring; the servants [of ...] should perform [...]. If there is fault [......]. Now the king ... [......]. The eye[s o]f the king are upon [......] [No] one inter[cedes] for me [...] and from th[is] silver [...] [The king], my [lo]rd, knows t[hat ......] (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 13 198 — Counting Statues

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14255; CT 53 516. SAA 13 198; SAAo P313929.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) of/which [......] [...] 2 statues of the king [......] we made [......] Total: 15 ... [......] Total: 16 [......] statue of [......] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) 3 [......] 102 [......] 2 ... [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 199

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14609; CT 53 544. SAA 13 199; SAAo P313956.

Obverse

To the k[ing, my lord: your] serv[ant, NN] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [in] my presence [...] [...] constan[t ...] He should [perform] the sacrifice. It is the beginning of [...] ... [...].

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

SAA 13 200 — The Sacred Marriage of the Lord of the Lands

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14997; CT 53 601. SAA 13 200; SAAo P314013.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[......] b[ed]room [...] Lord of the Lands, g[em(s)] [...] (his) [...] in the bedroom [which] he/they [...], he [...] [......] there is [...... bedr]oom [...] a new [...] in the [bed]room [...] in ... [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 201 — Trampled Writing Boards

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15117; CT 53 622. SAA 13 201; SAAo P314034.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) writing boar[ds ...] of boxwood [...] was trampled upon [...]. The writing board[s ...] appeara[nces ...] flesh [...] he/they [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(completely broken away)

SAA 13 202 — Fragment Mentioning Harran

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15384; CT 53 653. SAA 13 202; SAAo P314065.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) to [......] the gods o[f ......] ... [......] of/which [......] (Break)

[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)

Edge

[...... to] 30 ye[ars ......] [...... to] the king, my lord I [......] [......] ... for the table [......] [......] ... the citizens of Harran [......] [......] ... [......]

SAA 13 203

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15399; CT 53 662. SAA 13 203; SAAo P314074.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Bottom Edge

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

Reverse

On the 10th day, the statues [...] Total: statue of Marat-[...] we have [...] [...] ... [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 204

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15612; CT 53 681. SAA 13 204; SAAo P314092.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [which] he/they [...] [...] their [me]ssenger [...] within the bedro[om] [...] spoke to [us] [...] within ... [...] [...] ... [...] (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 13 205

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16068; CT 53 738. SAA 13 205; SAAo P314148.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) [... the sta]tue of the king [...] [...] to [...] [...] in the begin[ning ...] [... t]o the ki[ng ...] [......] ... [...] (rest uninscribed)

SAA 13 206

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0334; CT 53 896. SAA 13 206; SAAo P314305.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) of the images [...] which is before [......] in the morn[ing ...] in the temple [......] they will plac[e ......] of/which the king [......] the magaz[ine ...] in the house/temple [......]

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

Bottom Edge

(some faint traces (nothing?) and an uninscribed line)

Reverse

Ti[......] (and) Sin-[......], brothers [of ......] On the 9th o[f ......] saying, "[NN] the priest [... t]o [NN] the temple steward [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 207 — Priests’ Helpers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0365; CT 53 899. SAA 13 207; SAAo P314308.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) May [DNN] bless [the king, my lord]. May Bel [and Nabû] give to [the king, my lord], a [life] of [lon]g days. [May the king, my lord, by] the command of [...] and [..., whose] shepherd[ship] is as eternal as [heaven and earth], exercise kingship [...] years of reign. [As to what the king], my lord, wrote to me: "Make known to me the names of the priests [... and] the [...] of their gods [...]" — [......] temple [...] (Break)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) These are the ones who are stand[ing] in for their fathers: Ahu-riba, son of the boatman, Ahušina, chariot-[knight], and Nabû-nadin-apli, son of [...] — a total of 3 helpers for the priest[s ...] for [......] Urdu ... [......] Total: 4 [......] Nabû-[.........] N[N ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 13 208

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0467; CT 53 901. SAA 13 208; SAAo P314310.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) We raised [them] from their places and lined them up on ... [...]. On the 16th, we will bring them [into ...].

Reverse

(uninscribed)

SAA 13 209

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-07-27, 0146; CT 53 909. SAA 13 209; SAAo P314318.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] their [mess]engers [...] [...] as follows [......] [...] meat ... [...] We did not see. The work about which [...] issued [an order] to us [...] As much as we did not [......] (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 13 210

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 1768; CT 53 925. SAA 13 210; SAAo P314334.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... A]ssyri[a ...] ... [...] ... to Nabû-iddina, to Nabû-tartiba-uṣur

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

Reverse

(Break) [... l]ette[r ...] [...] ... [...] [...] ... day 14 [...] ... day 15 [...] I ... [...] of carnelian My [sac]rifices to [...] (Remainder destroyed)

SAA 13 211

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0847; CT 53 957. SAA 13 211; SAAo P314366.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(beginning broken away) to the ki[ng ...] in regard to the rite(s) [...] let this [...] [... o]f someo[ne/somethi[ng ...] May [B]el (and) Nabû [bless the king], m[y lord]. (blank space of one line)

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

Right Edge

Nisan 15th day, [epo]nym year of Gabbaru. (rest broken away (probably nothing missing))

Colophon

Source and license. This edition reproduces the English translation of the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo, oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa13/), the digital edition of Steven W. Cole and Peter Machinist, Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Priests to Kings Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal (State Archives of Assyria 13; Helsinki University Press, 1998), lemmatised by Mikko Luukko and Silvie Zamazalová (2011–13) as part of the AHRC-funded research project "Mechanisms of Communication in an Ancient Empire: The Correspondence between the King of Assyria and his Magnates in the 8th Century BC" (AH/F016581/1; University College London), directed by Karen Radner, fetched 2026-08-08. SAAo's own per-text credit line states the annotated edition is "released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license 3.0"; the project's own machine-readable catalogue and metadata files carry the further, separate 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, Steven W. Cole, Peter Machinist, Mikko Luukko, and Silvie Zamazalová 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 210 catalogue entries edited in Cole and Machinist's Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Priests to Kings Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal, 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 sixteen-chapter division follows the print edition's own chapters exactly — by findspot city, then by named sender where the print edition itself groups letters that way, closing with a chapter of unassigned and unattributed letters — and each tablet's obverse, reverse, and edges 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 italicized variant readings are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or uncertain cuneiform. 167 lines across 109 of the 210 texts are too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation; each such gap is marked in place rather than filled. A number of standalone editorial notes in this volume's pagers — describing a line as broken away, uninscribed, or otherwise physically absent (84 such notes across the corpus) — are recorded by SAAo in a separate descriptive field rather than inside the translation itself; those notes are reproduced here, in parentheses, at the point in the text where SAAo places them, using SAAo's own wording. SAA 13 041 is a special case noted above: its clay envelope is published as part of the same catalogue entry and carries no independent SAA 13 042 in this edition, matching SAAo's own numbering.

Composite identification. Each tablet above is given by its SAA 13 catalogue number, its museum registration or accession number where recorded (chiefly the British Museum, with a small number of pieces in the Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin), its citation in the earlier Assyriological literature — chiefly Robert Francis Harper's Assyrian and Babylonian Letters (cited by SAAo as "ABL") and Theophilus G. Pinches and others' Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets... in the British Museum (cited as "CT") — where SAAo notes one, and its SAAo text ID (a CDLI P-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.

🌲