Tuesday, August 11, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org

The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part II — State Archives of Assyria 5

✦ ─── ⟐ ─── ✦

State Archives of Assyria 5 — Letters from the Northern and Northeastern Provinces

Between 721 and 705 BCE, during the reign of the Assyrian king Sargon II, officials posted across the empire's northern and northeastern frontier wrote almost daily to the king, and occasionally to one another, about the state of the long and contested border with the rival kingdom of Urartu and its neighbors. Three hundred of these letters survive, nearly all excavated from the royal archives at Nineveh (ancient Kuyunjik), with a handful more from Nimrud (Kalhu) and Khorsabad (Dur-Šarrukin); most are now held in the British Museum. This edition follows the print edition's own fourteen chapters, which group the letters by sender or region rather than by find-number: dispatches from named officials such as Nashir-Bel and Ša-Aššur-dubbu; letters from the frontier districts of Tušhan, Kumme and Ukku, the "Rab Šaqe province," Kurbail and its neighbors, Eastern Kurdistan, and Mazamua; a chapter of fragmentary reports concerning Urarṭu and the land of Zikirtu; correspondence from vassal kings and the small buffer state of Bit-Zamani; letters to and from the king, the crown prince, and the treasurer; and two further chapters of miscellaneous and unassigned pieces.

Most letters follow the same pattern: a provincial governor, garrison commander, or frontier official opens with the standing formula "To the king, my lord: your servant [name]. Good health to the king, my lord!" before turning to business — above all, intelligence on Urarṭu's king and army gathered from spies, deserters, and captured messengers, but also the ordinary business of holding a frontier: timber deliveries, troop deployments, building projects, deserters, and disputes over fields and animals. A smaller number of letters run the other way, from the king, the crown prince, or the treasurer to their officials. These are the working paperwork of empire, not literature, and the surviving tablets read that way — abrupt, formulaic in places, and very often broken.

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 markers are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or uncertain cuneiform. 363 lines across 158 of the 300 tablets are too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation, and each such gap is noted in place rather than filled; two further letters (SAA 05 061 and SAA 05 282) carry no translation of their own because SAAo's edition joins them physically to, and publishes them entirely under, a different tablet, and that cross-reference is reproduced in place exactly as SAAo gives it.

Contents

Chapter One. Letters from Nashir-Bel

SAA 05 001–020.

SAA 05 001 — No News is Good News

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00488; ABL 0200. Nashir-Bel to the king. SAA 05 001; SAAo P334145.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nashir-Bel. Good health to the king, my lord! The land of the king is well; the forts of the king are well. The king, my lord, can be [gl]ad. Perh[aps the king, my lord], will say: "Any news of the Urarṭian?" He is still over there; nobody has come from there, we haven't heard any news about them y[e]t.

SAA 05 002 — Attacks on Forts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00593; ABL 0548. [Nashir]-Bel to [the king]. SAA 05 002; SAAo P334373.

Obverse

[To the k]in[g, my lo]rd: [your servant Nashir]-Bel. Good health t[o the king], my [lord]! [The land] of [the ki]ng is well; the for[t]s are well. The king, my lord, can be glad. As to the news of the Urarṭians, the messenger of mine [wh]om I sent [to] the governor opposite me has come back; he spoke to him as the king, my lord, wrote me, saying: "Why do you capture our forts, while we are at peace?"

Reverse

He said: "What should I do? If I have trespassed on your territory or your forts, call me to account." His troops are assembled with him; he is keeping watch in Harda. This was the news about them.

SAA 05 003 — Urarṭu Gets Ready for War

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0760; ABL 0424. Nashir-Bel to the king. SAA 05 003; SAAo P334291.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nashir-Bel. Good health to the king, my lord! The land of the king is well; the forts are well. The king, my lord, can be glad. As to the news of the Urarṭians, the spies I sent to reconnoiter have informed me as follows: "The governor opposite us is keeping watch with the deputy governor in the city Harda, opposite the Vizier; levied troops are positioned town by town in battle array as far as Ṭurušpâ. "A messenger of Argisti has come by, saying: 'As to the work I ordered you to do, don't do it! Feed your horses until I send you a messenger.'"

Reverse

I sent the Itu'eans with the village inspector for the logs which were held back in Eziat, and he got them moved through by fighting. The deputy of their village inspector and nine of his soldiers were struck down by a bow; two of them died. They wounded three of their soldiers. This was their report. The Itu'eans of the Palace at my disposal have returned from the Euphrates; they did not go with the Vizier. I have sent for them, but (men) of one or two houses only have come out of the town. Let the king, my lord, write to the sheikhs; they should bring the king's men out jointly, to keep watch with me in Laruba, until we have collected the harvest.

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

SAA 05 004 — Floating Logs down the River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01924; CT 53 210. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 004; SAAo P313625.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) carries [......] brought out [......] [aler]ted the forts. [I sa]w him and retur[ned] [......]

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

Reverse

I went [t]o Ša-Aššur-dubb[u]; the ci[ty] was taken in [my] presence, and they brought garrison troop[s] into it. [The tr]oops inside their country are mo[bilized and as]sembled. As for me, I did throw the log[s] into the river. Downstream from Eziat, past [which] I float [the logs], there are tr[oops ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 005 — Bringing Soldiers into Eziat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13088; CT 53 478. [Nashir-Bel] to the king. SAA 05 005; SAAo P313891.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I entered [... through] the pa[ss of ...r]uni, [mo]unting [...] on mu[les].

Bottom Edge

I made 90 soldiers enter Eziat — there is a tower there — and brought 30 soldiers out of it. The vanguard [who] made the soldiers enter [......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 006 — Transporting Logs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 410; ABL 0732. Nashir-Bel to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 006; SAAo P334521.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: your [servant] Nashir-Bel. [Good] health to the king, my lord! The land of the king [is well], the forts of the [king] a[re well]. The king, my lord, can [be glad]. I have b[rought 1],200 [door-beams] and [1],200 roof-b[eams] to the river. [...] the king [...] (Break)

Reverse

[...] the [...]s in the r[iver]. [As soon as] I have bro[ught] an equ[al number] of troops [into the forts, I will promptly bring them to the ri[ver] bank; afterwards, the king, my lord, may do as pleases.

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

SAA 05 007 — Log Driving

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05555; CT 53 280. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 007; SAAo P313695.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) 2,000 [door-beams ......] 500 roof-b[eams ......] former [......] bri[ng ......] as soon as [......] have co[me ......] (Break)

Reverse

[of] the ki[ng ......] should req[uest ......] The king, my lord, [wrote to me]: "[...] the [logs] quick[ly ...]" — the water [in the river] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 008 — Fragment Referring to Messengers and Timber

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15268; CT 53 631. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 008; SAAo P314043.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] ... [......] they appoint [... they have retu]rned [...] the wo[rk] [......] of ... [... spoke] as follows: ["W]e are his messengers [......] after you [...] [......] in my presence [...] [......] ...[......] (Break)

Reverse

[...... o]f the logs [......] we sto[od] [......] will hau[l] the logs [...... f]or the watch [...] [...... se]ttled (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 009

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15085; CT 53 616. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 009; SAAo P314028.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] are entrusted to them [......] said [......] let them return [......] ... [...... On the ...th o]f She[bat] (XI) [......] mul[es] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 010

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15661; CT 53 708. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 010; SAAo P314118.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) he[re ......] the troop[s ......] the for[t ......] to A[ssyria ......] Now [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 011 — An Urarṭian Governor in Muṣaṣir

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0978; ABL 1083. [Nashir-Bel] to the king. Assigned to c. ca. 713-712 BC. SAA 05 011; SAAo P334725.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant [Nashir-Bel]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! The land [of the king] is we[ll, the forts] are [well. The king, my lord, can be glad]. (Break)

Reverse

in order to make [...] agree [...], the Hubuškian w[rote to him], saying: "[They are] no spies; they are Nuraeans who have run away fr[om ...]." When the governor of Waisi en[tered] Muṣaṣir, the Hubuškians stood [in his presence, saying: "If] you send [......]

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

Edge

you light [...] his [......] [......] Muṣaṣir [......] for the lives [......]

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

SAA 05 012 — Fragment Referring to Military Operations and Spies

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0096; ABL 1043. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 012; SAAo P334694.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[As to the ... of] the [Hubu]škian, the sc[outs whom I sent] have r[eturned] from his presence, (reporting): "He is [in front of] the city, opposite [...]. They [have atta]cked the rest of the [Urarṭian] cam[p]; now, [......]." [As to] the Ur[arṭian] spies [about whom the king], my lord, wrote me: "Has the [comman]der of the fort [not] held [them] back?" — [...] the Hubuškian [...] said: "[Whichever] spie[s sa]ved themselves [have entered] the towns; we [are sending] fire (signals) [in m]y [country ...]." I said: "No [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 013

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 19621. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 013; SAAo P336635.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) news of [......] Already before [they] wro[te to me from the Palace], [(when) there was little] water in the river, [I sent out] scou[ts]; [they went] to the 'head' of the ci[ty], (reporting): "[......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 014 — Chaldeans in Bit-Zamani

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0998; ABL 1193. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 014; SAAo P334783.

Obverse

To the [king, my lord]: your servant [Nashir-Bel]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! [The land of the king] is well; the fo[rts of the king] are well. The king, [my] lo[rd, can be glad]. When the king, my lord, set out to [the country of ...], the ki[ng, my lord], arrived in [...], and I [wrote to ...] to Bit-Zaman[i ...] concerning the kin[g's] me[n]: "Go and get 100 king's men, and come and b[ring them]; I should do [......]." The 'third man' [......] (Break)

Reverse

"Why [...] the horses [...]? "Why [......] to the Chaldeans? [They should cultivate] the arable fields [there]." Humamati, [NN], Haldi-abu-uṣur brother [of NN], Kanunayu the [...], Ahutun and [NN], in all six men of [...] — they have been in hiding, [...], [and have] not agr[eed to cultivate] thei[r] arable fields. [I have written to the king], my lord; [the king, my lord, may do] as [he deems best].

SAA 05 015 — Building a Town, a Fort and a Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01966 + K 15607; CT 53 065. [Nashi]r-Bel to the king. SAA 05 015; SAAo P313480.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Liphu]r-Bel. [Go]od hea[lth] to the king, my lord! The land of the king is well; the forts [are w]ell. The king, my lord, can be [gl]ad. [As to] the fields of the patrimony of Aššur-remanni, about which the king, my lord, wrote me, the royal bodyguard shocked me when he said: "Give up the pro[perty], the well, and the arable land!" (Regarding) the fields, the king, my lord, knows that [x] years ago I built a town in the king's field. Under the aegis of [the ki]ng, my lord, I have bought and added to it 400 (hectares of) field from [the sub]jects of [A]šipâ.

Reverse

I have erected a fort there. The perimeter of the town is [...] cubits; I have built a royal palace and drawn the king's likeness inside it. I have placed 200 stone slabs there and settled the king's subjects there. N[o]w, if the king, [my lord], really is giving (away) the fi[eld, the field o]f his patrimony [......].

SAA 05 016 — Exempt Land Provides no Straw

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00690; ABL 0201. Nashir-[Bel] to the king. SAA 05 016; SAAo P334146.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Nashir-[Bel]. Good health to the king, [my] lord! The king, my lord, told [me] the Itu'ean (prefect) should be exempt, so his bow field is exempt from straw and barley (tax). (As for) the field of the Assyrians, held in tenancy, I have told (them) [to ...], but they have not a[greed to ...] (Break)

Reverse

I have been using old straw for the work but have run out of it. May the king, my lord, do as he deems best.

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

SAA 05 017 — Work on a Bull Colossus and Stone

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07509 + K 14673; CT 53 386+. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 017; SAAo P397189.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nashir-Bel. Good health to the king, my lord]! [The land of the king is well; the fo]rts [are well. The king, my lord, can be glad]. [......] [... Bit]-Zamani. [...] for the watch [... should] come up [... should] come out. [... bull] colossus

Bottom Edge

[...] with me [... they should] drag.

Reverse

[... in x] days they should alternate. [...] the bull colossus [...] the stone thresholds [... Se']-gabbar [... the king], my lord [...] I shall forward.

SAA 05 018

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07367; CT 53 335. Nashir-B[el] to the king. SAA 05 018; SAAo P313750.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant] Nashir-B[el. Good health] to the king, my lord! The land of the king, my lord, [is well]; the forts [are well]; the king, my lord, [can be glad]. [The ...] have left [... fr]om the country [...] (Break)

Reverse

[......] "Come [... to] greet [...] the king, my lord, [...] from his 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 05 019 — Rendezvous

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15154; CT 53 625. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 019; SAAo P314037.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your [servant Nashir-Bel]. Go[od health to the king, my lord]! (Break)

Reverse

"We [shall be] in the city [... by the ...th of ...]; They left on the f[irst], saying: "[......] for 5 days in the city [...] before us."

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

Edge

[I said]: "Find out [what]ever it is [and report it to me]." I am [now] waiting [for th]em, and sh[all] write [to the king, m]y [lord, as soon as they have returned].

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

SAA 05 020

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05507; CT 53 264. [Nashir-Bel] to [the king]. SAA 05 020; SAAo P313679.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Nashir-Bel. Good he]alth t[o the king, my lord]! [We are doing] the king's [wor]k. As to the oxe[n concerning which NN wrote] to the king, my lord, saying: "Nashir-Bel [......] "— [...] before the king [...] (Rest too broken for translation)

Chapter Two. Letters from Tušhan

SAA 05 021–043.

SAA 05 021 — Tension on the Urarṭian Border

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00678; ABL 0506. Ašipa to the king. SAA 05 021; SAAo P334347.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant] Ašipâ. The best of health to the king, my lord! The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well. The 'third man' of the king, my lord, who came, told me: "Your guard should be strong!" The guard is very strong. Three governors in Pulua and another three in Danibani are gathered with pack animals opposite us. We are keeping watch opposite them. All the people are inside fortified places; the oxen and sheep are on this side [o]f the river. We are standing by and keeping wa[tch] in [...].

Reverse

As to the stra[w] concerning which the king, my lord, [wrote me, there has been no] ra[in] in Tammuz (IV) and water has become scarce, so the deputy and all the village managers have come down (from the mountains) to purchase straw. They have sold (them) whatever harbu (straw) there was. As to the Itu'eans concerning whom the king, my lord, wr[ot]e me, did I ask for troops? I wrote to the king, my lord, as follows: "Of the Itu'eans in my country, there is a surplus of 500 men who should have kept watch with me. Why [did they g]o [to] Guzana? Let them release the men to me."

SAA 05 022 — News from the Urarṭian Border

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14684; CT 53 584. [Ašipa] to the king. SAA 05 022; SAAo P313996.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ašipâ]. The bes[t of health t]o the king, [my lord]! [The f]orts [and the land of] the king, my lord, [are well]. [As to the news] of the Urarṭians, [......] opposite [me] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 023

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, DT 264; ABL 0508. Ašipa to the king. SAA 05 023; SAAo P334349.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Ašipâ. The bes[t] of health to the ki[ng], my [lo]rd! The [forts] and the land of the king, my [lord], are [we]ll. [x] governors [......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 024 — People from a Mountain Town

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0123; ABL 0509. Ašipa to the king. SAA 05 024; SAAo P334350.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your ser[vant] Ašipâ. The bes[t] of health to the king, my lo[rd]! The forts and the land of the king, my [lo]rd, are well. (Regarding) these later people from Abâ whom they are now bringing out, I have, [firs]tly, left [x] men carrying ... [wi]th the prostitutes. [I have assigned x] men as scouts to guard the pass of [Ab]â above them. [...] the town at the foot [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 025 — Felling Trees in Šubria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01077; ABL 0507. Ašipa to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 025; SAAo P334348.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ašipâ. The best of health to [the king], my lord! The forts and the land of the king, [my] lo[rd], are well. The Šubrian (king) makes a detailed [report] in Kulimme[ri], and they [act] in [th]is way in the Palace! They [have s]eized [......] and [...] [...] he [...] [...] ... [... roof-be]ams and door-beams [...] (Break)

Reverse

[I shall th]row the [rem]aining [door-beams in the ri]ver, and transport and deliver them. All (my) men are in the mountains, felling trees in groves where there are (trunks suitable for) door-beams and roof-beams.

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

SAA 05 026 — No Water in the River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01931; CT 53 213. [Ašipa] to [the king]. SAA 05 026; SAAo P313628.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) has been sending [...] you cam[e ...] (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

[Because] it has neither rained nor snowed [...], the[re is] no water in the river.

Reverse

Ever since I ca[me] (back) from the [king], my lord, and cros[sed] (the river), I have been at ease [...]. 3,000 door-bea[ms ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 027 — Pulling up Fruit Tree Saplings

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-07-27, 0035; ABL 0510. Ašipa to the king. SAA 05 027; SAAo P334351.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my lord]: your [se]rvant Ašipâ. [T]he [be]st of health to the ki[ng], my lord! The fo[rts] and the land of the king, [my] lo[rd], are well. As to the saplin[gs] concerning which the king, my lord, wr[ote me], since the orde[r] was given to me, I have pulled up ...... of plum and apple trees [......]

Bottom Edge

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 028 — Red Wool for the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0984; ABL 0431. Ašipa to the king. SAA 05 028; SAAo P334296.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ašipâ. The best of health to the king, my lord! The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well. Last year, the king, my lord, told me: "[S]end me red wool!" Now then Metu[nu ......] (Break)

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

Reverse

have been brought [to me].

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

SAA 05 029 — Forwarding Hewn Stone Objects

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00847; ABL 0952. [Ašipa] to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 029; SAAo P334642.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant [Ašipâ]. The [best] of he[alth] to the king, [my lord]! The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well. As to the hewn [...] stone about which the king, [my] lo[rd], gave [me] orders,

Reverse

I am no[w] se[nding] to the ki[ng, my lord], four tal[ents] of he[wn ...] stone.

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

SAA 05 030

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07352; CT 53 328. [Ašipa?] to [the king]. SAA 05 030; SAAo P313743.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ašipâ]. The be[st] of hea[lth to the king], my lord! The fo[rts and the land] of the king, [my] lo[rd], are well. Al[l] the borde[rs of the country ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 031 — Argisti Puts Pressure on Hu-Tešub of Šubria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01067 + K 01886; ABL 0139+. Ša-Aššur-dubbu to the king. Assigned to c. 713 BC. SAA 05 031; SAAo P393858.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ša-Aššur-dubbu. The best of health to the king, my lord! The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well. As to the news of the priest of Penzâ about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "What did the king of Urarṭu send and decree for him about the official of [Ta]si? They should ask [...]" — [......] the king, my lord, [......] the royal bodyguard [......] the messengers [of the governor] of Pulua [......] of Alzunu [have co]me [... and arbitrated be]tween [... and] his brothers. [With] clean [hands], the priest [...] to [......] the royal bodyguard [......] entered (Break)

Reverse

[...] Tidu [...] [on the bor]der of Šub[ria] [...] ... levied [...] [The ... of the dist]rict [have ...ed] their equ[ip]ment [...] are staying in Pumu. The king, my lord, knows that [...]râ, the chief scout [of Hu-T]ešub, gave back [the ... o]f Rusa, and he [ap]pointed him [...]; now, there is no [......] in the presence of Hu-Tešub. [The Urarṭian has sent] him [a messenger] to Pumu, saying: "If you stay [in ...], g[iv]e back the [... and] the jewelry [th]at my father and I gave you." The messenger who came said: "Do not greet Hu-Tešub, and do not accept an agreement (from him), (or) I shall punish you!" Hu-Tešub sent a messenger to the Urarṭian together with his messenger; he went, (but) in the middle of the journey he arrested him, saying: "(You will be held) until I go and speak to [your] government; should they release you, you will g[o] and never return."

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

Right Edge

(Break)

Edge

[......] dead [...]s (Rest too broken for translation)

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

SAA 05 032 — Soldiers Captured by the Šubrians

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00469; ABL 0138. Ša-Aššur-dubbu to the king. SAA 05 032; SAAo P334084.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ša-Aššur-dubbu. The best of health to the king, my lord! The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well. I sent two eunuchs of mine with six soldiers and a seal(ed order) for the deserters in Penzâ; they went off with two cohort commanders and had the men brought down. They had dinner there; the brother of the Šubrian (king) too dined with them there. They set out together and were on their way home, when the Šubrians attacked them from an ambush and captured my two eunuchs and the six soldiers. Both of my cohort commanders escaped.

Reverse

I wrote him: "Release the soldiers!" but he said: "I will inquire (into the matter); [i]f they are in my country, I shall give them back." I [se]t out on their trail personally, but they had (already) taken the soldiers up to his fort. The king, my lord, should send word that the prefects of the royal Taziru and Itu'u (troops) holding (fields) here should come and stand guard with me, until those beams are brought out. The king, my lord, knows that my men are [wo]rking [in] Dur-Šarruken and I have only cavalrymen at my disposal.

SAA 05 033 — Cutting Timber in Urarṭian Territory

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0109; ABL 0705. Ša-Aššur-dubbu to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 033; SAAo P334498.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Ša-Aššur-dubbu. [The best] of health to the king, [my lord]! The for[ts] and the land of the king, [my] lo[rd], are well. When I wr[ote] to the king, my lord, that the king of Šu[b]ria had captured [my men], the king, my lord, [wrote me back]: "Capt[ure] his men in eq[ual number] to your men, [until] he releases [them]." [...] I took [......] (Break)

Reverse

As to what [I wrote] to the king, my lord: "They have se[lected] 500 roof-beams [in the territory] of the Urarṭian "— [now] my 'third man' who did the s[election] has felled them and piled them up al[ong the river]. As so[on as] he has finished [the job], he will set [out] and assemble the troops. I can free up [to] 100 men to en[ter] (the Urarṭian territory) and thro[w] the beams in the river; the rest I will ba[se] in the[ir] garrisons and ambush positions. Some kind of an insurrection may occur; I am strengthening the guard — I am afraid of an insurrection.

Right Edge

[The gov]ernor of Pulua [o]pposite me has written me: "Why has the messenger of my little brother [not com]e? Is a god visiting him?"

Edge

[......] has come three times [......] together [...... has not] heard.

