The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part III — Letters from Babylonia and the Eastern Provinces — State Archives of Assyria 15

State Archives of Assyria 15 — Letters from Babylonia and the Eastern Provinces

Between 721 and 705 BC, during the reign of the Assyrian king Sargon II, officials serving in the empire's eastern and southern reaches wrote to the king, and in a handful of cases the king wrote to them, on tribute, troop movements, building projects, smuggling, deserters, and the ordinary business of holding frontier and subject territory. Three hundred and ninety-one of these letters and fragments survive as clay tablets, excavated chiefly at Kuyunjik (ancient Nineveh) and now held mainly in the British Museum, with one tablet in the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad. Nearly all are addressed simply to "the king," since Sargon himself is meant; a small group of fragments in the volume's final regular chapter are instead royal letters written by the king himself. Andreas Fuchs and Simo Parpola edited these tablets in 2001 as "The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part III: Letters from Babylonia and the Eastern Provinces," State Archives of Assyria volume 15, completing the three-part edition of Sargon's surviving correspondence begun with SAA 1 (Assyria and the west) and SAA 5 (the northern and northeastern provinces).

This edition follows the print volume's own nine chapters. The first five gather letters by the eastern frontier region they concern: Arrapha, chiefly the correspondence of its governor Issar-duri; Lubda and the Hamrin area, dominated by Nabû-belu-ka''in; Parsua, Bit-Hamban, and Šingibutu, with several named correspondents; Kar-Šarrukin, chiefly the letters of Mannu-ki-Ninua; and Der and Yadburu, chiefly the letters of Šamaš-belu-uṣur. Two further chapters turn to Babylonia proper: Northern Babylonia, whose largest identified sender is Il-yada', and Central and Southern Babylonia, whose largest identified sender is Šarru-emuranni. An eighth chapter gathers fourteen fragments — royal letters and provincial reports alike — catalogued as later additions or joins to SAA 1 and SAA 5. The ninth and largest chapter, Varia and Unassigned, holds 104 letters and fragments too broken or too anonymous for Fuchs and Parpola to assign elsewhere.

The English below is SAAo's own published translation, reproduced complete and verbatim as continuous reading prose; nothing has been added, paraphrased, or supplied by this library. Brackets, ellipses, and parenthetical notes such as "(Break)," "(Rest destroyed)," and "(Beginning destroyed)" are SAAo's own markers for damaged, restored, or lost text. Most of these letters are fragmentary to some degree: 388 lines across 212 of the 391 texts are too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation, and each such gap is disclosed in place rather than filled. One letter, SAA 15 379, has no translation at all: SAAo's own online page for this tablet was not available when this edition's witness was captured, and nothing is invented to stand in its place. One further letter, SAA 15 125, survives only in SAAo's older line-numbered display rather than the volume's usual page format; its English is reproduced just as completely and verbatim, though its own line-by-line damage could not be counted the same way as the rest of the volume.

Chapter 1. Letters from Arrapha — SAA 15 001–023
Chapter 2. Letters from Lubda and the Hamrin Area — SAA 15 024–052
Chapter 3. Letters from Parsua, Bit-Hamban and Šingibutu — SAA 15 053–082
Chapter 4. Letters from Kar-Šarrukin — SAA 15 083–110
Chapter 5. Letters from Der and Yadburu — SAA 15 111–154
Chapter 6. Letters from Northern Babylonia — SAA 15 155–216
Chapter 7. Letters from Central and Southern Babylonia — SAA 15 217–273
Chapter 8. Additions to SAA 1 and SAA 5 — SAA 15 274–287
Chapter 9. Varia and Unassigned — SAA 15 288–391

Chapter 1. Letters from Arrapha

SAA 15 001–023. 23 texts.

