State Archives of Assyria 1 — Letters from Assyria and the West

During the reign of the Assyrian king Sargon II (721–705 BC), officials across the empire wrote to the king, and the king wrote to them, on matters of administration, tribute, tax, building work, troop movements, and diplomacy. Two hundred and sixty-five of these letters survive as clay tablets, excavated chiefly at Kuyunjik (ancient Nineveh) and Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) and now held mainly in the British Museum, with a further group in the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad. Nearly all are addressed to or from "the king" without further title, since Sargon himself is meant; a handful carry the names of specific officials instead, among them his son and crown prince Sin-ahhe-riba (the future Sennacherib), the treasurer Ṭab-šar-Aššur, and the governor of Assur, Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra.

The letters below follow the print edition's own fourteen-chapter division: a chapter of royal letters (the king's own dictated correspondence), chapters gathering the correspondence of the crown prince and of two senior officials by name, chapters organized by the cities the letters concern or were sent from — Calah, Dur-Šarruken, the western provinces, Carchemish and Til-Barsip and Harran, Raṣappa and Suhu and Laqe on the middle Euphrates, the Lower Khabur, Guzana and Naṣibina — a chapter built around the correspondent Nabu-dammiq, a chapter of miscellaneous letters that resisted grouping, and a final chapter of varia and letters the editor could not otherwise place. Sender and recipient, tablet provenience, and museum registration are given for each letter where SAAo's own catalogue records them.

The English below is the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo) project's own published translation, reproduced complete and verbatim as continuous reading prose; nothing has been added, paraphrased, or supplied by this library. Brackets, ellipses, and parenthetical notes such as "(Break)" and "(Rest destroyed)" are SAAo's own markers for damaged, restored, or lost text. Most of these letters are broken to some degree; 150 of the 265 carry at least one stretch — 360 lines in total — too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation, and each such gap is noted in place rather than filled. One further letter, SAA 01 028, carries no local translation at all: SAAo's own catalogue records it as edited instead under a different volume's designation, and that redirect is disclosed honestly in place of an invented translation.

Contents

• Chapter 1. Royal Letters — SAA 01 001–028
• Chapter 2. Letters from Sin-ahhe-riba, the Crown Prince — SAA 01 029–040
• Chapter 3. Letters from Ṭab-šar-Aššur, the Treasurer — SAA 01 041–074
• Chapter 4. Letters from Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra, Governor of Assur — SAA 01 075–109
• Chapter 5. Letters from Calah — SAA 01 110–123
• Chapter 6. Letters from Dur-Šarruken — SAA 01 124–132
• Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Letters — SAA 01 133–170
• Chapter 8. Letters from Western Provinces — SAA 01 171–182
• Chapter 9. Letters from Carchemish, Til-Barsip and Harran — SAA 01 183–203
• Chapter 10. Letters from Raṣappa, Suhu and Laqe — SAA 01 204–219
• Chapter 11. Letters from the Lower Khabur — SAA 01 220–225
• Chapter 12. Letters from Nabu-dammiq — SAA 01 226–232
• Chapter 13. Letters from Guzana and Naṣibina — SAA 01 233–249
• Chapter 14. Varia and Unassigned — SAA 01 250–265

Chapter 1. Royal Letters

SAA 01 001–028.

SAA 01 001 — Midas of Phrygia Seeks Detente

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064156; NL 039. The king to Aššur-šarru-u[ṣur]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 001; SAAo P224485. Also edited as SAA 19 152 (SAAo X190152).

Obverse

The king's word to Aššur-šarru-u[ṣur]: I am well, Assyria is well: you can be glad. As to what you wrote to me: "A messenger [of] Midas the Phrygian has come to me, bringing me 14 men of Que whom Urik had sent to Urarṭu as an embassy" — this is extremely good! My gods Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû have now taken action, and without a battle [or any]thing, the Phrygian has given us his word and become our ally! As to what you wrote: "I shall not send my messenger to the Phrygian without the permission of the king, my lord" — I am now writing to (tell) you that you should not cut off your messenger from the Phrygian's presence. Write to him in friendly terms and constantly listen to news about him, until I have more time. As to what you wrote: "Should I send his subjects to him just as he sent me the subjects of the king my lord?" — send them to him so that he will be favourably disposed towards us. Whether 100 men or 10, write to him like this: "I wrote to the king my lord about the men of Que whom you sent to me, and he was extremely pleased; and in return he wrote to me [as follows]: 'Do not hold back even a single one of the Phrygians at your court, but send them to Midas [immediately]!' Thus at the king my lord's behest I am (now) sending you th[ese] men." As to what you wrote: "A messenger of Urpala'a came to me for an audience with the Phrygian messenger" — let him come, and let Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû command that all these kings should wipe your sandals with their beards! As to what you wrote: "Kilar [has request]ed from me four districts, saying: 'Let them give them to me'" — should you give [these] four districts to Kilar, would he not become your equal, and what would you yourself be ruling over as governor then? Tell him as follows: "Earlier, you were afraid of the Phrygian, but now the Phrygian has made peace with us, so what are you afraid of? Now eat your bread and drink your water under the protection of the king, my lord, and be happy. Do not worry about the Phrygian."

Reverse

As to what you wrote: "Urpala'a [may slip away] from the king, my lord, on account of the fact that the Atunnaeans and Istuandaeans came and took the cities of Bit-Paruta away from him" — now that the Phrygian has made peace with us and ..., what can all the kings of Tabal do henceforth? You will press them from this side and the Phrygian from that side so that (in no time) you will snap your belt on them. Thanks to my gods Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû, this land has now been trodden under your feet! Move about as you please, do whatever you have to do, cut the long and lengthen the short until I come and give you [...] work! As to Ba[lasu concerning whom you wrote], I have heard his words in full. The day you see this letter, appoint his son in his place over his men. His people should be assembled and present, and if he wants, he may take them over the mountains and settle them there, or they may also live here. As for him, let one of your 'third men' pick him up post-haste and let him come here. I will speak kindly with him and encourage him, and in due course I will send word and have his people (being kept) here returned, and he too can go and re-enter his house. As for Aplaiu, let your messenger bring him and his people to me, whether (they are) citizens of Babylon, Borsippa, Kish, Nippur, Uruk, Der, or (...)

SAA 01 002 — Dealings with Arpad

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 502. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 002; SAAo P313915.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to what you w]rote: "[I will send my] rab-mūgi officer [to you]; speak [kindly] with the (king) of Arpad, and [let] your 'third man' [......]", I adjure you by Aššur and my gods: you are not to send your [rab-mūg]i officer to me [under any circumstances! ...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 003 — The Wife of the Treasurer

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 463. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 003; SAAo P313876.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ... wrote to] you: "The wife of [the] Treasurer and [her] daughters should go [to] Assyria"; you wrote the sealed royal order and dispatched it to Bel- duri, (but when) I sent my me[ssenger] to Damascus, [he] gave [him the wife] only. I have written to [... abo]ut the daughters whom he he[ld back ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 004 — On Shirking the King’s Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 834. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 004; SAAo P314243.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ...] stay [in ......]. Now he has do[ne the work (incumbent) up]on you plus the work ass[ignment that was ... to] your [...]; [your servants tra]ded [the work ass]ignment with 21 [...] and shirked doing the work. [You wrote me] that in addition to the 500 [logs of ...] and the 500 of [..., another ...] have been piled up on the river bank. [That's exactly] why the governor of Til-Barsip did [...]! I (gave the order): "These [should g]o to [...] Aššur-šarru-uṣur plus the [...] who are with him, and [...] the l[ogs into ...] of 40 (pieces) each." To no avail; [they did] not [do] any [work ... (break of two lines) ...] have rebelled [...].

Reverse

Now then [I am writing to y]ou: your [ass]ociates are absolutely no [..., they are] unreliable [...] people. [The gov]ernor [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 005 — These Nabateans are Yours

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0305. The king to Ašipa. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 005; SAAo P334194.

Obverse

The king's word to Ašipâ: As to these Nabateans about whom you wrote, they are at your disposal.

SAA 01 006

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0298. [The ki]ng to Ašipa. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 006; SAAo P334190.

Obverse

[The ki]ng's word to Ašipâ: I am [we]ll, you can be glad. [The day] you see [thi]s letter, [...] Nabû-šeziban[ni ......] is surrounding [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 007 — The Gods of Muṣaṣir

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 340. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 007; SAAo P313755.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too broken for translation) [But shou]ld you say: "Let [the king, my lord] give [my gods] back to me [......!]" (then) quickly [gather and send me] information (and) [I will] soon [gi]ve your gods back to you. [...] the city of Muṣa[ṣir]; stay there! The seiz[ing ...] of your gods [......] this [...] of mine [......]. Why [would] you not [......

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

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 008 — Urarṭian Governor Defects to Assyria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 229. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 008; SAAo P313644.

Obverse

(Obverse almost entirely destroyed) As to what you [wrote to me: "[...... def[eat ...... As to what you wr[ote to me: "...... to a ša-šēpi guardsman [...... (Break) [......] why [...... [did] you [lay] hands on Mannaean territory [......? [...] this favor [...... [which ...] have done [......

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

Bottom Edge

(Break) [As to ... what y]ou said: "I [...... [......] of the Mannaeans [......

Reverse

Is [there] a servant who does not [...] about [......? [As to] this governor of yours about whom you wrote: "[......]" — he is (my) governor! When he heard that the [......] was vacant, he disappeared, saying: 'Let me go [and grasp the feet of the king of Assyria.' So he did, and once] in Assyria I app[ointed] this person as commander-in-chief [......]. Don't [eunuchs] die in the harem every day? The one who [......] rebelled against you did not succeed [......]. You enthroned the son of Inurta-belu-uṣur in his place and turned [... into ...]. In return, I am going to enthrone this one [......]. As to what you wrote: "...[......]; he should tell you!" I have asked him, and he told me: "My crime [...... one of] my colleagues wrote to me: 'Don't [...! ......]' I took fright and didn't say (anything) but fled [......] [As to what you w]rote: "In consideration of what I told him [......], pay back your [......]! With [......]", this is what he told me: "[It is] like this; [when] I fled [......] in the treaty [...... (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 01 009 — Ullusunu on His Guard

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 589. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 009; SAAo P314001.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ... the city of A]rpad [......]. Now, [let] Ullusunu [be] on guard for hi[mself ...]; and the letter [......] which I sent to you [......] within [...... (Break)

Reverse

I said: "Ull[usunu ...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 010 — Urarṭian Emissaries Meet Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0306+. [The king] to Nabu-duru-uṣur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 010; SAAo P334195.

Obverse

The king's word to Nabu-duru-uṣur: Right now I am sending the royal bodyguard Mannu-ki-Aššur to those Urarṭian emissaries: he will bring them to Urzuhina in advance of these captives who are eating bread in your charge. As for you, the day you see this letter, summon these captives; they should be on the alert, standing by, and the day Mannu-ki-Aššur the bodyguard writes to you: "The emissaries have arrived in Urzuhina, set the captives in motion," assemble the captives, go to Urzuhina, and entrust them [...] to the the [city-over]seer of Urzuhina.

Reverse

[I am also sending] Aššur-balti-niše (with the following orders): "Go [......] in the presence [of ......] and assi[st] them!" Truly, the [Urarṭia]n women, who [ca]me with the captives, should stay in your charge in Arrapha (and) not go with the captives! But now the women whom he is seeking, taking out and bringing to [...], should live with these women in Arrapha, and should be given bread to eat and water to drink until I come. The palace chariots which are bringing these women are to provide the people with bread and the teams with fodder.

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

SAA 01 011 — Building a Private Army

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0304. The king to Mannu-ki-Adad. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 011; SAAo P334193.

Obverse

The king's word to Mannu-ki-Adad: 1,119 able-bodied men — all together they were 5,000 persons, those of them who have died have died, and those who are alive are alive — were given to the exempts of the Palace and entrusted as charges to your care. So why are you appropriating them, turning some to recruits, others to chariot-men, and others again to cavalrymen, into your own regular troops? Have you not said to yourself: "When the time comes for me to summon them, to whose house shall I go for help?" I am writing to you right now: You have sent many of them to the south and to the north or wherever on (various) errands; summon them wherever they are, they must be there before my eunuch arrives. I shall now send my eunuch to make a review of them.

SAA 01 012 — The Story of Bel-nuri the Amiable

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1042. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 012; SAAo P334693.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "He is talking about [...] uprooting my father's house." [This] Bel-nuri cannot be trusted in what he says [...]; yet you lifted him and put him around your neck like a seal. For this very reason I relieved him of his office as major-domo, removed him and let you settle him in his house in the center of Arrapha. What he did was perpetually slander Arrapheans in your presence and keep putting inhabitants of Arrapha to the sword. I consequently removed him from Arrapha and appointed him in Lubda. The same things again; he did not change his ways.

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

Reverse

Bel-nuri is not a good man in the field, nor does he further the interests of his superiors when at home. Did I not say: "(If) you like him for what he is, why am I not intensely loved?" That you like Bel-nuri and [have placed him around your neck] like this seal [... (Break)

Edge

I made it perfectly clear to him [......] I have stayed, misfor[tune ......] to his entourage [......] your arms [......]

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

SAA 01 013 — Pitching Camp on the Elamite Border

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 076. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 013; SAAo P313491.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "[......] their [......]; come wi[th your troops and encamp in the pass] of Ura[mmu]." [I am writing to you] right now: this suggestion, the [way he put it], is extremely good. You [know] that this pass [leading to] Urammu is [ver]y difficult [to march through]; there is absolutely no way the Elamite [troops] will be able to get at you. Don't be afraid; at the city of Urammu where you are to pitch the camp [there is] a plain which is [very] good for encamping; it is also [very] good for reconnaissance expeditions, there is [much] grass there, and it is a [good] place to rest. The city of Sumurzu and [... are close by]; with the help of the gods, you [...... (Break)

Reverse

[If ......] to [...], they should kill [him]; they should [also gather intel]ligence about the enemy and [co]me and tell it to you. Should this traitor [...] come to you in person or should he send his messenger [to you, he should] not be allowed in; speak to him outside the camp. You [know th]at he is a traitor, he considers you [.....]. I[f a]ny bargaining [...... wh]ich in the area of [......] to you [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 014 — Campaigning in Ellipi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 823. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 014; SAAo P314232.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Do not neglect your guard; [you] must be intensely [on your guard]! Yet there is no [......], and you [need not] worry about him! Let the scholar[s] tell [the oracles] to you, whether [good or bad]; Aššur and my gods [will go before you]! A bone in [......]. Perhaps the scholar [ ......] as far as the city of Marubi[štu ......]. Aššur-reš-iši the royal bodyguard [has met with the dignitaries] of Bit-Barru; they dined together, and he [...] [emptied] a cup in the presence of Ki[babaše]. He relates: "[......]; when at my side [......] confusion like [......] these magnates [......] he placed on it [......]. [And] then [......

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

......] until [I come]. Now [......] and [send them] to me. [I am writing to you] right [now]: write me [...... of Aš]pabara [...... o]f enthroning [......, and ...... when] you have concluded [a treaty] with them. And afterwards [...... (Break)

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

Edge

As to what you wrote to me: "[We piled up for them] 600 (homers) of barley with a seah measure" — did you pile it up for them with a seah of 9 litres? [......] the barley so that the barley at their disposal will be [...].

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

SAA 01 015 — Bring Your Tribute!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 311. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 015; SAAo P313726.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... Gam]bulu [......] tribu[te ...... you will re]turn [......] your [......] you did not send [the ... o]f this land [to me]. I am writing to you right [now]: do not [...... t]o the people, but take your [tribut]e and come to me! [I am going to w]rite ... [about the tr]ibute of Ellipi, [they too will bring] their tribute. As to Humbê [of Bit-Zualza, what I wrote in] my previous [letter ...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 016 — Ašpabara Appointed King of Ellipi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1469. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 016; SAAo P334922.

Obverse

(Obverse almost totally destroyed)

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

Reverse

"[If] you write, we shall leave [PN] as city ruler in [...]." [I am writing to you] right now: when you appoint Ašpabara [......], and Lutû [..., ...] their people; nobody should make [......]! As long as th[ey] live, [......] brought to them [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 017 — Contacts with Elam

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 642. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 017; SAAo P314054.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] befor[e ...] [......] no [...] [......] still [...] [......] will see, hither [...] [Has the messeng]er of the Elamite [......? Have they written] to you [about ma]king [......] Lutû [...? Have they sen]t to you any [......]?

Reverse

(Rest too broken for translation)

SAA 01 018 — Military Moves in Babylonia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1292. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 018; SAAo P334834.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... is g]ood fo[r ...... ...... has] returned [here]; as for you, s[tand by]. Kunâ has [...] all their [tr]oops. I am writing to Šarru-emuranni right [now]. He is going to mobilize and bring here all the conscripts of Dur-Ladini, Dur-Bilihai and Larak including those of Bit-Awukani. As soon as they have arrived here, Šarru-emuranni too will return here, and you are to set out together with all these king's men [... and ...] to the village [......] your [...], straw [......] including [......] at their disposal [...... (Break)

Reverse

......the] men [of ...... should stay in] the village [... They should le]ave a [...] moat [ar]ound the fortress, construct reed huts on this side of the moat and live there; and (this done), they should dig another moat on this side and live between the moats. And if this village is not (yet) suffering, make it suffer! Should this not be feasible, set up ... and [pierce] its wall! [....]uri is clo[se by]; you know [that he is an adherant] of this country. Don't miss the opportunity! [......] of th[is] man [...] here [...... (Rest destroyed or untranslatable)

Edge

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

SAA 01 019 — Dealing with the Puqudu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1328. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 019; SAAo P334849.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) hi[ther ......] the Puqu[dean ......] and because of [......] Now he is in the city of [......] at your disposal. I am wr[iting to you] right [now: the day you] see this [letter of mine, go and tell] these words [to ...]. He should set out and go [to ...] in accordance with the report, [and tell him]: "I have re[ceived] the following royal order: '[......] have set [......" (Break)

Reverse

"[......] which [......] have robbed [......]; now if [......] has been made, [......]; and if t[hese] servants [......], why [should] I [......]? You w[rote that ......] are making [......].'" Now then [......] who [......] to his messenger [......] the order in [......] several times [...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 020 — Cattle for Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 636. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 020; SAAo P314048.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) oxen, sh[eep and ......] on my side [......] living there [......] in your district [......] "Should it be the wish of [......] to bring [......],

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

Bottom Edge

let [me send] troops [......], all their days [......]." Th[ese] troops of yours

Reverse

which [......] on my side oxen, sheep and [......], should have collected [......] and brought to me [......] (Rest destroyed)

Edge

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

SAA 01 021 — The Widows of Fallen Soldiers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 128. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 021; SAAo P313543.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ...] your [...], [enqui]re and investigate, [and write down] and dispatch to me [the names] of the [sol]diers killed and their [sons and d]aughters. Perhaps there is a man who has subjugated a widow as his slave girl, or has subjugated a son or a daughter to servitude. Enquire and investigate, and bring (him/them) forth.

Bottom Edge

Perhaps there is a son who has gone into conscription in place of his father; this alone do not write down. But be sure to enquire and find out all the widows, write them down, define (their status) and send them to me.

Reverse

[Tomorr]ow or the day after tomorrow, [when] I send [my eunuch, don't say: "]I brought out one widow [......] that she would die [...] she would give [....." (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 022 — Summoning the Cavalry

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 136. The king to [...], [...], [...], Reman[ni-...], [...]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 022; SAAo P313551.

Obverse

[To ..., to] ..[..., to] ..[..., to] Reman[ni-...] and to [...]: a royal order of [great urgency]. Get together your prefects plus the h[orses] of your cavalry collection points immediately! Whoever is late will be impaled in the middle of his house,

Reverse

and who(ever) changes the [... of] the city will also be impaled in the middle of his house, and his sons and daughters will be slaughtered by his (own) order. Don't delay; leave your business and come straight away! (SPACER)

SAA 01 023 — Catching Runaway Servants

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 185. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 023; SAAo P313600.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...]-naṣir is dead; the [...] of the city of ... have fled [...] and are (now) [li]ving at Balṭi-iqbi's. Let them make it [...] perfectly clear to Balṭi-iqbi that he should immediately bring forth the [slave]s, give them to his son, and come straight away to me!

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

Reverse

(SPACER)

SAA 01 024 — Summoning Holders of Government Property

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 245. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 024; SAAo P313660.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "The recipients of iškāru assignments should immediately come up here and enter the city of [...] after Zabbua, quickly! The [...] should likewise ... and come up. Let them make it clear to the mayor and the city overseer that they have to bring forth the ... and the recipients of iškāru assignments [... (Break)

Reverse

...] after [...]; "Come, enter [...] and go straight to [...], (then) come [...]." As to [... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 025 — Brick Masons and the Bull Colossi of Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1423+. [The king] to 100 b[rick masons]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 025; SAAo P314026.