SAA 05 034 — Problems in Cutting Timber in Šubria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07336 + K 07391 + K 13008; CT 53 095. Ša-Aššur-dubbu to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 034; SAAo P313510.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, [my] lord: [your servant] Ša-Aššur-dubbu. The best [of health] to the king, my lord! The forts and [the land of the king, my lord, are well]. [As to the ne]ws of the Ur[arṭian(s) about which the king, my lord, wrote] me: "Inquire (about it)!" — I have (already) sent [a detailed report to] the king, my lord, [......]! Let me [no]w [send it] for a second time. [A Šubri]an with two [......] [......] a eunuch [......] (Break) "[We did] not [...] you, so we deserted." They spoke w[i]th them as follows: "[......] has occurred in the house of your lords [......]; do it, [...]! "The governor is alo[ne]; do [...], and make yourself a go[od] name!" They spoke with them [thus, ha]d dinner [with them], and came down (from the mountain). [...]... his country [...] [......] said: "[......] (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

[...... w]ent [...] [...... D]ur-[Šarruken] [......] to the king [......] ...

Reverse

[......]: "[He should do] wo[rk like] all [the subjects] of the king, and give it to the king, his lord. "Are [yo]u [not] subjects of the king of Assy[ria, wh]o [have c]ut door-beams, poplar trees and reeds in the distri[ct] and are transporting them to Dur-Šarruken? Would I be afraid [of] the Šubrian?" [H]is messen[ger] who [...] to the town [...], ca[me] to me at the mouth of the pass of [T]asi; I sent mine to him to Penzâ. My messenger t[old him]: "[The g]overnor as[ks for] the beams. [x thousand x] hundred roof-beams [are piled] on the river bank along the [road t]o Tasi [......]" (Break) [......] has gone [to ... with] cavalry, and is cutting (the timber). What are the king my lord's orders? Would the king of Urarṭu give beams to the king, my lord, (when) the Šubrian does not? Each of the prefects of the Urarṭian oppo[site me] has gone to (his) country [...]. The chief [......] at work [......]. (As to) [the door-beams and roof-beam]s in the district [..., [about wh]ich [I wrote] to the king, my lord: "There are 500 of them," I have ins[pected] them; [they are v]ery [...]. 100 of them [have been ...]; the remaining 400 [are ... and] they are (still) in their groves.

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

Right Edge

[...] desire [...] [If the king], my [lo]rd, or[ders], [I shall br]ing out [the ...] [...] the major-domo [...]

Edge

[which ......] removed, are good for [...]. [......] the Šubrian [...] (rest too broken for translation)

SAA 05 035 — The King of Šubria Refuses to Extradite Deserters

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00951; CT 53 160. [Ša-Aššur-dubbu] to [the king]. SAA 05 035; SAAo P313575.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ša-Aššur-dubbu. The best of health to the king, my lord]! [The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well. The king, my lord, can be gl]ad. [......] [......] my messenger [......] my [mes]senger [......] [... they s]tay [...] his [...] [......] day(s) [......] they come [...... has been se]rving [...]. Now that my messenger wanted to make him leave, they protected him with axes and [...]. I a[sk]ed the [Šubria]n: "Why do you seize deserters [f]rom the Urarṭian (king) fleeing to Assyria, and [settle them in] the city? Why do you [protect dese]rters and not give them to us?" His reply: "I fear the gods." A s[cout] commander of the Urarṭian [enter]ed [the town ...] with 50 mules. They took the mules from him, put iron shackles to his arms and feet and returned him to the [Urarṭi]an. I wrote [him]: "Why are you not afraid of the gods, (you) abati, calf of the Urarṭ[ian]!"

Bottom Edge

Emissaries of the [Ur]arṭian keep coming and going to him. When I was visiting the king my lord [in] Kanun (X), 10 soldiers, (all) cavalrymen, deserted there; [recently], 40 soldiers from [...]ri took their people with them, pulled out their grinding slabs, and went there.

Reverse

I heard that he had been very ill, so I asked him about those soldiers. He sent me a letter, saying: "Tebal ada — I shall send you yo[ur] men." As to the bou[ght] slave concerning whom the king, my lord, wrote me, [he has now turned up] in the domain of his servant, and I am sending [the ...]s 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 05 036 — Joint Sacrifices

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01137; CT 53 163. [Ša-Aššur-dubbu] to [the king]. SAA 05 036; SAAo P313578.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] what [...] ... We made many sacrifices. [The]y went away to their country, (while) [w]e [...ed] hither. Their people, [who] had f[led to] Urarṭu, have [like]wise [retu]rned [...]

Reverse

(Break) [...... the It]u'eans [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 037 — Defense Against Accusations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07458; CT 53 101. [Ša-Aššur-dubbu] to [the king]. SAA 05 037; SAAo P313516.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ša-Aššur-dubbu. The best of health to the king, my lord]! [The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well]. (Possibly one line missing) (......) who [......] — the king, my lord, should [not believe him]! No Tazir[u ......] I do [not] conceal [...]. Let the king, my lord, not [...]! If I [......], I will not be able to [...] and to [...]. The sheep are at the disposal of the people; [......]. I [...] here; I have [......], and will bring out [...]. My [servant]s have [...ed] to [...] and questioned (him). He said: "I have seen [... ox]en and six sheep." The Taziru is the [...] of the ox, until they have inquired about the rest. Perhaps the king, my lord, will [s]ay: "Why was the royal bodyguard delayed?" [The k]ing, my lord, wrote: "You have appropriated four oxen of value" — but I have [taken] oxen from among br[an]ded oxen (only)! They are actually ea[ti]ng them in the cities of Assyria! As soon as I com[e] to the presence of the king, my lord, I shall show [the k]ing, my lord, whom I hold accountable for the oxen. No [......]. [As] to the people about whom the king, my lord, wrot[e to m]e, [the ones who] quarreled [...] bread, I have written [to them]: "[Yo]u are subjects of the king; [...] the king, my lord, [...]." They (said): "[......] [......] the subjects of the king [......] disturb

Bottom Edge

[......] Is it little? [...... I] got afraid [...... I mo]ved up [......] ...

Reverse

[......] he went [......] his gods [......]-Nabû together [......] their [...]s [...] I wrote [to the king], my lord: "Let me detain [and ... the offi]cials," and he said: "Detain them!" They know [the property which] the king's [off]spring [have taken] from the cities, [the fields] and orchards, what[ever ...], every [...]; [Could] I (really) have taken [... fr]om it, and concealed [...] the fields and the gardens? [...] The towns which [have be]en given [...] to the king's offspring, which [...] oxen and sheep [...] [... not] yet [...] [...] the men [...] their [...]; if they are good [...] I do not [...] [...] ... [...] [...] the subjects of [...] [...] are in my presence [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 038 — A Visit by Duri-Adad and a Royal Delegate

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 08989; ABL 0703. [Š]a-Aššur-d[ubbu] to the kin[g]. SAA 05 038; SAAo P334497.

Obverse

[To the king, my l]ord: [your servant Š]a-Aššur-d[ubbu. Good h]ealth to the kin[g, my lord]! Duri-A[dad the ...] has just come [with ...]tušu, the (royal) delegate; [I shall write] through Urda-[...] whatever he had to te[ll] and [rep]ort. Right now, Duri-Adad [...] is leaving, and the delegate is lea[ving] with him; they are on their way. [The king, my lord, can] be glad. [...] my presence [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 039 — Fragment Concerning Tree Trunks

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16047; CT 53 726. [Ša-Aššur-dubbu] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 039; SAAo P314136.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... wh]ich are in the cit[y ...] [...] he [...] [...] in the river [...] [...] ... [...] [...] the beams [...] [...] afterwards [...] [... wh]ich we [...] [...] to [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 040 — A Šubrian Emissary on His Way to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00536; CT 53 004. [...]-ka’’in to [the king]. SAA 05 040; SAAo P313419.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant ...]-ka''in. [Good health to the king], my lord! [The for]ts [and the land of the king, m]y lo[rd, are well]. (Break) [......] we [don't] know [...] [......] told me: "He has se[t out] [......] "He has not s[et out] [......] "In [...] (Break) "They are keeping [an eye] on them."

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

Bottom Edge

I have sent (scouts) to go and inquire; (when) they come back with a detailed report, I shall write to the king, my lord.

Reverse

A Šubrian emissary is just coming to the king, my lord. [Let them ...] in the presence of the king, my lord, whatever they have to say. Perhaps [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 041

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15640; CT 53 697. [Nashir-Bel or Ša-Aššur-dubbu] to [the king]. SAA 05 041; SAAo P314108.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...]a, the gov[ernor oppo]site me is here. He is [...]; the gra[pes] [...] the men [...] where 10 [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 042

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11315; CT 53 424. [Ša-Aššur-dubbu] to [the king]. SAA 05 042; SAAo P313837.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too broken for translation) [... s]peak [...]

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

Bottom Edge

[...] garden [...] The king, [my] lo[rd, can be glad].

Reverse

Also, they are bring[ing out] the re[st] of their brothers, including people from Labir and Sakkuana. [No]w then, these have come and said: "[Should we l]ay hands on Assyrian territory, we would be ...ed; re[port to] the Palace [......]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 043 — Fetching Beams

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05568; CT 53 283. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 043; SAAo P313698.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king], my lord! As to the [...]ans [concerning whom] I appealed [to the Palace, saying]: "Let them fetch [the door-beam]s" — [...]-balliṭ the royal bodyguard [and NN have spok]en with them (as follows): "[...] the beams [and do] whatever [...] said to you; [... y]our commanders-of-fifty [......] (Rest too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

Chapter Three. Letters from Vassal Kings and Bit-Zamani

SAA 05 044–051.

SAA 05 044 — Troops in Hubuškia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01871; CT 53 054. [Hu]-Teššub to [the king]. SAA 05 044; SAAo P313469.

Obverse

The very [best of health] t[o the king, my lord! Your servant Hu]-Tešub. A di[strict of Urarṭu] called [...] (Break) [...... gove]rnors (Break)

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

Reverse

[The cava]lry of the ki[ng of ...] [have ...ed ag]ainst the palace herald. On account of the troops which are in Hubuškia, outside (the border), I am sending this letter of mine to ....

SAA 05 045 — Urarṭian Offensive against Mannea and Zikirtu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01037; ABL 0215. Hu-Teššub to the king. SAA 05 045; SAAo P334157.

Obverse

The very best of health to the king, my lord! Your servant Hu-Tešub. As to the news of the Urarṭians concerning which the king, my lord, wrote me: "[Write me] quickly whatever you have heard" — (even) when I heard false ..., I wrote [to the kin]g, my lord! Now [...... on the ...th of] Marchesvan (VIII) [...... the magn]ates (Break)

Reverse

[......the to]wn A[...] [...... have ...]ed the [...]s of the fort. "If [things have gone badly] for him, he will be sta[ying] in Mannea; [i]f things have gone well for him, he will have attacked the Zikirteans." This is what I have heard.

SAA 05 046 — A Wronged Vassal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1809; CT 53 132. To [the king]. SAA 05 046; SAAo P313547.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "he does/they do not [......] "at your right [......] "Who [......]?" Now, the king, [my] lord [......] ...[......] [They conquer] my towns [and] seize [my subjects] who [have gone to ...] for hired employment. He is chief [...]; on behalf of whom does he [...] from the presence of Ašipâ [...], conquer (my) towns and per[secute] my subjects? I keep writing: "Where is [your] sense?" but he does not give any reason. [I have] many times over [sent] the kal[lāpu] whom the king ap[poin]ted in my service with my messenger, but to no avail. [He has not given] any explanation but has retur[ned] my messenger, (saying): "I will seize you and wrap you up in iron chains!"

Reverse

His deputy stands in his presence and curses me and my country. The king, my lord, should ask Ubru-Pali[l] about these matters! Why does he [...] me? When people [slander] me right and left, what will they say in the presence of the ki[ng], my [lo]rd? [I sh]all be slain; he will reach my very heart. But ma[ny thi]ngs will c[ur]se him! [N]ow the king my lord should not [...]! I have appealed to [the kin]g; [n]ow [let him] not [......]. [The king, my lord, may a]ct as [he deems best. ......] [ag]ainst me [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 047 — Having Mares Serviced

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0548 + Sm 0887; ABL 0757. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 047; SAAo P334534.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! The pack animals of the king, my lord, are well; the subjects of the king, my lord, are well; the land of Bit-Zamani is well. I will have the m[ar]es serviced until [Tam]muz (IV); in between the urging of the herds to the mares, I am cutting hay.

Reverse

On the 15th of Tammuz I would like to come and see the face of the king, my lord, (about) my work — Perhaps I am lagging behind my colleagues; I should inspect my work i[n] Dur-Šarruken.

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

SAA 05 048 — Receiving a Shipment of Animals and Wagons

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01889 + K 05572 + K 07327 + K 15383; CT 53 058. Aššur-pa[tinu] to the king. SAA 05 048; SAAo P313473.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant Aššur-pa[tinu]. Good health t[o the king], my lord! Ilu-illik[a, the] mule stable attendant [w]ho brings me [...], [has come], and I have checked and received from him 15 mules, 52 don[keys], [x] camels, 43 sheep, 2 carts, and 4 wagons. He told me this: "My servants have left me and run away!" [I have] now [wr]itten down the names of each of them, including the towns w[he]re they come from, and am herewith sending (this information) to the king, my lord.

Reverse

[...] in the hand [of ...] [...] the eunu[ch] [...] ... [...] have run away [......] in Bit-Zamani [......] ... [......] in Guzana [...... in] Ta[...] (Break) two [......] my servants [...... the chief vic]tualler [......] myself [......] ... [...] servants do not [......] the [...] official [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 049

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1882-05-22, 0140; ABL 0922. Aššur-patinu to the king. SAA 05 049; SAAo P334625.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-patinu. Good health to the king, my lord! (Rest destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 05 050

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14665; CT 53 573. Aššur-[patinu?] to [the king]. SAA 05 050; SAAo P313985.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your [se]rvant Aššur-[patinu. Go]od health t[o the king, my lord]! A letter from [NN, a servant o]f the king, my lord, [has come to me]. [The serv]ants of [......] have made [them] stand on the feet [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 051 — Fragment Referring to a Messenger

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15321; CT 53 641. [Aššur-patinu] to [the king]. SAA 05 051; SAAo P314053.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "The messen[ger] of Aššur-pa[tinu] is n[ow] com[ing]."

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

Reverse

As to [...] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Four. Letters from the Rab Šaqe Province

SAA 05 052–073.

SAA 05 052 — Šubrian Emissaries on their Way to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00525; ABL 0252. Aššur-dur-paniya to the king. SAA 05 052; SAAo P334187.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-dur-paniya. Good health to the king, my lord! The Šubrian emissaries came to Šabirešu on the 23rd of Adar (XII). Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "Who are they?" (They are) Yata', his man in charge of the towns near the Urarṭian border, and with him Abi-yaqâ, a local inhabitant. Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "Why did his brother and his deputy, who at the review said they would come, not come?" They say: "Hu-Tešub is ill; these (people) have come to bargain." They have written down on clay tablets the king's men and the people of the country who last year, the year before and three years ago ran away from labour duty and military service, ending up there, and have set them as their bargain; they are going to bring (the tablets) and read them to the king, my lord.

Reverse

Yet the prime men who now escape the king's work and go there — he gives them fields, gardens and houses, settles them in his country, and there they stay. These emissaries who came to bargain, Hu-Tešub being ill, said: "We will go and see"; they are now coming, but (when) they read the said tablet to the king, my lord, it is not the whole truth. Eight men, one mule and three donkeys have come with the emissaries. The king, my lord, told me: "When the emissaries come, Aššur-bessunu should come with them" — if the king, my lord, so orders, he may go and speak with them. Let the king, my lord, write me what his orders are.

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

SAA 05 053 — A Murderer Flees to Šubria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00506; ABL 0251. Aššur-dur-paniya to the king. SAA 05 053; SAAo P334186.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-dur-paniya. Good health to the king, my lord! A commander-of-fifty of mine, of the Gurrean (troops) from Meturna, killed the mayor of Meturna. From the moment the expedition came, he did not show up to do work with his fellows but, afraid of his deed, took with him 15 Gurreans and went away to Urarṭu. (When) they came and reported it to me, I sent Il-dalâ to Šubria, saying: "Go and bring down your servants." He went, but did he bring down his servants? I sent my messenger back to Il-dalâ, telling him: "This commander-of-fifty and his men! I have hurt the whole mountain (area) and all the passes because of him! Go in pursuit after him!" Pursuing him, he went to Šubria. The commander-of-fifty and his soldiers ente[r]ed Marhuha, a [fo]rt of the Šubrian (king). Il-dalâ saw him and ma[de a sw]orn agreement with him: "Come and [b]ring me the seal of the go[vernor] and [you] shall be fr[ee]."

Bottom Edge

My commander-of-fifty and 100 Marhuhaean [ho]plites went after Il-dalâ and attacked him on the road. The servants of the king, my lord, were on their guard; none of them got killed, and they wounded the commander-of-fifty. They turned back and entered Marhuha.

Reverse

We, who organized the present pursuit of the commander-of-fifty — they did not arrest him and hand him over but took the man away! Once again, they are (only) bringing forth and handing over old subjects of the king, my lord, who have been living there.

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

SAA 05 054 — A Sanctuary for Fugitives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0068; ABL 1176. To [the king]. SAA 05 054; SAAo P334772.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... The ki]ng, my lord, [should know this]. [As to what the king], my [lo]rd, wrote me: "[Where] is he?" — They told me: "[After he had] been deported [..., he fl]ed [and went] to Šubria." [Perha]ps the king, my lord, will say: "[Has he retu]rned [and come back] from Šubria?" [I have aske]d and investigated; [they say that since he fl]ed [and went] to Šubria, [...; he has not] yet [retur]ned and come back to the country. [I sent ...]... to [...], saying: "You [......]; now, [......] is staying in your court!" [He replied: "He] has not fallen into my [hand]s, [nor ... have I heard] any report [about him]." [......] this man [......] secretly

Bottom Edge

[......] Šubri[a] [......] the king, my lord [......] the fort [......] have fled

Reverse

[...] with kind words [...]. [As to the ...]s about whom the king, [my lord, wrote m]e: "I [......]; if they want [......]" — they want [......] [......] he is [in] the temple [......] He does not seize and give [him] [......] a town is said [......] his guard [......] the temple [be]tween [... I said]: "[You are] the king's subjects [...]." [......] the king's subjects. [Perhaps the king], my [lo]rd, will say: "[...]" — [... who] leave the king's [......]. [A]s to the scout to whom his [......] [...] will take [......] perhaps [......] those (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 055 — A Captured Informer

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0807; ABL 0741. Aššur-dur-paniya to the king. SAA 05 055; SAAo P334528.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, [my] lord, [your servant] Aššur-dur-paniya. [Good] health to the king, [my] lord! My [sco]uts in the m[ountain] have captured an informer [who] was g[oing from A]rgistiani t[o Ar]iye, over the mountain. [I as]ked him about [the ne]ws of the Ura[rṭian], and he informed me: "The [...]tinaean(s) [...] ...... [has n]ot [yet] come out [...]

Reverse

(Reverse remains too broken for translation)

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

SAA 05 056 — Master Builders and Apprentices

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01175 + K 01179 + K 01207; CT 53 033. Aššur-dur-paniya to the king. SAA 05 056; SAAo P313448.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-dur-paniya. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the master builders concerning whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "Give junior ones to the magnates, so they can perform their work assignment with their help" — (out of) my 16 master builders three are with the palace herald, three are working in the centre [of the city], and ten are engaged in bricking my work allocation of the city wall. (This makes) a total of 16 master builders engaged in work. As for their junior sons, [they are] apprenti[ces], incapable of doing any (serious) work; it is not within their understanding. They just carry chests af[ter them].

Reverse

I said: "The master builders have wo[rk] to do, I cannot give away [any of them]." I have (already) given [six] master builder[s] to the work assignment of the [centre of the city] and the palace herald, and my own w[ork] is a great burden on me. [The]se ten master builders at my disposal can[not] go out; they will [not] even break a brick [...].

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

SAA 05 057 — Raising Bull Colossi in Adia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07398; CT 53 346. [Aššur-dur-pani]ya to [the king]. SAA 05 057; SAAo P313761.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-dur-pani]ya. [Good health to the king], my lord! [As to the bull] colossi of Ad[i]a [about which the king, my lord], wrote me, [the ... by which] I am going to raise them [... c]hests [...] they have given me [...] to the prefects [... will] modify them (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 058 — Raising Bull Colossi in Adia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0273; ABL 1419. [Aššur-dur-paniya] to [the king]. SAA 05 058; SAAo P334896.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] he is [...] he [......] [th]ey are bringing to him [......] [......] [Pe]rhaps [the king, my lord], will say: "[How] are you doing [the w]ork?" [...] to finish it [...] I am raising [...] Adia [...] bull colossi [I] shall h[aul ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 059 — A Chaldean Bodyguard

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 462; ABL 0742. Aššur-dur-pani[ya] to the king. SAA 05 059; SAAo P334529.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: your servant Aššur-dur-pani[ia]. Good health to the king, my lord! As to Abi-ul-idi, the Chaldean bodyguard about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "[...]... [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 060 — Providing for Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07528; CT 53 389. [Aššur-dur-paniya] to [the king]. SAA 05 060; SAAo P313803.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] all [......] their fields [......] their threshing floors [...]; moreover, 20 homers of se[ed] corn [... of] the fort in the tow[er] [...] and the troops hith[er] [......] when Aššur-reṣ[uwa] [......] anyw[here] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 061

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05609; CT 53 296. Aššur-dur-paniy[a] to the king. SAA 05 061; SAAo P313711.

[This letter is edited as SAA 5, 55+.]

SAA 05 062 — Meeting the King on the Way

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0521; ABL 0729. Na’di-ilu to the king. SAA 05 062; SAAo P334518.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Na'di-ilu. Good health to the king, my lord! Now that the king, my lord, has set out and is coming, should I come as far as Šabirešu to meet the king, my lord? May the king, my lord, wr[ite me] what the king my lo[rd's orders are]. [Perhaps] the king, my lord, will s[ay]: "The horses [...] (Break)

Reverse

... should se[n]d straw [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 063 — Subjugating Bit-Amukani

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00665; ABL 0194. Na’di-ilu to the king. Assigned to c. 710 BC. SAA 05 063; SAAo P334139.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant] Na'di-ilu. [Good health] to the king, my lord! [As to] Naṣib-Il [about whom] the king, my lord, wrote me: "In [......] (Break) "Afterwa[rds, he should k]eep [watch over them]." He does not [obey] me at all and is not [assembling th]em. Before I visi[ted the king], my [lo]rd, he used to enter my [court]; I sent him on various errands, and he stayed [in] my presence. Let the king, my lord, write him [as] follows: "Assemble the whole Bit-Amukani, stay with the chief cupbearer, and do whatever he commands you!"

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

Reverse

Let the king, my lord, (also) send a letter to Šarru-emuranni; he should assemble the whole Bit-Amukani and say to them as follows: "Why do you not obey [N]aṣib-Il regarding the [ki]ng's work?" [H]e told me that the men [do not] obey him.