SAA 15 001 — Ru’uaean Eunuch Returned from Damascus; the City Wall of Meturna

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00530; ABL 0158. Issar-duri to the king, from Arrapha. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 001; SAAo P334104.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Issar-du[ri]. Good health to the king, [my l]ord! Nabû-zeru-ibni, the Ru'[uean] eunuch whom the king, my lord, retur[ned] from Damascus from the servi[ce] of Bel-duri and sent to Abdudu to Be[l-...] in the hope that the Ru'u[ean] and his people would co[me] to him — (when) Merodach-Bal[adan] heard of his having come, he had all his brothers brought (before him), and spoke with them as follows: "Now that his brother has come, you will run aw[ay] to him!" They said to him, "Why should we run away? (This) brother of ours who has come is on the other side. He came, but he will go back again." They are not assembled and have not yet sent their messenger and inten[tions] to him, (thinking), "(If) we sen[t it] and the king (then) defeat[ed] Merodach-Baladan, and (if) these words [reached the king's ears ...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning (2-3 lines) broken away) the word[s ......] which I wro[te ......] I also [told Nabû-zeru-ibni]: "Now then [go gather] your people, [and take them] to the Pala[ce]! As long as Bel-duri [is] in the Pal[ace], go appea[l to him ...]!" So now then I am s[ending] the [Ru'uean] and his letter wi[th my messenger] to the presence of the king my lord. His staying here [in my presence] is totally unproductive. He and Nabû-ša[llim ...] are (just) p[laying] would-be-kings. The city-wall of Meturna has proceeded [x courses of brick]. The ... [...] of five tower[s] have been laid, and [the ...] of the remaining towers have been put in place. And I am h[ere too]. [...] how I pe[rform] the work and how I keep the ki[ng my lord's] watch.

SAA 15 002 — Dangerous Boat Trip; King Approaching Uruk

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 0734; ABL 1056. Issar-duri to the king, from Arrapha. Proposed date 709. SAA 15 002; SAAo P334703.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Iss]ar-du[ri. Good health t]o the king, [my] l[ord]! [Concerning the g]uard about whom the king, my lord, [wrote to m]e, whom the servants [of the kin]g my lord have hired, he will depart [tom]orrow. [The boa]tmen [sa]id to me as follows: "Are we to go as he says? The [te]rritory is not safe, there are bandits w[ho ...] there. Surely [... will] hear [about it and] send [...]s [who will t]ake the boats away from us. [...] in the ri[ve]r [...]. Let m]e go [...] and give [......], (and) let us wait [fo]r the king, my lord. As soon as the king is approaching the village, or Uruk, let them write to us and we will set out."

Reverse

Now then I am writing to the king, my lord. Let them write to me [w]hat the king my lord's [inst]ructions are. [I have heard th]at the son of Nadin [......] the king's ... [......] the house of Harriru [......] the king [......] sent me (Break)

Edge

[......] the town Pa[... .......]

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

SAA 15 003 — Cavalry of Nibe

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01025; ABL 0159. Issar-duri to the king, from Arrapha. Proposed date 708-707. SAA 15 003; SAAo P334105.

Obverse

[T]o the king, my lord: your [servant] Issar-duri. Good health to the king, my lord! Concerning the cavalrymen of Nibê about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, we were already in Media (when) the le[tte]r of the king, my lord, came t[o m]e. [...] I se[nt (word) ...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 004 — Physicians for the King; Inscriptions for a Temple in Der

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00504; ABL 0157. Issar-duri to the king, from Arrapha. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 004; SAAo P334103.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-duri. [Good] health to the king, my lord! [Concerni]ng Nabû-šumu-iddina and Nabû-eriba, the physicians [about whom I sp]oke to the king, my lord, now then I am sending them [care of] my messenger to the [kin]g my lord's presence. Let them enter the king my lord's [pres]ence, and let the king my lord speak with them. Truly, I have not disclosed nor told them where the king, my lord, is sending them. Šamaš-belu-uṣur wrote to me from Der: "Should we really not put any inscriptions in the walls of the temple?" I am now writing to the king, my lord: let one inscription be written and sent to me (as a model), and let them write the rest according to it and put them in the walls of the temple.

Reverse

SAA 15 013 — Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04703; ABL 0164. Issar-duri to the king, from Arrapha. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 013; SAAo P334110.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, [my l]ord: [your servant Is]sar-du[ri. Good heal]th to the ki[ng, my lord]! [Concerning the cap]tives [about whom the king], my [lord], wrote to me, the former [...] (Rest destroyed or uninscribed)

Reverse

(Several lines broken away) (Rest (about 8 lines) uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 014 — Itu’eans Working in Dur-Šarrukin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1882-03-23, 0142; ABL 0711. Issar-duri to the king, from Arrapha. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 014; SAAo P237089.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Is[sar]-duri. Good health to the [ki]ng, my lord! [Concerning what] the king, my lord, [wro]te to me: "[The] I[tu'ean ...s] who [are do]ing work [in Dur-Šarru]k[in ...] (Break)