Obverse

[The king's wor]d to the 100 b[rick-masons]: Now t[hat] you have finished [the work] in Dur-Šarruk[en], [...] the bull col[ossi ...] upon you. Just as you have been [...], this [......] the exempts ]......] the king'[s ...]. Come and stand by for the [...] of Assyria, and let the chief [...], the postmen and the workers [take] care of the rest [of the ...].

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

Reverse

As to [... about whom you wrote to me]: "[They should order ...] to do the rest [...] delayed [...]; the exempts [...] should take up [......]. If not [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 026 — Straw and Reeds for Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064027; NL 032. The king to go[vernor] (of Calah). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 026; SAAo P224403. Also edited as SAA 19 153 (SAAo X190153).

Obverse

The king's word to the go[vernor] (of Calah): 700 bales of straw and 700 bundles of reeds, each bundle more than a donkey can carry, must be at hand in Dur-Šarruken by the 1st of Kislev (IX). Should (even) one day pass by, you will die.

SAA 01 027 — Give Straw or Die!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK. [The king] to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 027; SAAo P336595.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] must be at hand and [...! Should even one day pass by, y]ou will die! I am writing to you right [now]: [as long as] I am here, [...] quickly [and ...] bales of straw [...... in your] hands [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 028 — Donating Land

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 312. The ‘farmer’ to Adad-šumu-uṣur, Marduk-šakin-šumi. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 028; SAAo X010028. Also edited as SAA 10 216 (SAAo P334906).

SAAo publishes no transliteration or translation for this text under its SAA 01 designation. SAAo's own catalogue states: "This letter is edited as SAA 10, 216." No pager for that other SAA volume is part of this volume-agent's frozen set, so nothing further is reproduced here; nothing is invented to fill the gap.

Chapter 2. Letters from Sin-ahhe-riba, the Crown Prince

SAA 01 029–040.

SAA 01 029 — The King of Urarṭu on the Offensive

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0198+. Sennacherib to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 029; SAAo P334143.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: [your servant] Sin-ahhe-riba. Good health to the king, my lord! [Assyri]a is well, [the temp]les are well, all [the king's forts] are well. The king, my lord, can be glad indeed. They are working on [the fort in Kumme; their] work [... is mak]ing [good progress]. A messen[ger of Ariye] has come [into] m[y presence] (with the following message): "[The (ruler) of Ukku has written to] the Urarṭian king [that the govern]ors of the king of Assyria are building [a fort in Kumme], and the Urarṭian king has [give]n his governors (the following) order: 'Take your troops, go and capture the governors of the king of Assyria alive from the Kummeans, and bring them to me.' I do not have the full details yet; as soon as I have heard more, I shall write by express to the crown prince that they should rush troops to me." This was the report of Ariye; on the 11th of Elul (VI) I got a letter from Aššur-reṣuwa: "The Urarṭian did not achieve anything on the venture on which the Zikirteans took him, but had to return empty-handed; he went with his troops to Waisi, entered the city and left his forces there. Taking but a few troops with him, he set out and entered into the territory of the Manneans. I have not heard about the invasion yet, but I shall write you as soon as I have heard more.

Reverse

"The governor opposite me was (also) in Waisi; I have heard that he left and went off after the king's departure, but nobody has seen him come out of Waisi. They are improving the roads leading to me and constructing bridges; as soon as I have heard what it is all about, whether he his coming with his troops or whether he is 'clean', I shall immediately write to the crown prince." This was the report of Aššur-reṣuwa; the (ruler) of Arzabia has written to me thus: "The (ruler) of Ukku must be kept away from me; why do you keep silent while he is trying to destroy me?" I have sent my bodyguard to the Ukkean (with this message): "Do[n't ar]gue with the Arzabian! [Until the ki]ng comes, [I will ar]bitrate between you!" A messenger of the Mannean (king) has come to me bringing a horse as the audience gift and giving me the regards of the Mannean. I dressed him (in purple) and put a silver bracelet on his arm. The tribute of the Ashdodites was brought to Calah; I have received it, sealed it and deposited it in the ... palace. I am sending this letter to the king, my lord, on the 11th of Elul. (SPACER)

SAA 01 030 — The King of Urarṭu Defeated by the Cimmerians

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1079. [Sennacherib] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 030; SAAo P334721.

Obverse

(Break) "[...... I have] appointed your [major]-domo in [my] palace." [Thi]s was the report of Aššur-reṣuwa. [Šulmu]-Bel, the deputy of the Palace Herald came into my presence (with the following report): "Urzana has written to me: 'The troops of the Urarṭian king have been defeated on his expedition against the Cimmerians. The governor of Waisi has been killed; we do not have detailed information yet, but as soon as we have it, we will send you a full report.'

Reverse

"[Further: The] cavalrymen [under the command of Šar]ru-lu-dari have disappeared and are on the run in Urarṭu. [The sc]outs of the household of the Palace Herald [operating in the t]erritory of Hubuškia [......] have caught [...... the city of] Birate [......" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 031 — More on the Cimmerian Defeat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0197. Sennacherib to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 031; SAAo P334142.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Sin-ahhe-riba. Good health to the king, my lord! Assyria is well, the temples are well, all the king's forts are well. The king, my lord, can be glad indeed. The Ukkaean has sent me (this message): "The troops of the Urarṭian king have been utterly defeated on his expedition against the Cimmerians; eleven of his governors have been eliminated [with] their troops; his commander-in-chief and two of his governors [have been taken prisoners]. He (himself) came to take [the road to ......] came [...... the pr]efects of his country [......] stationed [in ......]." [Thi]s was the report of the Ukkaean. Aššur-reṣuwa has written to me thus: "The previous report which I sent about the Urarṭians was that they had suffered a terrible defeat. Now his country is quiet again and each of his magnates has gone to his province. Kaqqadanu, his commander-in-chief, has been taken prisoner; the Urarṭian king is in the province of Wazaun."

Reverse

This was the report of Aššur-reṣuwa. Nabû-le'i the governor of Birate has written to me: "I have written to the guards of the forts along the border concerning the news of the Urarṭian king and they (tell me this): 'His troops have been utterly defeated on his expedition against the Cimmerians. Three of his magnates along with their troops have been killed; he himself has escaped and entered his country, but his army has not yet arrived (back).'" This was the report of Nabû-le'i. The (king) of Muṣaṣir and his brother and son have gone to greet the Urarṭian king, and the messenger of the (king) of Hubuškia has also gone to greet him. All the guards of the forts along the border have sent me similar reports. They have brought me from Tabal a letter from Nabû-le'i, the major-domo of Ahat-abiša. I am herewith forwarding it 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 01 032 — Urarṭu After the Cimmerian Rout

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064073; NL 046. S[ennacherib] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 032; SAAo P224433. Also edited as SAA 19 157 (SAAo X190157).

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: yo]ur [servant S[in-ahhe-riba. Good health to the king, m]y lord! Assyria [is well], the temples [are well], all the [forts o]f the king [are well; the king, my lord], can be glad indeed. [......] the Itu'ean [......] who [......] from the city of Ištahup has now been brought to me from [...]ratta. I inquired him [about the Urarṭi]ans and he told me: "The Urarṭian [and his magnates were defeated] on their expedition [against] the Cimmerians, and they are very much afraid of the king, my lord. They tremble and keep silent like women, and nobody [...] the forts of the king, my lord. The situation is very good. (As to) [the new]s of the Urarṭians, [...] the departure of [...... the emissa]ry of the Mannean (king) [......] oxen and sheep [......" (Break)

Reverse

[......] Judaean [......] of the Chief Cook [......] heavy logs [......] the governor of Raṣappa [......] the governor of Til-Barsip [......] deputies [......] within the city of Adia [......]

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

SAA 01 033 — Tribute of Commagene

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0196. [Senn]acherib to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 033; SAAo P334141.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: [your servant Sin]-ahhe-riba. [Good health to] the king, my lord! Assyria is well, the temples are well, all the king's forts are well. The king, my lord, can be glad indeed. The emissaries of Commagene have come, bringing tribute and with it seven teams of mules. The tribute and the mules are entrusted in the Commagenean embassy, and the emissaries too are there, eating their own bread. Should they (the tribute and the mules) be picked up and brought to Babylon, or can they be received here? Let them immediately write me what the king my lord commands. They also brought red wool. The merchants told me that they have selected seven talents from it but that the Commageneans did not agree but said: "Who do you think you are? You are not to make the selection. Let them take it over and let the king's weavers make a selection over there."

Reverse

The king, my lord, should write me to whom they are supposed to give it. (SPACER)

SAA 01 034 — Distributing Tribute and Audience Gifts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0568. [Sennacherib] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 034; SAAo P334390.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Sin-ahhe-riba. Good] health [to the king, my lord! Assyria is w]ell, the temples are well, all the king's forts are well. The king, my lord, can be glad indeed. Two talents of silver, 20 minas of silver in place of ivory, 50 tunics, 10 togas, 3 potfuls of iced fish, 20 creels with 1,000 fish, all tribute; one mural crown of gold, 20 silver bowls, 4 togas of byssus, 15 Hasaean tents, 10 tunics, 10 large togas, all audience gift: all this to the Palace; 3 minas of silver, 2 tunics, 3 togas, tribute; 10 minas of silver, 5 tunics, 5 togas, audience gift: all this to the queen; 3 minas of silver, 2 tunics, 3 togas, all t[ribu]te: the crown prince; 10 minas of silver, 3 tunics, 3 togas, tri[bute]; one talent of silver, 10 tunics, 5 togas, 1 po[tful of iced fish], 2 creels with 200 fish, all audience gift: all (to) the [Grand Vizier]; 10 minas of silver, 10 togas, 5 tunics, trib[ute: the Commander-in-Chief]; 3 minas of silver, 3 togas, 3 tunics: the S[artinnu]; [3 min]as of silv[er, 3 togas, 3 tunic]s: the Se[cond Vizier]; (Break)

Reverse

[...] talents of silver, 40 minas of silver in place of i[vory], 20 tunics, 20 togas, 3 potfuls of iced (fish), 10 creels with 1,000 fish, all tribute; one mural crown of gold, 20 silver bowls, 10 tunics, 10 togas, 4 togas made to measure, one potful of iced fish, all audience gift: all this to the Palace; 5 minas of silver, 5 togas, 5 tunics, 1 potful of ic[ed fish], 1 creel of 100 fish, all tribute: the que[en]; 10 minas of silver, 5 togas, 5 tunics, 1 potful of [iced fish], 1 creel of 100 fish, all tribute; the crown prince; 6 minas of silver, 3 togas, 2 tunics: the Grand Vizier; 10 minas of silver, 5 togas, 5 tunics: the Commander-in- Chief; 3 minas of silver, 3 togas: the Sartinnu; 3 minas of silver, 3 togas: the Second Vizier; 4 minas of silver, 3 togas, 3 tunics: the Chief Eunuch; 5 minas of silver, 3 togas, 2 tunics: the Palace Superintendent; one mina of silver, one toga: the Overseer of the Domestic Quarters; one mina of silver, one toga, 2 scrolls of papyrus: the Scribe of the Palace; one mina of silver, one toga: the Chariot Driver; [one mina of silver, one] toga: the 'Third Man' (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 035 — The Case of Nabu-mušallim

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0730. Sennacherib to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 035; SAAo P334519.

Obverse

[To the king, my] lord: your servant Sin-ahhe-riba. [Good health] to the king, my lord! Assyria [is well], the temples are well, all the king's forts [are well]. The king, my lord, can be glad indeed. [As to what the king, my lord, wrote to m]e: "Bel-eṭir [...... (Break)

Reverse

"......] Nabû-eṭir-napšati (and) his associate [...], these are the ones [......]; their men [are] still [......]. When I told this thing [to Nabû-m]ušallim, he disappeared [......]." [...] I asked my [...] whether [he] had said it and whether Nabû-mušallim [had told it to him].

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

Right Edge

He answered: "He certainly did not tell it to me. [Nabû]-mušallim [has ...ed] from Calah and is searching [...]."

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

SAA 01 036 — Floods in Central Assyria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0731. Sennacherib to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 036; SAAo P334520.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Sin-ahhe-riba. Good health to the king, my lord! Assyria is well, the temples are well, all the [king's f]orts are well. [The king, m]y [lord, can be glad indeed.] (Break)

Reverse

...] went [...]. Floods have advanced very considerably [in the province] of Nineveh, [in] Dur-Šarruken and in the province of Kurbail.

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

SAA 01 037 — The Chariotry of the Palace Guard

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 307. [Sennacherib] to the ki[ng]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 037; SAAo P313722.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Sin-ahhe-riba. Good health to the king, my lord! Assyria is well, the temples are] we[ll, all the king's forts] are well. The ki[ng, my lord, can be glad] indeed. They have got hold of [that] horse concerning [which the king my lord gave me] or[ders] [...... (Break)

Reverse

......] the merchant [...... t]o the [Palace] Superintendent [......] like the king, my lord. The chariot grooms of the ša-šēpi guard [...] under my command are asking for plants [... and one] full talent of bronze [...] per one team of hor[ses ...] in accordance with what the ki[ng ...]. What exactly does the king, my lord, order? (SPACER)

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

SAA 01 038

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0199. Sennacherib to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 038; SAAo P334144.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Sin-ahhe-riba. Good health to the king, my lord! Assyria is well, the temples are we[ll, all the king]'s fort[s are well. The king], my lo[rd, can be glad indeed.] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 039 — Gidgidanu and the Building of Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1177. [Sennacherib] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 039; SAAo P334773.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] the exempts [...... to] the king, my lord. [As to] Gidgidanu [and his brothers about whom the] king my lord wrote to me: "[Let th]em be [br]ought here!" — [When he heard of this, he became sc]ared and [......] the gods, saying: "Let me go and [petition] the king [......] to give me [......] let me [go] to Arbela." He has come [now and is] in Dur-[Šarruken], doing [his work]. His brothers again [... have] not [gone out] of Dur-Šarruken, [they have not set] foot anywhere at all but are present and [do] their work. [As to] Marduk-remanni [and the ...] of the Inner City about whom the king my lord w[rote to me], I have appointed them in charge of Aššur-of-Lions at [...] and impressed upon them: "Watch out [...] and do your [work!]"

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

Reverse

(Break) ......] in the presence of the ki[ng, my lord ......]. He and his brothers had become very scared, so I gave them new [orders]: "This will do for this (neglected) king's [work] of [la]st year." Now they are present and do their work in the Review Palace. I have made it clear to the dome[stics] who are in Dur-Šarruken that nobody [is allowed to] make fire [...] or set [......], and I have placed [......]. They are very [strongly gua]rded. [The Zikir]taeans [have brought their] tr[ibute]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 040

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 472. [Sennacherib] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 040; SAAo P313885.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ...... I have made] it clear to [them ......; they are] in my presence, they [have not set] foot an[ywhere else]. If I send for [them], they come [promptly], and if I send them [to ......]. [I told] the chief ...s: "Insp[ect] your [tro]ops! Each [of your ......], and the [...] official [...... should c]ome [...... (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 3. Letters from Ṭab-šar-Aššur, the Treasurer

SAA 01 041–074.

SAA 01 041 — The King of Ukku Meets Ariye, King of Kumme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0101. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 041; SAAo P334050.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! A letter from Aššur-reṣuwa came to me in which it was written that a messenger of the (king) of Ukku has gone to Urarṭu and that he has sent a letter about it to the Palace. Now after this letter, on the evening of the 6th, he sent me the following letter of his: "The Ukkaean has gone to greet Ariye. Over against him, there is a town of the Ukkaeans called Elizki in the pass of Kumme; the Ukkaean met [Ariye] there, and when they were sitting there [together], he spoke to him as follows:

Reverse

'[Go] straight [to ...]; whether he w[ill give you] an ox, or a [sheep] or pig, take it!' Perhaps they will set out tom[orrow] morning [......]; the Ukkaean [...] not [...] him." When [I he]ard [these wor]ds I detained the messenger until the king [my lord] would hear the contents of this letter and send me instructions.

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

SAA 01 042 — A Message from the King of Ukku

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0104. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 042; SAAo P334053.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! [As to what] the king, my lord, wrote [to me]: "The Ukkaean has s[ent] me the following message: 'At this very moment I am goi[ng ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 043 — News of the King of Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0488. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 043; SAAo P334335.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! [On the ...th ...] brought me [a letter] from Aššur-reṣuwa in which it was written [as follow]s: "[The king of] Urarṭu is in the city of ...arda; the [...]s of [......" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 044 — A Message from Mitunu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 082. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 044; SAAo P313497.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: yo[ur servant] Ṭab-šar-Aššur. [Good he]alth to the king, my lord! [A messe]nger of Mitunu [whom Aššur]-reṣuwa [had sent] to me says: "[...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 045 — In the Land of Habhu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0173. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 045; SAAo P334118.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! A cohort commander of the Chief Eunuch delivered me the king's sealed message in the city of Anisu on the 27th. The messenger of the commander of the fort came to me in Anisu; I asked him about the news, and he told me this: "The city of Birate and the whole land of Habhu are well; everybody is doing his work." All is well; the king, my lord, can be glad.

Reverse

On the 28th I shall be in the city of Ieri. (SPACER)

SAA 01 046 — Undesirable Business in Kumme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 144. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 046; SAAo P313559.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ...] has sent me [his messenger ...]; he told me [as follows]: "[...] has given orders [......] "the governor of [......] "who set [......] "the town of Saraga [......] "the town of Saraga [......] "the Pa[lace Her]ald ......] (Break)

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

Reverse

[...... from] the city of Arzabia [is residing] in the centre of Kumme and doing business with articles of value to Assyria; if the Treasurer commands, I will arrest him and bring him over." I said him as follows: "I'll write to the Palace." Whatever has been told to him [...... (Break)

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

Edge

[......] let me write [......] to the king, my lord [...... who we]nt [to ...], their brothers [......] have come [......]

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

SAA 01 047 — Moving the Army Across a River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0100. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 047; SAAo P334049.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what I wrote to the Palace: "Let them [...] the rivers, get together and do the crossing at ... the c[am]p," — Arbailai the 'third man' came to me today, reporting: "The river is [floodin]g, I was not able to pass [...] to the [other] side." That is exactly why I wrote to the Palace. Let them now do the crossing at that very place outside the ca[mp].

Reverse

And here — (when) they come [......], half of the [......] ... here; I went by a cart and had a look; it's excellent, and Arbailai showed much room for the camp. Tomorrow, as the king my lord said, they should set to it and bring the camp over; perhaps we can finish the bridge by the time they are through with the camp, so the king can cross over on the bridge.

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

SAA 01 048 — Levying Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0630. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 048; SAAo P334435.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I am [right now] sending Šauška-[..., the ...] of Lilî [...] to the king my lord in the hands of Aššur-nadin-ahhe the [royal bodyguard]. As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "[...] to the horses of [...] on the 20th of Adar (XII)!" — The king my lord knows that the day I arrive in the king my lord's presence, I (must) come back here posthaste! Now, should the team-commanders, be it the prefects or the recruitment officers who are leaving for their levy [come] straight [to me]? Or [will the king (rather) say]: "The [prefects] and re[cruitment officers] should [come] straight to me [...]?"

Reverse

I [......] from the ci[ty of ......]; right now [......] the river [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 049 — Mustering the Chariotry of the Magnates

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 112. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 049; SAAo P313527.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good heal]th to [the king, my lord!] [As I wrote] to the ki[ng, my lord], I am [receiving] the chariots of the magnates on the afternoon of the 16th and they are giving them over to me — the Comm[ander-in-Chief], the Sartinnu, the Vizier, the Palace Herald, the Chief [Cupbearer], the Treasurer, and the governor of [Calah]; in all 1[00] chariots capable of carrying ...[...]. The chariots of the C[hief Eunuch] and the governor of Nineveh [...] are missing; what does the king my lord say?

Reverse

(Rest destroyed or untranslatable)

SAA 01 050 — The Emblem of the Moon God

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0489. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 050; SAAo P334336.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the emblem of the moon god of Harran of which the king, my lord, wrote to me, there are two good ones which [......] for the watch of [...] of the king, my lord [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 051 — Gold for a Winged Claw

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0180. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 051; SAAo P334125.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the gold for the winged claw of which the king, my lord, wrote to me, I weighed it out, and it was half a mina according to the standard of Babylon. Part of the gold is extra. I have sealed it and am sending it herewith to the king, my lord.

Reverse

Šuzubu told [me]: "They gave it to me according to the half-mina of Babylon."