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

SAA 05 064 — Horses from the East

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00146; ABL 0192. Na’di-ilu to the king. SAA 05 064; SAAo P334137.

Obverse

To the king, my [lord]: your servant Na'di-ilu. Good health to the king, my lord! The first 120 horses of Nabû-remanni arrived in Arzuhina on the 27th. They will be there for the 28th and set out (again) on the 29th. I shall go and bring them across (the river) to Sarê and keep them in Sarê for the 30th, until the later (horses) reach me.

Reverse

All the same, the horses have been heavily pressed; the foals should rest out.

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

SAA 05 065 — An Arrival Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, BM 123359; Iraq 07 99. Na’di-ilu to the king. SAA 05 065; SAAo P336178.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Na'di-ilu. Good health to the king, my lord! I am in Hadattu on the 11th day; the king's subjects in my command are well.

SAA 05 066 — Fragment of a Military Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07493; ABL 0195. Na’di-ilu to the king. SAA 05 066; SAAo P334140.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my lord: your servant] Na'di-ilu. [Good] health to the king, [my lord]! [As to what the king], my lord, wr[ote me: "The tr]oops of the [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 067 — Assembling Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05503 + K 14663; CT 53 085. [Na’di-ilu] to [the king]. SAA 05 067; SAAo P313500.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to what the king, my lord, wrote me]: "[Your troops] should be as[sembled; come to me, quickly] — [the ki]ng, my lord, knows that all my troops are around the ci[ty]; they can be assembled within three [days]. I have appointed [...]; m[y] major-domo [will] ass[emble] the troops, and I [shall] co[ver] in one day the st[retch f]rom the city [... to ...].

Reverse

[The k]ing, my lord, should give [orders that ...] [the wo]rk on [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 068 — Chariot Troops from Que

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01213 + K 14622; CT 53 040. [Na’di]-ilu to the king. SAA 05 068; SAAo P313455.

Obverse

To [the king], my lord: your servant [Na'di]-ilu. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the chariot troops from Que about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Enquire and investigate, and if they [have no] food and seed, write me" — the people [...] who are with them [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 069 — On an Army Unit

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0333; CT 53 125. Na’di-ilu to the king. SAA 05 069; SAAo P313540.

Obverse

To the kin[g, my lord]: your servant Na'di-ilu. Good health to the king, my lord! As to my army unit about which my lord wrote me: "Your unit should be placed at the head of your ...!" — now the gods of the [kin]g have taken action: when the king, [my] lo[rd appoin]ted me, [......] to mo[ve on]. Otherwise, [......] to Kiṣ[ir-Aššur]. As to the wor[k ...] about which the king w[rote me], there is no [...]; the ki[ng ......]. The king, [my lord, can be] gl[ad]. (Break)

Reverse

Further, they will make the oxen stand in position before all the magnates who are coming.

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

SAA 05 070 — Fragment Referring to Oxen

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04701; ABL 1018. Na’di-[ilu] to the king. SAA 05 070; SAAo P334679.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Na'di-[ilu]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! As to the oxen entrusted in m[y] charge about which the king, my lord, [gave me or]ders [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 071 — An Axe Maker from Damascus

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00542; ABL 0193. Na’di-ilu to the king. SAA 05 071; SAAo P334138.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Na'di-ilu. Good health to the king, my lord! As to Šimkaya, the axe [m]aker from Damascus whom [the king], my lord, wrote me about, I am herewith sending him to the king, my [lo]rd, in the charge of my messenger.

SAA 05 072 — Returning from the River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1821; CT 53 852. Na’di-[ilu] to [the kin]g. SAA 05 072; SAAo P314261.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, [my] lo[rd: your servant] Na'di-[ilu. Good hea]lth t[o the king, my lord]! [As to] the I[tu'eans who return]ed [fr]om the ri[ver Euphrates ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 073

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16050; CT 53 729. [Na’di-ilu?] to [the king]. SAA 05 073; SAAo P314139.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king], my [lo]rd! [......] [......] is bringing [...... on the ...th] day [......] Šabirešu [... ente]red (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Five. Varia

SAA 05 074–083.

SAA 05 074 — Mule Express not Available

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, IM 064013; NL 062. Mahde to the king. SAA 05 074; SAAo P224392.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Mahdê. Good health to the king, my lord! (As to) the mule express that we provide and the royal bodyguard who com[es] citing a royal order that he should go as far as Šabirešu — he has used up the [...] in my possession! The king, my lord, knows that I do not main[tain] a team (to go) as far as Šabirešu; the ones that go do not return. My teams are used up; the king, my lord, should know (this).

Reverse

We let the teams from Calah go by; my chariot, my team and [my] [dri]ver went (with) Nabû'a the bodyguard as far as Šabirešu, and those of Šabirešu le[t them go] by. Let the king, my lord, inve[stigate]; let him send word that I come, and I shall come on foot! I have no chariot, no team, no driver!

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

SAA 05 075 — News from Šubria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01211; ABL 0987. Mahde to the king. SAA 05 075; SAAo P334663.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Mahdê. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the Šubrian [emiss]ary about which [the king, my lord, wro]te me: "[......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 076

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14672; CT 53 578. [Ma]hde to the king. SAA 05 076; SAAo P313990.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lo]rd: [your servant Ma]hdê. [Good health] to the king, my lord! (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 077

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1675; CT 53 847. [Mahde] to [the king]. SAA 05 077; SAAo P314256.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

"I have giv[en] two pots and three [...s] to the Šubr[ian]."

SAA 05 078 — Imposing the King’s Treaty

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00669; ABL 0246. Aššur-belu-da’’in to the king. SAA 05 078; SAAo P334181.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-belu-da''in. Good health to the king, my lord! The Ušhaeans and Qudaeans about whom the king, my lord, wrote me, have submitted to the king my lord's command; (these) towns which were not submissive in the days of Šamaš-ila'i, the royal bodyguard has now assembl[ed] and brought over to me. I have made peace with them. Those obliged to provide labour have provided it, and those obliged to provide king's men have provided them.

Reverse

The whole mountain (area) has observed the king's tr[eaty]; the king, my lord, ca[n be glad]. Shall I relea[se] the troops at my disposal, or should they (continue to) keep the watch? The Mumaeans are unsubmissive; shall I go and negotiate with them about the king's command? If not, let the king, my lord, tell me what his orders are.

SAA 05 079 — Capturing Runaways

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00513; ABL 0245. Aššur-belu-da’’in to the king. SAA 05 079; SAAo P334180.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-belu-da''in. Good health to the king, my lord! The mule stable attendant whom I brought forth in search of the runaway people of the country has brought forth men from my neighbourhood and given them to me. All Halziatbareans have run away in great numbers and are (scattered) all over the countries. The mule stable attendant is desperate, saying: "It is an impasse." Now Nabû'a, the mule stable attendant who was appointed in charge of the Chaldeans, has brought me 380 persons; a number of them remain in Yasumu and in Bit-Zamani.

Reverse

Let them send him a letter (telling him) how he is to bring forth the Chaldea[ns] compl[etely], and how he is to assemble the runaway people of the country and bring them to me.

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

SAA 05 080 — Building a Fort and Houses for Deportees

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01027; ABL 0247. Aššur-belu-da’’in to the king. SAA 05 080; SAAo P334182.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-belu-da''in. Good health to the king, my lord! The forts and the [ga]rrison of the king, my lord, are well. The work on the fort [i]n the centre of the town [...]. Two men [......] (Break)

Reverse

[...... the ... of] the king [ke]ep [the watch]. The Chaldeans are building their houses. On the 20th of Elul (VI) I started working on the bricks.

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

SAA 05 081 — A Case Against the Governor

Tablet; clay; Khorsabad (Dur-Šarrukin). Louvre Museum, AO 04506; TCL 9 68. Aššur-zeru-ibni to Nergal-eṭir. SAA 05 081; SAAo P337151.

Obverse

A tablet of Aššur-zeru-ibni to Nergal-eṭir. I am well; may my brother be well. My messenger is n[ow] on his way to the chief eunuch. He has left on account of the claim of the governor of Halziatbar concerning the Ehimaneans: "You are my servants!" Now that the messenger is going to the chief [eunuch, ...];

Reverse

You [...]; write to anybody! Are you not my brother? Let my brother write (me) whatever the news (may be).

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

SAA 05 082 — Paying the Corn Tax

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04306; ABL 1012. Šulmu-beli-lašme to the king. SAA 05 082; SAAo P334674.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šulmu-beli-lašme. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, [my] l[ord], wrote to me: "[The time for cultivating] the fields has elaps[ed; where is] the yield of the thresh[ing-floor]" — 53 [......] (Break)

Reverse

"to [......]." Now [NN], the recruitment offi[cer ...] ha[s ......] neither stored [grain nor ...] 30 horses [...] of the king, m[y] lord, [...] [the royal] bodyguard [...]. [N]ow, the king, my lord, [should a]sk Mannu-ki-ahhe, the [roy]al bodyguard who [extra]cted the corn-tax, whether there is any barley (here).

SAA 05 083 — Fragment of a Military Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01042; ABL 0769. Nabu-šarru-uṣur to the king. SAA 05 083; SAAo P334544.

Obverse

To the ki[ng], my [lo]rd: your servant Nabû-šarru-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! My scouts have come out [fr]om the Interior and reported to me [as foll]ows: "[......]" (Break)

Reverse

As to what I wrote the king, my lord: "This governor has come to Mount Kirmesi" — it is not so, he has not come but is still there.

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

Chapter Six. Letters from Kumme and Ukku

SAA 05 084–112.

SAA 05 084 — The Mannean King Raids Urarṭian Cities

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0055; ABL 0381. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 084; SAAo P334257.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to the king, my lord! The Mannean has attacked the Urarṭian cities in the district along the lake shore but has left and gone up (the mountains). Abaluqunu, the governor of Muṣaṣir, and Ṭunbaun, the governor of Kar-sipar[ri], have gone to the Mannean border, to guard (it).

Reverse

The Urarṭian is in Ṭuruṣpâ, making his sacrifices. All the governors are with him.

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

SAA 05 085 — Spying on the Urarṭian Capital

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01907; ABL 0148. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 085; SAAo P334094.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote me: "Send your spies to the environs of Ṭurušpâ to find out a detailed report!" (Break)

Reverse

[Fo]ur governors are coming down to [Ṭurušpâ] to do service (in the temple).

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

SAA 05 086 — The Army of Urarṭu on the March

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0060; ABL 0492. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 086; SAAo P334339.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant] Aššur-reṣuwa. [Good hea]lth to the king, my lord! [The ki]ng of Urarṭu has left Ṭurušpâ [on the fir]st of Nisan (I) and gone to Elizzada. Kaqqadanu, his commander-in-chief, has gone to Waisi. The whole Urarṭian army is marching [t]o Elizzada, following the king. Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "[H]ow [are they positioned]?" —

Reverse

I have [n]ot heard [any report ... y]et.

SAA 05 087 — The Urarṭian Troops Concentrate in Waisi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00645; ABL 0444. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to the king. SAA 05 087; SAAo P334308.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good] health to the king, [my] lo[rd]! [Five] governors of the Urarṭ[ian] have ent[ered] Waisi: Setinu, the governor o[ppo]site us; Kaqqadanu, the one opposite the Ukkeans; Sakuatâ of Qaniun; Siplia of Alzi; Ṭuki of Armiraliu: these are their names. They have entered Waisi with three unit commanders. Now, after their (arrival), they have raised the levies of the country, and are keeping the army in readiness. The king has moved out of Ṭuruš[p]â and gone to Wazaun.

Reverse

As to what the king, my lord, wrote me: "Send out scouts!" — I have sent them twice: the first have come back and told me these things; the others have not yet come out.

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

SAA 05 088 — The Urarṭian Troops Set out to Muṣaṣir

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 003; ABL 0380. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. Assigned to c. ca. 713-712 BC. SAA 05 088; SAAo P334256.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to the king, my lord! 3,000 foot soldiers, their prefects, and the commanders of the kallāpu troops of Setini, the governor opposite me, have set out towards Muṣaṣir and crossed the Black River. All the pack animals of Setini are with him. The troops of Sunâ, the governor opposite Ukku, have also set out towards Muṣaṣir.

Reverse

I have heard that the king is in Waisi; he will be going but has not yet departed.

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

SAA 05 089 — The King of Muṣaṣir Taken to Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1880-07-19, 0030; ABL 1196. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the ki]ng. SAA 05 089; SAAo P334786.

Obverse

To [the ki]ng, [my lord]: your servant [Aššur-reṣuwa]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! They are building a fort [in ...] because of Kaqq[adanu], the governor. [He has seized] Urzana, [the king] of Muṣaṣi[r], ga[thered] his people, [and taken them] to Waisi. Arizâ is on his way to [NN]. Ar[iye ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 090 — The Urarṭian King Flees and his Son is Made King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0292; ABL 0646. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 090; SAAo P334447.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... the U]rarṭian(s) [...] [...... who] got afr[aid] [...] secre[tly ...] [Nine] of his [gov]ernors were kil[led: the gover]nor opposite the chief cupbe[arer, the gove]rnor opposite us, the governor opposite Ša-Aššur-dubbu, the governor opposite Muṣaṣir, the governor of Wazae, the governor of Šibṭu[r]u, two governors opposite Kar-siparri, the governor of Šattera — in all nine governors of his were killed.

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

Reverse

Their king, however, escaped secretly on a lone (horse) and took to the mountains. The rear parts of the camp did not see their [ki]ng and did [not] realize that he had sa[ved himself]. [So they lif]ted up Melar[ṭua] and [ma]de him king [alo]ng the road; Mela[rṭua ...]ed [the king]ship [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 091 — Revolt against the King of Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00194; ABL 0144. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 091; SAAo P334090.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to the king, my lord! As regards Naragê, the chief tailor about whom I wrote to the king, my lord: "He and 20 of his fellow eunuchs who conspired against the king have been arrested" — the king of Urarṭu has now entered Ṭurušpâ and questioned them. They have dragged forth and killed the rest of the people involved in the plot — 100 men, including the eunuchs and the bearded courtiers. Urṣenê, the deputy commander-in-chief, brother of Abliuqnu, was likewise arrested in Ṭurušpâ. When Abliuqnu came to Ṭurušpâ, he (i.e. the king) questioned him and this brother of his. No sword was drawn; they let them go. As to Iṣiye about whom the king, my lord, wrote me, nobody knows where he is; I keep inquiring, but nobody can tell me whether he is alive or dead.

Reverse

The messenger whom I send to Ukku never sees any trace of him; he keeps inquiring, but nobody tells him anything. I am now sending (spies) to inquire and investigate, and shall write (again) 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 05 092 — The Urarṭian King Gathers his Troops after Defeat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01080 + K 12992; ABL 0146+. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 092; SAAo P334092.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to the king, my lord! The land of the king is well; the fort is well; may the king my lord be well! Guriania is a district between Urarṭu and Cimmeria; it pays tribute to the Urarṭian king. When the Urarṭians went against the Cimmerians and the Urarṭians suffered defeat, whatever troops [...]ed from there [to G]uriania, this [...] some of them and took others as captives, putting [...]. When [the king of Urarṭu escaped] from his enemy, before his trip [......] these [......] (Break)

Reverse

8,000 s[oldiers ...] snow ... [......]. The Urarṭian [governors] who were i[n ...] [marched] against the [king of] Urarṭu. These governors [......] in the eyes [of] the kin[g ......] the forts [......] the king, my lord, sa[ys ......] went ... [......]. messengers are going [......] to them [......] until the rea[r part ...] to them. Ne[ws of] the king: he is [in] Ṭurušpâ.

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

SAA 05 093 — A Coup d’État in Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07466 + K 13024; CT 53 365+. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 093; SAAo P313779.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) His magnates [sur]rounded him in [..., at the ou]tskirts of Wai[si], and killed him. The right-hand commander-in-chief, of the family [of Sar]duri, [......] but has [not y]et entered Ṭu[rušp]â.

Reverse

[Per]haps the king, my lord, [will s]ay: "[...] [...] the fort [...] [...] they do not kn[ow ...] [... o]f the for[t ...] [...] W[aisi] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 094 — Houses in the Environs of Kumme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0677; ABL 0491. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 094; SAAo P334338.

Obverse

[T]o the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. [Good] health to the king, [my] lo[rd]! [As t]o the houses of the town [...] in the environs of Ku[mme], they are [...] persons [...] [... o]f Ṭ[urušpâ] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 095 — Argisti’s Message to the Kummeans

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01258 + Sm 1934; CT 53 172+. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 095; SAAo P313587.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "[......] went [w]ith them [...] "[... 'Ever s]ince [I ha]ve been on the throne, there has not really been (anybody) you have sent to greet me; (everybody) comes to me [in the na]me of Aššur and your gods.' "He further said: 'I have heard that you are scar[ed]; why are you scar[ed]? Even Rusa did not speak about destroying [your country; nor have I] spoken about it.' "They responded like th[is]: 'Since we are subjects [of Assyria], a foreman of cavalry is [our su]perior. (Only) the houses of Kumme are left to us; [we have authority] over them (only), we cannot put our feet anywhere.'" These were the words spo[ken] by this messenger.

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

Reverse

The following day, Ariye s[po]ke with [A]rizâ and this eunu[ch w]ho is in Kumme: "They have com[missioned] half of the horses to the messenger; there are no horse[s] (left) for me to review. [...] troops [...... t]o you [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 096 — An Ukkean Messenger and his Dispatch

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00910; ABL 0145. Aššur-reṣuwa to the treasurer. SAA 05 096; SAAo P334091.

Obverse

To the treasurer, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to my lord! The messenger of the Ukkean who went to Urarṭu has come down to Assyria, and proceeded from Assyria to the land of the Great Shepherd. In Muṣaṣir [......] (Break)

Reverse

My lord should know the [heart] of this matter. I will write to the palace everything that was written in this letter; I am writing to my lord only these ascertained facts.

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

SAA 05 097 — Troop Movements in Kumme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01170; ABL 0147. Aššur-r[eṣuwa] to the tre[asurer]. SAA 05 097; SAAo P334093.

Obverse

[To the] tr[easurer, my lord, your servant] Aššur-r[eṣuwa. Good h]ealth to [my lord]! As to the troops in [Kumme] about whom my lord wrote me, I have moved up [some of them], but have not yet got the others under way. The equipment of Ariye and Arizâ is in order, but they have not y[et] departed; when they do set out, my messenger will go ahead of [them], and [then return] to me. My lord knows that the days [......] (Break)

Reverse

[...] was strong [......] I have r[eaped] the harvest. If my lord o[rders], I shall [...] reed altars. My lord should send word that the It[u'eans] of Dur-Šamaš and Barzaniš[ta] come up here to relieve the[se] troops. As to what [my lord] wrote me: "Let 50 It[u'eans ...] to Sarduriani [...] (Break)

Edge

My lord should [......] in the presence of Šulmu-beli-lašme.

SAA 05 098 — Where Did All That Wine Go?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01501 + K 07393 + K 09783 + K 13082; CT 53 042. [Aššur]-re[ṣuwa] to the king. SAA 05 098; SAAo P313457.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant [Aššur]-re[ṣuwa]. Good health to the kin[g, m]y [lord]! Adad-aplu-iddina, the ro[yal body]guard who brought me the sealed order concerning the son of [...]urdâ of Halz[iatbar] — the bodyguard and I got up and [w]ent to Ku[mme]. Ariye [received] us, but did [not] give us any orders; he left and went [to the Pala]ce. The king, my lord, should [g]o and speak with him. The [...] officials [...] of the king, my lord [......] [......] all (Break)

Reverse

Let the king, my lord, [...] and say to h[im] as follows: "To whomever did you give 6 homers of barley, 4 homers of wine and 20 sheep?" Now, this one will be the closest relat[ive] until a (further) sealed order reaches me.

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

SAA 05 099

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15389; CT 53 656. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 099; SAAo P314068.

Obverse

until [......] the king, [my] lord, [......] to Me[......] fil[led ......] you have pacified [......] as far as [......] all [......] to Assyr[ia ......] the news [......] the watch [......] from [......]

Bottom Edge

to Assyr[ia ......] I will g[o ......]

Reverse

(Break) to the city [......] the king, [my] lo[rd ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 100 — Smugglers on the Assyrian Border

Tablet; clay; Khorsabad (Dur-Šarrukin). Louvre Museum, N 3 3158; TCL 9 67. Aššur-reṣuwa to the king. SAA 05 100; SAAo P337150.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [yo]ur [servant] Aššur-reṣuwa. [Good] health to the king, my lord! Burê, Eziye, Gamalu and Ehiye, in all four (men) under Ariazâ; Kumayu and Biriaun, in all two (men) under Ariye — these six Kummeans go and stay in Bususu, a town in the domain of the chief cupbearer. The inhabitants of Bususu purchase Assyrian luxury items in Calah and Nineveh and sell them to these Kummeans. These Kummeans enter the town Aira of the house of Kaqqadanu, ruled by Saniye, a city lord subject to the governor of Calah, and bring (the merchandise) from there to Urarṭu. From over there they import luxury items here.

Reverse

The king, my lord, should write to [Sani]ye, the city lord, that he should arrest these Kummeans and send them to the king, my lord. The king, my lord, should ask them where they buy these valuables, where they sell them, who receives them from their hands, and who lets them pass (the border). These Kummeans are runaways; they have run away from Kumme.

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

SAA 05 101 — Fragment of a List of Valuables

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 17736. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 101; SAAo P336636.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... K]umm[e] Perhaps [the king], my [lord], will say: "[W]hat are the [...val]uables?

Reverse

[......] of bronze [......] of bronze [......]... of leather [...] hundred bronze quivers (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 102

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13140; CT 53 492. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 102; SAAo P313905.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] from the [In]ner City [...] [...] transported [...] [...] Kumme [...] [H]e [.....] the Ukk[ean(s) ......] (Break)

Reverse

[...] Šamaš-išmanni [...] [...] to [...] Ariye [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 103 — Manhunt

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01111; ABL 0590. [Aššur-reṣuwa] to [the king]. SAA 05 103; SAAo P334405.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "Have the men re[ally] not fallen into [their hands] in the city [...]?" I sent Saniye, the city lord, and Kaqqadanu to bring (them), and asked them where the men are. They said: "The men have got scared," and informed me as follows: "The men are in there; let them extend the ... for us until they fall into our hands."