Reverse

SAA 15 019 — Bought Slaves and Captives

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01891; CT 53 202. (Unknown) to the king, from Arrapha. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 019; SAAo P313617.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "[O]n the day when [Be]l-ila'i and Apl[aya bring the dependents] who [have been b]ought for money now, along with the (dependents) of [tho]se capti[ves] who [fe]ll to me from Arraph[a]

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

Reverse

[...] Arrapha [...] [...] ... two [...] [...] will lea[ve ...] [I ques]tioned [them] [They said: "The da]y that [...] [...] Apl[aya] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 020 — Fragment Concerning Mule Express in the Province of Arrapha

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13171; CT 53 503. (Unknown) to the king, from Arrapha. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 020; SAAo P313916.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] mule express [...] [...] my teams [...] [...] I with [...] [... the pr]ovince of Arrapha [...] [... t]his [...] my team [...] [...] my teams [...] [...] teams ...[...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 021 — Partitioning Fields in Arrapha

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1879-07-08, 0263; CT 53 887. (Unknown) to the king, from Arrapha. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 021; SAAo P314296.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to] the king, m[y] lord! [...] of Arrap[ha] [...] in the cities [...] [...] to the king, [my] lo[rd] [NN the] bodyguard [...] [...] ... [...] [... The d]ay that [...] Arra[pha] [...] he part[itioned] the fields (Break)

Reverse

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

SAA 15 026 — Harvesting in Dur-Bel-ila’i and Lubda

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 0970; ABL 1191. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 026; SAAo P334781.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lor]d: [your servant Nabû]-belu-ka''in. [Good health to the kin]g, my lord! [Perhaps the king], my [lord], says: "[What are y]ou doing?" — [...] I came [...] together [... wh]atever was boiled [...] has been harvested. I have blocked [...] I am [in] Dur-Bel-ila'i. [...] from Zabban [...] iron sickle [When] I [com]e from Lubda, [...] their harvest [...] the[re is] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 027 — Keeping Watch in Lubda

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01961; ABL 0810. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 027; SAAo P334565.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-belu-ka''in. Good health to the king, my lord! [Concerning the ...]s which are in [...] [...] I and [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [... is eat]ing in Dur-Bel-[ila'i]; I am keeping watch in the pi[edmont, in] Lubda, until we hear the news of these caravans. Thereafter I shall release the king's men.

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

SAA 15 028 — Imposing a Peace Treaty near Lubda

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01223; CT 53 166. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 028; SAAo P313581.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) the peopl[e ...] from there to the t[own ...] below Lubd[a]. The king, my lord knows that I am spending the night [there]. I have made peace and imposed [...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) goes [...] fills [...] does not [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 029 — Fragment Referring to Mountains

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07436; CT 53 356. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 029; SAAo P313770.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) i[f ......] in the mountain [......] outside [......] wood [......] on the 3rd day [......] married [......]

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-belu-ka''in. Good health to the king, my lord! Nabû-iqiša sent me the following report on Elam: "Two messengers of the son of Yakin went to meet the king's brother-in-law, saying: 'Go to the city of HAR.' The king's brother-in-law did not agree to return but said: 'I have reached the border, how can I return unopposed from a used-up territory without the king's permission?' "He (then) sent one of his two messengers to the king of Elam, the other one [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning lost) "The ki[ng]'s brother-in-law w[r]ote [to ...]: 'Bring us [the ...]s, so we shall give you [yo]ur men.'" This report is not how the source of the scribe of the palace has it. If the king my lord (so) commands, he should send another one. It rained heavily on the 18th day. It (also) rained on the 23rd day.