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

SAA 01 052 — Collecting, Weighing, and Distributing Gold

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1458. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 052; SAAo P334918.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to this gold of which the king wrote to me: "Why did you give it? [......] of [......]," this [......] 11 talents [......] alone [......] to the king [...... (Break)

Reverse

of the king [......] one shekel from the išk[āru] dues [......]. They have weighed it in my presence but have not yet received it. We have not [yet] received the rest of the gold [from PN]. He has returned one mina of the yield of wool (retrieved) from the son of [Kenî], but [... minas] of the gold is still [outstanding]. Half a mina of silver [......] without [...]; the son of Kenî told me: "[.......]; nobody should [......

Right Edge

(Rest broken or untranslatable)

SAA 01 053 — Providing Jewels

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0105. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 053; SAAo P334054.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the jewels of which the king, my lord, wrote to me, three leather(-bag)s with assorted jewels, just as [the king my lord] wrote to me, have just been given from [...]; and two [...]s of [......] ... stones [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 054 — Transporting Cultic Objects to Assur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0433. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 054; SAAo P334298.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! The first day after we left the Palace, we stayed overnight in Ubasê. The boats are all right. On the next day, the gods of the king guarding, we shall safely arrive in [the Inner City], and I shall bring the golden [monster]s [...] into the temple of Aššur. (Break) And [...... the b]ed, th[ere is a ritual] to put together for decorating and washing the bed. If the king, my lord, orders, we shall bring it into the temple of Aššur and perform our rites jointly together. There is room there, and it is suitable for our vigil.

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

Reverse

Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "Where will the bed enter?" In the house of the treasurer of the Aššur temple, where the gods of the city of Dur-Šarruken are staying. Right now I am ... bringing in the monsters; but the bed is on the river and will stay in the boat for tonight. We shall also spend the night on the river and keep watch over it, until the king, our lord, sends me instructions. Let him give orders to a messenger, and let the messenger come straight away. I will wait for him, and (then) bring the bed in.

SAA 01 055 — Anchored at Assur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1360. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 055; SAAo P334864.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) We set out [......], and thanks to the gods [who are well disposed towards the king] and have accepted your gift with pleasure, we passed the Maliasû river like a quiet river bed. I arrived at the Inner City on the 18th. The inhabitants of the Inner City acted in the same way (as before): offering tables were set up and sacrifices were being made. They anchored the boats on the river before the Gate of Aššur. My canopy was set up aboard, and I am staying on the river and keeping watch until the day I depart. The king, my lord, can be pleased indeed.

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

Bottom Edge

As long as the bed is aboard, regular sheep offerings are being made in front of it.

Reverse

Perhaps the king, my lord, [will say]: "[When are you] going to depart from the Inner City [......]?" I am waiting [... for the] troops; right now [...... the governor] of Arrapha [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 056 — Transporting Stone Thresholds on Boats Made in Assyria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0103+. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 056; SAAo P313447.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "The new boat which is coming from the Inner City — is there any (other) boat you are bringing in addition to it?" — Six Assyrian boats have been launched on the river. I showed them to the boatmen, but they said: "We won't go near them." Now, I am going to bring two of these boats and, going back and forth, [use them to transport] the stone steps and thresholds [of] the watchtowers, until I can make [the remaining] boats available.

Reverse

[I once committed] a deadly sin, but the king, my lord, let me live. And th[is one] — now, I suggested it to the king, the king my lord has [...]ed his soul. Until I have these boats ready, I will bear the responsibility for the stone colossi in Adia. [I will ...] them [...] this [....] and [bring] them [over to] this bank (of the river).

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

SAA 01 057

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 814. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur?] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 057; SAAo P314223.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: [Your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur]. Good health to [the king, my lord!] [As to the ... about which] the king, my lord, [wrote to me (Break)

Reverse

[b]oats [......] [the gover]nor of Calah [......] [the]re are no [......] "Launch [....]!" I've la[unched ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 058 — Transporting Basalt Slabs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1049. [Ṭab-šar-Aš]šur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 058; SAAo P334699.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aš]šur. [Good health] to the king, my lord! They wrote to me from the Palace: "Let them cut out 150 basalt steps, load them up and bring them to Nineveh." I have now cut and loaded them, [and am com]ing to Nineveh; [let the king, my lord, send word] whether I should bring them to the ba[throom] of the god itself [or ......

Bottom Edge

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 059 — Transporting Stone Thresholds

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1104. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 059; SAAo P334739.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to the ......] about which/whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, I am now sending to the king, my lord, the kallapu commanders, the engraver and the prefects who are transporting the stone thresholds.

SAA 01 060 — Engravers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK. [Ṭ]ab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 060; SAAo P336596.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭ]ab-šar-Aššur. [Good health] to the king, my lord! As to the engravers [about whom the king my lord] wrote to me, [just as the kin]g my lord [commanded ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 061 — Dragging Bull Colossi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 484. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 061; SAAo P313897.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) As to [the ... of whom the ki]ng, my lord, wr[ote to me]: "Mobilize them! They should come and drag the bull colo[ssi]!" [I spo]ke with them in the presence of [...] of the Palace [..... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 062 — Inspecting Timber

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 022. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 062; SAAo P313437.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! On the 17th I and Kiṣir-Aššur went to the Zab river and inspected the timber; the logs were many, [as many] as we could possibly desire. [...] towers [......]. The men [...] who w[ent] with us [...] the king's. Kiṣir-Aššur [...] the timber, (whereas) I went to Dur-Šarruken [......

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 063 — Towing Logs to Nineveh

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 156. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 063; SAAo P313571.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "We shall go [......]; I have [...] the river [......] heavy logs [......]." I asked him: "Where [are they deposited? Those which] we cannot tow [to ......] not to [......] the Inner City [......]"? His servants said: "From where the distant logs are being stored the river is navigable as far as the Inner City; from the Inner City to Nineveh it is difficult." The Governor of the Land told me: "I'll first (stay) ten days here, [then ......] which during [......] Labdudu [.......]." On the 1st of Tishri (VII), [when] the earlier [...] arrived in the Inner City, I asked them: "Where are the distant logs?" They said: "Opposite the city of Ariawate. The logs which we towed last year from the town of Sapirrutu in the district of the Governor opposite Zahê arrived in Nineveh in Adar (XII)."

Reverse

Since I heard these words from the mouth of the Governor, that the river is navigable from Ariawate as far as the Inner City, the gods of the king willing, we shall tow the logs past the risky places and bring them to Inner City; then we shall see [what] lies ahead and tow them to Nineveh as best as we can. As to [what the king, my lord, wr]ote to me: "[...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 064 — The Work Assignment of the Governor of Calah

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0486. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 064; SAAo P334333.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the work assignment of the governor of Calah about which the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why has the governor of Arrapha left half of the gate to him?" On the 3rd, when they started on the city wall, they came to me, saying: "Come and settle our work allocation between us!" I went and settled it between them. Perhaps the king, my lord, now says: "Why [......" (Break)

Reverse

[Out of the ...] work assignment (units) of the governor of Calah, that of the wall reached as far as the edge of the gate of the Tower of People, and out of the 850 work assignment (units) of the governor of Arrapha, the wall (assignment) extended as far as the edge of the gate of the Tower of People. I deducted this (stretch of) wall from the gate (assignment), calculated the bricks for the balance of the gate, and gave three fourths to the governor of Arrapha and ... one fourth to the governor of Calah even before the king's sealed message had come to me. The governor of Calah [did] not know that his wall assignment extended [only as far as the edge] of the gate, and that is why he said: "I have too large an assignment." I have now arbitrated between them and they are both doing their work.

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

SAA 01 065 — Digging a Ditch

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0102. [Ṭab]-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 065; SAAo P334051.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: [your servant Ṭab]-šar-Aššur. [Good health] to the king, my lord! Paqaha, the master-builder in charge of the ditch came and had an audience with me, saying: "The king has added to the men working on the ditch but there are no (work) leaders. The governor of Talmusa is not able to direct the men, he said to me as follows: '1,000 men [...... (Break)

Bottom Edge

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

Reverse

...... we [can]not do the work.'" Paqaha told me: "I (must) personally take the lead of 100 men and spend a full month on the work. Let the king my lord call the leaders to account for the fact that I (must) spend a full month on the work employing (only) 100 men."

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

SAA 01 066 — Casting Column Bases and Lions of Bronze

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0452. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 066; SAAo P334314.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [Ṭab-šar-Aššur]. Good health to [the king], my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "When are they going to cast the gate column-bases for the portico of the hilānu palaces?" I asked Aššur-šumi-ke'in and the artists, who told me this: "We are going to cast four column-bases of bronze for two hilānu palaces in the month of Marchesvan (VIII); the small lions of the hilānu(s) will be cast together with the big lions in the spring."

Bottom Edge

I asked the son of B[el-...] about the work on the temple doors: "When are you going to finish your work?"

Reverse

He informed me as follows: "The doors of the temples of Sin, Šamaš and Nikkal to be coated with silver sheets have been made but the wooden saramu's are not ready; I shall finish them by the 1st of Tishri (VII)." On the doors to be coated with bronze sheets he said: "Doors of five doorways are finished [......

Right Edge

(Break of three lines)

Edge

I shall send word; they will bring the sheets together with [...] to Dur-Šarruken, and we shall set to it and make them.

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

SAA 01 067 — The Bathroom of the Hilanu Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0487. Ṭab-šar-[Aššur] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 067; SAAo P334334.

Obverse

[To the king, my] lord: [your servant] Ṭab-šar-[Aššur]. [Good health] to the king, [my lord]! [As to the g]ate of the bathroom [of] the big hilānu palace of which the king, [my lord], wrote to me, I have just got hold of the [... and am herewith sending them] to the king, my lord. The old-fashioned razor which stood [...], even if [......], will be removed [from] the gate. As to [the ... of] the tower, with reed [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 068 — Making Doors

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 535. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 068; SAAo P313947.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

they carry [......] here [......] of the doors [......] we are [doing] our work. (SPACER)

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

SAA 01 069

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 747. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 069; SAAo P314157.

Obverse

(Too broken for translation)

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

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

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

SAA 01 070 — Work on Ziggurats

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0107. [Ṭab]-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 070; SAAo P334056.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant Ṭab]-šar-Aššur: Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why are the names of the city lords of the cities not built high?" The king, my lord, knows that our previous campaign which we directed to Mannea (and) Media [... is depicted] o[n the walls of] the Ol[d] Palace. We have in[spected ......] (Break)

Reverse

[the na]mes of the kings and [...] officials [di]adems in fr[ont of ...] their [na]mes [are compl]eted we [......] from [...]huha to Dur-Šarruken. This [...] has been made ...... (Rest too broken for translation)

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

SAA 01 071 — The Ziggurat of Anu in Assur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0106. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 071; SAAo P334055.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-šar-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! [As to] the work on the ziggurat of Anu concerning which the king, my lord, gave me the following [order]: "Ask the Chief Scribe about it!" — They have [now] asked him, and [he spoke] as follows: "Why should we do [......] the work [......" (Break)

Reverse

......] will go straight away and inspect the work in the Inner City; returning from the Inner City to Calah, he will go to the Chief Scribe, who will send a detailed report to the Palace.

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

SAA 01 072 — Designing Houses in Calah

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 233. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 072; SAAo P313648.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] the new [...]s of the ci[ty ...] [......] the names of the cities [......] of the city-rulers on [...] [......] When the designers [...] my names and removed the bricks, these [.....]...; I did not know. And now [...] houses have been designed for Calah. The palace [...]...: "The pleasure palace [...]... Servants have been ascribed to it twice. I [do not] know where it is; without [...]. [As to what] the king, my lord, wrote to me: "[...]

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

Bottom Edge

[... in the mon]th Adar (XII)", just as [......

Reverse

(Rest too broken for translation)

SAA 01 073 — On Aššur-bessunu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 073; SAAo P336597.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, my lord: [your servan]t Ṭab-šar-Aššur. [Good health] to the king, my lord! [As to Ašš]ur-bessunu [the ... of whom] the king, my lord, [wrote to m]e: "I have given him [...] oxen [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 074

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 620. Ṭab-šar-Aššur to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 074; SAAo P314032.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, my lord: [your servan]t Ṭab-šar-Aššur. [Good health] to the king, my lord! [As to this man ... of whom] the king, my lord, [wrote to m]e: "[......] as follows: '[......" (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 4. Letters from Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra, Governor of Assur

SAA 01 075–109.

SAA 01 075 — Choosing a Priest for the Aššur Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0577. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 075; SAAo P334396.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and] Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to the deceased household manager of the Aššur temple of whom I said in the presence of the king my lord: "He has a son and a nephew," at this very moment his son, his nephew, and Simanai son of Nabû-balliṭ, cousin of Aššur-na'id the second priest, are on their way to the king, my lord.

Reverse

Let the king, my lord, appoint the one who is acceptable to the king, my lord.

SAA 01 076 — Treaty with Gurdi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0090. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 076; SAAo P334039.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to the treaty tablet of Gurdî about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, the adjutant of the Palace Superintendent came and picked it up on the 1st of Ab (V). [As soon as] the emissaries [had ar]rived, they brought the tre[aty tablet to the Inner Cit]y; [the body]guard and the messenger of the Palace Superintendent went with them and introduced it into the courtyard of the temple.

Reverse

The messenger of the Palace Superintendent who brought it said: "I am under orders to return the tablet", so he got it back (after the ceremonies). The city overseer, the temple steward and Kenî the temple scribe entrusted me [...].

SAA 01 077 — On Bronze Panthers and a Wood Store

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0091. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 077; SAAo P334040.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! The stands of both bronze panthers are quite attractive; they are working on minor improvements in their finish. As to the wood store for the iron brazier in the palace of the Inner City about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, I consulted the mayors, masons and elders (who told me this): "The chief of public works will do the demolition and the brickwork; the sons of the palace maids will supply the materials needed and plaster its roof; if a beam is broken, the masons of the Inner City will supply the replacement."

Reverse

Now, I have told the chief of public works to pull it down and buid it up, but he does not agree (but says): "[.....] I will supply the replacement for its broken beams." This year may (well) pass (before the work is done); the king my lord will come in Shebat (XI) and settle (the issue).

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

SAA 01 078 — Work on the Panthers, the Ziggurat and Boats

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0483. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 078; SAAo P334331.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! [We] overturned the ot[her] panther on the 1[st] and placed it on its face; twenty courses of bricks have been put under it; [its] feet are toward the seat of Lord-of-the-Crown. [x] courses of bricks of the ziggurat have been laid. On the 6th they started building the boat[s], and they are building them (now).

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 079 — Building the Ziggurat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 724. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 079; SAAo P314134.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) We shall go [... in Te]bet (X). [As to the work] on the ziggurat, [x cour]ses of bricks have been l[aid ...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 080 — Constructing Boats

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0330. Ṭab-[ṣill-Ešarra] to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 080; SAAo P334213.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my lord]: your [servant] Ṭab-[ṣill-Ešarra. Good] health to [the king, my lord]! May Aššur and Mullissu bless [the king, my lord]! As to the boats which the king, my lord, wrote me about: "They must be finished by the beginning of the month! Now all these months have been wasted, are there really no boats?" — Did I not write to the king my lord like this: "They will finish three boats by the 1st of Nisan (I), the fourth will be ready by the 1st of Iyyar (II)?" At the moment [x] boats are finished [..... (Break)

Reverse

six men [......] and female [......] the other side [......]

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

SAA 01 081 — Constructing Boats

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 639. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 081; SAAo P314051.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ... [......] in the middle of the city [......] now ...[.....]

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

Bottom Edge

alongs[ide ......] the house which [......]

Reverse

Did I not [....] to the king, [my lord]? As to the boats [on which] I wr[ote to the king], my lord [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 082 — The Problem of Hungry Arabs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0547. Ṭab-[ṣill-Ešarra] to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 082; SAAo P334372.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Ṭab-[ṣill-Ešarra]. Good health to [the king, my lord! May] Aššur and Mullissu [bless the king, my lord!] As to the A[rabs concerning whom the king, my lord] wrote to me: "[Why] do they graze [their sheep and] camel[s in the desert where they must resort to plundering] when hungry?" — [Rains have been sc]arce this [year]; ...[......] have been settling in [......]. (As to) what the king, my lord, [wrote] to me: "Now, go to Hinzanu, and let them go and graze with you! There shall be no restrictions from the banks of the Tharthar river up to the land of Suhu!",

Reverse

I will now go to Hinzanu, (but) they (are sure to) leave the territory I am assigning to them, move further downstream and plunder; they pay absolutely no heed to the chief scout I have appointed. Let them order the governor of Calah to appoint a eunuch of his in charge of the Arabs under his jurisdiction; they should (then) ask me for a territory where to gra[ze]. All the same, [their] tents should [remain] in the territory of the [governor] of Calah (while) they are grazing in [......

Right Edge

(Break)

Edge

They plunder cities; they never plunder sheep or camels, but they do loot people.

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

SAA 01 083 — Harvest in Hindanu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0093. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 083; SAAo P334042.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! They finished the harvest in Hin[zanu] on the 11th. [......] was reaped [...]. As long as [I am] here [...... (Break)

Reverse

They will not [agree] to trans[port it ...]; they are transporting it on your expense.

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

SAA 01 084 — Arabs Raid Sippar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0088. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 084; SAAo P334037.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! Nabu-bel-šumati, the legate of Birat entered the Inner City on the 7th. I asked him: "Why did you come now?" He said: "I got a royal message: 'Why is it that all (other) city-rulers have come and stood in my presence, but you have not come? Also, why is it that the Arabs plundered Sippar, but you did not go out with your servants but kept [them] away?'

Reverse

I was scared by this message and (that is why) I came."

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

SAA 01 085 — A Messenger Returns from Birat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0396. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 085; SAAo P334271.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! Haldi-naṣir, the mercenary who took the letter to the Biratean, has come back carrying a letter; [I am sending him] right now [to] the king, my lord.

Reverse

[I asked him]: "Why were you delayed?" He said: "He detained me for 12 days; Marduk-šumu-iddina will be coming right after me."

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

SAA 01 086 — Arrival of Marduk-šum-iddin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 304. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 086; SAAo P313719.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] servants (two broken and obscure lines) [......] Marduk-šumu-iddina [...... ha]s come [......] right now [he is on his way] to greet [the king, my lord] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

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

SAA 01 087 — A Messenger from Borsippa

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1433. Ṭab-ṣill-E[šarra] to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 087; SAAo P334904.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭ]ab-ṣill-E[šarra. Good health] to the ki[ng, my lord!] May [Aššur] and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! Ṣululu, a [messenger] of Sulu[...] the commandant of Borsippa, came to Birat; from Birat, he [was] escorted to Hinzanu by the messenger of the Biratean, and from Hinzanu they came to the Inner City. [......] with my m[esse]nger ......

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 088 — Visitors from Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0096. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 088; SAAo P334045.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. [Good health] to the king, my lord! May [Aššur and M]ullissu bless [the ki]ng, my lord! Šarru-emuranni and [Ša]rru-nuri [came from] Babylon on the 10th [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 089 — The Canal Inspector in Assur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0562. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 089; SAAo P334384.

Obverse

[To the king, my] lord: Your servant [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra]. Good health [to the king, my lord!] May Aššur and Mullissu bless the [king], my lord! As to Bel-ha[...], the canal inspector of whom the king, my lord, wr[ote to me], he arrived in the Inner City on the [eve] of the 4th, brought out his ... and left for the [king, my lord].

SAA 01 090 — A Messenger Kidnapped by a Tribe

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0098. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 090; SAAo P334047.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! (As to) what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "[Let] this messenger of yours whom you sent to Birat together with his cavalry [...] the Hamranu tribe" — my messenger [...... (Break)

Reverse

from [......] of the city of M[unu' ...] on the 21st of [......] at his behest. The day they ente[red ..., my] messenger was taken captive. The chief ... o[f ...] who was there [...] with him; Haqi[... rel]eased him in Munu' and wro[te]: "Send me silver!" He is in Munu'; I am now sending the silver.

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

SAA 01 091 — Arranging for Reserve Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0094. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 091; SAAo P334043.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! The king, my lord, wrote to me: "Set out on the 22nd and be in the Inner City on the 29th!" — before I go to the Inner City, let me come and see the king, my lord! And as to the reserves of the king's men of the Ruqahu and Hallatu tribes about which the king my lord wrote to me, I sent (orders about them) on the very day I saw the (king's) letter.

SAA 01 092 — Speaking with the Ruqahu Tribe

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1086. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 092; SAAo P334728.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord!] [As to] the Ruqaheans [concerning whom the king] my lord wrote to me: "You and Zeru-ibni, speak with them!" After the king my lord (had left) they stayed seven days in the Inner City, dining with me; I spoke with them, and they told me this: "Our brothers and families ......"

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

I have sent word, and (as soon as) they come, I and Zeru- ibni will speak with them; when we come to the [revi]ew, [the king my lord can speak] with us. It is raining con[tinually, and there is very much [water]. The king, my lord, [can be glad].