Reverse

If the king, [my] lo[rd], orders, Saniye [and Kaqqadan]u [...] before [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 104 — For his Royal Ears Only

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00539; ABL 0206. Nabu-uṣall[a] to the king. SAA 05 104; SAAo P334150.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-uṣall[a]. Good health to the king, my lord! Three powerful men of the Kummeans have come and had an audience with me and Mar-Issar, the royal bodyguard. Here is what they said to me: "Our people may go where the king said, but your messenger should take us to the Palace. There is a matter [concerning] another country we (wish to) discuss [in] the king's [pres]ence. [...] ...; we [will] not tell it to you, [n]or will we tell it to the royal bodyguard.

Reverse

"Else if you do not take us to the Palace, sooner or later we shall say to the king: "'We spoke with the governor and the royal bodyguard, but they did not agree to bring us to the Palace'." What are the king my lord's orders?

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

SAA 05 105 — The Kummean Leaders Comply with the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00464; ABL 0544. To the king. SAA 05 105; SAAo P334369.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good health t[o the king], my [lord]! As to what the king, my lord, wrote me in the sealed order, I and Issar-duri, the royal bodyguard, told them every word that was in it and let them hear the sealed order [which] came concerning them. They say: "The king, our lord, is the lord of all; what can we say? The king, our lord, may take all the Kummeans who hold houses in (other) countries to wherever it is appropriate." But the Kummean scouts who went from Kumme for hire have not yet returned but are still there! The king, [my] lo[rd], should inquire and investigate: may[be] they are getting deported with those (other Kummeans). The king, my lord, should return them to Kumme. The king, my lord, knows that they are needed in Urarṭu, and that they are in Assyria for hire (only).

Reverse

As to the saplings about which the king, my lord, wrote me, there is much snow and ice, so they cannot be picked up yet; they will pick them up and bring them to Dur-Šarruken at the beginning of the new moon of Adar (XII). I shall (then) come and give my report.

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

SAA 05 106 — The Kummeans versus the Royal Delegate

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0260 + 1879-07-08, 0316; CT 53 138. To [the king]. SAA 05 106; SAAo P313553.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed or too broken for translation) died [......] [I swear by the g]ods of [the king, my lord,] that th[is w]ork [...]; if we have been negli[gent, may ......]! [The k]ing, my lord [......] has done [......] I am a servant of the k[ing, my lord ...]; when [......] and when the gods ta[ke action, I] wi[ll do accor]dingly [...]. The Kummeans w[ho previously] appealed [to] the king, [my lord, h]ave returned and [c]ome t[o me], saying: "The city of Kummu in its entirety can't stand the royal delegate; [but] we can, and will bear the responsibility." [Aššur]-reṣuwa has said: "[There are] four men [who should be] removed; they must not walk (free) in my presence while I [am] here; they are inci[ting] the country." [In f]act, he told me: "T[hey] should stay with you and be provided with [foo]d and drink; when the ti[me is right] let them disappear." Now, if it is not [..., and the ... insists]: "Let them be detained," [he sho]uld speak k[indly with them]; the royal delegate [and the ... should n]ot detain [the men].

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

Bottom Edge

[... who w]ent [......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 107 — Kill the Assyrian Delegate!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07402; CT 53 098. To [the king]. SAA 05 107; SAAo P313513.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "['Drive the enemies of] Kumme from yo[ur] midst!' "Now then [the whole] city of Kumm[u] has turned [ag]ainst Ariye; they [...] speak of killing [the royal delegate]."

Bottom Edge

[The day th]at the letter [of Aššur-reṣ]uwa came [to me] with the messenger [of ...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 108 — An Urarṭian Woman on the Throne of Habhu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01186 + K 07303 + K 07477 + K 13037 + K 15610; CT 53 037+. To the king. SAA 05 108; SAAo P313452.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd: your servant NN]. Good health t[o the king, my lord!] My messenger permane[ntly (appointed) in the presence of the treasurer] has greeted m[e, saying]: "You ordered me to sa[y to] the treasurer: '[Wa]it for my messenger; see, I am going to write to the treasurer.' I was in Kipšuna for [x] days, and the treasurer kept waiting for [your] mess[enger], but you [did not send word], nor did your messenger come [...]. "Now [then] the peop[le of the country ......] [......] '[I] bear [......] [te]ll me; if not [......], should they do their work [......]?' He told her: ['Do not do the work]; leave it until the day [......]. I am going to gather them. Filling [......] they pour [...]; I [am going to ...] and [pour] oil upon their heads.'" These were the words [that] he spoke [in my presence]. I [asked him]: "Did you not [open] your mouth and speak [with him]?" He said [...] as [follows]: "The beards [of ... and] the whole country have been trim[med. NN] and his brother [have ......] with Iṣi[ye] concerning th[ose] matters [...] about which I wrote to the Palace [...]

Bottom Edge

with an interpreter [...]: 'Work [......] the king's word [......].'

Reverse

He answ[ered: '......] under the feet [......] 'Now [......] should return, c[ome ......] and tell him: Come [......]! If not, and (if) ...[......] does not listen to ...[......], I am going to put the messenger of the [treasurer in irons]. The messenger [......] my messenger like [......].' When the messenger of [......] [I] had told him: '[......],' [he did not set] foot anywhere at all [but said]: '[I will bear] the responsibility for [......]. And why [......]? Just as I previously gave [......], so [I will] now [give ...].'" And the things that the people of the country speak with him [these] days! "Why did you do th[is] — kill the sister of your brother and the son of [your] brot[her]? From what you have done, we know well enough that you killed [her], a woman of Habhu; and afterwards you 'pour oil' upon it, saying: 'The [Urarṭia]n killed [her].' An Urarṭian woman may not sit upon the throne!" They told [him an unsubs]tantiated rumor: "The king [......] We [......] [......].

Edge

I have [now] sent [my messenger] to the Palace. When [..., may] the king, my lord, [write] to [his servant] whatever he orders.

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

SAA 05 109 — Allocating Fields for Garrison Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07551; CT 53 394. To [the king]. SAA 05 109; SAAo P313808.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] them. He said: "[...]." [I said]: "You are [...] the ki[ng ...]." I am bringing them down to [...] as the king, [my lord], ordered me. What are the king my [lord's] orders? Alternatively, each (of them) should st[ay in] his (own) field or garden, and fear the Crown Prince. [W]hy should the whole town take away field[s of the f]ort? [NN the royal body]guard who [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 110 — A Letter to the Treasurer

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1162; CT 53 127. A[riye], Ariṣa to [the treasurer]. SAA 05 110; SAAo P313542.

Obverse

To the [Treasurer, our lord]: your servant A[riye] and Arizâ. [Good health] to the Trea[surer, our lord]! As to what the trea[surer, my lord, w]rote me abo[ut ...], yesterday [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 111 — Report on Timber Transport

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00746; ABL 0490. (no sender) to (the king). Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 111; SAAo P334337.

Obverse

On the third day, 470 beams were available on the river bank. 100 men of the Ukkeans, 30 men of Ariye, 30 men of Arizâ, in all 60 men of the Kummeans, all together 160 men are transporting the beam[s] to Ura with Aššur-reṣuwa.

SAA 05 112 — Urarṭian Movements in Waisi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13147; CT 53 114. To [the king]. SAA 05 112; SAAo P313529.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [B]efore [him, Kaq]qa[danu had en]tered Wai[si] in Tishri (VII); the king entered the city [af]ter him. I have [not y]et heard what happened to [tho]se men, [wheth]er they [have] been killed [or] deported.

Reverse

[A mess]enger of Urzana, [king of Mu]ṣaṣir, [and a messenger of] Arizâ have [c]ome [to me] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Seven. Letters from Kurbail and Nearby Provinces

SAA 05 113–132.

SAA 05 113 — All Quiet on the Northern Front

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00574; ABL 0123. Gabbu-ana-Aššur to the king. SAA 05 113; SAAo P334071.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Gabbu-ana-Aššur. As to the orders that the king, my lord, gave me concerning the watch of the Urarṭian, ever since I entered Kurbail my messengers have been going back and forth to Nabû-le'i, Aššur-belu-uda''an and Aššur-reṣuwa. We have not [gotten] a whiff of anybody or anything. Everybody is doing h[is] work, there is no hostility at all.

Reverse

We keep hearing as follows: "The Urarṭian has not come out of Ṭurušpâ." Nevertheless, [w]e are ke[eping] the watch about which the k[ing, my lord,] ga[ve] me orders — we are not negligent. I arrived in Kurbail on the 16th day of Tammuz (IV), and am sending (this) letter to the king, my lord, on the 20th of Ab (V).

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

SAA 05 114 — The King of Urarṭu Gathers his Army

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00635; CT 53 007. Gab[bu-ana-Aššur] to the kin[g]. SAA 05 114; SAAo P313422.

Obverse

To the kin[g, my lord]: your servant Gab[bu-ana-Aššur]. The king of Urarṭu has assembled his army in Wazana; I have [n]ot heard where he intends to go. His son Melarṭua, and Aba[l]iuqunu, the governor [of ...], together with [their] tro[ops ......] (Break)

Reverse

[...] they will attack [...]... The king, my lord, should know this; the king, my lord, should not say: "Why did you not write even though you heard?"

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

SAA 05 115 — Retrieving Captured Soldiers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01043; ABL 0579. [Gabbu-ana-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 115; SAAo P334398.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your] servant [Gabbu-ana-Aššur]. As to the news of Ura[rṭians], I wrote: "Wha[t] is the news of them?" They were reported to have captured six [of our] soldier[s] who were moving provisions up to the forts. I wrote to the major-domo: "Don't try to take them by force. (Instead) write to Abilê: 'Why have you seized our men?' and quickly write me what he replies."

Reverse

I moved the bull colossus to the river bank on the 17th.

SAA 05 116 — Arrests in Kumme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01224; CT 53 170. [Gabbu-ana-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 116; SAAo P313585.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) E[...], a subordinate of A[riye], and Babisu[...], a subordinate of Ariaz[â]; he did not capture th[em] in the mountain [......] (Break)

Reverse

[They] have been arrested ... [...], and I am herewith sending [them] to the king, [my lord].

SAA 05 117 — Delays in Timber Delivery

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01182 + K 01543 + K 01917; CT 53 035. [Gabbu-ana-Aššur] to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 117; SAAo P313450.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant [Gabbu-ana-Aššur]. As to the message [which I got]: "Why [are the beams late]?" — up to now [...], Aššur-reṣuw[a, the ...ean], the Kummean, [the ...ean], the Babutean, [the ...ean], the Ukkean, the I[l...ean], the Uliean, the Meṣa[ean], in all 10 city lords have hauled (the beams) to me (over a distance of) two stag[es], while I had to haul them for the third stage alone! By the gods of the king, my lord, the day that the beams came to me, the [...] (official) did not leave me; (I swear) the [beams] are on the [river] ba[nk] ..., but the water in the river is [low], and the difficult spots of [the river are many].

Reverse

[I have ...ed] the beams and [...] 30 ropes; 460 be[ams ...] from the pa[ss ...] of Qurub[a ...] to the ki[ng ...] I told (him): "G[o ......]!" He said: "I have received my equipment [......]." I [mov]ed [the ...]s up [to] the pass of Denya on the 25th day and shall pile up [the re]st [of] the beams on the 26th; [...] I shall move up [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 118 — Complaint on Disobedience

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00503; ABL 0125. Gabbu-ana-Aššur to the king. SAA 05 118; SAAo P334073.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Gabbu-ana-Aššur. Stone thresholds and bull colossi are imposed upon me, but the people of the country totally refuse to g[o forth] to my wor[k], saying: "Are we [your] men?"

Reverse

They do not lis[ten to me] — am I [...]? These (people) unanimously and categorically disobey me in every possible way.

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

SAA 05 119 — Complaint on Lack of Straw

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00491; ABL 0122. Gabbu-ana-Aššur to the king. SAA 05 119; SAAo P334070.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Gabbu-ana-Aššur. All the straw in my country is reserved for Dur-Šarruken, and my recruitment officers are now running after me (because) there is no straw for the pack animals. Now, what are the king my lord's instructions?

SAA 05 120 — Leave me Some Booty, Please

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00903; ABL 0124. Gabbu-ana-Aššur to [the king]. SAA 05 120; SAAo P334072.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lo]rd: your [serva]nt Gabbu-ana-Aššur. Whatever reed there is in our country, the royal bodyguard is ...ing over it. [Let] them leave me the booty of the (depot) tower. There are no reeds for my tower.

SAA 05 121 — Protest against False Accusations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00468 + K 01154; ABL 0121+. Gabbu-ana-Aššur to the king. SAA 05 121; SAAo P334069.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Gabbu-ana-Aššur. As to the people of Arzâ about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "I have given you the people entered on the writing-board, the cohort which I formed; these are at your disposal. However, give Arzâ the rest of the people whose (names) I [did n]ot write in the writing-board" — There are no people not on the writing-board at my disposal! In fact, from [the peop]le in the writing-[board whom] the king, my lord, gave me, [x] are at his disposal!

Reverse

When the king's messenger c[ame] with me to Kurba[il] (Break) After this, (others) disappeared from the temple and came to me. Why does the king, my lord, pay attention to groundless allegations? Only those people whom the king, my lord, organized and gave me are in my service. There are no people not on the writing-board (in my service).

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

SAA 05 122 — Anticipating Criticism

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0154; CT 53 137. [Gabbu-ana-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 122; SAAo P313552.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord: your] servant [NN]. Go[od health to the king, my lord]! (Break) with me [......] gave me the oxen and sheep [......] neither wine [nor ......] from [......] which [......] oxen [......] (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

t[o ......] my lord [......].

Reverse

The king, my lord, sh[ould] posthaste [send] a [......]; by what means can I [...]? The one-ye[ar-old] mares that I have [......]. Now, an offi[cial of mine] is leaving with a scribe; let them enter into the presence of the king, my lord, and let the king, my lord, ask them what I/he/they left in the fort. May the king, my lord, not say: "I appointed him, and he did not achieve (anything)!"

SAA 05 123

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 2071; CT 53 859. [Gabbu-ana-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 123; SAAo P314268.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

"If the 1st day [is ...], we shall get there and fetch it together." Now, 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 05 124 — A Matter of Loyalty

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12959; CT 53 440. [Gabbu-ana-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 124; SAAo P313853.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... the kin]g, my lord, knows [......] the forts [......] I gave [to the ki]ng, my lord. [May the king, my lord, not] say: "He is [a trait]or!" [... all] the king's subjects [who are in] my [service] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 125

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0052; ABL 1414. G[abbu-ana-Aššur?] to the king. SAA 05 125; SAAo P334892.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant G[abbu-ana-Aššur]. As to what the king, my lord, [wrote to me]: "Is the[re] in Nineveh, in [...], Tu'ayu [......]?" (Break)

Reverse

"the [...], the [...], and the house of the [......] have been searched [...]." Now, [when] I went [...to] Tur[...], I sa[w ...], and (subsequently) [wrote 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 05 126 — Feeding the Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00567; ABL 0243. Aššur-belu-uda’’an to the king. SAA 05 126; SAAo P334179.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-belu-uda''an. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! On the 22nd day, I said: "I'll go and see the eyes of the king, my lord," (when) I met Kakkullanu the royal bodyguard, (who) turned me back from the town [A]lite, saying: "G[o] and release your troops: i[f] they do not go, [the] men will die of hunger!" [...], I g[ave them] 5 months worth of stored grain; I also gave them 1 litre of oil, 1 litre of [bread, and 1 li]tre of cress [...]. [La]ter on, I de[parted ...... t]o the troop[s];

Bottom Edge

they [en]tered [......] (Break)

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

Reverse

lest they [starve]. They are [st]aying [in the en]virons of the city [...]; they cannot [depart] because of sn[ow]. Now then they are going about and entering [the city] with Kakkullanu. As to what the king, my lord, wrote me: "Why is yo[ur] major-domo not there?" — the ten [city] lords about whom I spoke with the king, my lord, are extremely fierce; I did write to the king, my lord, in full earnest.

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

SAA 05 127 — Log Towing

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01932 + K 12957; CT 53 063. Aššur-belu-uda’’an to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 127; SAAo P313478.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-belu-uda''an. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! The land of the king is well; the harvest [...; ... has recov]ered; [the king, my lord], can be gl[ad]. (As for) the log[s about which the king, my lo]rd, sp[oke], I have tow[ed] 50 [......]. I am keeping watch [......]. I am keeping watch [......] of Aššur-remanni [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 128 — Fragment of a Report on Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01940; CT 53 215. Nabu-[le’i] to the king. SAA 05 128; SAAo P313630.

Obverse

[T]o the king, [my lord]: your [servant] Na[bû-le'i]. Good health to the king, [my] l[ord]! The forts are well; the land of the king, [my] lord, is well. As to the order which the king, my lord, ga[ve me]: "Send your messenger to Bi[rate] and send me a detailed repo[rt on] the [Urarṭian]" — [...] to the country [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 129 — Where are the King’s Logs?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 460; CT 53 872. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 129; SAAo P314281.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I (wrote him): "Where are the king's 120 logs?" He returned and told me: "I have brought in the third (installment of) logs, and l[ef]t it on the border of Quruba." The U[kkean ......] (Break)

Reverse

He re[turned ...] and said to the Ukkean: "Why do you bring the king's troops to me? I will have them removed." When the troops departed, the Ukkean [said to m]e: "[... yo]ur [......] (Break)

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

Edge

[......] the logs (at) the pass [......] [......] to the messenger of Adâ [......] [......] of the town Paye the men [......] [......] the ci[ty ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 130 — Urzana has Left the Town

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-07-27, 0046; CT 53 918. To [the king]. SAA 05 130; SAAo P314327.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) We did not disclo[se ......]. He is bringing all the [...] of the country [......], saying: "[Let us grasp] the feet of the k[ing of ...]; otherwise, [we should ...] t[o ......] 200 soldiers." [He has ...] to the king, [my] lord, [...]: "You [......]." What(ever) he tells us [...]. On the 2nd day [... fr]om m[y] presence [......] (Break)

Reverse

[they w]ent [away ...] pla[ced ...] [I wrote to] Saniye: "What order did he g[ive him? I must write] to the king, m[y] lord." He (responded): "Urzana [has left] the to[wn ...]; if the pal[ace] herald, [my lord, orders], a messenger [......] (Break)

Edge

[Now th]en I am sending [t]o the king, my lord, the messenger of mine who [......]; the kin[g, my lord, may a]sk him.

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

SAA 05 131 — An Attack on Urarṭian Border Forts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13004; CT 53 454. To [the king]. SAA 05 131; SAAo P313867.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [The Mannean] has atta[cked] the forts of the [king of] Urarṭu [which are situated on] his border, and let [his troops] occupy the forts. [The] Urarṭian [commander]-in-chief has gone [to he]lp with [his troops ...] [...] in the district of [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 132 — Letter of Accompaniment

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01028; ABL 0978. [Aššur?]-remanni to the king. SAA 05 132; SAAo P334656.

Obverse

To the ki[ng], my [lord], your servant [Aššur]-remanni. Good health to the king, my lord! The land of the king, my lord, is well; the mood of the land is very good. As to the people about whom the king, [my lord, wrote me ......] (Break

Reverse

I am herewith sen[ding them to the king, my lord].

Chapter Eight. Letters from Eastern Kurdistan

SAA 05 133–172.

SAA 05 133 — King of Hubuškia Arrives with Tribute

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00676; ABL 0890. Šulmu-beli to the king. SAA 05 133; SAAo P334612.

Obverse

[T]o the king, [my lord]: your servant Šulmu-beli. Good health to the king, my lord! (When) I was coming back from Dur-Šarruken, my messenger, coming from Anisu, met me in Adian and said: "Ianzû, (king) of Hubuškia, has entered Wa[isi] on the 24th, and is going to Harra[nia]. If he does not go up to Harrania, he will be in Burte on the 26th; else if he does go up to Harrania, he will be in Burte on the 27th.

Reverse

"The horses and his oxen and sheep came in one day ahead of him opposite Anisu. [He has wi]th him [x] horses, [x ox]en and [x shee]p [plus] their [......]."

Edge

[I]f the king, my lord, so orders, I sha[ll go] and speak [wi]th him.

SAA 05 134 — A Message from Hubuškia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07370; ABL 0931. [Š]ulmu-beli to the king. SAA 05 134; SAAo P334629.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Š]ulmu-beli. [Good] health to the king, my lord! [As to what I wr]ote [t]o the king, my lord: "The Hubu[škian has wri]tten to me: 'Let [my] messenger come [to yo]u'" — [n]ow then [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 135 — Information about the King of Hubuškia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14571; ABL 1466. [Šulmu-beli] to [the king]. SAA 05 135; SAAo P334921.

Obverse

To the [king, my lord]: your servant [Šulmu-beli]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! I entered [...] on the 30th of Adar (XII); on the 1[st of Nisan (I)] the Hubuškian [......] in Hubuškia [......] (Reverse too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

Right Edge

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

Edge

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

SAA 05 136 — Urzana on his Way to Assyria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01079; ABL 0891. Šulmu-beli to the king. SAA 05 136; SAAo P334613.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šulmu-beli. Good health to the king, [my] lord! Urzana is staying in Alamu on the 10th; on the [11th] he will be in Hiptuna, [on the 12th] in Muši, [on the 13th] in Issete, [on the 14th in Arbe]la. (Break)

Reverse

We have se[nt ...] 56 horses, [x oxe]n, and 2,000 sh[eep]; 100 [...], the audience gift, [...]. Let the king, [my] lo[rd, decide] what his [orders are] and write [me].

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

SAA 05 137 — Arrival of Tributaries

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10875; CT 53 414. [Šulmu-beli] to [the king]. SAA 05 137; SAAo P313827.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... to]gether with [Na]nû, the e[unuch ...] came across (the mountain) to Hiptuna on the 12th bringing 2 horses and [x] oxen with them. Their [gu]ides [......], but they [are co]ming.

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

Reverse

[As to what the ki]ng, my lord, [wro]te to me: "[I]f they come, [nob]ody should speak with th[em]" — I have appo[inted] recruits [wi]th them. [No]w, what are t[he king my lord's orders]? (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 138 — Forwarding Local Rulers to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01613; CT 53 192. [Šulmu-beli] to [the king]. SAA 05 138; SAAo P313607.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to the city lords about whom] the king, my lord, w[rote to me, I am herewith sending t]o the king, my lord: [Ad]â, along with the Ni[...ean, the ...ean], the Uluean, [the ...ean], and the Meṣaean, along with Da[...], [in all] 7 subjects of the kin[g, my lord, together with] Lullupa[yu ...]. [...] Da[...] [...] Am-ra'i [...] [...] cam[e ...] [...] as [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 139 — Troops from Muṣaṣir Summoned by the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00826; ABL 0448. (Šulmu-beli) to (the king). SAA 05 139; SAAo P334312.