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

SAA 15 033 — News of Borsippa, Sippar, Elam and the Son of Yakin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01880; ABL 1003. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 033; SAAo P334671.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ["...] ..., tell [... to Eṭiru] and Iddin-ahhe [...]! And if [he comes] to Sippar, [let] Eṭiru and Iddin-[ahhe tell it to him. ......] the (good) name of Sippar, he will become afraid, get up, [...], go away, [and ...] there. [Guard] this word like [...]!" — I did neither fetch him up here nor did I tel[l him (to come)]. They brought him to me, and I [and NN s]poke [with him] in accordance with the k[ing]'s words: "(Any)one who [......] may live [in] one of my villages; ["...] within these [...] "[...] It is the king's word [...] ["...] Re[ap] your harvest [...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [He sa]id: "Ṣal[laya the ...] "and his brothers, who [...] to [...] "the son of Yakin and [......] Nabû-le'i the son of [Nabû-taklak] [...] with him to Borsippa. And [...] about his brothers, he has hidden him [...]. News [of the king of Elam]: he has returned [to ......]. The Pillat (tribe) [......] (Break)

Edge

[......] are [g]etting up, and [......] [......] has se[t up] here [...] [......] has sent [to Si]ppar [...]

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

[I shall s]end [......] of the king of Elam. [Now th]en I am sending to the king, my lord, the letter of [Na]ṣibi that came to [Nabû-iqiša]. I went as far as Meturna with Il-yada', passed those people through, returned, and met Balaṭî on the 9th day in Dur-Bel-ila'i. Now then I am going where the king, my lord, sent me to. I have sent (word), and my king's men are on the alert. Let them quickly send me a copy of this letter of Naṣibi so I can send it to Nabû-iqiša.

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

SAA 15 037 — Shipping Tribute Oxen and Sheep from Der

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07325; CT 53 092. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 037; SAAo P313507.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Perhaps the king, [my] lord, [will say]: "To [whom did] the oxen and sheep [belong?]" They are of tribute. [He wrote to me] repeatedly: "Let them come and pass them through!" I wrote to him that they should graze here, but he (insisted): "While my lord is [in] Meturna, let them come [and p]ass them through!" (So) I sent [x] soldiers [fr]om here, saying: "Let them pass them through." They had covered one league of ground [from] Der, (when) he sent (word) and had them returned, saying: "The enemy is attacking them." The soldiers [we]nt (back) and [sta]yed five days in D[e]r, until his heart told him (it was safe) and he allowed them to pass them through. [I am sending] the whole [stor]y of his that he wrote [in] his letter [t]o Balassu, the scribe [of the kin]g, my lord, [in the hands o]f this commander of outriders [...] who went there. (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...... is] in the custody of the commander of outriders [whom] I sent [to the king], my [lo]rd. I shall send him [...]. He went off [... to vis]it him [and e]ntered [the fort. When] Šamaš-belu-uṣur [s]aw him, he had a tantrum and [wrote to m]e: "Why [...... w]ith me in the fort? Have I not been able [to ......]? "When Marduk-šallim goes [......] "[......] Let them give me more men "[......] ... saw [......] relating to the fort [... sett]le him [...]. When the days [......] should have written [...... who] go there (Rest destroyed)

Edge

[... he h]as a tant[rum ......]

SAA 15 038 — An Attack in the Reed Thicket

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07321; CT 53 322. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 038; SAAo P313737.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... p]lundered their [...] which were in [...], and [hid] within the reed [thicket]. We attack[ed the]m together [and brou]ght them up [......]ed them (Break)

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

(Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Vitrified, possibly uninscribed)

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Nabû-[belu-ka''in]. Good health to the [king, my lord]! Concerning the repo[rt about which the king, my lord], wrote to me: "Write [to NN]" — I have written to hi[m, and as soon as] he has provided a detailed [report], I shall send t[o the king, my lord, whatever] there is to report. Concerning what the ki[ng, my lord, wrote to me: "Review] the implements and [...] in Bab-bitqi, [seal them with] your seals, and [entrust them in the hands] of Nergal-belu-uṣur!" — [now the]n I have revie[wed them ......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning lost) (Rest (space of 15 lines) uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 046

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15629; CT 53 689. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 046; SAAo P314100.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] his ears [......] [... A]gain, what I [...] spe[ak] with him [what the king], my lord, does [...] [...] me, saying: "[...] with [...]

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

Bottom Edge

[...] assign [...]