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

SAA 01 093 — Stationing Troops in Sinnu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0482. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 093; SAAo P334330.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! I have moved my Itu'aeans to the other bank of the river to stand guard in the town of Sinnu. The king, my lord, knows that I have only few equipped men and that the [wor]k here is hard. I cannot cu[t the timber with] the magnates [...... (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 094 — Ferrying Straw and Fodder at Opis

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0089. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 094; SAAo P334038.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! A boat of mine which the Treasurer used for carrying money downstream is anchored at Bab-bitqi, and a boat of the governor of Arrapha is doing ferry service at Opis. The king, my lord, knows that we have to bring over straw and fodder from the other bank.

Reverse

Now, let the governor of Arrapha's boat go and serve as a ferry at Bab-bitqi, and let mine come so we can use it to bring straw and fodder over at Opis. The men of the governor of Arrapha are doing the ferrying at Bab-bitqi.

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

SAA 01 095 — On Carpenters and Architects

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 510. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 095; SAAo P313923.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Aššur [......] which [......] five chariots [......] 60 urabi (troops) [......] 300 Itu['aeans ......] As to the carpenters about whom [the king my lord] wrote to me: "30 [......]!" 22 carpenters ...[......]; half of them have not [yet] co[me]. Five architects of the g[overnor] of Calah have come to me [on the ...th] of [...]; none [of them] is w[orking ......].

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

Reverse

I [......] I shall go [......] in the city of [......] the men [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 096 — Putting Carpenters to Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0087. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 096; SAAo P334036.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! I [asked] the carpenters: "Why [...]? Do the rest of [the work] in Sa[pirrutu]!" They said: "The days [...] here [...]; we are making br[oa]d planks ......"

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

"...... that] I have cut stal[ks] in Ekallate." I am bringing and settling them (= the carpenters) there right now, and they are going to do it. One carpenter from their ranks (who was) in the presence of the king, my lord, came (to me) saying: "I am going by the order of the king himself; the king told [us] to go to Sapirrutu, so we shall go."

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

SAA 01 097 — The Road to Kar-Šamaš

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0095. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 097; SAAo P334044.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "The chief eunuch is going to Kar-Šamaš", — why is he going to Kar-Šamaš? The [roa]d through the province of Arrapha is very exacting; there are permanent wadis filled with reed and it is getting (worse). Let him come to the Inner City; this [road] along the river is [in good condit]ion. [...... the roa]d is bloc[ked ...... the] troo[ps ......] come [to m]e [...... (Break)

Reverse

Who will [be there] for the guard [if the ...] g[o ...]? [Now], the governor of Arrapha has 100 Itu'aeans standing guard in the town of Ṣibtu. Let them write to the legate of Ṣibtu, and let 50 men of them come and stay with the carpenters until I return.

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

SAA 01 098 — Cutting Timber with the Chief Eunuch

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0484. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra, Na’di-ilu to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 098; SAAo P334332.

Obverse

To the king, our lord: your servants Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra and Na'di- ilu. Good health to the king, our lord! As to what the king, our lord, wrote to us: "While you were here, I gave you this order: 'You will first go to Lurisite and choose strong and good-looking timber; later you will take woodcutters down to do the cutting within (the said area)'" — the king did give us (this) order, but as we [ca]me to the city of Aššur, the Chief Eunuch [with x] men [...... (Break)

Reverse

"......] to return [to] Samarra; should the men stay inactive for eight days?" We took the men downstream, and they are now cutting (the timber). We shall cut within the area which the king set to us, and (then) go; we shall leave the best stems [in] the grove (when) we go.

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

SAA 01 099 — Building a Palace in Ekallate

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0099. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 099; SAAo P334048.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Ešarra is well, the [temple]s are well, the Inner City is [well, Assyri]a is we[ll, may] the king, my lord, be well! [As to] what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Let these [...]ians of Ekal[late ......] who are being deported build the queen's palace in [the city with the] Pal[ace Manager]", the Palace Manager petiti[oned the Palace] in Shebat (XI), saying: "Let [the ...] build the palace in [......]!" Now the Inner City [... 'son]s of bought (slaves)' [......] (Break)

Reverse

In the past days, when the father of [the king my lord] was leading [...], I did not have to supply the deficits o[f the palace] of Ekallate, but now that the king, my lord, has exempted the Inner City and the ilku duty of the Inner City has been imposed on me, I have to supply (even) the deficits of the palace of Ekallate! Are they 'sons of bought (slaves)' as they are called, or are they (in reality) exempts of the Palace Manager? I have just made a list of the 'sons of bought (slaves)' and the 'sons of palace maids' on a writing board and am sending it herewith to the king, my lord. They are 370 men: 90 are king's men, 90 are reserves, 190 should do the king's work. Let either a royal bodyguard or a (royal) guard come, and let me give him these [....] men so they will do the king's [work].

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

SAA 01 100 — Counting Timber after a Fire

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0092. Ṭab-ṣill-E[šarra] to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 100; SAAo P334041.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-E[šarra]. Ešarra is well, the temples are well, the Inner City is well, Assyria is well, may the king, my lord, be well! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: 'Count the intact beams and write me!", I have just written down the numbers of the beams and am sending them herewith to the king, my lord: 372 heavy beams, 808 second-size, 2,313 third-size, 11,807 fourth-size, in all 15,290 sound ones, plus 13,157 damaged or burnt.

Bottom Edge

(Six illegible lines)

Reverse

...] I transferred the [beams which had been] damaged to the intact ones; now, they have been counted by the Palace Herald and the Treasurer on top of the damaged ones. Perhaps the king, my lord (now) says: "Why is it that there appears to be a deficit in the figures?" Some were so totally consumed by the fire that we found no physical remains of them, some [were ...] from the midst, some from the top of [...] ...... (and) were [carri]ed [off] by the river.

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

SAA 01 101 — Inspecting and Counting Logs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0397. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 101; SAAo P334272.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Ešarra is well, the temples are well, the Inner City is well, Assyria is well, may the king my lord be well! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to the logs which the king wr[ote me about ......] (Break)

Reverse

[..... are] very [...], im[possible] to count. There are many logs! The king, my lord, can be glad.

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

SAA 01 102 — Towing Logs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0398. Ṭab-ṣill-E[šarra] to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 102; SAAo P334273.

Obverse

[To] the king, m[y] lord: your [servant] Ṭab-ṣill-E[šarra]. Good health to the king, [my] lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, [my lord]! As to the logs which the king, my lord, wrote me about: "Send (word) that they be towed here," even before the king, my lord, wr[ote to me], I assigned [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 103 — Fighting Locusts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1015. [Ṭab-ṣill-E]šarra to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 103; SAAo P334676.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-E]šarra. [Good health to the king], my lord! May [Aššur and M[ullissu bless [the king, my lord]! [As to the lo]custs [concerning which the king, my lord], wrote to me: "Write where the locusts have laid eggs! They shall fumigate (these areas) with juniper powder. They shall knock them out at the moment of their hatching." Already before the letter of the Palace came to me, I had the following order issued in the [cities] and vi[llage]s:

Reverse

"Fumigate with juniper powder where the [loc]usts have l[aid eggs]!" [Now], we shall knock them out at the moment of their hatching.

SAA 01 104 — Killing Locusts

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). British Museum, London, UK, BM 132008; GPA 240. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 104; SAAo P336167.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "In order to kill locusts go to the villages of Mê-ṭabute and Amante, as far as Kasappa," the locusts here in the centre of the land between [...] on the great mountain [......] I have removed [...... (Break)

Reverse

[......] the Inner City (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 105 — Barley and Straw Taken from Desert Depots

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0871. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 105; SAAo P334598.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) in the town [...] in the middle of [... ...] has taken 40 homers of b[arley] and 200 bales of straw, (as supplies) for two days, referring the matter to the king,

Bottom Edge

(while) in the village of Diqarate in the desert Aššur-belu-taqqin the prefect has taken 16 homers of barley and a pile of straw and seized farmers of the Palace.

Reverse

They have borrowed [... and gi]ven [...... (Break)

Edge

they open [......] without the go[vernor]'s permission; 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 01 106 — A Land Grant to the Nabu Temple of Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0480. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 106; SAAo P334328.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! There is an estate of 4,000 hectares of arable land in a village called Qurani in the Halahhu province which the king my lord took and [gave] to the Nabû temple of Dur-Šarruken, and (in doing this) the king my lord [gave] this order to [Kiṣir]-Aššur: "Give the Governor of the Land a village in return for the village [......]!" [...... in] Halzi-atbar [......] there [......] an estate of 320 hectares [......] he has not given, and I have not cultivated [the king's arable fields].

Reverse

It is the second year now [that ......] instead of [......]. Let the king, my lord, send a messenger to parcel out whatever field he has left and give it to my messenger. If not, he will keep ignoring me, and I can't put the king my lord's arable fields into cultivation.

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

SAA 01 107 — How Do You Feed Your Horses?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0097. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 107; SAAo P334046.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur and Mullissu bless the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Suppose you are staying at home, how do you feed (your horses)?" Half of my horses are fed in the Barhalza province, the other half eat at the [... of the ci]ty of Issete in the domestic quarters of [...]; my cavalry [and ... are sta]tioned in the tax-collection center of the province of [...]. Their [...... (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 108 — Straw and Fodder for the Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0995. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king], from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 108; SAAo P334667.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] for his eyes; he does not give any [str]aw or fodder [to] the horses. Let a messenger of the king my lord come and have a look at the [...], and (then) go and inform 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.]

SAA 01 109

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0481. Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra to the king, from Ashur. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 109; SAAo P334329.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: your [servant] Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra. [Good] health to the king, my lord! May [Aššur and M]ullissu bless the king, [my lord]! (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

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

Chapter 5. Letters from Calah

SAA 01 110–123.

SAA 01 110 — Report on a Festival and on Bull Colossi

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064159; NL 016. [M]arduk-rem[anni] to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 110; SAAo P224487. Also edited as SAA 19 159 (SAAo X190159).

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant M]arduk-rem[anni. Good health] to the king, [my] lord! [The festi]val has been celebrated; the god [...] came out and returned in peace. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king! As to the bull colossi about which the king my lord wrote to me, I have worked out their positions at the ...s of the palaces and they are hewing them. We shall place the hewn colossi before the ... residence; they will trim the big ones and whe shall place them before the middlemost gate. As to the [sto]ne bulls of which I spoke to the king, my lord, they will modify them and turn them into bull colossi, and we shall place them before the middlemost gate. Perhaps the king, my lord, [will say]: "It is hard work [...]." The work [......]; honestly, one cubit [...] bull colossi [...... (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

Let them draw and s[end me] the plan of the [...] of which I spoke] to the king, my lord, and [I will plant] the saplings according to it.

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

Reverse

I have received 45 horses of the [pala]ce. The emissaries from Egypt, Gaza, Judah, Moab and Ammon entered Calah on the 12th with their tribute. The 24 horses of the (king) of Gaza are with him. The Edomite, [Ashdo]dite and Ekronite [......]. The emissary from Que [......] is departing and going [...] the Bow [River]; the [...] of the Commander-in-Chief is with him.

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

SAA 01 111 — A Festival

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 591. [Aššur-bani] to [the king], from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 111; SAAo P314003.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-bani]. Good [health to the king, my lord! The temples are] well, [the city of Calah is] well, [the queen] is well, [the slaves are] well. On the 17th [the god ...] emerged [from his temple] and saf[ely entered ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 112 — Gods Go to a Festival

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0236+. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 112; SAAo P334175.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-bani. Good health to the king, my lord! On the 2nd [......] the gods [......]; on the 3rd [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 113 — Preparing for a Festival

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 563. [Aššur-bani] to [the king], from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 113; SAAo P313975.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [Aššur-bani]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! On the 8th [of ... the gods] are going to get up and [take residence in the akitu chapel; they will stay there] until the middle [of the month]. Oil [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 114 — Raising Materials for Repair Work on the temples

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0578+. [Aššur-bani] to [the king], from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 114; SAAo P334397.

Obverse

T[o the king, my lord: your] servant [Aššur-bani]. (Break) But [......] how are we supposed to do the work on [...]? Whence shall we raise the materials needed for the temple of Ištar, the Kidmuri temple, the Sebettu temple and the temple of Adad-of-the-Rain?

Reverse

Let them write to Kiṣir-Aššur that he should make available the straw in the Merchant Town and Šitabni, so we can use it for the work.

SAA 01 115

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0232. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 115; SAAo P334171.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-bani. Good health to the king, my lord! The temples are well, the city of Calah is well, the queen is well, the slaves are well. [...] Dur-Šarruken [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 116 — Merchants’ Dues

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0233+. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 116; SAAo P334172.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant] Aššur-bani. [Good health t]o the king, my lord! The temples are [well], the city of Calah is [well], the queen is [well], the slaves [are well]. As for [...] the merchant [of whom the king, my lord, wr]ote to me [..... (Break)

Reverse

..... nor has] Silî entered [Cal]ah; [... and] their iškāru dues [...] have been received.

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

SAA 01 117 — Merchants

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0234. [Ašš]ur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 117; SAAo P334173.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant Ašš]ur-bani. [Good health to] the king, my lord! [As to ...... the me]rchants [...... (Break)

Reverse

Calah [...... in] my hand [...... the king, my lo]rd will kill me.

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

SAA 01 118 — Merchants Petition the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0231. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 118; SAAo P334170.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-bani. Good health to the king, my lord! Saili who petitioned the [...] tells me: "A son of Sa[dir] has given 1.5 minas of gold to [...]; he has raised [from h]im 50 [..., and ...] to [......]" A son of Sadir [......] bits and pieces [...... (Break)

Reverse

[A son of] Sadir has ra[ised ...] for three years. [The son]s of Sadir petitioned the Palace claiming they had weakened (financially), and they say: "We have been authorized by the Palace to raise the iškāru dues from the troops"; What Saili is saying is: "In what sense is he weak? Just as I raise the iškāru on my own, so let him too raise it on his own."

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

SAA 01 119 — Boats Carrying Bull Colossi Sink

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0420. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 119; SAAo P334288.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-bani. Good health to the king, my lord! Aššur-šumi-ke'in called me to help and loaded the bull colossi on the boats, but the boats could not carry the load (and sank). Now, although it cost me a great trouble, I have now hauled them up again.

SAA 01 120 — On Bull Colossi in Tastiate

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 466. [Aššur-bani] to [the king], from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 120; SAAo P313879.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

Now, [should] the [...] (official) [fet]ch Aššur-šumi- ke'in from Tasti[ate]? What are [the king my lord's] instructions?

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

SAA 01 121 — Building a Bath

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 056878; GPA 241. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 121; SAAo P224587.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-bani. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the double-door house of the courtyard of the bath, of which the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Is the karintu [...]?" The karintu has been completely built, but [the kar]intu [...... (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 122

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0237. Aššur-bani to the king, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 122; SAAo P334176.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: [your servant] Aššur-bani. [Good heal]th to [the king, my lord]! (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 123 — (no title) (To the Vizier)

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0235. Aššur-bani to the vizier, from Nimrud. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 123; SAAo P334174.

Obverse

To the Vizier, my lord: [your servant] Aššur-bani. [Good health] to the Vizier, my lord. They have written to me [from the Palace]: "[......] Ziziru [... have ch]ased him [......] Calah [......] the moat [......] 120 [...... (Break)

Reverse

[Perhaps my lo]rd would say: "Why did you not write?" I have now written to the Vizier, my lord.

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

Chapter 6. Letters from Dur-Šarruken

SAA 01 124–132.

SAA 01 124 — Fending off Accusations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0190. Kiṣir-Aššur to the king, from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 124; SAAo P334135.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your servant Kiṣir-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the houses of the recruitment officers, about which the king, my lord, wrote to me: "The houses are already built, you are deceiving me in order to give them to your servants!" — as if I did not tell the truth to the king, my lord! Let a royal eunuch who will tell the king my lord the truth come and have a look at these houses of the recruitment officers! If they are already built, let him go and tell it to the king, my lord, and let the king, my lord, hold his report to my discredit and say: "Why do you not tell me the truth?" As to the houses of the servants of Šep-Aššur about which the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why have you taken their houses and given them to your servants?" When Šep-Aššur went to Ṣimirra, his servants went with him, so I took their houses and gave them to the Marqasians. Let Šep-Aššur rule as governor over there, but his servants [must not have] houses in Dur-Šarru[ken. Why] should I not give them to the Marqasians, [the king my lord]'s subjects?

Reverse

[Did I say] to the king, my lord: "Šep-Aššur did not build a house all the while he was h[ere]"? Now, [Šep-Aššur] did build a house as governor of D[ur-Šarruk]en; I was appointed in his stead, so I entered [his house] and took up residence in it. To [......] for governorship [......]. His servants [went] with him, and their [...] should [...] with him; the king's servants [......] (Break) [The Marqas]ians, servants [of the king, my lord], should live here [...].

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

SAA 01 125 — An Earthquake at Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0191. Kiṣir-Aššur to the king, from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 125; SAAo P334136.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: your servant Kiṣir-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! Upon my coming from Milqia to Dur-Šarruken, I was told that there had been an earthquake in Dur-Šarruken on the 9th of Adar (XII). Perhaps the king, my lord, now says: "Any damage within the city wall?"

Bottom Edge

There is [no]ne. The temples, the ziggurat, the palace, the city wall and the buildings of the city are all well; the king, my lord, can be glad.

Reverse

The king, my lord, will hear many things tomorrow and the day after, and say: "Why is it that you heard but did not write?" That is [why I am now writing to] the king, [my lord].

SAA 01 126

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 610. [Kiṣir-Aššur] to [the king], from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 126; SAAo P314022.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Let me appoint [......] in the service of [...]. [......] the oil that Šep-Aššur [......] let him give them servants [......] upon then [...... on the ...]th we set to work on [......] [......] we are doing it.

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

SAA 01 127

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 818. [Kiṣir-Aššur] to [the king], from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 127; SAAo P314227.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Kiṣir-Aššur. Good] health to [the king, my lord! As to what the king] my lord wrote to me: "[......] in the presence [of ......]!" I [......] they discharged [......] appointed under him [......] again [......] they discharged [......] he is a [chariot d]river (Break)

Reverse

[......] Nineveh [...] [......] of the Inner City [...] their [...... of] Arbela and [...] [......] tiller (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 128 — Receiving a ‘Shipment’ of People from Guzana

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0167. Ina-šar-Bel-allak to the king, from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 128; SAAo P334113.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ina-šar-Bel-allak. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the gods residing in Dur-Šarruken give the king my lord length of days! I went as far as Šabirešu to meet the people and oxen that were brought to me from Guzana; I checked them, received them, and provided them with shelter. Some of them were missing: Kinâ, a wineskin-raft man, three persons; Sandapî, a vegetable gardener, three persons; Hulî, a farmer, five persons; Kuzâ, a belt-maker, four persons — in all 15 persons missing from my writing-board. I sent the bodyguard from Šabirešu back to Guzana for them, telling him: "Go and get the rest of the people, and come and bring them to me!"

Reverse

Last year, (when) the king my lord was in Babylon, they urged me to give a shipment of 200 reed altars for the work of the Nabû temple; now Aha-lurši has told me to make available another 200 reed altars. Ubru-Babili is at the moment in the presence of the king, my lord; let them ask him; if he is going to give, then I too will give. What does the king my lord say? Two liters of bread and two liters of beer for the exorcist; one liter of bread and one liter of beer for the lahhinu; in all, six liters of bread and beer being the surplus of the daily offerings of the Nabû temple.

Top Edge

The king, my lord, should know this; it is not available for any (other) purpose.

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

SAA 01 129 — Providing Sheep for Offerings at the Nabu Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1087. [Ina-šar-Bel-allak] to [the king], from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 129; SAAo P334729.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ina-šar-Bel-allak. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord]! May [the gods] resi[ding in] Du[r-Šarruken] give the king [my lord] length of days! The continual sheep offerings which the king my lord organized for the Nabû temple have been regularly provided by the cohort within my city; [...... (Break; reverse too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 130

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0990. Ina-šar-Bel-allak to the king, from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 130; SAAo P334665.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: [your servant] Ina-šar-Bal-allak. [Good] health [to] the king, my lord! [May Na]bû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! [May the gods] residing in Dur-Šarruken give the king my lord length of [days]!