Obverse

As to the men from Muṣaṣir whom the king summoned, they are in Sihana, on the plain. Shall we send word and have them brought here, or should they stay in the plain?

SAA 05 140 — Fragment of a Military Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14096; CT 53 509. Šulmu-[beli] to the king. SAA 05 140; SAAo P313922.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šulmu-[beli]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! As to the ne[ws of ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 141 — Summoning a Chariot-Man

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1189; CT 53 131. Šu[lmu-be]li to the king. SAA 05 141; SAAo P313546.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Š[ulmu-be]li. [Good] heal[th to the king], my [lo]rd! As regards [NN], the 'third [man' ...] of [NN] son of [NN], about whom the k[ing, my lord], wro[te me]: "Sum[mon him; ...] with [...]" (Break)

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

Reverse

[They told m]e: "The chariot owner [who go]es [wi]th him will summ[on him]; he has gone to Arbela."

SAA 05 142 — Having an Official Whipped

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1293; CT 53 840. [Šulmu-beli] to [the king]. SAA 05 142; SAAo P314249.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] in the city [...]. I have several times [told him to go] to Baqar to the [...] and bring down ice, but he does not obey me. [When the king], my lord, [was] in C[alah], I gave to the king, my lord, the following [report]: "I have ap[pointed ... in the Pa]lace [...]

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

Bottom Edge

(Break)

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

Reverse

"He has not opened [...], nor giv[en or]ders [to ......]." The king, my lord, (then) se[nt] word; [he] was brou[ght] to Calah, and the king, my lord, order[ed] him be whipped with [...] leather straps. I (however) said to [the king, my lord]: "[......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 143 — Merchants Killed and Detained

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 539; CT 53 874. [Šulmu-beli] to [the king]. SAA 05 143; SAAo P314283.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Šulmu-beli. Good heal]th t[o the king, my lord]! [A mes]senger [of ... has arrived in] our [co]untry; [he sends the king his re]gards. [A]s to the [merchants ... about wh]om the king, my lord, w[rote me, ...] 2 merchants [......] who were killed, when [......], a [... o]f the king, [my] lo[rd ......] (Break)

Reverse

who in [......] upon all the countri[es ......] to greet the king, [my] lo[rd ...]. He has deta[ined] my merchants [and ...ed them], while I [have] not [detained] his merchants; what are the king my lord's instructions? (In the days) of my father and my grandfather, [...] the chief victualler [...ed] the corn [...]. Pe[rha]ps the king, [my lord], will say: "[......]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 144 — Cimmerians and the Urarṭian King

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, IM 056877; GPA 243. [Šulmu-beli] to [the king]. SAA 05 144; SAAo P224586.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN]. Go[od health to the king, my lord]! [The land of the king] is well (and) the f[orts] are well. As to the news o[f the Urarṭian] about which the king, my lord, wr[ote me]: "[Send me] a deta[iled] report!" — the Cimme[rian(s) ......] (Break)

Reverse

[...] of Ar[a ...] [...] were received [...] ....... [...] The Cimmerian (king) has [...ed] on it and pitched [his camp] in Uṣunali; [I do not have a full] report (yet). [...] with the Hubušk[ian]. I have written to Urzana: "Send a detailed repo[rt on ...]" (Break)

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

Edge

I have not [yet] heard [......]. Let them write me [what the king my lord's orders are].

SAA 05 145 — Cimmerian Invasion of Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00485; ABL 0112. Urdu-Sin to the palace herald. SAA 05 145; SAAo P334060.

Obverse

To the Palace Herald, my lord: your servant Urda-Sin. The Cimmerian (king) has departed from Mannea this [...] and entered Urarṭu. He is ... [in] Hu'diadae; Sarduri is [...] in Ṭur[u]špâ. The messenger of the governor of Wais[i] has gone to Ur[za]na for [help], saying: "Let yo[ur] troops come to (aid) the people of Pulia and Suriana."

Reverse

All of Urarṭu is extremely frightened. They are assembling troops, saying: "Perhaps we can attack him, once there is more snow." As to this booty which they said he has taken, they do say that of the district of Arhi, [...]......

SAA 05 146 — A Letter of Excuse

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1056; ABL 0768. Urzana to the king. SAA 05 146; SAAo P334543.

Obverse

[T]o the king, my lord: your servant Urzana. Good health to the king, my lord! The king, my lord, knows my affair. Whe[re] are the oxen and the rams? Snow has blocked the roads. (As) I am looking out now, it is impossible: I cannot go empty-handed to the presence of the ki[ng]. Or (suppose) I went and had to return from [...: I might ... and die in] the enemy country. My heart [is ...], humble [...], reaching [...]. As to what the king, [my] lord, [wrote me]: "2[......] 400 [......] [......]

Bottom Edge

t[o ......] the king [......]

Reverse

[......] which I [......] [bring]s light [......] wher[e ......] came [......] May Aššur, B[el, Nabû], and Ištar, the Lady [of Battle and Fight], vanquish your enemies and fo[es], put [your ...] under [your f]eet, and make [your] ru[le] bene[ficial] for a[ll] the countries.

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

SAA 05 147 — Urarṭian Governors in Muṣaṣir

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 002; ABL 0409. Urzana to the pa[lace] herald. Assigned to c. ca. 713-712 BC. SAA 05 147; SAAo P334280.

Obverse

A [tab]let of Urzana to the pa[lace] herald. Good health to y[ou]! As to [wh]at you wrote me: "Is the king of Urarṭu on his way (there) with assembled troops? Where is he staying?" — the governor of Waisi and the governor next to the Ukkean have come and are doing service in the temple. They say: "The king is on his way; he is staying in Waisi, and further governors are coming to Muṣaṣir to do the service."

Reverse

As to what you wrote me: "Nobody may take part in the service without the king's permission" — when the king of Assyria came here, could I hold him back? He did what he did. So how could I hold back this one!

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

SAA 05 148 — A Visit by Urzana’s Brother

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0358; ABL 1048. To [the king]. SAA 05 148; SAAo P334698.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! May Aššur, Bel, and [Nabû] giv[e you length of days]! [... is] in Muṣ[aṣir]; [the rest of] the governors [......]. As to the news of the Urarṭ[ian], the brother of Urzan[a] has c[ome t]o Šulmu-beli, [saying]: "He has returned [...]"

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

I shall set it up [in the ...] of the [...] palace. I am in the city of [...], working on the [...]. The ki[ng, my lord], can be glad.

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

SAA 05 149 — The Foul Dealings of the Deputy

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00463; ABL 1273. To the king. SAA 05 149; SAAo P334825.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant [NN]. Good health to the king, [my lord]! The king, my lord, knows that [...], the god of our [...] is ... upon [the Hargaean]s. They are [the king] my lord's (people). [They ......], they perform the labour duty, they [have] submitted [to ...]. Their [...] have been utterly destroyed, their [......] (Break) The king, my lord, [... mu]ch; [...] of Hargu is indebted [...]. The deputy of the palace herald has (already) received from him [x mi]nas of silver [in] the middle of Arbela. Now, ag[ai]n, they say: "3,6[00 person]s are dying [...]; he is buying up [a]ll the ho[uses] of the people." Th[e]se people [are not] people of [the deputy] of the Palace Herald! [...] fr[om] Kuyakâ [...] they are [... he is ki]lling them. The [deputy] of the palace [herald] has come [...] and said: "They are my people!" He is plotting to take over the land of Hargu.

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

Reverse

The Hargaean (ruler) has come and had an audience with me, saying: "Be not silent (while) I am being crushed!" [I am] now [sending] the [H]argaean t[o the king, my lord]; let the king, my lord, [ask him what] the [deputy of the palace herald] has ta[ken from] him, and decide his case. Why is he destroying [my] country by oppression? Let it be impressed upon him that he may not lay claims to people under [my] jurisdiction. (Break) The [...s of ... have come] to [me]; I asked them [...], and they said: "[...]; we are to be sold — we know our merchants!" I am now sending (them) with a messenger of mine; let the king, my lord, que[st]ion them.

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

SAA 05 150 — Curbing a Slave Trader

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01897; CT 53 059. [At]anha-Šamaš to the king. SAA 05 150; SAAo P313474.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord, [your servant At]anha-Šamaš. [Good health t]o the king, my lord! The Palace should hold back the merchant [Atarha]m (who) is [in Habr]uri. Earlier, before my time, he used to go to Hargu and collect his money [...] there. (When) they made [... the]re, I arrested him, saying: ["Did not] the crown prince, our lord, rule [lik]e this: 'Nobody shall put [bought] men up for sale in a trade colony?' [W]hy then have you put bought men up for sale [at one m]ina each?" [Last ye]ar, when the king my lord was not yet enthroned, [he had already put a bo]ught man up for sale in a trade colony. The king, my lord, [should call him] to account [......] (Break)

Reverse

[NN], a subordinate of Zam[i...; ...]a', a servant of [NN], and [...]am, a subordinate of Harmi[...] — these [three mer]chants are my [witnesses]; they are not involved. [When] Atarham the merchant went up to [...], I sent a certain [Hab]si to Šulmu-beli, [the deputy of] the palace herald. As soon as he gets back through the pass, he will bring both Luqu and [...]am [to the ki]ng, my lord; [the king, my lo]rd, should question them. I have been informed [as] follows: "Habsi and Marduk-remanni are [in] Arbela."

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

SAA 05 151

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15291; CT 53 637. [Ata]nha-[Šamaš] to the king. SAA 05 151; SAAo P314049.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Ata]nha-[Šamaš. Good health t]o the king, [my] lord! [As to the ...]naean(s) [about whom they wrote] me [from the Palace]: "In Arbela [...] the palace [... the cou]rtyard of the palace [...] seized me (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 152 — Request for New Carts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01031 + K 01251; ABL 0784. Aššur-alik-pani to the king. SAA 05 152; SAAo P334555.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-alik-pani. Good health to the king, my lord! These words that the king, my lord, wrote me about Pihame, the deputy (governor), about the garrisons, about the reports, and about prompting the works — the king, my lord, did greatly ... his servant! [...] the major-domo whom the king, [my lord] [......] [As to the Itu']eans [about whom the king, my lord, wrote] me, I shall appoint them to [...] the garrisons, to [the ... of] the village inspectors, t[o the ... o]f the towns, and t[o the fort]s. [The king], my lord, can be glad indeed about the [for]ts and the servants of the king, [m]y [lord], who are here. Now that the king, my lord, has written to me, I shall assign my king's men, chariotry and cavalry as the king wrote me, and I shall be in the [ki]ng my lord's presence in Arbela with my king's men and army by the [dea]dline set by the king, my lord.

Reverse

I shall bring [wit]h me [the wr]iting-[bo]ard on the works (in progress) [which] the king wrote [I should bring], and I shall have it read to [the king], my lord. May the king, my lord, do this (favour) to his servant! My previous carts were not good and I have ...ed new ones, but they are not ready. May the king, my lord, write to Adad-ibni, that they should [send me] good carts, (furnished) with linen abo[ve] and with tunimmu leather below. This is [the only thing] that I am lacking. [...] all [......] (Break) As to Tard[i]tu-Aššur, [the king] my lord's [servant], perhaps [the king, my lord, will sa]y: "Why [...] of his expedition [......]?" [......] once (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 153

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14109; ABL 0786. Aššur-alik-[pani] to the king. SAA 05 153; SAAo P334557.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my] lo[rd: your servant] Aššur-alik-[pani. Good] health to the king, [my lord]! (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

Right Edge

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

SAA 05 154 — Fragment on Allegations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0055; ABL 0787. Aššur-alik-pani to the king. SAA 05 154; SAAo P334558.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-alik-pani. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what Bel-iddina said in the presence of the king, my lord: "The [...]s [...] to the depu[ty ...]," he [......] I [......] (Break)

Reverse

whether the [...s res]pect [their] government and are devoted to it ... Let me come and speak with this man in the king my lord's presence.

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

SAA 05 155 — Fragment Concerning a Royal Order

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1889-04-26 Bu, 0001; ABL 0788. Aššur-alik-pan[i] to the king. SAA 05 155; SAAo P334559.

Obverse

To the king, m[y] lord: your servant Aššur-alik-pan[i]. Good health to the king, [my] lord! On the 5th day Aššur-bel-[...] came [to my presence] and communicated [us] the or[der] which the king, [my] lo[rd], gav[e] him about [...]: "[......] (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 05 156 — Inspecting Deportees

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01231 + K 14575 + K 16578; ABL 0988+. [Aššur-a]lik-pani, [Nerg]al-šarrani to the king. SAA 05 156; SAAo P334664.

Obverse

[To the king, our l]ord: [yo]ur [servan]ts [Aššur-a]lik-pani and [Nerg]al-šarrani. Good health to the k[ing, our lord]! As to what the king, [our lord], wrote to us: "When the gov[ernor] arrives, [...] th[e]re with the capti[ves]" — [NN] arrived in Šu[...] on the 6th; we have [now] inspec[ted] the captiv[es] and are herewith writing to the king, [our lord].

Reverse

The people are ve[ry] we[ak]; weather has eaten up [their] loo[ks] and the mountains have crushed them. They are coming ague-stricken. [The ki]ng, our lord, should know (this).

SAA 05 157

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13048; CT 53 470. [Aššur-alik-pani], Nergal-ša[rrani] to the king. SAA 05 157; SAAo P313883.

Obverse

[T]o [the king, our lord: your serv]ants [Aššur-alik-pani and] Nergal-ša[rrani]. Good [health to the king, our lord]! The king having s[ent us] for good relations [and peace] to Bit-A[bdadani], [we stayed] two days in [... but no]body [...ed] with [us] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 158 — Fragment of a Military Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, DT 218; ABL 1359. [Aššur-alik-pani], Nergal-ša[rrani] to the king. SAA 05 158; SAAo P334863.

Obverse

To the king, [our] lo[rd]: your servants [Aššur-alik-pani] and Nergal-ša[rrani]. Good health t[o the king, our lord]! As to the tr[oops] about [wh]om the king, [our] lord, [wrote us, no] news of them [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 159 — Fragment Concerning a Royal Utterance

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13142; ABL 0785. Aššur-alik-[pani] to the king. SAA 05 159; SAAo P334556.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my] lo[rd: your servant] Aššur-alik-[pani. Good] health to the king, [my lord]! [When] the king, my lord, [se]nt me [to the ho]use of the palace her[ald, the king], my [lo]rd, said [to me]: (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 160 — Guarding the Camp

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0438; CT 53 914. [Aššur-alik-pani] to [the king]. SAA 05 160; SAAo P314323.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] from [...] [......] Later, the w[ork] [...... o]f the forts [...]. We en[tered sa]fely, and are [encam]ped [...]. The guard [is strong]. [What orders] does [the king my l]ord, sen[d me]? [...] the wall of the camp [...]. [...I] know that the king, [my] l[ord ...] [...] on leather [...] [...] the palace herald [...] the palace herald and we [...], [... fi]nished [...] [...] sa[y ...] [The gu]ard of the c[amp is strong]; the king, [my lord, can be glad]. [...] the king, my lord, [...] [...] they ... [...] [the Hubušk]ian from [...] [...] servant of [...] the king, [my] lo[rd ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 161

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01029; ABL 0783. Aššur-alik-pani to the king. SAA 05 161; SAAo P334554.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-alik-pani. Good health to the king, m[y] lord! As to what the king, [my] lo[rd], wr[ote] me: "The [...]ean who [......] (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 05 162 — Zaba-iqiša Joins the Camp of Rusa

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00534; ABL 0441. Upa[qa-Šamaš] to the king. Assigned to c. 713 BC. SAA 05 162; SAAo P334305.

Obverse

[T]o the king, [my] l[ord]: your [ser]vant Upa[q-Šamaš]. Good health to the ki[ng, my lord]! The magnates departed from Yeri on the 20th of [Tam]muz (IV) and went to Fort Adad-remanni; Ea-Šarru-ibni went with them. I am in Yeri, [keepin]g watch over Zaba-iqiša, as the king, my lord, [told] me. As to the news [of] Zaba-iqiša, [a mes]senger [of] the Hubuškian has come and told the sartinnu: "He has been made to depart, and he is on his way [t]o Rusa."

Reverse

It is a substantiated rumor; [I have he]ard it [reported] like this ma[ny] times. I am keeping an eye on [him] now.

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

SAA 05 163 — Settling a Complaint by the Augurs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 004; ABL 0410. Upaqa-Šamaš to the king. SAA 05 163; SAAo P334281.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Upaq-Šamaš. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the guard with the augurs, about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "He should be tried in your presence, and he must give back whatever he took from the augurs" —

Reverse

I have carried out a thorough investigation; he has taken nothing from them, though they complained about him. Now, I have kept the reserve guard in their service, as the king, my lord, commanded; the other one has gone back to his garrison.

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

SAA 05 164 — King of Urarṭu Facing Battle with Sargon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00621; ABL 0515. Bel-iddina to the king. Assigned to c. 714 BC. SAA 05 164; SAAo P334355.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your servant Bel-iddina. As to the news of the Urarṭian, a messenger of the Andian and a messenger of the Zikirtean have gone to Waisi and told him: "The king of Assyria is upon us." The day he saw the messengers he set out to Zikirtu, he himself with his troops.

Reverse

The Hubuškian too went with him, for five stages. (Then) he turned back and ordered his magnates: "Organize your troops, I shall array myself against the Assyrian king." This is from [in]formers; (the part) concerning the arraying is from informers.

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

SAA 05 165 — King of Uraṭu Sacrificing on a Campaign

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04695 + K 16529; ABL 1298+. B[el]-iddina to the king. Assigned to c. ca. 713-712 BC. SAA 05 165; SAAo P334839.

Obverse

To the king, my [lord]: your servant B[el]-iddina. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the news of the Urarṭian, he set out [on the ... d]ay and was making sacrifices in the city of A[... on the ...th] wi[th his magnates], (when) a me[ssage from] the Hubuškian [came] to him: "[...]...[......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 166 — Revolt in Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05462; ABL 1325. [Bel-iddina] to [the king]. SAA 05 166; SAAo P334848.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] has captured [...] in the moat of the town Š[u...], and is bringing cap[tives] from various places into it.

Reverse

Furthermore, the city Kar-siparri has revolted against him, and his commander-in-chief is engaged in [bat]tle [the]re. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 167 — Military Movements in Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15082; CT 53 615. [Bel-iddina] to [the king]. SAA 05 167; SAAo P314027.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] the Urarṭian has go[ne] [......] have assem[bled] [...... in] Waisi [...] [......] in the presence of the king, [my] lord, [......] Wais[i ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 168 — Report on the Urarṭian Camp

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0557; ABL 1081. Ada to the vizier. SAA 05 168; SAAo P334723.

Obverse

To the vizier, my lord: your servant Adâ. Good health to the Vizier, my lord! As regards the news [of the Urarṭi]an about which my lord [wrote m]e, in [......] (Break)

Reverse

On the night of [... he pla]ced [...]s within it; he is encamped in ..., within Uluaza; I have written to the vizier, my lord, where he intends to go.

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

Edge

I have written [all that I have heard ...] I have written [......].

SAA 05 169 — King of Zikirtu as Horse Trader

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00537; ABL 0205. Issar-šumu-iqiša to the king. SAA 05 169; SAAo P334149.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-šumu-iqiša. The emissaries of the Zikirtean (king) are now coming; the messengers of the Urarṭian who had gone to the [Zi]kirtean are coming with them as captives. I have had money brought up and deposited in the stronghold, (relying) on the word of the Zikirtean, who said: "I shall sell you the horses in Paššate." Now let it be impressed upon the emissaries, as the emissaries are trying hard to back out of their word, claiming: "We have not heard about (such a promise) by our lord."

Reverse

The king should ask the second emissary; he knows that he gave the order to the commander-in-chief.

SAA 05 170 — Appointing an Attendant to a Eunuch

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01892; CT 53 204. Din[anu] to the ki[ng]. SAA 05 170; SAAo P313619.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: y]our [servant] Di[nanu. Good] health to the k[ing, my lord]! [As to what the ki]ng, my lord, [wro]te me last y[ear], the eunu[ch about whom] the king, my lord, said: "[Appoint ...] to his service!" — Išme-ilu [is now] in [his] service. When [......] (Break)

Reverse

[the Bu]susean(s) [...] [... o]f Bi[rate] [...] enter [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 171 — Arrival of Foreign Princes with Horse Tribute

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0051; ABL 0466. (Dinanu) to (the king). SAA 05 171; SAAo P334321.

Obverse

Yala[...], the crown prince of And[ia], is coming t[o ...], accompanied by the em[issary] Nergal-belu-uṣur. 16 red horses; 13 irginu horses; 14 black horses; 1 Haršean horse; 1 tuanu horse; 6 mares; 5 mules; in all 51 horses from the crown prince of Andia.

Reverse

Abat-šarri-uṣur, the Mannean emissary, is coming with them. I asked him: "Is the audience gift with you?" He said: "[......] to [......];

Right Edge

"what[ever ...] ...[...]."

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

SAA 05 172 — Nabu-ereš under Surveillance

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 005; ABL 0411. Abat-šarri-uṣur to the king. SAA 05 172; SAAo P334282.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Abat-šarri-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the Chaldean Nabû-ereš about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "He should be watched secretly" — the very moment the king, my lord, wrote me, I sent (word), and they have been watching him secretly.

Reverse

Now then he has set out and is on his way, going to the Palace to greet (the king), as he says.

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

Chapter Nine. Fragmentary Letters Relating to Urarṭu and Zikirtu

SAA 05 173–198.

SAA 05 173 — Report on an Urarṭian Defeat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07420; CT 53 099. To [the king]. SAA 05 173; SAAo P313514.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [about which] my [lo]rd [inquired, they previously informed me] as follows: "Their king [and his magnates] have been [utterly] defeated on (their) expedition; [x] of his magna[tes] have been killed." I did [no]t have more detailed information, and (thus) did not wr[ite] t[o] my [lo]rd how it happened. Now they have e[ntered] my country from [...] and [are ...ing] the forts [...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 174 — The Defeat of the King of Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14683; CT 53 583. To [the king]. SAA 05 174; SAAo P313995.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] of [...] [When] the (king) of Urarṭu [w]ent [against the Cimmerians, a]ll [his governors and his troops] were kil[led; n]ot [one] has returned [from there]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 175

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15114; CT 53 621. To [the king]. SAA 05 175; SAAo P314033.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) kill[ed ......] says [......] in the [......] opposite [......] as far as [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 176 — Military Movements in the Northeast

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1961; CT 53 133. To [the king]. SAA 05 176; SAAo P313548.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Ass[yria ......] one [......] to And[ia ......] to Assyria [......] [will be] completed [......] the road to [......] I shall go [......] Whoever [lays] hands [on ......] I shall cut [...]; at the same time [...] the king of Assyria aga[inst ......] the pass of Sua [......] which the Shepherd [......] [t]hese [......] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Reverse too broken for translation)

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

Edge

[When] I came [to ...], they brought the criminals and thieves of [...] away [from the p]ass. Truly, [...]; I did not trespass [up]on Urarṭian territory.