Reverse

(Rest too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 15 047

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16523; CT 53 790. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Diyala region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 047; SAAo P314200.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) in the presence of [......] Mannu-ki-Adad, the [......] has made [......] ar[rived ......] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) terra[ce] house [......] of ...[.....] my inside [......] not [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 048 — Tabaleans on a Military Campaign

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01266; CT 53 039. (Unknown) to the king, from Diyala region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 048; SAAo P313454.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king, my lord]! [......] [......] [... I departed from] Zabban [and en]tered [GN on the x]th. [The magnate]s had passed on [be]fore me, saying: "Keep (going)!" I went after them, moving on. Those Tabaleans, Pišermu and [...]kuka, are [in] my [pr]es[ence. If the ki]ng, my lord, commands, they may stay behind [here].

Reverse

[Alte]rn[atively, let] them [g]o with me to where the camp is being assembled, so that their animals [...]. In whose care [should I l]eave them?

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

SAA 15 049 — Giving Out Land

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05600; CT 53 287. (Unknown) to the king, from Diyala region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 049; SAAo P313702.

(Beginning destroyed) [......] "[...] [......] ground to [...] [......]... against u[s ...] [......] after [...]

Bottom Edge

[... cam]e [and reported] as f[ollows]: "The cities [...] [......] upon [...]

Reverse

[......] fod[der] [......] the exempts [...] [......] "Naṣib-[ilu ...] [... W]hy [did] Nas[hur-Bel ...] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 3. Letters from Parsua, Bit-Hamban and Šingibutu

SAA 15 053–082. 30 texts.

SAA 15 053 — Horses from Parsua

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00497; ABL 0165. Nabu-remanni to the king, from Parsua. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 053; SAAo P334111.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-remanni. Good health to the king, my lord! I met a messenger from Parsua (who told me): "The Zalipaeans have come forth; they have come forth with 100 ho[rs]es in their hands. Four men from among them ran away to the desert and came to Nikkur, (where) they said: 'We have brought horses from our country, but the Mannean has detained (them) inside his country.'" I am now writing to the king, my lord: Let the king, my lord, send a bodyguard to listen to what the Zal[ipaeans] have to say. Perhaps they will bring [the horses] out.

Bottom Edge

I shall supply the [de]ficit of the king, [my] l[ord].

SAA 15 054 — Tabalean Captives in Nikkur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00683; ABL 0556. Nabu-remanni to the king, from Parsua. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 054; SAAo P334381.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... sto]od [...] some 50 men came [to me] to Nikkur. From [the men] at my disposal, [1]35 had died. [When] the caravan of Kar-Šarrukin arrived, I sent (word), had them (= the Tabaleans) brought to me, had them occupy the houses of the deceased, and gave them oxen, sheep and women. The king's bodyguard took advantage of their oxen, sheep and wo[men], (but) did they [run a]way for lack of things? If they really had run away for [lac]k of things, they should have come to [me]. Why did they g[o] to [Mann]ea? By the gods of the king, my lord: I did not know that [the Ta]baleans had run away. I heard about it (only) when I came out of Media. I sent (word) to Mannea, Mazamua and (Bit-)Hamban, and they did bring some men from among them from Mannea.

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

Reverse

Now the king wrote to me, and I have provisioned the captives. The king, my lord, knows if I am negligent or a do-nothing. Let the [kin]g, my lord, have a look at the ... of Nikkur, Tizu, Kiguhtu and Kizahasi, (all) [fort]resses [situ]ated on the enemy border and abandoned: [If I] have revived one of them, is it a crime? The king will [pun]ish me accordingly. The king did [giv]e (me) 2,000 [men]. Either a royal eunuch [or a bod]yguard should come [......] provisions [...... i]n the district [......] they [should have a l]ook (Break)

Edge

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [about which the king], my lord, [wrot]e to me, [...]... [...]... [a]ccordin[g to] the Malahu (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 058 — Submission of Bit-Kapsi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07308; CT 53 310. Nabu-remanni to the king, from Parsua. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 058; SAAo P313725.