Reverse

[The ...] of (which) the ki[ng, my lord, ...... have e]ntered [... and ...] the king, my lord [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 131 — Meeting the King in Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0842. Ahu-lurš[i] to the king, from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 131; SAAo P334587.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: (This is) your servant Aha-lurš[i, your adorer], who daily prays to Bel and Nabû for the life of [the king, his lord]. May Nabû and Marduk bl[ess the king], my lord! Bel and N[abû ...... (Break)

Reverse

[As to what the king, my lord, wro]te to me: "Come [to my presence in Nisan]!" — the work will be fini[shed] by the [...th] of intercalary Adar (XIII); I shall leave Dur-Šarruken on the 5th of extra Adar and shall be in the presence of the ki[ng my lord] even before the month of Nisan (I). May Nabû and Marduk [bless] the king, my lord! That the king my lord [invited me] to Babylon, that I am going to see Bel and present a votive gift to Bel [on behalf of the king my lord], that I am going to see the face [of the king, my lord] and kiss the ground [before the king, my lord], [that the king, my lord], is going to give me [orders ...... of 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 01 132 — Organizing the Cult of Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0841. Ahu-lurš[i] to the king, from Dur-Sharruken. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 132; SAAo P334586.

Bottom Edge

To the king, [my lord]:

Obverse

(This is) your servant Aha-lurš[i, your adorer], who [daily] prays [to Bel and Nabû] for the life of the king, [his lord]. May Nabû and Marduk [bless the king, my lord]! As to what the king my lord wrote to me: "[As soon as the work has been finished] and the god has taken his seat (in the temple), [come to my presence]!" — Mardî the eunuch said: "I [shall go; instead of] your going, stay and off[iciate here so that when ......] and the god takes his seats [......], you can recite the proper formulae" — I told [him], however: "Write down [in a letter] everything you sa[id], send it [to the king, and make him too hear it!] I am going to inform and praise [the king my lord ...], whether it is ... or not!" [...] Verily, [by Bel and Nabû, your gods], there are no works done [under] your royal forefathers that can be compared to those [done] in the reign of the king, my lord! May the [......] of our forefathers [...] before [...... (Break)

Reverse

going [......], the king [......] we made. On the 15th [......] royal roads/caravans [......] (Break) sat down; 100 sheep [......] of the whole garden, tents [......] the god set out; in front of the god ... [......] I said: "Give it to that of Nineveh [......] it is as full as that of Nineveh [......] I have not seen [...] in Nineveh. The king, my lord, can be] glad. May the king, my lord, say: "[......]"; may the king, my lord, not say: "[......]"! What kings have seized [......] not like anc[ient] cult cities [......] Bel and Nabû [are well disposed] towards the king, my lord; they have given [... to the king, my lord. May] Bel and Nabû [prolong] the reign [of the king, my lord! May] the king, my lord [... the ...] of Babylonia!

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

Right Edge

One who accomplishes [......] to the king [......]

Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Letters

SAA 01 133–170.

SAA 01 133 — Blessings and Flatteries

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0216. Hunni to the king, from Nineveh. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 133; SAAo P334158.

Obverse

The very best of health to the king, my lord! May Aššur, Šamaš, Bel, Nabû, Sin and Nergal bless the king, my lord! (This is from) your servant Hunnî, an adorer of the king his lord. All the temples and palaces of Assyria are well; the crown prince Sennacherib is well; all the princes [who are in] Assyria are well; [the king], my lo[rd, can be very gl]ad [indeed]. (Break)

Reverse

May he see the workmanship of the temples of his gods and kiss their beautiful feet; may those (gods) whose temples you have made shine like sunrise, bless the king my lord, and may we, the royal servants, kiss the feet of the king, our lord. (This is from) your servant Hunnî, an adorer of the king his lord, who every morning and evening continually blesses the king, his lord.

SAA 01 134 — Blessings and Rituals

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 043. [Hunni?] to the king, from Nineveh. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 134; SAAo P313458.

Obverse

[To the king m]y lord: your servant [Hunnî]. Good health to the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and [Marduk bless the king, my lord]! May they give the king my lord a long life, peace of mind and good hea[lth, extreme old age], a strong army, a long reign and as many years as [......]; may they make all countries submit themselves [to you]! May the king, my lord, the good shepherd [......] truly tend and shepherd them; may Aššur, Bel and Nabû [add] flocks to your flocks, give them to you, and enlarge your spacious fold; may the peoples of all the countries come into your presence! O king, my lord, may you be the temple of kings! Each and everone who lays down his life under [your feet] and keeps your treaty, will be pardoned in your presence by your gods, and you will dress him (in purple) and bl[ess him] as today; but whoever does not keep your [treaty] will fall into Aššur's noose and trap and [...] the ja[mb]s of your gates. We shall perform [the ritual of which the king wr]ote to me tomorrow.

Reverse

Within four days, ... the time (for the ritual). He (said): "(It is) time". We shall arrive (in the Inner City) on the 1st; the ... is on the 14th; we shall spend the night in the temple on the 15th. Now, [......] whenever the king orders. As to the Washing-of-the-Mouth (ceremony) [...... (Last line destroyed)

SAA 01 135 — Dividing an Inheritance

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0179. Amar-ili to the king, from Arbela. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 135; SAAo P334124.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: your [servant] Amar-ili. [Good he]alth to the king, my lord! As to the house of Mardû of which the king my lord told (me): "You and the governor of Arbela, divide it evenly between the sons of Mardû and give (each his share)!" We did indeed find a writing-board inside (the house), [just as the king my lord had w]ritten; I sealed it and put it inside (...).

Reverse

Now I am sending it to the king, my lord. What are the king my lord's instructions?

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

SAA 01 136 — No Jewels in the Temple

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0643. Amar-ili to [the king], from Arbela. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 136; SAAo P334444.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: yo[ur servant Amar-ili. [As to] the jewels [of which] the king my lord wrote to me, we searched in the temple but did not [find] (any) beautiful stones [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 137 — Clearing away Rubble from a Collapsed Wall

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0329. Amar-ili to the king, from Arbela. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 137; SAAo P334212.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Amar-ili. We cleared away the wall of the palace which had fallen in and were starting to dig the foundations when the granary between the storehouse of the Palace Superintendent and the city wall fell down. The barley [...... (Break)

Reverse

We have [...]ed and dumped it in the sto[rehouse of ...] and in the storehouse [of ...].

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

SAA 01 138 — The Wall Behind the Image of Ištar Collapses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1178. [Ama]r-ili to [the king], from Arbela. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 138; SAAo P334774.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Ama]r-ili. [As to the ... wall behind] (the image) of Ishtar [of which the king my lord] told (me): "Place the symbol [where it] goes up and [...]; if the wall is leaning, write me" — Now on the 4th, the wall caved in by itself. [PN] and the master-builders [came] to see it, and they said: "[The wall] is ruined; let them remove [...] and change [...]. The [...] that the king ord[ered ...]." A wall which [...] which the king [...] knows! [All] is well, [the king my lord can be] gl[ad].

Reverse

(Break) He should go [...]. [As far as] the wall behind the god is concerned, the king my lord can be glad.

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

SAA 01 139 — Getting Stone Slabs Across the River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1446. [Amar-ili] to [the king], from Arbela. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 139; SAAo P334912.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ...... the Palace Herald and] the Chief [...] are keeping the boats for [them]selves. Let the king, my lord, send word that they bring (boats) [to me] either from the Palace Herald or from the Ch[ief ...] so that I can get the stone slabs across.

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 140 — Setting up a Divine Panther

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1209. Ilu-iqbi to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 140; SAAo P334794.

Obverse

[To the king, my lo]rd: your servant Ilu-iqbi. I have set up the panther which is on the right side of the god; it stands firmly on the ped[estal]. The ki[ng, my lord, c]an be glad. I shall release ...[...] to the god [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 141 — Stones for Cleansing the Throne of Destiny

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0644. [Ilu-iqbi] to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 141; SAAo P334445.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) The artists [...] said [to me]: "Write to the Palace that they should bring us 'wiping-stones' of Izalla. We should cleanse the Throne-of-Destiny of silver and the door of Ištar-of-Hearing."

SAA 01 142 — The Throne of Destiny Cleansed

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 183. [Ilu-iq]bi to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 142; SAAo P313598.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Ilu-iq]bi. The [Throne-of-Destiny] of silver and the [......] of silver are finished; [as to the ..., ...] said [that they are not] finished. The [...] are cleansing the [...] in the presence of the governor; they will be ready [this] very moment. [The ... who are] wiping [...... (Break)

Reverse

...... I am fee]ding the Šugureans [who] are coming in. All the king's [servants are well]; the king [my lord] can be glad.

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

SAA 01 143 — Straw for the Glazing of Bricks

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1180. [Ilu-iqbi] to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 143; SAAo P334776.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [On the ... th, after ......] we had finished the (city) wall, [we] got [busy], gathered men for the straw that the king had given to us in Halahhu, and went to carry it over. The men working in the ditch, [of] a single prefect and 125 in number, have [neither] delivered straw of their own nor are they carrying that of Halahhu. By means of what will they glaze bricks for their work-quota tomorrow? What does the king my lord say?

Reverse

As to the replacement for the dead concerning which the king told the magnates: "Provide the replacement!" — nobody has given us anything. The deficit of our dead [and] invalid soldiers who did not go to the campaign with us is [1],200; the magnates won't give it to us, nor have they given their straw, [nor] have they worked with us.

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

SAA 01 144 — Reeds for the King’s Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0626. [Ilu-iqbi] to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 144; SAAo P334432.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I shall finish the king's [.....] before the king my lord (comes); the king [my lord] can be glad. I have no reeds for the king's work, (so) I have no work of [the king] (to do).

Reverse

They should speak to the governor of Calah; there is reed in the wadi of Ubasê; let him give me a wineski[n raft (loaded) with r[eeds ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 145 — Measurements of Bull Colossi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 327. [Šamaš-upahhir] to [the king], from Habruri. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 145; SAAo P313742.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your [servant Šamaš-upahhir]. Good he[alth to the king, my lord]! As to [the measurements] of the b[ull coloss]i about which the king [my lord wrote to] me, the length of the first bu[ll colossus] is [x] and a half royal [cubits], [its] widt[h is x]; from the length and the width [x] cubits and a half have been finished. [Another] colossus: [length is] 9.5 cubits; from its other side t[o the r]iver [......] cubits [...... (Break)

Reverse

[a bull colossus: length is x cubits], width [x cubits]; a bull colossus: [length] 10.[5 cubits], width 5 cubits; [in the c]ity [of ...]; a bull colossus: [length] 10 cu[bits], width 5 cubits; [...] the land of Habruri. [In all] eight bull colossi of the magnates [remai]ning. We have [not] yet detached them [from] the r[ock].

SAA 01 146 — City Rulers Petition the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0136. Šamaš-upahhir to the king, from Habruri. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 146; SAAo P334083.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šamaš-upahhir. Good health to the king, my lord! The king my lord's servants, the city-rulers under my authority whom the king [my lord] o[rdered] to work in Milqia [have co]me [to my presence saying: "...... (Break)

Reverse

"Send [..... to the pa]lace!" They have made [me] sack [the ... of the ki]ng, my lord; what does the king my lord say?

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

SAA 01 147 — The Petition of the City Rulers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0526. City rulers who are doing the king’s work in Milqia to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 147; SAAo P334359.

Obverse

To the king, our lord: your servants the city-rulers who are doing the king's work in Milqia. As to what the king wrote to us: "Finish your work it while it is supervised" — we will do what the king our lord wrote to us and deliver it to the king our lord, but the work is a great burden on us.

Reverse

What with the kallapus and the trackers, they do not allow us to do the king's work. We are now petitioning the king our lord to release us so that we can perform the king's work. We shall repay our debt as soon as we are back in our country.

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

SAA 01 148 — The ‘Sons of Bought Men’ of Ekallate

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1276. Aššur-[...] to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 148; SAAo P334826.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my] lord: yo[ur servant] Aššur-[...]. [As to] the 'sons of bought (slaves)' of Ekallate [whom the king], my lord, sent to me, [...] king's [me]n [......] king's [me]n ... (Break)

Reverse

..... I have wr]itten to him. [I]f the king my lord commands, [as soon as] the Chief Eunuch [has le]ft, [let the ma]sons [...] the 'sons of bought (slaves)', and let them supply for me [the materials needed for] the Inner City ...[...].

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

SAA 01 149 — Governor of Arbela Holding Back the King’s Men

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 108. Aššur-šarru-ibni to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 149; SAAo P313523.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-šarru-ibni. Good health to the king, [my lord]! The governor of Arbela has [120] king's men who did not go to the campaign with the king but he will not agree to give them to me. I fear the king, my lord, and shall not take hold of his men (without his permission).

Reverse

30 (men from) Tillê, 60 (from) the land of Hamudu of the governor of Calah, 30 from the city of [...]ba. They have neither rations nor work.

SAA 01 150 — Finding Big Bull Colossi for the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 024. Aššur-šumu-ka’’in to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 150; SAAo P313439.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Aššur-šumi-ke'in. Good health to the king, my lord! May Aššur bless the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Find big twelve-cubit bull colossi!" — [There are two] in front of the main gate of the center of the city; [one] is an [el]even-cubit colossus [of the Chief C]upbearer; the other has a [...] and is not 'clean'. Then there are [two] bull colossi of Zeru-ibni, each ten cubits; one he has set up in front of the royal palace, the other one is extra and in his possession. Let him give it [to] the Palace Herald so it may be brought and set up before the royal palace. Perhaps the king my lord now says: "Why should the Palace Herald get a bull colossus of Zeru-ibni?"

Reverse

[Once the wate]r in the river gets l[ess, any of] the bull colossi [which] are being hewn [along the ri]ver could stand [...] the king's [...]. I[f the kin]g my lord so orders, I could bring down (the river) two bull colossi [that have been fini]shed, one in [the city of ...], the other in Tastiate. Now, [I have (already) brou]ght down to Adia [one] bull colossus of Zeru-ibni; another one belonging to the Treasurer [is in Ur]zuhina. The king [..... bull col]ossi; they should quickly give me [....... What does the k]ing my lord orde[r? May he quickly send] a messenger to [his servant]!

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

SAA 01 151 — Timber

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0934+. Nabu-deni-epuš to the king, from Nineveh. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 151; SAAo P334632.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant] Nabû-deni-epuš. [good health] to the king, my [lord]! As to the timber [about which the king wrote] to me, [......

Bottom Edge

(Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 152 — The Affair of Gidgidanu and His Brothers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 012. [Nabu]-zer-ketti-lešir to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 152; SAAo P313427.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant Nabû]-zer-ketti-lešir. [Good health] to the king, my lord! [May Nabû and] Marduk bless [the king], my [lord]! [As to Gidgid]anu [and] his [brothers about whom the king, my lord wrote] to me, [......] the temple [......] his promise; he has [not] been able to [...] the king my lord's [...] in the eyes [of] the king, my lord, and has not [......

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

As to what the king, my lord, wrote [to me]: "Why have [these] brothers of Gidgidanu quitted (their) work and left, going away?" — if the brothers of Gidgidanu working with me, if even one of them has gone out of the [city g]ate of Dur-Šarruken and gone to the south or north, may [the king my lord] not let me live! [When the king] my [lord] wrote to the crown prince [and he pun]ished me, [......]. These words [...... I swear no one] of the brothers [of Gidg]idanu [has gone] out [of] Dur-[Šarruken]!

SAA 01 153 — Sidonites in Nineveh

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0175. Nabu-riba-ahhe to the crown prince, from Nineveh. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 153; SAAo P334120.

Obverse

To the crown prince, my lord: your servant Nabû-riba-ahhe. Good health to the crown prince, my lord! The guards are very well. The Sidonites and the(ir) heads did not go to Calah with the crown prince, my lord, nor are they serving in the garrison of Nineveh. They loiter in the center of the town, each in his lodging place.

SAA 01 154 — Soldiers Idling Time Away in Calah

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 829. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 154; SAAo P314238.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) The [troops] who a[rrived ...] and have been resid[ent] in [...] are loitering in the center of Calah with their riding horses like [...] common criminals and drunkards.

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

Reverse

What does my lord say? [Let my lord quickly send an answ]er to my letter!

SAA 01 155 — Philistine Troops in Arbela

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0218. Nergal-balliṭ to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 155; SAAo P334160.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nergal-balliṭ. Good health to the king, my lord! The Philistines whom the king my lord formed into a cohort and gave me refuse to stay with me; [they ......] in the village of Luqaše [near] Arbela [...... (Break)

Reverse

......] sta[ying ...]. Now [......] after [...]. (SPACER)

SAA 01 156

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1064. Pan-Aššur-[lamur] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 156; SAAo P334709.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord]: your servant Pan-Aššur-[lamur. Good] health to the king, [my] lord! [As to what] the king my lord wrote to me: "[The day] you see this [lett]er of mine, [......

Reverse

(Break)

Right Edge

Later I [...] (my) chariot [......] about the food [......] I/they have left [......].

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

SAA 01 157

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 525. [Pan]-Aššur-lam[ur] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 157; SAAo P313938.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant Pan]-Aššur-lam[ur. Good heal]th to [the king, my lord]! (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 158 — Gold and Silver Objects Sent to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 001. Sin-a[šared?] to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 158; SAAo P313416.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Sin-a[šared]. Good health to the king, my lord! 1 big golden box, 1 golden plate, 3 crests of white silver, 1 box of gold scraps, 2 golden goblets, 4 firewood containers (with) golden (weighing) stones, 1 ... overlaid with gold, 1 bronze washing bowl, silver tableware, 1 box containing 153 silver bowls, 1 box (with) 25 bowls of ... silver and 26 silver ...;

Reverse

1 lion's head (rhyton) of silver, [...... (Break) 1 golden [......], 1 [......], [...] golden [...... (Break) ... I have just] sent [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 01 159 — Reclaiming Investments in Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1442. Salmanu-[...] to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 159; SAAo P334910.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Salmanu-[...]. Good health to the king, my lord! The king my lord told [me]: "Nobody will pay back your loans until the work on Dur-Šarruken is finished!" — (Now) they have ref[unded] to the merchants (loans on) the portion of Dur-Šarruken that has been constructed, but nobody [has reminded] (the king) about me; 570 minas of silver with [my seal] and due this year have not been repaid as yet. When the king, my lord, sold gold and pre[cious stones] on my account, I told the king, my lord, that my father was much in debt to Har[...], Huziru and [...]. After my father('s death) I paid half of [his debts], but now their sons [are telling me]: "Pay us the debts that [your] father owes to our fathers!"

Reverse

As soon as Dur-Šarruken has been [completely] bu[ilt], the king my lord [will ......] to the house [......] and pay the debts to [...]. The king my lord may ask Šar[ru-emuranni]: half of [his work ass]ignment in Dur-Šarruken [is finished].

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

SAA 01 160 — Collecting Barley for Palace Consumption

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0843. Tariba-Issar to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 160; SAAo P334588.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: yo[ur servant] Tariba-Issar. [Good he]alth to the king, my lord! [I] stood [alongside] the king's road, [in fron]t of the gardens, but the king did not pay attention to me, speaking as he was with Raṣappai. I went to the city of Adian and spoke with the rab mūgi officer, but nobody came to greet me so I became scared.

Reverse

Now, I have collected 500 homers (= 100,000 litres) of barley in the city of Kilizi, and would like to deliver it. If the king my lord commands: "Collect barley for three palaces," I will collect it in Adian and Arbela as well.

Edge

The barley has not been piled up; they [......], I [......] Ṣilli-Bel [......]

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

SAA 01 161 — Collecting Barley

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 461. Tariba-Issar to the king, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 161; SAAo P313874.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant] Tariba-Issar. [Good health] to the king, [my lord]! (Break)

Reverse

Now, what (orders) does the king, my lord, send? Let me go [to pile] up [the bar]ley I have collected, [until] my word [has arri]ved ......].

SAA 01 162 — A Letter from the Recruitment Officers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1036. Recruitment officers [responsible for horse]s to [the kin]g of the lands, from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 162; SAAo P334689.

Obverse

[To the kin]g of (all) lands, our lord: [your servants] the recruitment officers [responsible for horse]s. Good health [to the king], ou[r lord]! As to what the king our lord [wrote to us]: "Man[y ......" (Break)

Reverse

......] our [work ......] what[ever ...] it be [... we shall not be ne]gligent, the watch [... will be st]rict.

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

SAA 01 163 — Guarding a Bull Colossus

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1417. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 163; SAAo P334895.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I se]nt [...] to the [...], saying: "[As regards ...], you are not free but shall arrange [......]. [Give] men to your official; one of the magnate[s] should quickly go with them and [keep] guard over the other bull colossus instead of the one which has been put in place.