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

SAA 05 177 — Military Movements in the Urarṭian Camp

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14686; CT 53 122. To [the king]. SAA 05 177; SAAo P313537.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... I have hea]rd that he has gone to [...]. As to [......] the Andian [...], [the ... o]f the Urarṭian [...] has descended [to ... and ...ed] the [citi]es [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 178 — Fragment of a Report on Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15015; CT 53 124. To [the king]. SAA 05 178; SAAo P313539.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... I said]: "100 [......]ed [......] placed [......] day [...... be]ams [......] his messenger (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

[...] I [...]. [By the go]ds of the kin[g, my lord],

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

Reverse

[......] 1,000 Itu'eans [...... Ṭ]urušpâ [will] call [... to account]. I have sent [my messenger to ...]; [having g]one [...], he [sent] back [...], saying: "The king of Urarṭu has written [to] his [governors]: "Your [troops] should go and [...]." The Urarṭian [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 179 — Purge in an Urarṭian Province

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04677; ABL 1295. To [the king]. SAA 05 179; SAAo P334836.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[Ever since the king of Urarṭu] came [...], the country has been in a state of alarm. He has taken the governor with him to Ṭuruš[pâ]; he has been discharged. The deputy and the village manager have been discharged [as well]. The mighty of the land have been raging among themselves [...], saying: "Why, [wh]en you [...], [...] the overseer of [......]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 180 — Troubles in Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16551; CT 53 799. To [the king]. SAA 05 180; SAAo P314208.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... the mount]ain [...] [......] the gov[ernors] [......] after [the king] [... ar]e co[ming] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 181 — News of Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14687; CT 53 586. To [the king]. SAA 05 181; SAAo P313998.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king], my [lo]rd! [As to the news of] the [Ur]arṭian [about which the king, my lord, wr]ote me, [NN], the e[un]uch [whom] I sent [to ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 182 — Fragment of a Military Report

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0267; CT 53 891. To [the king]. SAA 05 182; SAAo P314300.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king, my] lord! [As to the Urarṭ]ians [about whom the king, my lord], wrote me: "[Whatev]er is the ne[ws about th]em?" — [...] who asked [......]. He is a eunuch [...] who in their presence [......] (Break)

Reverse

their [...] changed [...] for us, [and we took] our replacement from it. [They are] guar[ding him/them] now. How [should] we [proceed]? It is a cohort formed by the king, [my] lo[rd]; if it suits the king, [my lord], [let them ...] like [...];

Right Edge

[oth]erwise [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 183 — Sending People to Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14291; CT 53 519. To [the king]. SAA 05 183; SAAo P313932.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] upon (it) [... royal body]guard [...] eunuch [...] Urarṭu [...] the royal house [...]...

Reverse

[... t]heir [...]. [I am herew]ith [sen]ding them [to the Pa]lace.

SAA 05 184 — Urarṭian Subjects Submit to Assyria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12970; CT 53 445. To [the king]. SAA 05 184; SAAo P313858.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Later he went and [assembled] the m[en]; 50 of them we[re] killed. [He proclaimed]: "Y[ou] are subjects of the king, my lord; [y]ou are no more subjects of the U[rarṭian]!" They submitted [......]

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

Reverse

[...] stro[ng ......] [......] [...] 2,000 [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 185 — Fragment of a Report on Urarṭu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16522; CT 53 789. To [the king]. SAA 05 185; SAAo P314199.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] as regards [...... the Ura]rṭian [......] the town Ušti [...] barley rations (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 186 — Exchanging Messengers

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09971; CT 53 407. To [the king]. SAA 05 186; SAAo P313820.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...-er]eš, a [...], [and ...]ayu, a subordinate of [NN, have co]me to me. The king kn[ows that they are] distant [...]. [I have now sent] m[y messenger] to [him]; as soon as he returns [t]o me, [I shall immediately w]rite to 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.]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 187 — Military Operations in Muṣaṣir

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 11801; CT 53 427. To [the king]. SAA 05 187; SAAo P313840.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... Ur]zana [...] [...] the fort[s ...] [... w]e capture; in the ci[ty ...] [... t]o the river [...] [...] opposite hi[m ...] even [Rus]a against [...] [... they pl]aced him [...] [...] they are [...] (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 05 188 — Fragment Referring to Zikirtu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05533; CT 53 272. To [the king]. SAA 05 188; SAAo P313687.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] re[quested a fi]eld [...] [He did not g]ive him [...] [... ab]out Zik[irtu], [gav]e him [...] and sen[t him to me]. [...] m[y] messenger [...] I asked h[im about the Urarṭ]ian, and he informed me [as follows]: (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 189

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1742; CT 53 912. To [the king]. SAA 05 189; SAAo P314321.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [t]o g[o out ......] [in] my [mou]th [......] [N]ow, the king of Z[ikirtu] [...] a team [of horses] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 190 — Arrested by the Governor

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01862; CT 53 194. To [the king]. SAA 05 190; SAAo P313609.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[I] sent him [with] Aššur-šarrani [to the ...] on the border [of] his father's household; the governor arrested [him]. [N]ow Adâ [has ...ed] Baziya, the s[on of] the Ukk[ean] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 191

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, IM —; GPA 244. To [the king]. SAA 05 191; SAAo P224650.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) is coming [......] in the country [......] the mountains [......] at the beginning of the mo[nth ......] in Muṣa[ṣir ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 192 — The Hubuškian has Arrived

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10895; CT 53 415. To [the king]. SAA 05 192; SAAo P313828.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

"The (ruler) of [...] has writ[ten to me]: 'The Hu[buškian] has arr[ived] in [...].'" On the 14th day, [I] se[nt Šulmu-beli], (my) deputy, t[o ...]. (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 05 193 — Fragment Mentioning Šulmu-beli

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05518; CT 53 261. To [the king]. SAA 05 193; SAAo P313676.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] his [...] who [......] [......] Šulmu-beli [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 194 — Emissaries from Labdudu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13006; ABL 0936. [Mannu-k]i-Arbail to [the k]ing. SAA 05 194; SAAo P334633.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lo]rd: [your servant Mannu-k]i-Arbail. [Good health to the k]ing, my lord! [......] Hubuškia [......] we have departed (Break)

Reverse

... [......]; perhaps they [will o]bey us as regards [...]. The Lab[d]ud[eans are coming] up and getting here; which way should we take to [meet] the emissaries? Now, should they come up [to ...], or [...]?

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

Right Edge

[Let the king send a messenger] to come and [tell] us what the orders are.

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

SAA 05 195 — Messenger from Hubuškia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14675; CT 53 581. To [the king]. SAA 05 195; SAAo P313993.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Pe]rhaps the [emissaries] of Hubu[škia] will co[me wi]th me [...] from/with [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 196 — A Letter from Hubuškia

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10363; CT 53 409. To [the king]. SAA 05 196; SAAo P313822.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] of the house of Tu[...], [wh]en his son f[led], [... U]rmakinn[u ...] [did not] come [...] [...] Iau-'a[...] [No]w he and [...] [At]â-idri [had an au]dience [with me] [... the mo]untain from Hub[uškia] [...] Hubuš[kia ...] [...] on [...] (Break)

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

Reverse

"There is one [...]; "he is Bel-qatua [...]. Now, muc[h ...] opposite them [...] [...] the hands of the king [...]. [As to what I said t]o the king, [my] lo[rd]: "Ever sinc[e the king, my lord, sent me t]o Hubuš[kia], they have [...]ed me in [...] and [...] [...] Hub[u]š[kia ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 197

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13096; CT 53 485. To [the king]. SAA 05 197; SAAo P313898.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] Marduk-[......] [from] there [......] Inurta-ku[......] show[ed ......]

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

Bottom Edge

[......] The kallāpu messenger [......]

Reverse

[...]ed his work quota [...] Let [the king, my lord,] ask the kallāpu messenger [...] whether in [...] to Harmas[aeans ......] Ha[rg]aeans to [......] When you have taken coun[sel ......] kill him [......] to my son [......] my house [......] (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 05 198 — On the Road Again

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14588; CT 53 533. To [the king]. SAA 05 198; SAAo P313945.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

I have [now] set out [from] Dur-Ša[maš to where] the king, my lord, sent me.

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

Chapter Ten. Letters from Mazamua

SAA 05 199–226.

SAA 05 199 — Time to Set Out for a Campaign

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00630; ABL 0311. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 199; SAAo P334199.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why did you set out early without waiting for the governor of Arrapha?" — for the governor of Arrapha, the road in question is very slow. He sets out from Zaban, and it takes him three days to get there, while I can make a round-trip to Parsua going this way. For this very reason I went up to the fort first. Last year, too, I and he [...] accordingly [...] (Break)

Reverse

[...] Shall I not leave [the h]orses [and free men] in [the fo]rt, but ta[ke] the [horses] and free men with me, go d[own] to Mazamua, and reap the harvest? I am waiting for the king my lord's messenger; what are the king my lord's orders? Since the king, my lord, said: "The son of Bel-iddina should go with you," let him go with the troops, and let Nabû-hamatua stay here to do the work of the king, my lord, and repair the forts of the king, my lord.

SAA 05 200 — Sending Boys to War

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00689; ABL 0312. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 200; SAAo P334200.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, [my lord]! As to what the king, my lord, wro[te me]: "Orga[nize] your army and be on the alert! If [feasible], take the road to Hirite by [...]" — it is not at all feasible! The terrain is difficult; it lies between the mountains, the waters are constricted and the current is strong, not fit for using either wineskins or keleks. The king, lord, knows that the men cannot swim. The troops are assembled, and I am going up to Sumbi, making a detour to [...], [then descend] to Bit-Hamban [......] (Break)

Reverse

[I could have gone f]irst [...] and wai[ted] for him, [but he] left before me and is waiting f[or] me. Last year the son of Bel-iddina did not go with me to the expedition but kept the best men at home and sent with me young boys only. Now let the king, my lord, send me a mule stable attendant to make him come forth and go with me. Otherwise, he will (again) back off, fall away, keep alert grudgingly, and certainly not [go] with me, but will only send y[oung] boys with me, keeping [the best men] at home.

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

SAA 05 201

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14093; ABL 0321. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 201; SAAo P334208.

Obverse

[To] the king, m[y] lord: your [servant] Šarru-emuranni. [Good he]alth to the king, [my] lord! [The govern]or of Arz[uhina ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 202 — Horses for the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00610; ABL 0310. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 202; SAAo P334198.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote me: "If horses of such size fall into your hands, get them and send them to me!" — Kumesaean merchants have reviewed (their stock and) together [...] (Break)

Reverse

my lord [......]. I waited f[or them], but since they did not come to m[e], I sent the servants of the king, my lord, to terrorize Kibatki, and they put people to the sword. After this act of terror on Kibatki, they got afraid and wrote to me, and I imposed a deadline upon them.

Right Edge

If they come and bring [the horses] I shall send them to the king.

Edge

I have fetched the king's [...].

SAA 05 203 — When the King Established the Debt Remission

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1045; ABL 0387. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 203; SAAo P334263.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the wine about which the king, my lord, wrote me: "Set aside 200 homers for the garrison!" — I have set aside as much of it as the king, my lord, wrote. As to Kubaba-satar about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "Speak nicely with him!" — my [mo]uth is closed. [As the ki]ng, my lord, [wr]ote me, [I shall speak nic]ely [with him ......] (Break)

Reverse

[He] will st[ay in] my [pre]sence. I have now se[nt] (word), and I shall find an interpreter in [...], acquire him for the king, my lord, and send him. As to the city lords about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "If they come to you, get them and send them to me!" — may the gods of the king make (that happen)! Citizens of Babylon have come to (visit) the king, my lord. Previously, when the king, my lord, established the debt-remission, he released many people from their possession. The king, my lord, should [...] the matter and let them be informed so they become scared of [...] deportation.

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

SAA 05 204 — Sending a Message to Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01875; CT 53 056. [Šarru-emuranni] to [the king]. SAA 05 204; SAAo P313471.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord]! [The forts and the land of the king, my lord, are well]. [As to those] words which the king, my lord, sent [us] through [Nabû-ahu-uṣur], the royal bodygu[ard]: "Send in this way to the son of Inṣabri" — when Nabû-ahu-uṣur arrived, on that very same d[a]y Šamaš-ukin, a trustworthy and chosen [man] of the fort commander, able in words —

Reverse

we implanted the very words that the king, my lord, sent us, in the mouth of (this) messenger of the fort commander; he left on the 4th day and went to Izirtu. As soon as he returns, [I] shall write [t]o the king, my lord, everything that he tells us.

SAA 05 205 — Precious Stones

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0754; ABL 0758. Šarru-em[uranni] to the king. SAA 05 205; SAAo P334535.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant Šarru-em[uranni]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! While I [was in ...], milhu stone [...] nukur[...] stone [...] at [my] disposal [...] to the dy[ers] I provi[ded ...] The king, my lord, [...] ...[...] [en]graver [...] (Break)

Reverse

[As to what] I sa[id to the king], my [lo]rd, [in] Cal[ah]: "I will [...] and we will [...] with it" — if that is all right, we shall [......] with it.

SAA 05 206 — Opening the Treasury

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01987 + K 07384; ABL 0319+. Šarru-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 206; SAAo P313640.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! On the 27th day, at dawn, we opened the treasury of metal scraps at the entrance to the house in the palace upon the terrace. [We] weighed 420 talents of bronze scraps and plac[ed] it in the storehouse [of] the cupbearer. We also weighed [x talen]ts of bronze objects [...] (Break)

Reverse

[......] city, [...... of the R]eview [Palace]. Alternatively, we can do the (inventory) of the Review Palace on the 29th and go in the remaining days to Dur-Šarruken, to seal those tunics.

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

SAA 05 207

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 474; ABL 0761. Šarru-emuranni to the king. Assigned to c. 726 BC. SAA 05 207; SAAo P334538.

Obverse

[T]o the king, my lord: your [servant] Šarru-emuranni. [Good health] to the king, my lord! The royal bodyguard [...]-naṣir [has brou]ght [... Ba]šimeans to Kar-Nergal [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 208

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14578; CT 53 527. [Šarru-emuranni] to [the king]. SAA 05 208; SAAo P313940.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) As to the [......] equipment t[o ......], the royal bodyguar[d ......] with the depu[ty ......] cam[e ......] took [......] which [......] hors[e(s) ......] (Reverse too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 05 209

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16500; CT 53 779. Šarru-[emuranni?] to the king. SAA 05 209; SAAo P314189.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Šarru-[emuranni]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 210 — Taking over the Forts of Allabria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00617; ABL 0208. Nabu-hamatu[a] to the king. SAA 05 210; SAAo P334152.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-hamatu[a]. Good health to the king, my lord! The forts of the king, my lord, are well. A Mede forwarded me the (attached) letter from the governor, saying: "Let your messenger bring it to the Palace." I have spoken kindly with the countrymen of the son of Bel-iddina and encouraged them. The son of Bel-iddina (himself) is a criminal and a traitor; he does not obey [the king's orders].

Reverse

[I said]: "Do your work, each in [his house and] field, and be glad; you are now subjects of the king." They are peaceful and do their work. I have brought them out from six forts, saying: "Go! Each one of you should build (a house) in the field and stay there!" The king my lord's subjects have entered (the forts); the guard will be strong until the governor comes. I am doing everything the king, [my] l[ord], ordered him (to do).

SAA 05 211 — Building Forts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1933; ABL 1068. Na[bu-hamatua] to the king. SAA 05 211; SAAo P334713.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Na[bû-hamatua]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! The for[ts] of the king, [my] lord, are well. [NN], a te[am] commander, br[ought me a letter] from the govern[or ...], saying: "[......] Aššur-[......] (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

The king, my lord, should k[now] (this). The king, my lord, should not say: "He is a negligent servant; he does not do (his) work." I drive the servants of the king, my lord, day and night; they are glazing kiln-[fired bricks] all day long [...] and bringing them into [...].

SAA 05 212 — Fragment Mentioning an Interpreter

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12010; CT 53 432. [Nabu-hamatua] to [the king]. SAA 05 212; SAAo P313845.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... h]ow not [...] [......] "the peopl[e ...] [...]; "how [...] [...] "an inter[preter] [...] "the audience gi[ft ...] [...] "the in[terpreter] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 213 — A Case Concerning a Town

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, BM 098775; ABL 1407. Kuškaya to Nabu-hamatua. SAA 05 213; SAAo P334887.

Obverse

A letter (to) Nabû-hamatua: your servant Kuškayu. Good health to my lord! Please present before Aššur-šarru-uṣur the case of the town in my hands which I told you about. Let him qu[ick]ly send a letter to the city overseer or to the prefect, telling him to remove everybody from the orchard.

Reverse

I will keep vigil there.

SAA 05 214 — Envelope of the Previous Letter

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, BM 098775a; ABL 1407A. Kuškaya to Nabu-hamatua. SAA 05 214; SAAo P334888.

Obverse

A letter (to) Nabû-hamatua: your servant Kuškayu.

Bottom Edge

The best of health to my lord!

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

SAA 05 215 — The Troops of Mazamua

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, IM 064083; NL 089. Adad-issiya to the king. SAA 05 215; SAAo P224439.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant] Adad-issiya. [Good] health to the king, my lord! [As t]o the order that the king, my lord, gave me: "Review the troops of Mazamua and write me!" — (here are the facts): 10 wagons; 20 large-wheeled chariots, 10 (of them) horse-driven, 10 mule-driven; 30 teams; 97 riding horses; 11 chariot drivers; 12 'third men'; [3]0 chariot fighters; 53 grooms of the [t]eams, in all 106 men and [30] chariots. 161 cavalrymen, 130 grooms, 52 ...: in all 343 grooms. [8] lackeys, 12 tailors, 20 cupbearers, 12 confectioners, 7 bakers, 10 cooks: in all 69 domestics. 8 scholars, 23 donkey drivers, 1 information officer, 80 dispatch-riders. In all 630 Assyrians. 360 Gurreans, 440 Itu'eans.

Bottom Edge

All together 1,430 king's men, including the previous ones which have been here, plus the ones whom the royal bodyguard brought.

Reverse

[Perh]aps the [ki]ng, my lord, (now) says: "Where are the rest of the troops?" M[y] major-domo is delayed but will [la]ter bring the rest of the troops.

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

SAA 05 216 — Fragment Mentioning Aza, King of Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0264; CT 53 885. [Adad-issiya] to the kin[g]. Assigned to c. 716 BC. SAA 05 216; SAAo P314294.

Obverse

To the kin[g, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! The day that the [army and the ...] of the Urarṭian [......], Azâ [......] ...[......] to the [......] we [......] (Break)

Reverse

ca[me] [......] came [......], saying: "Why [......] no bread [......]?" The palace herald [......] "The Urarṭian [......] from/with [......] [...] 7 [...]

Right Edge

the rest [......] "Of [......]

Edge

[......] the sartinnu; take [...] and put [......].

SAA 05 217 — Preparing for War in Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0234; ABL 0342. Adad-issiya to the king. Assigned to c. 716 BC. SAA 05 217; SAAo P334222.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-issiya. Good health to the king, my lord! I se[n]t two cavalry cohort commanders to Sanha and Ulušia to the king's subjects who are there. They went and saw them: the equipment (they had received) there and the barley rations specified in their tablet were there. They warned them, and their guard is very strong. The king, my lord, can be glad. The king, my lord, knows that Kubaba-ila'i masters the language. I sent him to Tikriš, and he gave us this detailed report. We are herewith sending it to the king, my lord.

Reverse

All the time I have been encamped on the Mannean border, the son of the widow has been encamped opposite me on his side of the border. The very day that Nergal-belu-uṣur came here ordering me to depart and I entered the Mannean territory, I sent my 'third man' to him, saying: "Set out!" He said he was sick. I said: "Let your son come!" He said: "He is sick too; I shall send my brother with my troops."

Edge

I sent the 'third man,' but he (i.e., this brother) has not yet showed up. The rest of the troops of the city lords are with me.

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

SAA 05 218 — Ullusunu Bribes Aššur-le’i of Karalla

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0935; ABL 1058. [Adad-issiya] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 716 BC. SAA 05 218; SAAo P334705.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "in [......] "the house of the wi[dow ......] "Aššur-le'[i ...] came [...] he is safe and has [...]. Nabû-hamatua wrote m[e] that Aššur-le['i] is going to Ullusunu, and that Ullusunu has given five horses to Aššur-le'i. Nabû-hamatua has itemized the horses he gave him by colour in a clay tablet (which) he (also) sent me. I have forwarded the letters of Nabû-hamatua to Nineveh, and they will have read them to the king (by now).

Reverse

As to the eunuch of Aššur-le'i who is with Nabû-hamatua, about whom the king my lord wrote me, it is the third year already since he fled to Nabû-hamatua, so it is not possible to get him down from there. Let them bring him over to me when he is inside his country. As to Bel-ahhe, the merchant about whom the king, my lord, wrote, I shall secretly send word that they bring him to me, and I shall (then) send him t[o the king, my lord]. [Everything is fi]ne [wi]th the fort [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 219 — Fragment of a Report on Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05528; CT 53 271. [Adad-issiya] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 726 BC. SAA 05 219; SAAo P313686.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... ki]ngship of [...] [... o]f the table [...] [......] Aššur-šarru-[...] [......] Aššur-le['i ...] [......] after th[em] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 220 — Military Operations in Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05481; CT 53 250. [Adad-issiya] to [the king]. SAA 05 220; SAAo P313665.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] our lord [...] [...] have seiz[ed ...]. His [troops are] in [...]. [...] "Ullusun[u] [...] "[His] army, [which] had come [..., has] en[tered ...]. [Pe]rhaps h[e ......] [...] my servants [...] [... has not] emerged [...] in the p[ass ...] not [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 221 — News from Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0160; ABL 1416. [Adad-issiya] to [the king]. SAA 05 221; SAAo P334894.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [Adad-issiya]. Good he[alth to the king, my lord]! As to what the king, [my] lo[rd, wrote me]: "Why have you [not sent me] an[y news] of the Mannean that you have h[eard]?" — [he has come] to our border, [made] his sacrifices, and returned (home); [the ... have gone] to greet him. The messengers o[f ... have come] from Bar[..., and presented him] the greetings of [...]. (Break)

Reverse

[......] where they are [...]. As to [NN] about whom the king, [my] lo[rd, wrote me]: "Wh[y does he not ...] to m[y] presen[ce]?" He does not [...] he does not [...] of the [......] ...[......] ...[......] Šulm[u-Bel ......] in their expedition [......] to [......]