Obverse

[To] the k[ing, my lord: your servant NN]. Good health to the k[ing, my lord]! Concerning what the king, m[y] lord, [wrote to me]: "The chief of trade has to[ld me]: 'Bit-Kapsi of Ki[...] has not [submitted] to the command of the king, my lord'" — now (as to) what the chief of trade [said], let the king, my lord, ask and investig[ate: ...] some 20 men [......] (Break)

Reverse

Obverse

To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant Aš[šur-belu-uṣur]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! The servants of the ki[ng, my lord, who ...], have escaped, and are staying [with ...] of Lutû [in ...]. I have written to L[utû], telling him to [deliver] the tr[aitors], and he (responded): "Come; let you and me g[o] and bring them out (together)." I fear the king; what is it that the king commands? Concerning the sto[red] barley of the house of the master of teams [about which the king, my lord, w]rote to me, saying: "You have squandered it" — [as soon as the ...] has come up, [...] in the king's presence [...] with them [...] Verily not a cup [...] Šamaš-belu-uṣur [...] may he keep me alive [...] as much as (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...... y]ou will make [......] silver therein not of bronz[e ...] Let the king ascertain [...] let me pay back the debts that [......]. of Eni-il [...] ... [...] (Rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 063 — Collecting Harvest

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05577; CT 53 286. Aššur-belu-uṣur to the king, from Kisheshim. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 063; SAAo P313701.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Now then [......]: "Cultivate [......]! "... [......] [......] in the presence of the king, [my] lord. The king, my [lo]rd, sho[uld ......] [...] before [NN] [...] three da[ys ......] ...[......] kil[led ......] to [...]-il[a'i ......] Let him [...] the harvest [...] Let [...] mine [...] (Break)

Reverse

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant B]el-eriba. [Good health to the king], my [lo]rd! [......] Adda-rami [...... be]yond [......] [... the king], m[y] lord (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] ... [...] [...... r]un around with [...] [the ...] which I bought, [the ... of] the caravan brought. [...... Re]ally, now [......] horses [......] three horses [......] about three horses [....... go]t angry (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 073 — Criminal Actions

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1882-05-22, 0128; ABL 1224. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 073; SAAo P334805.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) a piglet [......] in the Hiritu river [......] threw [......] I kept asking, and he said: "[......] "I will tell you [......] informers t[o ......] Issar-na'di sai[d: "......] "Let [......] me "[lest] I shall die [......] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] transport [......] in Singi[butu ......] Nabû-ahu-uṣur (and) his brother we[nt to the house of] Aššur-remanni; they killed the man [and ...ed] the wife; indeed, they are inciting the people [......] and selling [...]. I s[ent (word) ...] there be [......] "fez-make[rs ......] fez-makers [......] has sold [...]. N[N] maker of [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 074 — A Man Sells his Daughter to Karalla

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01115; CT 53 027. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 074; SAAo P313442.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... T]his [man] had so[ld his] daug[hters for money i]n Karalla. (Later) he put [...] salt in a bag and put his seal in it, went off, and sent it to his daughter(s), saying: "Run away and come to me!" An Itu'ean whom I had appointed as a ... in the fort, and who returned this salt, said it to a bodyguard, and the bodyguard wrote (about it) 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

As to what the king, my lord, wr[o]te to me, no Karalleans remained (here so) I (could) not ask them, nor are there corn rations, wine, ... (or) kudimmu (salt) that they would be giving them. Now the gods of the king my lord have made it (happen) that [th]ese Karalleans who [...] to [......]... [......] [...... whom] they station (Break)

Edge

Zer-[......] did not [......] in Ka[ralla ......]

SAA 15 075 — Fragment Concerning Karalla and Ellipi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 1440; CT 53 835. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 075; SAAo P314244.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

"[... y]ou(r) [......] in Karall[a ...]. You (pl.) do not pay attention to [what] we write to you, (so) now they have a l[ot] to say." I wen[t to] Dur-Be[l-ila'i and] e[ntered] into the presence of Nabû-re'u'a. He said: "The Ellipeans jointly [...] the ki[ng ...]. Why have you [...ed] the town [... and] gone down [to ...? ...] this [......]." I said: "I [......] Mar-[......] (Break)

Edge

[He said: "... y]ou return [...], let them deposit reed [... in Urz]uhina. ...[...] "[......] have ru[n away ...]."

SAA 15 076 — Pitching Camp in Sumurzu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01900; CT 53 205. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 076; SAAo P313620.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......]paneans [......], saying [......] they killed [......] the governors [......] the king, our lord [...... not y]et [......] he is in Bit-Barrû [......] he is (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

[...... wit]h you

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

Reverse

[..... w]ith them [the ...s of the c]ity said to us: "Pitch [camp i]n Sumurzu! [...]" [W]e wrote [......] [... N]iqi-Tubliš [......] together [......] we shall pitch camp [......] and we [... the dis]trict of Bit-Barrû [... ...]-Marduk [......] Kibabaše (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 077 — Nergal-eṭir is a Nabatean

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15618; CT 53 686. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 077; SAAo P314097.