Reverse

And the bull coloss[i] which are in [... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 164 — Master Builders to Work on a Bull Colossus

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 465. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 164; SAAo P313878.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant .... Good health] to [the king, my lord! [As to the] master-buil[ders] about whom the king my lord [wrote to me]: "Let them come and work with the magnates [...]! Perhaps [...] they can change [... into] a bull colossus" — I have right now [sent the master-builders] to the king, my lord. Perhaps [the magnates] will [say in] the Palace: "[...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 165 — Master Builders at Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0955. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 165; SAAo P334644.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) As to the work [on ... about which I wrote] to the king, [my] lord, I have gathered the master-builders who [...], and made them take up the first [cornerstone]. They go from the Gate of Šamaš to the no[rth] and then make a turn here. After they have finished these two directions, they will go and lay the limestone wherever we give it. Perhaps the magnates will say in the Palace: "They have deprived us of master-builders." As [I wro]te to the king, my lord, the limestone sla[bs ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 166 — On Bull Colossi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 451. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 166; SAAo P313864.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant ... Good health to the king, my lord! [As to what] the king, [my lord wr]ote to m[e: "After you] have fin[ished] the bull col[ossi, do your] work ......] work [...... (Break)

Reverse

......] I shall load up and bring in the [...]. (SPACER)

SAA 01 167 — On Bull Colossi

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). unlocated, unknown; GPA 245. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 167; SAAo P336172.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) As to what the king [my] lord [wrote to me: "Why [......] the bull co[ossi ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 168 — On Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 506. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 168; SAAo P313919.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

...] loaded [...] brought [... to the king] my lord [to] Dur-Šarruken.

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

SAA 01 169 — Counting Broken [...]

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 644. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 169; SAAo P314056.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) of the ci[ty ......]

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

Bottom Edge

we have c[ounted ......] there are 10 [......] and the rest [......]

Reverse

If the king, my lo[rd commands], the bro[ken ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 170 — Distributing Barley to the Magnates

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 333. (Unknown) to [the king], from Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 170; SAAo P313748.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [On the 12th and 13]th I delivered the (barley) of the governor [of ...] in the city of Issete, [on the 14th], 15th and 16th, [that of the gov]ernor of Arbela in [...]-Adad. [On the 17th and] 18th [I delivered] the (barley) of the Palace Herald [in the town of ...]appi on [this] side of the city of Baqar; on the 19th and 20th [I delivered that of the governor of Ar]zuhina [......] Šamaš-belu-(uṣur) [...... (Five untranslatable lines)

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

Bottom Edge

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

Reverse

[On the 21st and 22nd] I delivered [that] of the Chief of Granaries [in ...; on the 23rd] I delivered [that of] the governor of Kilizi in [...]. I shall deliver [the ... to] the governor of Arbela in [...]; I shall deliver [the ...] to the Palace Herald in [...]ispi. The fodder [for] a calendar [month which they ...] from the Palace is at their disposal. [......] days [...... (Rest destroyed)

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

Chapter 8. Letters from Western Provinces

SAA 01 171–182.

SAA 01 171 — Reclaiming Runaway Servants

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064093; NL 018. Bel-duri to the king, from Damascus. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 171; SAAo P224447. Also edited as SAA 19 171 (SAAo X190171).

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Bel-duri. The king installed Ilu-mušezib, a baker of Bel-emuranni, in Hatarikka. When the king passed on, Ku[baba]-ereš a (member) of his community and the (members) of the community of his relatives [made] him run away. They should make inquiries and return the man to me. When there was an [ep]idemic here, Ilu-bi'di a cohort [commander of the ... under] my jurisdiction killed a horse. I made up for the horse in his stead and he promised: "I'll give you the money." Now this Ilu-bi'di has died; his wife, as the king knows, has married a young boy and that person has been serving under me as a cook.

Reverse

When the k[ing] had passed on, the (members) of the community came and made the man escape. His name is Tuqunu; let the king, my lord, ask [K]imumai and the members of the community whether he is a servant (of mine).

Edge

Nabû-šezib, my scribe, is in the presence of Aššur-ereš; let the king, my lord, send him over.

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

SAA 01 172 — Raising Food and Fodder from Desert Towns

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064068; NL 088. [Bel-duri] to [the king], from Damascus. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 172; SAAo P224431. Also edited as SAA 19 170 (SAAo X190170).

Obverse

To [the king, my lord: yo]ur servant [Bel-duri]. The king, my lord, [gave orders]: "[All] gover[nors] may raise food and fodder from the vi[llages of the dese]rt with you, and Adad-isse'a and Bel-lešir are to support Abi-lešir!" They have not agreed to this though, but are disobedient, saying: "Why should our villages in the desert belong to all the governors? The villages are ... within each other!" The king, my lord, should send word that they are to write down their desert villages. Ever since the king my lord has levied pack animals from Hamath, I have been on my own, and he (= Abi-lešir) and they (= Adad-isse'a and Bel-lešir) have been [on their own]. Tomorrow the king [my lord] will surely kill me, saying: "You are but a bunch of do-nothings!"

Reverse

The following is (my) bread and fodder per calendar month: 5 homers of fodder, 123 homers of bread, total 128 homers, Šamaš-ahu-iddina; 75 homers of fodder, 15 homers of bread, total 90 homers, Abi-lešir; 600 (homers of bread) for 2,000 full-time (lit. 'free') soldiers of the (king) of Commagene. In all 918 homers a month, this household. The king my lord knows that of the road-stations we take care of three stretches while they take care of two streches each. Now, the king my lord should know that they are rebelling (against this arrangement), we [...].

SAA 01 173 — A Report on the State of the Province

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0224. Adda-hati to the king, from Hamath. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 173; SAAo P334165.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Adda-hati. Good health to the king, my lord! My [guard] is in excellent condition, the who[le dist]rict of [Hamath] is well. [The king], my [lord], can be glad. We have not heard anything s[pecific] about the [Ara]bs si[nce the king], my lord, [went] to [...]; all is well.

SAA 01 174 — A Report on the State of the Province

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0225. Adda-hati to the king, from Hamath. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 174; SAAo P334166.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Adda-hati. Good health to the [king, my lord]! [My gua]rd is in excellent condition, the whole district of Hamath is well. The king, my lord, can be glad. We have not heard [anything specific about the Arabs si]nce the king, [my lord, went to] Assyria; all is well.

Reverse

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

SAA 01 175 — Arabs Attack a Column of Booty

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064018; NL 019. Adda-hati to the king, from Hamath. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 175; SAAo P224395. Also edited as SAA 19 174 (SAAo X190174).

Obverse

To the king, my lord: Your servant Adda-hati. Good health to the king, my lord! (Ammili'ti) the son of Amiri readied himself with 300 she-camels, intending to attack the booty being [tran]sferred from Damascus to Assyria. [I heard of this and] sent word to Bel-i[qbi]; he came and we went together to meet the booty. He saw us, ambushed us from behind, and we had a fight. [1],500 [boot]y sheep from the city of Huzaza, [1],500 sheep [......] city of [......], [...]2 men [......] men [......

Reverse

(Break) We returned and went in pursuit [after] him, getting as far as Il[...]ani, but could not catch up with him; (the terrain) was too difficult, [it was not fit] either for horses or for chariots [...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 176 — Turning in Taxes and Organizing the Province

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064042; NL 020. Adda-hati to the king, from Hamath. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 176; SAAo P224417. Also edited as SAA 19 173 (SAAo X190173).

Obverse

To the king, my lord: Your servant Adda-hati. Good health to the king, my lord! The silver dues of the prefects and village managers imposed on the local population have been handed over: two talents and 18 minas of silver according to the standard of Carchemish. In addition I have sent to the king, my lord, half a shekel of gold, two [tog]as and three tunics with my messenger. [When the king my lor]d gave [... to ...], he gave me 2,450 men; now Danâ has given me only 1,950, reducing (it) by 500 men. Those who were killed [...; ...] are in good health, the extra [...... (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

If it is acc[eptable, let me b]ring [500 men f]rom A[rgite t]o Ṣ[upat and let ...] in their presence. I harvest the sown fields of the city of Hi[...], and in addition to them I harvest an extra 1,000 (hectares of) the sown fields of the city of Laba'u. Now, let the king my lord give me Assyrian and Itu'ean people (so) I can have (them) hold the [...]; there is no Assyrian city-overseer nor any Assyrian gate-guards in Ṣupat.

Reverse

As to what the king my lord ordered: "The people living on the mounds should come down and build the fort", they have come down; should these ten fortified towns in the desert come down as well? What does the king say? The atmosphere is constantly hostile but I am not negligent about (my) guard.

SAA 01 177 — Organizing a Post Station

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0414. Bel-liqbi to the king, from Zobah. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 177; SAAo P334284.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Bel-liqbi. Good health to the king, my lord! The town of Hēsa, a road station of mine, lacks people; the postmaster and the commander of the recruits are there alone and cannot attend to it (properly). Now, let me get together 30 families and place them there. There are men of Nabû-ṣalla the prefect living in Hēsa, a cohort of craftsmen; let him move them out, settle them in the town of Argite, and give them fields and gardens. If it is acceptable to the king, my lord, let them send a letter to Nabû-uṣalla the prefect, and let me appoint Ia'iru the deputy as village manager there, and Sin-iddina, the major-domo of Adda-hati in Sazanâ, so they will attend to these road stations and fear the king.

Reverse

The Arabs are going in and out as before, everything is all right. Ammili'ti son of Amiri came to me in Ṣupat and I asked him for news, everything is fine. The son of Ašapi having gone to Mani', we have no report from him yet.

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

SAA 01 178 — Report on the Arabs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0953. [Bel-liqbi] to the king, from Zobah. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 178; SAAo P334643.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your ser[vant Bel-liqbi]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! The king's land and dis[trict] are well. Arabs have en[tered] into the interior (of the province), but the rains have arrived [...] and they are coming and going. The ... [...] who entered the city of [......

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

I [keep watch] over the desert; the watch is [as strict as possible].

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

SAA 01 179 — No Iron to the Arabs!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 010. [Bel-liqbi] to [the k]ing, from Zobah. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 179; SAAo P313425.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Bel-liqbi. Good health to the ki]ing, [my lord]! The k[ing's land and d]istrict [are well]. [The Ar]abs are settled on the other side of the [H]adina river; they come [...] ... and go, everything is [fine]. I have driven the farmer(s) and gardener(s) [of Ammi]li'ti son of Amiri [out of] my towns and torn down a [...] of sheep he had constructed. Now, he came to me saying: "Why have you expelled my subjects? I shall write to the Palace!" I proposed a bargain, saying: "Your subjects molested my subjects. But since you are the king's servant, I will give you fields and gardens in the land of Yasubuqu. Take it!" The king my lord should know this in case he writes to the king my lord. As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "You have made Huzaza into a merchant town! The people have been selling iron for money to the Arabs!" — who are the merchants that have been selling there? Three men, elders of the 'Ateans, [are ...] there; they stock grapes, 20 or [30 homers], as much as we bring in, and sell them to the Arabs. I sell iron to the deportees [only], copper to the Arabs.

Reverse

By the gods of the king my lord (I swear) I am staying in Ṣupat! In Huzaza I have only sold 30 homers of grapes for silver. The king my lord should (only) hold me accountable for this! A toll collector has been placed at the city-gate of Ṣupat, and now they have placed another one in Huzaza; the Arabs are leaving and not coming any more because they have become scared. Am I less loyal to the king my lord than a toll collector? And do I appropriate a shekel from my duty for doing it? My carpenters who worked in Ṣupat ran away from me. [The king, my lord], wrote that [they should re]turn to Dur-Šarruken, so I got hold of them and brought them down, but one of them got sick and died while the other ran away again. The king my lord knows that I have been losing artisans; I would not like to relinquish them either for repair work or for making ...s. Abatu, a chariot-maker, and Qanê, a smith, (both) servants of Bel-šarru-[uṣur, came to] me saying: "[...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 180 — Ammili’ti at Riblah

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 199. [Bel-liqbi] to [the king], from Zobah. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 180; SAAo P313614.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] the son of [......] 200 m[en ...] of Tarṣ[i-...] a kin[sman of ...] are indeed [...] at the foot of [Mt. ...]; stranglers [......] in Mt. Nipur. Ammili'ti [...] is encamped outside the city of Rablâ, pestilence-stricken. He came to see me and I [asked him]: "Did [...] really come from [......? Let ...] come to me, I shall not place [...] in it."

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

Reverse

What the king [......] a messenger [...... (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 01 181 — Guarding the Grain Depots of Chariot Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1070. [Bel-liqbi?] to the king, from Zobah. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 181; SAAo P334715.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Bel-liqbi]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! The watch of the des[ert is strict]; the king, my lord, can be [pleased]. The king my lord ordered [me to] give bread to the chariot troops. Now, (when) [PN] came, I told him [...] but he said: "The king has given orders to me and I will take two [month's worth] of each (provision)." I did not agree to give it to him, so he went and opened a silo in one of my villages, brought in his measurers and poured out [x] sound men's worth of (grain). I went and remonstrated him, saying: "Why did you self- willedly, [with]out the permission of the deputy (governor) open the king's granaries?" He would not look me in the eye [but said]:

Bottom Edge

"My (supply of) grass diminished in Nisan, and horses keep coming to me; I c[an]not [cope]."

Reverse

[...] poured out the [...] of the entire month of Nisan; [Ašš]ur-dalal poured out 70 [days'] worth, [...] 20 days' worth and (now) he poured out that of Sivan. For his newly arrived horses, he deducted one half of the fodder, but he did not deduct the other half. The king, my lord, did give the horses; [......] op[ened] silos [......] I speak wit[h them ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 182 — Hands Off My Granaries!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 888. [Bel-liqbi] to [the king], from Zobah. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 182; SAAo P314297.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Right now [......] perhaps [......] the fodder which [...... he]re. [......] is demanding the food of the chariot troops saying: "You will give food [......]!" The king [my lord knows that we reaped our] s[own fields] together and st[ored] (the yield) in the villages. Mine is on [...] side, and they do not a[gree to give away] (any of) theirs, saying: "[You will] not [touch] our harvest."

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

Bottom Edge

Whether [......] or not [......]. When [......], 700 (homers) of [......] they reaped [......] their sown fields.

Reverse

I do want to [feed] the king my lord's hors[es], but all the same they should not introduce [their] chariot troops and their horses [......]. The towns [...... (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 9. Letters from Carchemish, Til-Barsip and Harran

SAA 01 183–203.

SAA 01 183 — Carchemish Under Assyrian Yoke

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1287. (Unknown) to [the king], from Carchemish. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 183; SAAo P334830.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant ...]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! As to these people, [the king's] subjects, about whom the king my lord wrote to me, none of them are their servants. The king, my lord, should question these people who came: not a single man among them is a farmer, they are their litigants and creditors, relatives of the (king) of Carchemish. They will write down their report and communicate it to the Palace. Now, people have got afraid at the king their lord's ilku duty [and grumbled]: "Why are they [persecuting] us month after month?" They keep escaping one by [one] and resettle in the district of Arpad, beyond the River (Euphrates), as though the king, my lord, were trying this [country]. The servants of the son of Duri-Adad, the son of Adda-abua and the son of Ubru-Libbali, who came to (see) me and are now here — [...] has given [...] to them. [Perha]ps the king, my lord, will say: "W[hat ...] their [......]?"

Reverse

[......] 3 h[orses and ...... I will s]end ...... ho]rses and mules [to ......]; those which are not sound [I will ......] send [to] the Palace. I have [received and] reviewed [.....] horses and 27 mules, (but) I did not receive/see two ... [As to what the ki]ng, my lord, wrote to me: "What about your gift? You are living like [...]!" — let them lay out my fortune before the king, my lord: [...] no wealth of mine [...]. This property which [...] from [...], that [...] which from [......]: from where do I ... anything? The village manager of the (governor) of Til-Barsip said of eight [horses]: "If I have received the h[orses, let me ge]t the mules too!" [...] he has not [rec]eived (them); [the king] my lord [should ask] Aššur-beli-taqq[in].

SAA 01 184 — The Eunuchs of Aššur-ila’i

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0322. Adad-ibni to the king, from Til-Barsip. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 184; SAAo P334209.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-ibni. [Good health] to the king, my lord. [As to] the eunuchs [of] the household of Aššur-ilai [about whom the king] wrote to me: "[Let them br]ing them here!" — I have just sent to the palace with a kallapu messenger [a total of four] eunuchs: [Urda]-Issar, a cupbearer; Ṣilli-Šamaš, a confectioner; Bel-deni-amur, a cook; and [P]atamû, a eunuch.

Reverse

Let the king my lord question them. They are subjects of the city of Til-Barsip.

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

SAA 01 185 — An Issue from the City of Nampigi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0323. Adad-ibni to the king, from Til-Barsip. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 185; SAAo P334210.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant] Adad-ibni. [Good health t]o the king, my lord. [As to what] the king, my lord, wrote to me: "The chief masons and ...] men from the city of Nampigi [in] the Qipanu land [have come] to me saying: 'The chief [......' (Rest destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 186 — On the Way to the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 491. Inurta-il[a’i] to the king, from Til-Barsip. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 186; SAAo P313904.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your [serva]nt Inurta-il[ai]. (Break)

Reverse

......] have cr[ossed] the river on [the ...th] of Nisan and [left] for the Palace to greet (the king).

SAA 01 187 — Tributaries on the Way to the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 907. [Inurta-ila’i or Nabu-pašir] to [the king], from Til-Barsip or Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 187; SAAo P314316.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [x eld]ers accompanied by [x] mul[es], [x do]nkeys and [PN], the son of the (royal) delegate; (Break with traces of numbers and personal names)

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

Reverse

Five [...] 30 [...... have set out] from Til-Barsip on [the ...th of Nisan], crossed the river and left for [the Palace] to greet (the king).

SAA 01 188 — Festival of the Moon God

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0134. Na[bu-pašir] to [the ki]ng, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 188; SAAo P334081.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Na[bû-pašir. [Good health to the ki]ng, my lord! [May Sin and] Nikkal bless [the kin]g, my lord! On the 17th of [... Sin] came out and entered the akitu chapel. The sacrifices of the king my lord having been performed successfully,

Reverse

Sin returned, entered his temple, took his seat in peace and blessed 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 01 189 — The Priest of Nerab in Harran

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1227+. [Nabu-pašir] to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 189; SAAo P334807.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-pašir. Go]od he[alth to the king, my lord]! May Sin [and Nikkal] bless the king, my lord! Se'-gabbari, the priest of Nerab, a servant of the king, together with Nur-S[in] the prefect and Dadi-ibni, a servant of the governor of A[rpa]d [......] fro[m M]elid [...... (Break)

Reverse

Let them accept and assign [... where] the king my lord [a]sked, and let him go to his duty and invoke blessings upon the king my lord before Sin and Nikkal.

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

SAA 01 190 — Settling a Dispute

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0131. Nabu-pašir to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 190; SAAo P334079.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: yo[ur servant] Nabû-pašir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Sin and Nikkal bless the king, my lord! (As to) the cousin(s) of Giri-Dadi, the city-ruler of Til-Turi, who petitioned the king, my lord, and about whom the king my lord wrote to me: "Give them back whatever Giri-Dadi has taken from them" — I gave it back to them. (Now) Se'-lukidi, a cousin of Giri-[Dadi] has came [and said to me]: (Break)

Reverse

"[......] Let them come and pluck out the [...] of Ta[bal], lest the king should return from Dur-Iakin and deport us; Giri-Dadi spoke nonsense, because he was afraid." I am now sending Giri-Dadi and his cousin Se'-lukidi, who told us the things, to the Palace. What are the king my lord's instructions?

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

SAA 01 191 — Dadi-suri Denounces His Father

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0132. Nabu-pašir to the vizier, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 191; SAAo P334080.

Obverse

To the Vizier, my lord: your servant Nabû-pašir. Good health to the Vizier, my lord! May Sin and Nikkal bless the Vizier, my lord! Dadi-suri son of Ra'sunu, from Til-Barsip, came to me in Harran and said to me: "Gabbi-amur said that Ra'sunu [......"

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

Two days later he came (again), saying: "I accused my father wrongly." I have now arrested him and put him in irons, and am detaining his father in my presence. Let my lord write to me what the Vizier my lord commands. My lord should ask Remanni-Adad the recruitment officer; he heard his statement.

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

SAA 01 192 — Oil for the Governor of Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 020. Nabu-pašir to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 192; SAAo P313435.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-pašir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Sin and Nikkal bless the king, my lord! [As to] what the king, my lord, [wrote to m]e: "Give 200 homers of oil [i]n Til-Barsip to Kiṣir-Aššur, governor of Dur- Šarruken," — [I set asi]de 200 homers of oil and delivered it. I have now written the oil consumption and the oil remaining on a writing-board and am herewith sending it to the king, my lord.

SAA 01 193 — Distributing Cloaks to Soldiers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0642. [Nabu-pašir] to [the king], from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 193; SAAo P334443.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-pašir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Sin and Nikkal bless the king, my lord!] [As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me]: "Give [cloaks to the men of] Arbai and Šamaš-ilai!" — just as the king, my lord, wrote to me, I have sent 200 cloaks to the At[...eans] who are in the city of [...], and given 200 cloaks to the men of Epâ who are in Til-Barsip; [all together I have g]iven out 400 cloaks.