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

Right Edge

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 222 — Military Movements in Mannea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14685; CT 53 585. [Adad-issiya] to [the king]. SAA 05 222; SAAo P313997.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... the Man]nean(s) [...... the Ura]rṭian(s) [......] our [hear]t [...... NN] from the city of [...] [......] the Urar[ṭ]ia[n] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 223 — Preparing for Battle with Urarṭian Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01120; ABL 0596. [Adad-issiya] to [the king]. SAA 05 223; SAAo P334410.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) as many as [...] remain in [......]... "The Urarṭian troops advanced to the border; he went out to meet them in [...] of [......]"

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 224 — Buying Horses in the East

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01252A; ABL 0529. Adad-issiya to the king. SAA 05 224; SAAo P334361.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-issiya. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the merchants about whom the king my lord gave me orders, I met Šarî of Kannu' in Arzuhina. He had 70 horses. I asked him where the rest of his horses were, and he said: "[I have bou]ght 200 horses over there and will b[ring them] (later)."

Reverse

[I also met NN] and ask[ed him] about [the horses]; he said: "We have bought [all of them]; they are on their way towards yo[u ...]." I encountered 21 horses and 2 mules of Nabû-eriba of Calah, a subordinate of Sanî, in Arzuhina.

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

SAA 05 225 — Not All Reap What They Sow

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05435b + K 07304 + K 07360; CT 53 079. [Adad-issiya] to the king. SAA 05 225; SAAo P313494.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-issiya. Good health to] the king, [my] lo[rd]! [As to] the seed corn [about wh]ich the king, my lord, wr[ote me]: "Nabû-[...] must cultivate 1,000 (homers of) seed, Mannu-ki-Adad must cultivate [1],000, and you too must cultivate [1],000 (homers of) seed corn" — [wh]ere? I cannot do it! [I] cultivate corn in the face of harsh [...]. They, by contrast, having planted their seed, [e]at from it, feed [their] horses [fr]om it, and (even) cultiva[te s]eed fro[m it]. [They] have seized [...] from the Med[es ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 226 — Orders to Magnates

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00510; ABL 0884. Nabu-ahu-uṣur to the king. SAA 05 226; SAAo P334607.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-ahu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! The king, my lord, sent me to the magnates; I have (now) communicated them all the orders that the king, my lord, gave me. As to the town where they are encamped, Ir[š]umu is in their hands; they are soon to leave for the king, my lord. As [to] Šarru-emuranni, about whom the king, [my] lo[rd], gave me [or]ders, (I told him): "Not one of your horses and men may be missing if they are to pass before the king."

Reverse

As to Nabû-hamatua, about whom the king, my lord, told me: "Let him come and receive the booty from them!" — the magnates said to me as follows: "He cannot come; we shall give it to the deputy (governor) of (Bit)-Hamban." As to the magnates about whom the king, my lord, told me: "They may each keep 50 riding horses at their disposal, the rest of their horses should come to me!" — I told them (this), but they disagreed, saying: "(If) they go, they will die along the way; they will come with us."

Chapter Eleven. Letters from Šamaš-belu-uṣur, Governor of Arzuhina

SAA 05 227–236.

SAA 05 227 — Post Stations and Criminals

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 2, 001; ABL 0408. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king. SAA 05 227; SAAo P334279.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šamaš-belu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the express service about which the king, my lord, wrote me through Arbailayu: "Why isn't there any express service?" — When he came to me with the royal bodyguard Ubru-Harran, I harnessed before their coming two mules in Arzuhina for the use of Ubru-Harran. He took them to Arrapha, harnessed two mules for the use of Arbailayu, and went on to Mazamua. Let the king, my lord, a[sk whet]her I did not station a team of [mules] in Dur-Taliti and another one in Tagalagi! When he departed from Arzuhina, there were two mules for his use from one express-station to another, as far as Arrakdi. As he now came, (going) to where the king, my lord, had sent him, I harnessed two mules in Arzuhina for [his] use as far as Dur-Taliti (...).

Reverse

The king, my lord, knows that Arzuhina is situated at a crossroads; the stage from Arzuhina to Arrakdi is a strain for the animals. The king, my lord, should give orders that a mule-express be stationed in Dur-Atanate, so we can strengthen each other. As to the criminals about whom the king, my lord, wrote me: "They have fallen upon the menservants of the chief confectioner in Babiti" — I have asked and enquired, but there is nothing, and we have not heard anything. The king, my lord, wrote me: "If you do not catch the criminals, be sure you will have to pay" — the criminals of Arrapha (and) of the domain of the palace herald have banded together and are making raids there. I have now moved [troops] up to keep watch; if they catch them, they will bring them t[o the king, my lord].

Edge

For now [I am sending] to the king, [my] lord, the criminals of the house of the [sartinnu] who fell (into my hands) near Arzuhina.

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

SAA 05 228 — Criminals Again

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01124; ABL 0599. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 228; SAAo P334412.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I have sent [......]. [NN], a servant of the go[vernor of ...] and his family are [st]aying on the [other] side (of the river). Wha[t ar]e the king my lord's orders? Likewise, there are some criminals (whom) Nimarkayu, a [serv]ant of the Crown Prince, seized and brought to the Palace: Abi-ram and Dala-Il, in all two Arzuhinaeans, and with them two Arraphaeans; they have questioned them in the Palace.

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

Reverse

I am [no]w s[ending over] the criminals who were their accomplices. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 229 — Clearing up the Royal Road to Mazamua

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01516; ABL 0635. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 229; SAAo P334439.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) there [.....]. [I gave him] the follo[wing] ord[er]: "[......] (Break) [He said]: "[......]; where [......], they are sending [...] to the ri[ght] and left on various errands.

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

Reverse

I remove [...] from Sarê to Dur-Atanate, the Arraphaeans remove [...] from Dur-Atanate to Dur-Taliti, [I] remove [the ...] again from Dur-Taliti to Azari (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 230 — A Military Review

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05392; CT 53 240. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 230; SAAo P313655.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] remov[ed ...]. [As to what the king], my lord, wrote [me, when] I c[ame fr]om the review, my [..., my] 'third [man' and the chariot d]river (Rest too broken for translation)

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

SAA 05 231 — Fragment Concerning Criminals

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14635; CT 53 553. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 231; SAAo P313965.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] should lead [......] the criminals [......] he should go (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 232 — The Governor of Dur-Šarruken Wants More Fields

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Rm 0993; ABL 1192. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 232; SAAo P334782.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Šamaš-belu-uṣur]. Good [health t]o [the king, my lord]! A[s to] the t[owns of] the country Hau, about which Kiṣir-[Ašš]ur [s]aid to the king, [my] lord: "Let them give me 200 (hectares) of field in their environs" — [x town]s of Sirura and 5 [tow]ns of the house of the priest [of] Bel [...], under the jurisdiction of the chief [eunuch], are [...] at the disposal of K[iṣir-Aššur]. [...] the towns [...] (Break)

Reverse

Now, Kiṣir-[Aššur claims]: "I do not extract (labour duty) in the environs of Arzuhina or in Dur-Taliti. It is the towns I mentioned to the king that extract it." I have now written down the [lab]our duty which Hau carries for these towns, and [I am] herewith sending it to [the king, my lo]rd. What are the k[ing] my [lord]'s [or]ders?

SAA 05 233 — The King Gets an Old Boat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-07-27, 0039; ABL 0802. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king. SAA 05 233; SAAo P334564.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šamaš-belu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! The king, my lord, knows that we transport fodder from here to Ampihabi. There is an old boat we use for shipping straw, fodder and all sorts of things [......] (Break)

Reverse

If [it is all right], she may go with the king, m[y] lord.

SAA 05 234 — Barley to Mazamua

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01093; ABL 0582. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 234; SAAo P334401.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) We [are ready] to set out for the review, but Išme-ilu, the cohort commander, brings us the (king's) golden stamp seal and holds us up continually, saying: "Bring barley rations to Mazamua!"

Reverse

What does the king, my lord, say? [...] horses (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 235

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16496; CT 53 777. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 235; SAAo P314187.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) kno[ws ......] As to [......] about which the k[ing, my lord, wrote me] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 236

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, DT 068; CT 53 135. [Šamaš-belu-uṣur] to [the king]. SAA 05 236; SAAo P313550.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Ari[ye ......] the blood which [......] of the servant [......] In Mannea [......] with the help of the gods [of the king, my lord], 190 [......] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Twelve. Varia and Unassigned

SAA 05 237–276.

SAA 05 237 — Appointing a City Lord

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01046; ABL 0902. Mannu-ki-Adad to the king. SAA 05 237; SAAo P334615.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Mannu-ki-Adad. [Good] health to the king, my lord! [The son of] Babû the city lord has come down [t]o me (from the mountain). I have [en]couraged him and appointed him [.... The ki]ng, my lord, [can be glad]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 238 — Buying Ungelded Bulls

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01071; ABL 0903. Mannu-ki-Adad to the king. SAA 05 238; SAAo P334616.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your [servant] Mannu-ki-Adad. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the [unge]lded oxen [about which] the king, my lord, [wrot]e me (Break)

Reverse

[As to what the king, my lord wrote me]: "Buy [... fr]om the Itu'eans with silver!" — we are buying (them).

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

SAA 05 239

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13027; ABL 0904. [Ma]nnu-ki-Adad to [the k]ing. SAA 05 239; SAAo P334617.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, my lord: [your servant Ma]nnu-ki-Adad. [Good health to the k]ing, my lord! [As to ...]-Šamaš [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 240

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13120; ABL 0905. [Mann]u-ki-Adad to the king. SAA 05 240; SAAo P334618.

Obverse

[To the king], my lord: [your servant Mann]u-ki-Adad. [Good health to] the king, my lord! My [troops] have set out [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 241 — A Babylonian Asks for Audience

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00498; ABL 0522. Adad-ibni to the king. SAA 05 241; SAAo P334357.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-ibni. Good health to the king, my lord! A Babylonian has come to me, saying: "I have things to say; let them take me to the Palace" — now then I am sending him to the king, my lord; let the king, my lord, ask him what he has to say.

Reverse

I sent him to the king, my lord, on the 28th from Zaddi.

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

SAA 05 242 — Resettling Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00541; ABL 0207. Aššur-balti-niše to the king. SAA 05 242; SAAo P334151.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-balti-niši. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the captives about whom the king, my lord, wrote me, I have brought them (there). I and the deputy (governor) have entered them from Tahal as far as Kar-Šamaš, and appointed (them). I have given out [provisions] for a whole month, [by the sea]h of 8 litres, and half a cup of salt and cress. Everything is fine.

Reverse

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

SAA 05 243 — Portrait of a Vassal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05291; ABL 0317. Šarru-emur[anni] to the king. SAA 05 243; SAAo P334205.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lo[rd]: your servant Šarru-emur[anni]. Good health to the king, [my lord]! I am not the son of the city lord of [Qunbuna]; I am a house-born slav[e], a servant of the king, my lord! The king, my lord, appointed me in Qunbuna; I tell everything that I see and hear to the king, my lord, I do not conceal anything from the king, my lord. As to the king [my lord]'s subjects who came to Ar[zizi] from Carchemish, about whom I wrote to the Palace, I have now had them arrested and am herewith handing them over to the king, my lord. From this act, it should be understood in the Palace that I speak earnestly with the king.

Reverse

Now, Dadâ the Arzizean (has said to me): "Why have you slandered me in the Palace?" Dadâ does not have a lawsuit against me; [there is noth]ing belonging to him in [my] possession. [He has] now [gone] to the Palace in order to [litigate] against me; let the king, my lord, investigate whether there is anything belonging to him in [my] possession. His messengers constantly g[o back] and forth to the city [...] early in the morning; [......] of the people of my country [......] the people of my country [......].

SAA 05 244 — The Forts are Fine

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0103; ABL 0946. Mušallim-Adad to the king. SAA 05 244; SAAo P334638.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Mušallim-Adad. Good health to the king, my lord! The forts of the king, [my] lord, are well; (everything) is fine from the forts o[f ...] as far as the fort[s of ...]. When the king, [my lord, ...] the com[mandant ......] (Break)

Reverse

I have sent [...... to] the king, my lord; they will be placed where the king, my lord, orders. May the king, my lord, send ... to his servant, lest I die.

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

SAA 05 245 — Flooded by Refugees

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1883-01-18, 0018; ABL 0343. Zabayu, commander of the fort Appina to the king. SAA 05 245; SAAo P334223.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Zabayu, the commander of the fort Appina. Good health to the king, my lord! The fort and the servants of the king, my lord, are well. The eunuch who is overseer of the household o[f] Suitkâ [the ci]ty [lord], has fled and [com]e [to] Appina. Deserters [......] (Break)

Reverse

I sent [... to the Pala]ce [on the 1]st of Marchesvan (VIII); a deserter is (coming) with him. The messengers accompanying him have come, but up to now he himself has not come.

SAA 05 246 — Waiting for Scouts to Come back

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01021; ABL 0309. Bel-emuranni to the king. SAA 05 246; SAAo P334197.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Bel-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! As to the rumour about which the king, my lord, wrote me, I have sent out scouts but they have not yet come back. While waiting for them, [I am submitting] the ki[ng, my lord], this report. (Break)

Reverse

They should give it and b[ring it to me]. Or if it is not to be ... and there happens to be a man in his company he can dispense with, let them give it to him, and let him bring it. A cavalryman should be there to guard him.

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

SAA 05 247 — A Sealed Royal Order

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14113 + K 14643; CT 53 513+. Nanu to the king. SAA 05 247; SAAo P313926.

Obverse

[To] the king, my lord: your [servant] Nanû. [Good] health to the king, my lord! [As t]o Meṣate-[i]bni and [...]nâ about whom the king, my lord, [wrote] me, in accordance with the king's sealed order [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 248

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16055 + K 16074; CT 53 730. [Nanu] to [the king]. SAA 05 248; SAAo P314140.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) which in [...] on account of it [...] I wro[te ...] of the people [...] Just as you trust [in ...], I shall hold ba[ck ...] I app[ointed] an offi[cial ...] (Break)

Reverse

of ... [...] stored grain [......] (Rest too broken for translation)

SAA 05 249 — Stormy Night

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01876; CT 53 197. To [the king]. SAA 05 249; SAAo P313612.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) in [......] Šarru-iqbi [......] where there is water [...] their rear side [...] We waited there. On the night of the 4th day an extremely strong wind was bl[owing]. The sto[rm] was so (strong) it tor[e off] all the tents; people got panicked, horses piled together making a heap. It started at (the culmination of) the Circle star (Corona) and subsided at (the culmination of) the Triplet star (α Herculis). [All is well]; the king, my lord, [can be at ease.] (Break)

Reverse

there [......] all [......] ... [......] I [......] of the son of B[el-iddina ......] on the 4th day in [......] watch with him [......] going [......] arrived [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 250 — Assembling Troops for War and Counting Rations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01424 + K 04282; CT 53 047+. To the ki[ng]. SAA 05 250; SAAo P313462.

Obverse

To the k[ing, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good heal[th to the king, m]y [lord]! [We ar]rived in [Kar-Aššur] on the 2nd day. The commander-in-chief, [the ..., the chie]f cupbearer, Taklak-ana-Be[l, Išmann]i-Aššur, and the governor[s of Si'imm]ê, Tillê, Guzan[a and Isa]na: these are the magnates w[ho] arrived [with u]s in Kar-Aššur. As for the whole royal entourage and the ... of the magnates, none have arrived. We are readying the first contingent of Ne[rgal-e]ṭir which is arriving, just in case the king, my lord, should say: "Draw up the battle array and proceed against the army!" Right now the cohort commander of mine whom I sent to the king, [m]y [lord, ...] horses [...] in front of him [......] (Break)

Reverse

We are d[oing the k]ing['s work]. And as to the sto[red grain concerning which the ki]ng, my lord, wrote me: ["Send me (data on) the sto]red grain (consumed) by your [ci]ty in a calendar month!" — we have now itemized the daily (consumption) of pack-animal fodder and stored grain, and are herewith sending (this information) to the king, my lord: 470 homers of fodder, 549 homers 4 seahs of [sto]red grain for soldiers, in all 1,019 homers 4 seahs daily, [......]. 108 homers of fodder, 155 ho[mers 6 seahs of sto]red grain for soldiers, in all 263 homers 6 seahs daily, which [...] and their cities [...] in the province of Lah[iru]. [In all, 57]8 homers of [fodder daily], making [17,3]40 homers of grain rations per month; [in all 705 homers] of stored grain for soldiers daily, (making) [21,150 ho]mers of grain rations per month; [all told, 38,4]90 homers of fodder and stored grain [per month for the k]ing's [men], plus what the magnates [...]. And as regards the battle array [of which] I wrote [to] the king, my lord, [if the king], my lord, so or[der]s, [we shall draw it up].

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

Right Edge

A scribe se[lected] by us wro[te th]is [letter]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 251 — Reviewing Cavalry and Chariot Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00946 + K 16539; ABL 0567+. To [the king]. SAA 05 251; SAAo P314207.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord: your] servant [NN]. Good [health to the king, my lord]! [As to the cavalrymen about whom the king, my lord], gave [me orders], I have revie[wed them]: 106 [cavalry]men seen, 9[4 missing], under the command of the prefect [NN]. The ki[ng], my lord, gave me no orders re[garding] the chariot owners, but I have reviewed them too along with the ca[valry]: 10 chariot owners, 21 of their king's men, in all 31 chariot owners seen, 69 [miss]ing, under the command of the [recru]itment officer Tut[î].

Reverse

I have assigned 150 hor[ses ...]; now [...].

SAA 05 252

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 10913; CT 53 420. To [the king]. SAA 05 252; SAAo P313833.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] my messenger [...... the b]order[s] [......] the king, [my lord] (Break)

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

Reverse

[......] Arrapha [......] they [should] provide [......] [......] the chariot [...... g]ave [......] [...] I have given [...]

SAA 05 253 — Beams from the Zagros

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07389; CT 53 343. To [the king]. SAA 05 253; SAAo P313758.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As] to the [......] mihru tree [......] Arraphaeans [......] the beams which to [......] poplar tree [......] I have fetched 200 beams [......] (Break)

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

Reverse

from their midst [......] let them give me [......] in early [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 254 — Logdriving in Isana

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0339; CT 53 126. To [the king]. SAA 05 254; SAAo P313541.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] standing [in ......] [I told] him: "Send me one [of] your subjects, to stay in my presence," but he has not agreed to send me one. As to Raṣappayu, the official concerning whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Release him, and let him serve with you!" I have written to the household overseer of the [governor o]f Calah, but he has not [agreed] to release [him, so I have] not [hired] him. (Break)

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

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

[As t]o [......], I am b[ringing] 25 log[s ... t]o the river. [The l]ogs [......] (Break) [...] Isanaeans [......] opposite me will pick up [the logs]. [Should the king] say: "[There are l]ogs piled up in [Isa]na," [I have se]nt [...]-iddina for [them ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 255 — Transport of Beams

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14655; CT 53 569. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 255; SAAo P313981.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the trees which are at [my/his] disposal [...] [...] the river [they b]rought [...] Tabal [...] he has piled up [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 256 — Problems with Sheep

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04277; ABL 1288. To [the king]. SAA 05 256; SAAo P334831.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good heal]th t[o the king, my lord]! [As] to the sheep of [... about which the king, my lord], wrote [me]: "Why do [yo]u withhold the sheep fr[om ...]?" — it is the king, [my] lo[rd], who has wi[thheld] the [sh]eep for his gods! If he does not add to them, (how) can I hold back their shepherds? Nabû-zeru-iddina had an audience with me, saying: "Ša-ili-dubbu has driven away [she]ep; 1,300 ṣu'bu sheep [...] these [......] (Break)

Reverse

[...-ya]da' sa[id to them]: "[Co]me and graze!" [Let ... give] them or[ders; i]f it pleases the king, let them graze the sheep and [goats] at their disposal [in the s]teppe, where my sheep [are being g]razed. [As to what the king], my [lo]rd, [said] about Nabû-zeru-iddina: "When he [...] before [...] servant[s ...], he said [to them ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 257 — Sheep from Dur-Yakin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0094; ABL 0867. To [the king]. SAA 05 257; SAAo P334595.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] are being fed. I have wr[itten ab]out these sheep of the scholars, which came forth from Dur-Yakin; they have entrusted them to the commanders-of-ten to whom the Dur-Yakinites are entering, saying: "Appoint two men each from among them to graze them, until your brothers come and give them out."

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

Reverse

Now that the king gave the command, we shall receive them from all of them. As to the attendant of the treasurer about whom the king, my lord, said: "He should come" — the copper which is being refined by the servants of the magnates, (as well as) the ... are at his disposal, and I have been in Nineveh. I have now received him and sent him [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 05 258 — Supplying Oxen and Sheep

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14269 + K 16478; CT 53 517+. To [the king]. SAA 05 258; SAAo P313930.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [The gov]ern[or of ...] has as[ked me] for 100 oxen; the governor of Si['immê] has asked me for 200 oxen and 2,000 sheep. Now, i[f] the king, [my] lo[rd] ord[ers, ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 259 — Distributing Provisions

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13085; CT 53 480. To [the king]. SAA 05 259; SAAo P313893.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I pa[rceled out] a plot [of x hectares of field in ...] and gave (it) [to them ...]. They had no seed corn [whatever] there, (so) they took 100 (homers) of barley [from ...] instead of [their] seed corn.