Reverse

(Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 01 194 — The Royal Corps and Deportees at Harran

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1073. [Nabu-pašir] to [the king], from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 194; SAAo P334718.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Ever] since I [came ...], a runaway [......] Nani (and) A[...], the cupbearer [of ...], the son of the father-in-law of [...]. I have made them enter the [royal] corps [...] of Harran on account of the [missing] cavalry[men]. Let the king enquire and investigate (the matter), and let them return the men to the royal corps. As to the people of Nani about whom the king my lord wrote to me: "Give any of his people back to him!" — The day he was deported, the Commander-in-Chief and Zeru- ibni called him and questioned him, saying: "Perhaps there is still some one of yours left," and he (replied): "I have absolutely no one left." W[hy does he n]ow untruly [claim] in the presence of the king, [my] lord, that there are people of his [left] there?

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

Reverse

The [......] which the king my lord [......]; I went for the work [......] (but) could not [get] started (because) he [was] not [...] there. Let the king, my lord, make it clear to him [......] he should concentrate on [his work]. On the 22nd of Nisan [...] for the work [... Dur]-Šarruken [......] Du[r-Šarruken ...]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 195 — Reviewing Deportees

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0701. Nabu-pašir to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 195; SAAo P334496.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-pašir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Sin and Nikkal [bless] the king, my lord! As to [the king my lo]rd's command: "Review t[hese] persons whom the Commander-in-Chief b[rought forth] and ex[tract] men [from their mid]st" — I [sec]retly [ask]ed and questioned the el[der]s [of] Tarqunani, saying: "Did the chief [......] from where you came forth?" They (replied): "[......] the city of Tas [from which] we ca[me ......]"

Reverse

Nobody has died or escaped since I reviewed them. [Thanks to] the gods of the king, my lord, able-bodied men from Upumu [...... (Break) "Gi[ve me] 200 or 300 [...], they should go with me [...]!" I [said to him]: "As soon as the gods of the king my lord have cleared their way, they may go straight away with you. Why are they going?"

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

Edge

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 196 — On Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 208. N[abu-pašir] to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 196; SAAo P313623.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant] N[abû-pašir]. Goo[d health to the ki[ng, my lord]! May Sin and Nikkal bless the king, my lord! As to the [capt]ives [whom the king], my lo[rd, sent] to me, [...] to the captiv[es of the king], my lord [...... (Break)

Reverse

Let the king, my lord, write to me what the [king] commands.

SAA 01 197 — On Fugitives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 839. Nabu-pašir to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 197; SAAo P314248.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[...... about whom] the king, my lord, sa[id]: "Let [......] with them and [...] the refugees!" — they do not agree to [......]. When the men [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 198

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 262. [Nabu-pašir] to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 198; SAAo P313677.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-pašir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Sin] and N[ikkal bless] the king, my lord! [As t]o that shepherd [about whom I wrote] to the king, my lord], he is now pres[ent ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 199

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 734. [Nabu-pašir] to [the king], from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 199; SAAo P314144.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] I have s[ent ...] to [the king, my lord]. As to the [...] official of Šarru-[...] about whom the king [my lord] wrote [to me]: "Why has he not come?" I am right now sending him to the king, my lord.

SAA 01 200

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0135. Nabu-pašir to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 200; SAAo P334082.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant] Nabû-pašir. [Good health] to the king, my lord! [May Sin and Nikka]l bless the king, my lord! [......] of the king, my lord [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 201 — Building the Town of Duru

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1223. N[abu-pašir] to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 201; SAAo P334804.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant N[abû-pašir]. Good health to the king, my lord! May Sin and Nikkal bless the king, my lord! May Adad and Buru bless the king, my lord! I have finished the city of Duru. The ... has been plastered; ......; I have installed the drain-pipes [...... (Rest broken away)

SAA 01 202 — Measurements of Doorposts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0130. Nabu-pašir to the king, from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 202; SAAo P334078.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your [servant] Nabû-pašir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! The land of the king my lord is well. The following are the measurements of the beams (for) the doo[rs]: One beam: length 26 royal cubits (13 m), width one cubit (0,5 m), thickness one bone (32 cm); One beam: length [2]1 royal cubits [...... (Break)

Reverse

[Four] beams: length [x] cubits, width [one] cubit, thickness [one] cubit; [two] beams: length [x] cubits, width [one] cubit, thickness one cubit; [x] beams: length [x] cubits, width [one bo]ne, thickness [one bo]ne; [12] beams: length [x cubits], width [one cubit], thickness one cubit;

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

Right Edge

[15] beams: length [x] cubits, width [x] cubit, thickness four inches.

SAA 01 203 — Measurements of Doors

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0457. (Nabu-pašir) to (the king), from Harran. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 203; SAAo P334317.

Obverse

Height[ 1]3 cubits (6,5 m), width four cubits (2 m): the main building. Height [x cubits], width four cubits: the small building. Height [x cubits], width three cubits and a span: four double(-door)s; Height [x cubits] and a span, width three cubits: two ditto; [In all eight] double-doors. Heig[ht x cubits], (width) three cubits and a span: one single (door); [Height x cubits], width three cubits: 12 ditto; [Height x cubits], width three cubits: 15 ...;

Reverse

[In all 28] single doors. [Total 36] doors.

Chapter 10. Letters from Raṣappa, Suhu and Laqe

SAA 01 204–219.

SAA 01 204 — Tracking a Ninevite Scribe

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0706+. Zeru-ibni to the king, from Raṣappa. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 204; SAAo P334499.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Zeru-ibni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to Erra-gamil, the Ninevite scribe about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "He is there; summon him, get hold of him and send him to [the revi]ew!" — I summoned him, and thoroughly questioned Nabû-šumu-uṣur and the scribes from Nemed-Ištar and Laqê, servants of the king my lord, (who told me):

Reverse

"He came two years ago, got a position with Ilai-Bel, and worked for a year on his behalf. Last year, while Ilai-Bel still was alive, a tracker came and took him away. They deported him to the Land beyond the River."

SAA 01 205 — The Best Chariot-Fighters in Town

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0154. Zeru-ibni to the king, from Raṣappa. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 205; SAAo P334100.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Zeru-ibni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to Marduk-eriba about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, if I have put Marduk-eriba in irons, let them release his shackles and put them on my own feet! If not, let them pull the tongue out of the throat of the man who lied to the king, my lord! The brother of Marduk-eriba serves as a palace chariot fighter, and he himself has been with me as a recruit. The deputy of the rab-mūgi officer transferred his elder brother to Arrapha because of [...], and last year he took Marduk-eriba as a replacement. Let the king, my lord, ask the messenger who is bringing this letter whether he has been in irons or living in his father's house.

Reverse

Right now I am sending Marduk-eriba and his brother to the king, my lord. Let the one who pleases the king my lord serve with the king my lord, and let them give the second-best to me. It is the third year already since my cavalry was dissolved and the king, my lord, knows that these riverside people are all serving for themselves, none of them are exempt. Marduk-eriba went to see his brother's maid, spending three days in Dur-Šarruken, and returned to his father's house.

SAA 01 206 — Sending Borers to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0155. Zeru-ibni to the king, from Raṣappa. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 206; SAAo P334101.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Zeru-ibni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the (stone) borers about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, I have just sent five borers to the king, my lord. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 207

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0156. Zeru-ibni to the king, from Raṣappa. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 207; SAAo P334102.

Obverse

[To the king, my] lord: yo[ur servant] Zeru-ibni. [Good h]ealth to the king, my lord! The king, my lord, knows that ... [...... (Break)

Reverse

...] about whom/which the king my lord wr[ote to me], Zarî has just left [for] the king, my lord. Let the king, my lord, ask [him].

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

SAA 01 208 — A Visit to Hindanu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 094. (Unknown) to the king, from Hindanu. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 208; SAAo P313509.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [PN]. Good health to the king, my [lord]. May Adad and Buru bless the king, my lord! Having left the king my lord's presence on the 23rd of Iyyar (II), I entered the city of Hindana on the 30th. Hindana is well, the land of Suhu is well, the forts of the king my lord are well. The king, my lord, can be [glad]. (Break)

Reverse

...] did not s[ay ...] like t[his ...] On the 3rd of [Sivan] (III) I left Hindana on my chariot and drove off. May Nabû-dur-makie not succeed in ousting me from the king my lord's presence!

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

SAA 01 209

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 090. (Unknown) to [the king], from Hindanu. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 209; SAAo P313505.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your servant [PN]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! May Adad and Buru bless [the king], my lord! On the 10th Dadâ [bro]ught me a sealed order of the king [my lo]rd concerning the news of [...... Ad]ad-ir[i ......

Reverse

(Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 01 210 — Measuring the Patti-Illil Canal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0621+. [Nabu-pašir?], Nabu-dur-makie to the king, from Hindanu. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 210; SAAo P393866.

Obverse

To the king, [our lord]: Your servants [Nabû-pašir] and Nabû-dur-ma[kie]. Good health to [the king, our lord]! May Sin and N[ikkal] bless the king, our lord! As to the ditch about which the king wrote to us, we made a start on the ditch on the 10th, and on the 8th, as soon as we had got the men organized, we started measuring the Patti-Illil canal. As soon as we have found out its measurements and where it is easy and where difficult (to navigate), we shall write again to the king, my lord.

Reverse

Right now Nabû-bel-šumate of Birat is going to appeal to the king about Galṣabri, a town of his; [...] (grain) depots [......] in his hands. The king [our] lord [......] men [......] with us [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 211

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 494. (Unknown) to [the king], from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 211; SAAo P313907.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] in Hin[dana] [......] you listen to him [...] [......] from the city of [...] [......] Hinda[na ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 212

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 562. (Unknown) to [the king], from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 212; SAAo P313974.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) in Hi[ndana ......] When I [was ...] in the king my lord's presence, [the king my lord] said to [his servant] as follows: "[...] to the city of [......] not [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 213

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 851. (Unknown) to [the king], from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 213; SAAo P314260.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] the offici[als] [......] will assemble [......] I will go [to S]uhu [......] I will return (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 214 — On Išmanni-Aššur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 441. Ila[’i-Bel] to the king, from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 214; SAAo P313854.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Ila['i-Bel]. Good health to the king, [my lord]! Išmanni-Aššur the [...... (Break)

Right Edge

...] no luck [...] horse [......]

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

SAA 01 215 — A Groom at a Drinking Place

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0933. Ila’i-Bel to Nabu-duru-uṣur, from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 215; SAAo P334631.

Obverse

A letter from Ila'i-Bel [to] Nabû-duru-uṣur. [Good] health to my lord! Tarriki-hallu, a trainer of [...] horses [is] on the dr[inking place wh]ich my lord ask[ed for]; a messenger [of my lord] should come [and ...]. Another matter: the sealed documents [...... (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 216 — Gardeners

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0182. Išmanni-Aššur to the king, from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 216; SAAo P334127.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Išmanni-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the gardeners about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, right now Adad-nuri [...... (Break)

Reverse

......] saw ... (SPACER)

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

SAA 01 217

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0723. Išmanni-[Aššur] to [the king], from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 217; SAAo P334512.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your [servan]t Išmanni-[Aššur. Good] health to the [king], m[y lord]! [As to] what the king, [my lord, wrote to me ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 218

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 848. Išm[anni-Aššur] to the king, from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 218; SAAo P314257.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Išm[anni-Aššur]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! As to what the king, my lord, [wrote to me]: "The servants [...] of the son of Za[baba-... have ...ed] eight minas [of ...] entrusted to [......]," — two men [...... (Break)

Reverse

Let him give to [the] king's men [......] 30 persons [......] one mina and ten [shekels of ...] retur[ned ......] agree [......]. The king should decide between [......] and eight [minas of ...].

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

SAA 01 219 — Arrival of Deportees

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0325. Aplaya, Šarru-lu-dari, Išmanni-Aššur to the king, from Middle Euphrates Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 219; SAAo P334211.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant(s) Aplaiu, Šarru-lu-dari and Išmanni-Aššur. Good health to the king, my lord! The deportees [arrived] on the 10th of Tammuz (IV); the horses [......] fodder [......] in our towns. The harvest of the deportee[s ...] had come out well; they brought along all the food they had. The deportees and the pack animals are eating stored grain [...] like the king's servants. The deportees and the pack animals are [well]; the king, my lord, [can be] pleased.

Chapter 11. Letters from the Lower Khabur

SAA 01 220–225.

SAA 01 220 — The Corn Tax of the Samarians

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1201. Arihu to Nabu-duru-uṣur, from Lower Habur Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 220; SAAo P334789.

Obverse

A letter from Arihu to Nabû-duri-uṣur. Good health to my lord! As to the corn tax of the Samarians, my lord should send a notice whether it exists or not, and let us be content with that. The officials are passive, they keep where they are, they don't go to do their work, nor can we give them orders.

Reverse

I have been petitioning you since last year until now in this very manner about the income, but we have not brought in any income whatever. Now send a notice whether it exists or not!

SAA 01 221 — Killing and Collecting Locusts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0910. Remutu to Nabu-duru-uṣur, from Lower Habur Region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 221; SAAo P334621.

Obverse

To Nabû-duri-uṣur, my lord: your servant Rimutte. Good health to my lord! They wrote to me from the Palace: "Write down all the locusts that you collect and all that you kill, and send (the information) to the Palace!" Now then I am writing it down and sending it to my lord. [x] homers (at) the city of Apku including its villages, [...]... as well as [...] the village ......[...]; 15 homers (= 3,000 litres) (at) the city of [...]banu [including its villages; x] homers (at) the city of Ṭabtaia [...... (Break)

Reverse

......] between [......]. When they were few, we collected them, [...] hit them with a seah measure and measured them with it; when they became oppressing, we just killed them in the middle of the field. Let my lord make this known to the palace. I and Ilu-iqbi killed them together.

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

SAA 01 222 — Pulling up Apple Tree Saplings

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0938. Samnuha-belu-uṣur to the king, from Shadikanni. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 222; SAAo P334634.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Samnuhu-beli-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the saplings about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, I have pulled up 1,000 apple-tree saplings from where [there were] 3 or [......]. A royal bo[dyguard ...... (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(SPACER)

SAA 01 223 — The People of Šadikanni and the Army

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 087. Samnuha-[belu-uṣur] to the king, from Shadikanni. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 223; SAAo P313502.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Samnuha-[beli-uṣur]. Good health to the king, my lord! The king, my lord, knows that the Šadikanneans are hirelings; they work for hire all over the king's lands. They are no runaways; the perform the ilku duty and supply king's men from their midst. The king [...... (Break)

Reverse

May [the king my lord] not give [such] a command! Otherwise, let the king my lord command that each should go to his government department — the army must not be weakened, not a single man [should be missing] from the campaign, they should all together come t[o the king, my lord]!

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

SAA 01 224 — The King’s Work is a Burden on Me

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0888. Samnu[ha-belu-uṣ]ur to the king, from Shadikanni. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 224; SAAo P334610.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Samnu[ha-beli-uṣ]ur. Good health to the king, my lord! The king's work has become a burden to me. [I released] my [me]n in early winter, but those who were released entered strongholds in order to evade the king's work. [O king my lo]rd, let a royal bodyguard be commissioned to bring them out, and let them do the king's [work]. Samnuhu-bessunu, a citizen of Šadikanni

Reverse

[......] holds [...; ...] have passed into the possession of the people of Kannu'.

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

SAA 01 225

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 393. [Samnuha-belu-uṣur] to [the king], from Shadikanni. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 225; SAAo P313807.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... ox]en [...] [... th]ere is/are [...] Šadikannean [...] ... [...] yet [...] ... [...] ... [...] seize you [...] takes

Reverse

[...] the Aššur temple [...] the land of Halzi [...] oxen [...] man [...] asked [...] there [...] Whatever [the kin]g my lord [sa]ys.

Chapter 12. Letters from Nabu-dammiq

SAA 01 226–232.

SAA 01 226 — Shipping Saplings of Fruit Trees to Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0813. Nabu-de’iq to the king, from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 226; SAAo P334567.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-dammiq. Good health to the king! I have imposed on the (people) of Nemed-Ištar 2,350 bundles of apple trees and 450 bundles of medlar trees, in all 2,[800] bundles; on the [...]th of Šebat (XI) I returned ... to Dur-Šarruken. [Na]nî and the (ruler) of Suhu [have come] to me; Ahu-illika and [Zab]ina-Il are with them. They are collecting saplings of almond, quince and plum trees and transporting them to Dur-Šarruken.

Reverse

The Suhaean and the local people are also bringing saplings from the country of Laqê — 1,000 bundles of apple trees; their vanguard has arrived and I have seen it, but their rearguard has not yet arrived.

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

SAA 01 227 — Fetching Cedar and Cypress Saplings from Nemed-Ištar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0814. Nabu-de’iq to the king, from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 227; SAAo P334568.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-dammiq. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote [to me]: "Go straight away to Nemed-Ištar, and when the time is right for extracting cedar and cypress saplings, [let] the Chief Confectioner [...... (Break)

Reverse

[Adad-ib]ni has made the seeds ready, and he has also equipped the men. Now, if the king my lord commands, I will come and perform the ablution ritual, so when the Chief Confectioner comes, I (can) go with him, and we shall pull up and bring the cedars and cypresses. Whatever the king my lord commands. Furthermore, Tu'[...] told me: "You are to bring [...] apple trees to [...; ......] is stealing saplings of pomegranate trees [......]." I am sen[ding them/him over] right now.

SAA 01 228 — On the Chief Confectioner (to the Governor of Calah)

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). British Museum, London, UK; GPA 230. Nabu-de’iq to the governor, from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 228; SAAo P428858.

Obverse

[To] the governor, [my lo]rd: your servant Nabû-dammiq. Good health to my lord! The Chief Confectioner says: "I (and) Šulmu-beli-l[ašme will ret]urn to the city of [......" (Rest too broken for translation)

Reverse

[3 lines of the Reverse are 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.]

Edge

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

SAA 01 229 — Splitting Logs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1205. [Nabu-de’iq] to the king, from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 229; SAAo P334792.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your servant [Nabû-dammiq]. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the trunks about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, they told me in the Palace: "I will send a man with you, he will go and select the trunks and trim them," up until now he has not showed up. I am waiting [for him] right now [...... (Break)

Reverse

......] he should come; if there are any, we should trim them and lay them aside. Their water should be drawn out so that we can lift them for our use.

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

SAA 01 230 — Sending Men from Sinu to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0331. Nabu-de’iq to the king, from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 230; SAAo P334214.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your [servant] Nabû-dammiq. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the men about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, I am right now sending to the king my lord three men: Agbur son of Adda-šumki, Milki-[...] son of [...], and Labarmû son of Appâ. They are from Sinu, not from Hamath.

SAA 01 231 — Teams of Horses to Sinu and Nemed-Ištar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 212. [Nabu-de’iq] to [the king], from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 231; SAAo P313627.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [While] I was there, I sent two teams of horses to Nemed- Ištar and two to Sinu, but they did not get there. The king my lord will kill me (when) he hears (this). Really [......

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

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 232 — News and Complaints

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 864. [Nabu-de’]iq to [...]ti-Bel, from The West. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 232; SAAo P314273.

Obverse

[A letter from Nabû-damm]iq to [...]ti-Bel. [Good he]alth to my lord! [Ta]bni-ilu has come here; he has been summoned for Nabû-šezib and should speak in the presence of the crown prince. Bring me barley and sesame! Why do you take away the barley? To whom do you distribute it? I alone am being excluded from it! ......

Reverse

[......] in the presence of the crown prince [...... (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 13. Letters from Guzana and Naṣibina

SAA 01 233–249.

SAA 01 233 — More Land to Bel-duri

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 002. Mannu-[ki-Aššur-le’i] to the king, from Guzana. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 233; SAAo P313417.

Obverse

To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Mannu-k[i-Aššur-le'i]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! As to what the king, my lord, w[rote to me]: "[Make a list of all] the natives of Kumme [who] hold [houses in your district, and resettle them]!" — I have enquired and investigated (and found that) the entire [......] in the city of [Zarana]. I have written to every single place [......] (and found that) just along the king's road, [there is] one [......]. It is unsuitable for passing [......]. Perhaps the king, my lord, (now) says: "[Why] did you tarr[y] until now?" [I ...ed] the area of the whole district [...], fetched the men [of Kumme] from Zarana [and settled them] in that place. Later on, I wrote (this letter). There is/are no [......] here. As to what the ki[ng my lord wrote to me]: "Give Bel-duri the land that I ordered you (to give)!" — the king, my lord, did not give me any (such) order previously, but now (that) the king my lord has written to me, I have done as it was written in the king my lord's letter and given the land. I am herewith writing down the land Bel-duri holds in the district of Guzana and sending (the information) to the king, my lord:

Reverse

60 hectares in the town of Aridu along the canal near Kubanaše; 200 in the village of Mar-jaba near Ilhini; 40 hecta[res in the town of ...]ritu near Guzana; 200 [in the village of] Amdanu near Bur-šarri: in all 500 (hectares of) land that Bel-duri holds in the district of Guzana. In addition to this, I have today given (him) the 80 hectares of l[and] about which the king my lord now wrote [to me]. Ever since the eunuchs of the king [my lord] came, land in Guzana [has been nonexistent]. The fields of [......], the land that the king my lord [......] to one among the cit[ies ......]. I have no [...] to give [......]; from (what I have), I can pa[rcel out and give ... to Bel-duri] only. The king, my lord, should kn[now this].

SAA 01 234

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 284. [Mannu-ki-Aššur-le’i] to [the king], from Guzana. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 234; SAAo P313699.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "in the presence of [......] "deported [...... of] "the district and the governo[r ......] "from there [......] "he went [...]. No[w ...... of] "his country [...] shipment[s ...] "shipments [......] "to the governor [......] "700 m[en ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 235 — The Case of Ilu-pija-uṣur the Cohort Commander

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1432. Taklak-ana-Bel to the king, from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 235; SAAo P334903.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Taklak-ana-Bel. Good health to the king, my lord! As to Ilu-pija-uṣur the shepherd about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "You have removed him from the office of cohort commander! Why did you tell him to exact a talent of silver?" — indeed I have not removed him, he is (still) a cohort commander! Dugul-pan-ili is with the king my lord; let the king my lord ask him if he is not a cohort commander! When Dugul-pan-ili went to the shearing, that person stole his (sheep) dues; he did not come in to the shearing but fled and took refuge in a temple. I sent (men) to take him down and (told him): "I will excuse your dues (but) bring the men, come and do (your) work in Dur-Šarruken." He brought half of the men but did not bring the other half, so their work assignment is in arrears. I sa[id to them]: "Why is your work behind schedule, and why have you not delivered straw and reeds for [the work]?" [They responded]: "Who [...... (Break)

Reverse

[Now] then [I am writing] to the king, my lord: [if] any (of them) yet [leaves his wo]rk, the king my lord should reprimand them [so they will do their wo]rk; (and) after they have performed the work, let them [...] settle my case with them. [...] I have taken the [...]s from them.

Right Edge

The cohort commander of the recruits has left his work; he is under surveillance and is staying in Nineveh. [...... I told him]: "Lay down your [...]!" After I have come to the king, my lord, let them settle my case with him.

SAA 01 236 — More about Ilu-pija-uṣur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0639. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 236; SAAo P334442.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] I appointed him to the service of Nagâ, another cohort commander. He did not agree to this but said: "I shall serve in my own community." I am now sending his prefect (and) Nagâ with my 'third man' to the king my lord; let the king, my lord, settle (the matter). As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Ilu-pija-uṣur the shepherd says: 'Last year I exacted 3 talents of silver and paid it in full; now, Taklak-Bel has told me to bring yet another two talents'" —

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

Bottom Edge

Why would I tell him (to do a thing like that)? He is the cohort commander of the shepherds; I imposed on him (a levy of) 300 bales of straw and reeds for the bricks, but he did not give any of it; (instead) he stole the sheep in his charge and went away, seeking refuge in a temple. I sent (men) to bring him to me and told him: "I will excuse your sheep, (just) do (your work)!"

Reverse

(So) he has gone and petitioned the king! The king's magnates are assembled; let us settle (the case) in the presence of the Treasurer. The yield of wool [... the k]ing [...... (Break)

Edge

[The king my lord should not lay it] to my fault.

SAA 01 237 — A Harmful Petition

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 072. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 237; SAAo P313487.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) (So) he has petitioned [the king], my [lord! ...] Should he have turned to me, I would have handled [his case]! He should have come [to me and] not turned [to the king, my lord]! Let the king, my lord, ask [...] if Nabû-uṣalla r[eally] is doing the king's work! Now [in a case] he is pleading he goes and petitions [the king]! This person fears the king with [his lips], but with [......] the king's work falls behind schedule, and [the king my lord] is going to kill me because of it! Indeed, [as regards the straw and] the reeds I sent [...] to them [......] here [......] saw [......] they disappeared [......]. Have they come to the Palace? [They should ...] come here! When [... who] are there [......], they will return [......

Reverse

(Break) They should be [...... the ki]ng, my lord [......] Nabû-[uṣalla ......] [Let the king, my lord, ...] these gentle[men who are pet]itioning [the king, my lord: "Why don't] your people agree [to do] the work?" [...] who litig[ate ......] are coming to them [......] have [...ed the king] my lo[rd's ...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 238 — The Obstinate Qappatean

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0980. Taklak-ana-Bel to the king, from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 238; SAAo P334658.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Taklak-ana-Bel. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the Qappatean about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Who is this man? Did the town perhaps persuade him not to c[ome ...] to Dur-[Šarruke]n? [...... (Break)

Reverse

I am right now [...] sendi[ng him] to the king, [my lord].

SAA 01 239 — The Qappateans Put in Order

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0573. Takl[ak-ana-Bel] to the king, from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 239; SAAo P334394.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your [serva]nt Takl[ak-ana-Bel]. Good health to the king, [my] lord! As to the Qappatean(s) about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Have they been put in order? Is there an official of yours in charge of them?" — The mayor of the town and the commander of the scouts have been appointed my officials over them. Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "[Let] the commander of the scouts appoint [...]s over them?/!" The king, my lord [...... (Break)

Bottom Edge

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

Reverse

[Let him] do [work in D]ur-Šarruken under [his/my] supervision.

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

SAA 01 240 — Mountaineers Defy the Governor

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0610. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 240; SAAo P334422.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] men [.... in the] olden times [...] I sent [...] to them. Now, I sent their prefect to them (with this message): "Come! Let me review you, take you down into the mother (town) and give you equipment." They did not obey at all; they didn't come but assaulted their prefect. There is a town called Lapsija at the foot of the mountain; I went there and sent the major-domo to them (with this message): "Come, I want to speak with you." They got up and fled, he did not find anybody there.

Bottom Edge

I said in the king my lord's presence in Nineveh: "They will not obey, they won't give the men." They king, my lord, told me: "Bring (them)! I want to give two or three of their towns to Bel-duri, and shall give you (others) instead." I said: "I'll go and speak with them; if they don't obey, I'll write to the king, my lord."

Reverse

Now, the king my lord should send a royal bodyguard to them (with the order): "Just as [you] previously [gave] your men to Nergal-naṣir and Inurta-ilai [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 241 — My Troops are Scarce

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0563. Taklak-ana-Bel to the king, from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 241; SAAo P334385.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] my [troops are scarce. [My prefects] went to (fetch) the men at their command; I have been waiting for them ever since I came back from the king my lord's presence, but they have not come.

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

Reverse

I wrote to the king, my lord, but only got [2]60 horses and [13] small boys. [2]67 horses and 15 men — I have 527 horses and 28 men, all told. I have been writing to wherever there are king's men, but they have not come. The scribe is with the king, my lord; the king, my lord, should ask him. The horses of the king lord had grown weak, so I let them go up the mountain and graze there [...... (Rest destroyed)

Edge

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

SAA 01 242 — Toll Dues

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 344. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 242; SAAo P313759.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] the Vizier [......] the king, my lord, wro[te] [......] silver (from) their toll dues [......]. Now [the .....] who pay toll dues [to ......] [......] of my fathers [......] you (Break)

Reverse

[..... As] to the merchant[s] [of ...and Ṭa]bî [.....] about whom [I wrote] to the king, my lord, [and whom the ki]ng, my lord, gave to me [......], [now ...] and Ṭabî [......] have seized them [......] cavalry [......] Ṭabî ... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 243

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 401. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 243; SAAo P313815.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [about whom the king, my lord, w]ote to me: "Receive the [...]s from him!" [......] two feet [......] set [...... I as]ked him (Break)

Reverse

[......] I seized [......] for money [......] he should sell [..... st]anding [..... Ṭa]bî [.....] said to me. [Perhaps] the king, my lord, will say: (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 244 — An Ambush on the Hill of Kawkab

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1263. [Taklak-ana-Bel?] to [the vizier], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 244; SAAo P334820.

Obverse

[To the Vizier, my lord: your servant Taklak-ana-Bel. Good he]alth to [my lord!] [Bahian]u being [the key witness to the cr]imes co]mmitted by Be[l-lu-balaṭ], my lord wro[te to me]: "Let Bahianu come here." He (= Bel-lu-balaṭ) heard (of this) and ambushed 50 men on Mt. Kukab before his arrival. They killed Bahianu along with his attendants and took three minas of gold, two talents of silver, four mules and ten donkeys. [...]si heard (of this), went in pursuit [after them, killed ... men] of them, [and retrieved] the mules and the donkeys. [He captured ...] men from among them and question[ed them; they sai]d: "Bel-[lu-balaṭ sent u]s [...... (Break)

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

Reverse

......] seized [...]. Before [... happe]ned, Hut[... likewi]se declared (he had) 'a king's case' co[ncerning Bel-l]u-balaṭ. [Ubr]u-Nabû, a servant of the latter hea[rd (of it) and ki]lled him; he himself ca[me] and looted his [house]. His servants got up and fled, his house is deserted. He (= Bel-lu-balaṭ) has received oxen from every exempt, one from each; the whole local population has become a one-legged man. Why are you silent? Make this case known in the Palace! As long as you are [...], do not l[ay it to m]y fault! (If I didn't write), it would happen that once you h[eard (of it), my [lord] will be [filled] with anger against me.

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

SAA 01 245 — A Man Wanted by the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1085. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 245; SAAo P334727.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to PN] about whom the king, my lord, [wrote to me]: "Send (word) that he should [be arrested] and brought to me!" — I sent (this order) and they searched [for him] in Barhalza but could not find him. They went to Mutianni, his home town, but again to no avail; just a lone brother of his was living there. They seized him and brought him to me; I asked him where his brother was, and he (answered): "He did certainly not come to me."

Reverse

I am now sending [him] to the king, my lord. Further, a fu[gitive has arrived on the ...]th to Šul[mu-...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 246 — Searching for a Runaway

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1033. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 246; SAAo P334687.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [...]. Good hea[lth to the king, my lord]! As to [PN] the servant of [Adad]-remanni about whom the king my lord wrote to me: "I gave him to Nabû-šumu-iddina but he took his clothes and his ... and fled; send (word) that the should be arrested wherever he is and brought to me!" — he [went] to Barhalza and appealed [to me ...] with a messenger [...... (Break)

Reverse

I have [put] his hands and fe[et] in irons and sent him to the king, my lord.

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

SAA 01 247 — Bringing Deportees into Cities

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0585. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 247; SAAo P334403.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to the ... whom the king my lord sent] to me with the captives, I have brought them [into the land of] the Chief Cupbearer and into [the cities of Ti]llê, Si'immê, Naṣibina and Isana; the exhausted ones I made enter Naṣibina on the 23rd.

Reverse

I impressed upon the deputies that it was a royal command that they should bring the people into fortified places where there is good water. [The]y said to me: "[...... (Rest destroyed)

Edge

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

SAA 01 248 — Looking for Timber on a Mountain

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 866. [Taklak-ana-Bel] to [the king], from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 248; SAAo P314275.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to what the king, my lord wrote to me: "PN] will give trunks to [...]-dala, and he will also show the mountain to your men (who) should cut down the rest of the trunks" — I moved the men up (the mountain) and sent an official with them; they went to have a look and came back saying: "They showed us 900 cut trunks but they are not at all suitable for the work; and nobody showed us the mountain."

Reverse

Now then [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 249

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1470. Taklak-[ana-Bel] to the king, from Naṣibina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 249; SAAo P334923.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Taklak-[ana-Bel]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! As to what the king, my lord, [wrote to me ...... (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 14. Varia and Unassigned

SAA 01 250–265.

SAA 01 250 — Trouble in Tabal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1203. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 250; SAAo P334791.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "[......] I shall march against you." [I] told him: "[Th]is [land] is not mine, it belongs to the mighty king; I will not give it to you." Now, we have clashed together on the king's border; may the gods of the king act best as they can. Let him dispatch me troops [......

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

Reverse

(Break) [......] released [the ...] of the city of Šibirtu and commanded: "Bring the property of Huhhi and a washbasin set in gold!" These were given to them. The soldiers previously on duty plundered [the country of ...]riuni; [(should) I re]turn, by what means [...] the city of Tabal? Accordingly, when [......], I will [...] food [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 251 — Aššur-šarru-uṣur Governor of Que

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 015. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 251; SAAo P393855.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant .... Good health to the king], my lord! [As to ...] the god [about whom the king] my lord wrote to me, I have done [as] the king my lord [wr]ote to me, I have erected a [...] on the river and placed her in it. [...] wrote and [as]ked [......] she [.......] she [...... (Break)

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

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

[As to] Aššur-šarru-uṣur the governor of Que [......] about whom [the king] my lord wr[ote to me]: "What ...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 252 — A Man of Hamath in Irons

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 1232. Man[nu-ki-Aššur-le’i?] to the king, from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 252; SAAo P334810.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Man[nu-ki-Aššur-le'i]. Good health to the ki[ng, my lord]! As to Te[..] of Hamath about whom the king, my lord, wrote [to me], [I have] now put Te[...'s] hands and feet [in ir]ons [and s]en[t him to the king, my lord].

Reverse

(SPACER)

SAA 01 253 — The Conquest of Marqasi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 878. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 253; SAAo P314287.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I said to him [as foll]ows: "[......] Now consider within yourself [......] of Assyria [......] the governors who [went] with the king [......] of Marqasa [......] ... [......] carried away [... of] Assyria [......] is waiting [for th]em [......] wherever the king [sets] his eye (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 254 — Arpad

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 873. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 254; SAAo P314282.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [.......] governor [.......] Arpad [.......] minas [.......]-Aššur [...... gove]rnor

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

Reverse

[...... Nabû]-bel-ukin [......] iškāru dues [......] palace [......] settled them [......] my lord knows [......] the magnates [......] year (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 255 — The River of Samaria Dries up

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 458. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 255; SAAo P313871.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ......] which in [...... an of]ficial in charge of the seed g[rain ...... (Three untranslatable lines)

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

Bottom Edge

[...] from under [......] he came and gave me [......] dirt [...] emblem [......] The river running past Samar[ia has dried up and] there is just one well in the whole region [......]. I have set [to work ...] and they have filtered it(s water), but they have not yet finished [......].

Reverse

[...] persons with exempted (soldiers) [......] cities [...... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 256

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 802. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 256; SAAo P314211.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... the to]wn of Izalla [......] [......] "Otherwise you [......] [......] will deport us." [......] [......] water before the desert [......]

Bottom Edge

[......] let the king my lord send [......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 01 257 — Settling Deportees in Marqasi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0966+. Palace supervisor to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 257; SAAo P313626.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant [...], the [palace] superintendent. Good health to [the king], my lord! As to the deportees about whom the king my lord wrote to his servant, 160 healthy persons have come to me from the city of Si'immê. I have checked and received them. Just as the king my lord wrote to his servant, saying: "You are to settle them in Marqasa, they will eat bread there" — the king my lord knows that in Guzana they ate stored grain, three seahs per person ... —

Reverse

now, just as the king my lord orders, is one really to give them oil as well? Just as the king my lord orders. The servants of Rahdi-aba about whom the king my lord wrote to me: Aššur-balti-niše the palace superintendent has come, checked and received 277 persons from me.

SAA 01 258 — Sending Out Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; ABL 0860. Nabu-belu-uṣur, Dinanu to the king, from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 258; SAAo P334592.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant (sic) Nabû-beli-uṣur and Denanu. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the people about whom the king my lord wrote to me, I have sent 276 persons with Burṣaruru the royal bodyguard.

Reverse

To the king, [my lord: your servant Nabû-beli-uṣur. Good health] to [the king], my lord!

SAA 01 259 — Receiving Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 269+. Bel?-... to the king, from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 259; SAAo P313684.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant .... Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king my lord wrote to me: "[...]ṣame the Palace Superintendent is right now bringing [capti]ves [to you]" [...... (Break)

Reverse

... which I] have not brought in (but) have appointed. [On the ...th] I left for my work in Dur-Šarruken.

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

SAA 01 260 — Barley for Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 096+. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 260; SAAo P313511.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too broken for translation)

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

Bottom Edge

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

Reverse

Now Bel-i[qbi] (is telling me): "Bring me the barley I gave to your [...] and let me give it to the king's captives!" Has the king my lord sent a messenger, and [has he s]een their houses and silos? They have weakened me, and no matter what is told them, they refuse to listen to me. Aššur-ašared, a bea[rded] (courtier) [...] in the city of Ni[......]. (Break)

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

Edge

[The container]s of water [......] have been finished [.....]

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

SAA 01 261

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 863. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 261; SAAo P314272.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [The king] my [lo]rd should know this. [Wh]y are they [bring]ing me towards Arihu? [He] will deport us! [...h]e said [that the Laq]ean(s) [...... (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 01 262 — Išmanni-Aššur and Horses

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 618. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 262; SAAo P314030.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Bottom Edge

the king [......]

Reverse

As to what the ki[ng, my lord, wrote to me]: "Šimanni- Aššur [......] horse[s ......] guard [......]" (Break) The Ruqa[hu tribe ......] guard [......] in the presence [...... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 263 — Keeping an Eye on Harran and Halahhu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 419. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 263; SAAo P313832.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] I will inspect the [...] there [...... I will g]o to Harran [......] the mayors [......] have descended ... [......] I will go to Halahhu, and [whatever] I see [wharever] they do [......] I will tell to the king, my lord. [......] It rained on the 16th; [......] pour[ed ...] [......] that [...] [...... who] loves [...] [......] to the king [my lord] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 264 — The Akitu Chapel of Isana

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 214. [Mitunu] to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 264; SAAo P313629.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I have appointed [......] of Isana. All is well, nobody is missing. 30 courses of bricks of the akitu chapel were laid on the 3rd.

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

Reverse

The king my lord knows that I have no grain stores. I would like to appoint my major-domo with [my] (other) offici[als] so I could go and [...] grain stores [... (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 01 265

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK; CT 53 348. (Unknown) to [the king], from Western Assyria. Assigned to Sargon II's reign, 721–705 BC. SAA 01 265; SAAo P313762.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] why to [...] [......] the official [......] with Nabû-šumu-uṣur [......] went to Nineveh [......] of their [work as]signment [......] who [...] (Break)

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

Reverse

[At this very mo]ment seven per[sons] [......] from [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

Colophon

Source and license. This edition reproduces the English translation of the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo, oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa01/), the digital edition of S. Parpola, The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part I: Letters from Assyria and the West (State Archives of Assyria 1; Helsinki University Press, 1987), lemmatised by Mikko Luukko (2009–11) 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 catalogue data for this volume states it is "released under the CC0 license" (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); the annotated edition's own per-text credit line states it is "released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license 3.0." Both statements are recorded here; this edition credits SAAo, Simo Parpola, and Mikko Luukko regardless of which license term governs a given file, per academic courtesy and the Good Work Library's own attribution practice.

What this edition is. The English text above is SAAo's own published translation of the 265 letters edited in Parpola's Correspondence of Sargon II, Part I, 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 fourteen-chapter division follows the print edition's own chapters (as recorded in SAAo's catalogue), 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 "(Break)," "(Rest destroyed)," and "(Beginning destroyed)" are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or lost cuneiform. Of the 265 letters, 114 survive with no disclosed gap; 150 carry at least one stretch — 360 lines in total — too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation, each marked in place rather than filled. One letter, SAA 01 028 ("Donating Land"), carries no local translation at all: SAAo's own catalogue records it as "edited [instead] as SAA 10, 216," and this library's SAA 1 volume-agent held only SAA 1's own frozen pages, not SAA 10's; the redirect is disclosed in place of an invented translation. SAAo's catalogue also marks eight further letters in this volume — SAA 01 001, 026, 032, 171, 172, 175, 176, and 110 — as independently re-edited a second time under SAA 19 (a later volume covering provincial correspondence); each such letter's own full text is present here as normal, with the cross-reference noted alongside its provenance line.

Composite identification. Each letter above is given by its SAA 1 catalogue designation, its ancient sender and recipient where SAAo's catalogue names them, its tablet's excavation provenience and museum registration, its citation in the earlier Assyriological literature (ABL, CT 53, GPA, NL, and others) where SAAo notes one, and its SAAo text ID (a CDLI P-number or, for a small number of unpublished-elsewhere tablets, an X-number), under which the full transliteration and morphological analysis can be studied further at SAAo's own site.

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

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