Reverse

[The ...] in Zaba[n ...] outside [...] my daughter in [...] I ga[ve ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 260 — Insults and Accusations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01438; ABL 0463. To [the king]. SAA 05 260; SAAo P334318.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] of the king, my lord. I sen[t] my messenger, but he insu[lted] my messenger, saying: "Why do you plot against the king's subjects? I am at war with you, do not come down to my country and my district! I will not release the rest to you!" The [...] have amassed fields and houses [...] [o]f the king [......] (Break)

Reverse

I [was notified] by the king my lord's court: "He should repay you the debts that he ow[es you]." He has not obeyed the king's order though, and has [n]ot paid his debt to me; from the moment I appealed to the king, my lord, he has been killing and robbing the king my lord's servants wherever he sees them, laying waste the king's roads. I cannot leave my house; he is plotting to kill me. [I am] now [on my way] to the king, [my] lo[rd ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 261 — Dividing the Booty

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07797; CT 53 398. To [the king]. SAA 05 261; SAAo P313812.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) We have selected 3,350 p[eople] from Til-da[...] as far as Sazan[â]. Bel-[...], [NN], Gabbu-ana-Aššur, [NN], Na'di-ilu (Break)

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

Reverse

[...] the king [...] Musan[i], the legate of [...] sleeps in his house. I [...] 9 seahs 7 [litres ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 262

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15606; CT 53 676. To [the king]. SAA 05 262; SAAo P314087.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As t]o Nabû-[......] [...] his messenger [..., saying]: "What [......] (Break) The royal bodygu[ard ......] "In the ci[ty ......] ... [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 263 — Arrival of Rams

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1881-02-04, 0100; ABL 1206. To [the king]. SAA 05 263; SAAo P334793.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [As to NN about wh]om the king, my lord, wrote [me], I had sent word on the very day that the previous lette[r] arrived: they are bringing him. As to the 1,000 rams about which the king, my lord, wrote me, I am herewith sending them over with my messenger. As to Qurdi-Iss[ar], the archer about whom the king, [my lord, wr]ote me: "Encou[rage him, and give him a house], a plough, and a field [......]" (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 264

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1872; CT 53 856. To [the king]. SAA 05 264; SAAo P314265.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] said: [.".. the I]tu'eans of the deputy [......] herdsman [...] scouts from [the pre]vious [... have gone] to their garrison [...... who] give/gave people to you [...] of the house of Babû [......] ... the country [......] (Reverse 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.]

SAA 05 265 — Cherchez la Femme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, 1879-07-08, 0262; CT 53 882. To the ki[ng]. SAA 05 265; SAAo P314291.

Obverse

To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [NN]. As to [NN] about whom the king, [my] lord, [wrote to me]: "Ask [and investigate] who [...] the [...] women who [...] t[o ...]! Why [......]?" (Rest too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 05 266 — Fragment Referring to Public Works

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15380; CT 53 651. To the ki[ng]. SAA 05 266; SAAo P314063.

Obverse

To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [NN]. The work o[n ...] and the work [...], which [......] (Break)

Reverse

the wo[rk ...], the wor[k ...], in [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 267 — Fragment Concerning Public Works

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15090; CT 53 617. To [the king]. SAA 05 267; SAAo P314029.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: yo[ur] servant [NN]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! On the 11th of [...] the whole [w]ork o[n ...] [... un]til the 20[th ...] (Break)

Edge

[......] they s[aw ...]. [Let them wr]ite [me what the king my lord's orders are].

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

SAA 05 268 — Refusal to Transport Saplings

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 1231; CT 53 836. To [the king]. SAA 05 268; SAAo P314245.

Obverse

[To the king, my] lord: your servant [NN]. As to [the saplings] about which they wr[ote to me] from [the Palace ..., ...] sapl[ings of ...] are [now] avail[able ...]. The towns [......] all [......] ...[......] [They] absolutely [...] refu[se to obey me]; they do not [...] the [... and do not transport] the sapl[ings], saying: "[......]

Reverse

(Break) "We shall not [......, w]e are exempt [......]." The prefect [......] her[e ......] an order [......]. Instead of exe[mpted men ...], the prefect should send [......].

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

SAA 05 269 — Delivery of Barley

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07334; CT 53 324. To [the king]. SAA 05 269; SAAo P313739.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: y]our [servant NN. Go]od health [to the king, my lord]! [As to what] the king, my lord, [wrote me]: "[Gi]ve Ki[ṣir-Aššur] the barley of [... wh]ich is at [your] disposal!" — there are 7,000 (homers) of ba[rley, (measured) by a s]eah of 6 litres, at [my disposal]. [Man]nu-ki-Arbail, the [...] official, [and] the [...] scribes [who ca]me here hit the [......] [the ki]ng, [my] lord [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 270

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0770; CT 53 827. To [the king]. SAA 05 270; SAAo P314236.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health] t[o the king, my lord]! [The forts of the king, my lord], are [well]. (Break) the king [......] not [......] the It[u'eans ......] with me [......] sent, [saying: "...] with you [......] [...] aft[er ......] [...] I [......]

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

Reverse

(Break)

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

Edge

[......] I sent to [......] Who will give [...]?" He said: "[......] [...] they [......]

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

SAA 05 271

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01884; CT 53 200. To [the king]. SAA 05 271; SAAo P313615.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your] servant [NN]. Good [health to the king, my lord]! Wh[en ......] (Break)

Reverse

its [we]ight is [x] minas [...]. We shall [...] and b[ring it in].

SAA 05 272 — Rain and Travel Problems

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 04756; ABL 1305. To [the king]. SAA 05 272; SAAo P334842.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

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

Reverse

It is [now] raining on it. If ice does not form on it, we can leave it in mid-Shebat (XI).

SAA 05 273 — An (Urarṭian?) Defeat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 16534; CT 53 795. To [the king]. SAA 05 273; SAAo P314205.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] it was raining [heavily] on [...]. [... was ca]reless; the Assyria[ns ... c]ame out of the forts and infl[icted] a defe[at on th]em. [Th]ey killed [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 274 — Heavy Rain

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0163; ABL 1265. To [the king]. SAA 05 274; SAAo P334821.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) It rai[ned] extremely heavily. The water trough raised 100 homers (20,000 litres) of water.

Bottom Edge

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 275 — Steady Rain

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15638; CT 53 695. To [the king]. SAA 05 275; SAAo P314106.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) It star[ted to rain] on the 20th day, and it rai[ned heavily] for two days. The water [trough raised x homers of water]. (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 276 — Fragment Reporting on Rainfall

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 14641; CT 53 558. To [the king]. SAA 05 276; SAAo P313970.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [On the ...th] da[y ...] it rai[ned] extremely heav[ily] in the ci[ty ...].

Reverse

The k[ing, my lord], can [be glad]. (Rest destroyed)

Chapter Thirteen. Letters from the King, the Crown Prince and the Treasurer

SAA 05 277–290.

SAA 05 277 — Assembling Troops

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07301; CT 53 305. the king to (unknown). SAA 05 277; SAAo P313720.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [in] Arz[uhina ......]. I am w[riting to you righ]t now: [after I have] sent [..., speak] with [NN wh]o [has written] to the Palace ab[out ...]: "Why [is] the wor[k delayed]? To whom did you [......]? Have they p[romoted NN] as city [lord]?" He is [...]; as for you, [be ready] wi[th your army and wi]th your ch[ariot] troops, assemble the Gurreans, the It[u'eans, the ...], the exempt infantry, the kal[lāpu troops and ...]

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[I said:] "No [......] [de]layed [......] [... the cr]own prince [......] does [n]ot bring [......] Mannu-ki-[Adad ......] "As [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 278

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15608; CT 53 677. the king to (unknown). SAA 05 278; SAAo P314088.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) he is my [...] [...]ean(s) and Arazaean(s) [...] he is [...]. Send him [...] the army of [...] [...] has de[parted fr]om there. (The situation) [is ve]ry [good]. Whatever [...] [...] the re[ar ......] [......] barley [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

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

SAA 05 279 — Military Matters

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09526; CT 53 403. the king to (unknown). SAA 05 279; SAAo P313817.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] palace [...] [......] ... [...] [...... Gabbu]-amur who [...] [...... You] know that [the ...] [who ...]... g[o and] [...]. Now, [...] [with] my assembled [tr]oops [...] [...] together with the h[orses ...] [...] the chief eunuch [...] [...] to [...] [...... say]ing: "The king, [my] lor[d, ...] (Break)

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

Reverse

[...] the royal bodyguard who [...] [...] one [...] of the palace [...] [... have co]me, saying: "We have been sent [to ...]" — [that is] not [true]! [You] know that [the ...] [who] goes [...] [......] the royal bo[dyguard] [......] before the city Ku[...] [......] to the [...] [A]s to the ne[ws of ...] (Rest destroyed or 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 05 280 — Oxen and Wagons

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 12964; CT 53 442. the king to (unknown). SAA 05 280; SAAo P313855.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] to [......] [t]o the te[ams ......] to the messen[ger ...] I bro[ught ......] (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

I g[ave him] these orders: "As soon as you have brought [...] the oxen and the wa[gons, give them] to [NN]; later on, [......]."

Reverse

What else? Let these [...]s go out too, don't let [...] grow [...] (Break) [... ap]proached [...] (Break)

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

Edge

[wh]ich I answered you [...]

SAA 05 281 — Trees for the Royal Orchards

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01183; CT 53 036. Senn[acherib] to the ki[ng]. SAA 05 281; SAAo P313451.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant Sin-[ahhe-riba]. Good health to the k[ing, my lord]! [Assyria] is well, the tem[ples] are well, [all the king's] fo[rts] are well. The king, [my] lo[rd], can be [glad indeed]. Two big ... trees [......] on the 5th day of [......] to the city Šur[u ......] On the 7th of [......] Tu'ayu [......] came [to me ......] among the medlar(s) [......] of the orchard [......] (Break)

Reverse

[...] tree [......] cypres[ses ......] all [......] there [......] grape[s ......] recei[ved ......] I gave orders [......] the rites of Nisan (I) [......]

SAA 05 282 — Palace Reliefs

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07517; CT 53 387. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to c. ca. 714 BC. SAA 05 282; SAAo P313801.

[This letter is edited as SAA 1, 70+.]

SAA 05 283 — Arrival of a Royal Messenger

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15394; CT 53 658. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 283; SAAo P314070.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I]n [his] letter [it was written as follows]: "While [I was] he[re], a messenger of [the king of ... c]ame [t]o [m]e in the city [...]; he had [no]t reached me in [...] (Break)

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

Reverse

thi[s lett]er [ca]me [to me ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 284 — Carnelian from Kumme

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 09212; ABL 1035. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 284; SAAo P334688.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... Ari]ye (Break)

Reverse

"I shall not giv[e the ...]... [On acco]unt of this matter [NN] wrote: "[... is] against me; [make it known] in the Palace," and for that reason I wrote [to] my [lord]: "I shall write to find out [what] he has [in m]ind." The [...] of the Ukkean are [...] with him. [... A]riyazâ has brought carnelian [...] to Silim-Aššur [...] good [...] second best (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 285 — Too Much Snow

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15266; CT 53 629. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 285; SAAo P314041.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I am sending [......]. [Perhaps the king], my lord, will say: "[Why was it not ...] until now?" [The blanket of snow] is very thick, [......] the month Adar (XII) [......] to me (Rest too broken for transalation)

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

Reverse

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

SAA 05 286 — A Journey to Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05493; CT 53 257. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 286; SAAo P313672.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [After ...] the Ukkean had subjugat[ed ...], [the governor] opposite him came from Ur[arṭu] and they spen[t] the night together [in the town] Irmuna. [No]w, both of them [...] [...] to Dur-Šarruke[n ...] [...] w[i]th me (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 05 287 — Inspecting Bronze and Wooden Objects

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 15188; CT 53 628. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 287; SAAo P314040.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... has been rec]eived, and we will enter (it); [there] are vessels of bronze [...] [...] it is burnt red. We shall see [...]

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

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[...] of bronze [...] we have weighed. [...] beams [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 288 — Keeping Watch with Exempted Men

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 13060; CT 53 473. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 288; SAAo P313886.

Obverse

(Obverse destroyed)

Reverse

of [......] Now the ki[ng, my lord, ...] should exercise [...]. And [......] the king, my lord, should rep[rimand ......] I shall keep watch [in ...] with the exempt[ed men ......] behind [......] let them do [......] of Wa[......] knows [......] (Break; side untranslatable)

Edge

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

SAA 05 289 — Distributing Corn

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 07333; CT 53 323. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. SAA 05 289; SAAo P313738.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [trans]ferring [......] the town Mu[...]. For (any cohort commander) who has a bre[ad ration for on]e year and who has men, I [take] from the corn tax and provide it to him in his garrison. Even where there is no entry, they come and tell me, and I give it, so they can cultivate their fields.

Bottom Edge

If I did not allot it, they would take [the corn] they have harvested [prev]iously and eat it, and would not cultivate the fields but turn to me [with]out a superior, saying: "Bread [is being with]held from us!"

Reverse

The king, my lord, knows that [...] no [...]; they have give[n ...] to the king, my lord. [...] thei[r] countries [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 290 — Ferrying Some Thresholds Without Boats

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01178; CT 53 030. [Ṭab-šar-Aššur] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 290; SAAo P313445.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] they [......] another mountain [...] [......] he returns [...] [......] great [...] in Šimu [......] of large boats [......] ..., as many as there are, [are ...]. These boats are damaged. [......]dadu will return, and [......] their [...]. Perh[aps the king, my lord, wi]ll say: "[... th]ese [boats] (Break)

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

Reverse

[......] the stone thres[holds] [...... for the wa]tchtowers I shall bring across [the thresholds] which [have been deposited on] the river bank, [and ... do] the work on the boats. [Wh]at 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.]

Chapter Fourteen. Miscellaneous Letters

SAA 05 291–300.

SAA 05 291 — Giving Bricks to the Magnates

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01246; CT 53 038. [Ṭab-ṣill-Ešarra] to [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 291; SAAo P313453.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] 56 courses of bricks [...] [...] he extracted [...]. [He wrote t]o him: "Why did you extract [...]?" [He said: "The re]st of the work that I am doing [is ...; I have receiv]ed from him [x] bricks, but he is still glazing [the kiln-fired bricks]." I am [herewith] sending [the ...]s of the br[ickwork o]f his wall (assignment) [to the king], my lord. [Perhaps the ki]ng, my lord, will say: "[To who]m have [you] given bricks [...]?"

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

Bottom Edge

[40,000] to (the governor of) Arpad, [40,000 t]o (the governor of) Sama[ria, 40,000 to] (the governor of) Megid[do], in all [1]20,000 (bricks taken) from the king's entourage.

Reverse

[In all 30,000 f]rom Na'di-ilu. [All told], I have given out [1]50,000 bricks; [but] I have omitted the bricks of the royal village managers [about which the ki]ng, my lord, wrote me. [The ki]ng, my lord, knows that the eunuchs and the royal entourage from [whom] I have been taking the bricks which I have given [to] the magnates are going to petition the king. The king, my [lo]rd, may do as he deems best; [the ki]ng, my [lo]rd, knows that [I have] in the past [days given brick]s to the ki[ng's] entourage. [...] the ki[ng's wo]rk [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 292 — Building the City Wall of Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). British Museum, BM 132007; GPA 242. Šarru-e[mu]ranni to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 292; SAAo P336169.

Obverse

[T]o the ki[ng], my lord: [yo]ur [servant] Šarru-e[mu]ranni. [Good] health to the king, my lord! As to what the king, my lord, wrote to m[e]: "Šarru-emur[anni] keeps coming and tel[ling me] that the city wall of Du[r-Šarruken ...] (Break)

Reverse

Marduk-remanni [...]. I shall be there too and keep wa[tch] over Iqiša-Marduk and his associates, until the king inst[ructs me] otherwise. I have heard that Šarru-emuranni [has] come; [he is] in [...], and is indeed do[ing] the work.

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

SAA 05 293 — Finishing the ‘Winged Hoof’

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01220; ABL 0271. Nabu-ušabši, Igli to the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 293; SAAo P334189.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Nabû-ušabši, (and) Iglî. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! As to the winged hoof about which the king, my lord, wrote me: "Why is it not finished?" — had it been at the disposal of the Assyrians, we would have retrieved it from them and quick[ly fin]ished it!

Reverse

[...] the Babylonians [... have been re]trieving it (Break)

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

Edge

I shall bring it to the king, my lord.

SAA 05 294 — Request for Beams, Gold and Steel

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00942; ABL 0566. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 294; SAAo P334388.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "Cons[ult] the tablet!" The br[ick masons who] star[ted] to work were gossiping the following day, saying: "This work is most acceptable to Bel! The king is going to live long!" They were merry indeed, so I asked: "What is it? Tell me!" but they wouldn't tell me. (I need) six musukkannu trees, each six cubits (3 m) long and one cubit (50 cm) in circumference; one haluppu fir tree, five cubits long, one cubit in circumference; ten musukkannu trees, each of which are two qû measures thick; they may be either five or six cubits long; one good box tree; it should be two qû measures thick and six cubits long; 20 šaššūgu trees for the shafts; they should each be ten cubits (5 m) long. The goldsmiths say they need more gold.

Reverse

The king, my lord, should quickly send the three talents of steel about which I wrote to the king, my lord. The king should send grain rations to the artist and have them delivered; the contract that the king, my lord, made with the temple is too small for them. The king should send [x] men, be it be[ard]ed courtiers [or] palace employees, to stand guard [with] me [...], so I can come and see the face of the king, [my lord], and [fea]r [the king] with those who are alive! Now [...] I am [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 295 — Second-Rate Logs will not Do

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, Sm 0456; ABL 0467. To the king. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 295; SAAo P334322.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king], my lord! May [Nabû and Marduk] bless the king, my lord! (Break) [......] are distributing [...] to the magnates [If it is acceptable to] the king, my lord, [the ...] should give orders [to ......] [......] they should come [I will] give them [...]. [The ... which they have c]ut into shape [are] very [...]; their [...] are [...]. I have listed their [...] and sent (this information) to the king, my lord. The second-rate (logs) we [have been cut]ting into shape here are quite plentiful but, frankly, none of them will do for the job. There are [x] door-beams, each 1[2 cubits (6 m) long], a 'bone' (c. 32 cm) wide and a 'palm' (c. 8 cm) thick; they are of fir tree and much too thin. I have tried them out here but rejected them.

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

Reverse

Had they been of cedar, I would already have cut them into shape and installed them. Now, what are the king my lord's orders? If the king orders that they should use them, let the king, my lord, write specifically whether we should use them whole or whether we should cut them in two, and I will duly comply and give them over to the accounting of the palace superintendent. I have finished the work, and will be waiting for the men of the officers of the magnates, until they come and I can check and give (it) to them. As to the musku trees and the logs of the chief of trade that the 'Ateans of Iglî are lifting, they said as follows: "There is no way we can come on the 10th of Ab (V). We shall go and get 30 wagons, and until the sickle [...] in its ..., either on the 20th [or the ...]th of Elul (VI) [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 296 — Bricks for Dur-Šarruken

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01544; CT 53 188. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 296; SAAo P313603.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[...] Adia [...] [There are x sto]ne cutters. The dyers have [beg]un to dye. As to the the work of Dur-Šarruken, we have brought out the local population by villages; they will produce the bricks.

SAA 05 297 — Transporting Stone Thresholds and Raising a Bull Colossus

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 00932; ABL 0957. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 297; SAAo P334646.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I have brought] stone thre[sholds acr]oss (the river), but five [of them] remain [the]re. [I have appoi]nted [the chief...] in charge of them, saying: "Bring [them] across!" On the first day [I to]ok [x] king's men with [me] and went to [Tas]tiate to raise the bull colossus. It has been hewn and [...].

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

Reverse

I am [n]ow spreading poles against [the qu]ay and raising the [bu]ll colossus. We will do it all right; the king, my lord, can be glad.

SAA 05 298 — Moving Bull Colossi Across the River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, DT 289; ABL 1362. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 298; SAAo P334865.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) As to the of[ficials] in Adi[a] and in Tas[tiate concerning whom] the king, my lord, wro[te me]: "All of them should go t[o Dur-Šarruken]!" — the bu[ll colossi] of the magnates are set up to[gether] and the king, my lord, [(earlier) said]: "They should quickly ... the colossi and as long as the water in the river is [low, bring them across] the river!" Who [...] would (then) stay (here) to look after the [bull colossi]?

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

Reverse

N[ow], the magnates are waiting for [me]. May the king, my lord, wait for me (until) Siv[an] (III), and I will (then) get the work done and deliver it to [the king]. If the king, my lord, (nevertheless) ord[ers]: "They must go!" then let ten (officials) from the Inner City and five from Calah stay to look after the bull coloss[i]; the r[est may go] to Dur-Š[arruken]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 299 — Working and Loading Bull Colossi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 01885; CT 53 201. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 299; SAAo P313616.

Obverse

(Obverse too broken for translation)

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

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

[As to the wo]rk to [be done about which the ki]ng, my lord, wrote [me]: "You shall exec[ute] it by the patte[rn] of the [...] bull colossus [of Du]yanusi" — I am do[ing acco]rdingly. [The w]ork looks [good]; [i]t is being done. The king, [my] lord, [can] be glad. The bull colo[ssus of] Duyanusi [is finished] and we have l[oaded] it [on] a boat. [Let them w]ri[te me wh]at the king my lord's [orders are]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 300 — Fragment Referring to a Bull Colossus

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, K 05523; CT 53 268. To [the king]. Assigned to c. 717-706 BC. SAA 05 300; SAAo P313683.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I will d[o and fin]ish [......]. T[his bull] colossus [concerning which] the king, [my] lo[rd, wro]te me (Break)

Reverse

they are [at h]ome. [As to what the ki]ng, my lord, wr[ote me] (Rest destroyed)

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

Colophon

Source and license. This edition reproduces the English translation of the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo, oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa05/), the digital edition of Giovanni B. Lanfranchi and Simo Parpola, The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part II: Letters from the Northern and Northeastern Provinces (State Archives of Assyria 5; Helsinki University Press, 1990), 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 own annotated-edition credit line states the edition "is released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license 3.0"; the project's catalogue data file carries the further, separate statement "This data is released under the CC0 license" (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). Both statements are recorded here; this edition credits SAAo, Giovanni B. Lanfranchi, 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 all 300 catalogue entries edited in Lanfranchi and Parpola's Correspondence of Sargon II, Part II, 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, and each tablet's obverse, reverse, and edges are marked where the source itself marks them. No word has been altered, paraphrased, or supplied by this library. Brackets, ellipses, and parenthetical markers such as "(?)" and "(!)" are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or grammatically uncertain cuneiform; a few short editorial notes ("Beginning destroyed," "Rest destroyed," "(Break)") are likewise SAAo's own, marking stretches of tablet for which no translation is offered. 363 lines across 158 of the 300 tablets are too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation; each such gap is marked in place rather than filled. Two further entries — SAA 05 061 and SAA 05 282 — carry no independent translation because SAAo's own edition joins them physically to, and publishes their translation entirely under, a different tablet ("SAA 5, 55+" and "SAA 1, 70+" respectively); SAAo's own cross-reference note is reproduced in place of a translation for each, exactly as published.

Composite identification. Each letter above is given by its SAA 5 catalogue number, its editorial title where the print edition assigns one, its findspot, its museum or excavation number, its citation in the earlier Assyriological literature (ABL, CT 53, GPA, NL, and similar series) where SAAo notes one, and its SAAo text ID (a CDLI P-number beginning with P), under which the full transliteration and morphological analysis can be studied further at SAAo's own site. Sender and recipient are given as SAAo's catalogue records them, including its own bracketed markers for names supplied from a damaged signature or address.

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

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