Obverse

SAA 15 081 — Fragment Mentioning Til-Aššuri

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 2, 191; CT 53 867. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 081; SAAo P314276.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... of the king], my lord [......] says [......] I waited for the report [of] these [...s] who are in [... T]il-Aššuri, until [...] there

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

SAA 15 082 — Providing Roof-Beams

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 1005; ABL 1190. (Unknown) to the king, from Parsua, Bit-Hamban, or Bit-Sangibuti. Proposed date 710 or 707-706. SAA 15 082; SAAo P334780.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

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

"There are no [...] roof-b[eams ...]" — [...] I gave him 200 ro[of-beams] from the wood [......]. Now then the [...] with the [information] officer of Marduk-šarru-uṣu[r ...] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 4. Letters from Kar-Šarrukin

SAA 15 083–110. 28 texts.

SAA 15 083 — Sending Horses to Calah, Snow Blocking the Roads

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). British Museum, London, UK; NL 061+. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 708. SAA 15 083; SAAo P428978. Also edited as SAA 19 190 (SAAo X190190).

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-belu-ka''in. The very best of health to the king, my lord! Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Be at Calah on the 1st of Nisan (I)" — we are clearing the roads, but it is snowing and snow is filling them up. There is very much snow. [...] the 3rd of Shebat (XI) [...] ... [...] he sent the first 20 horses. The year before last, (when) there was as much snow, he gave me two chariots, and the men and horses who were with me died in the snow. I shall be in the king my lord's presence on the 6th or 7th of Nisan.

Reverse

As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "The men and horses should come with you" — hither[to] the ca[pti]ves (Break) the son [of NN ...] I shall not g[o ...] to them, (and) "they will not come [...]." We shall buy the horses and bring them. The mule express of Aššur-da''inanni should alert the equipment of the Arzuhinaeans.

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

SAA 15 084 — Receiving Tribute Horses; Constructing Kar-Šarrukin

Tablet; clay; Nimrud (Kalhu). National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, IM 064097; NL 042. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 708. SAA 15 084; SAAo P224449. Also edited as SAA 19 191 (SAAo X190191).

Obverse

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) is keeping [watch]. The day [I arr]ive on the border, [I shall wr]ite [to the king], my [lo]rd. (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [NN] th[e ...] is standing guard [with] him. (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 088 — A Failed Surprise Attack

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04765; CT 53 232. Nabu-belu-ka’’in to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 088; SAAo P313647.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant Nabû-belu-ka''in. Good h]ealth to [the king, my lord]! The land of the k[ing my lord is well]. [I have received the (following) new]s of [NN]: "Belšunu, [NN, and ...]ri, servants [of ...], thr[ew ...] against him [and] went down [...] his [...]. ["He (however) set out ea]rly [and ...ed] with them. When they saw [that] he had heard [...], they got up and [retur]ned to the [Puq]udu (Rest destroyed)

(Beginning destroyed) [Concerning ... about whom] I [wrote to the k]ing, my lord, [...]ilmaku [ret]urned from [his] city on the [x]1st of Kislev (IX). That city of his is called [...]ahkapkap, it is [...]. He [me]t me there, [and I spo]ke [with him] as the king, my lord, [had o]rdered me, saying: "...[...] [......] appointed me [......] Now (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] in my presence [...] "Previously [...], and we [... "W]hy [do] the Medes [......] "The village manager [......] "[...] [...] ... [...] the town Parnak[a] [...] who against the house of D[altâ] [...] ... with us [......] of the king (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 093 — Tribute from Media

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1881-02-04, 0118; ABL 1211. Mannu-ki-Ninua to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 708-707. SAA 15 093; SAAo P334795.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) of the town [......] Baga-parn[a ......] received [......] we wrote [......] tribute [......] but nothing [......] to us [......] tribute [......] not yet [......] when [......]

(I swear) by the gods [o]f the king, my lord:

Reverse

When I go to Kuluman, [I will ...] to the guard (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 098 — Ludu and Elamite Troops; Concluding a Treaty

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04271; ABL 1008. Mannu-ki-Ninua to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 707-706. SAA 15 098; SAAo P334673.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Mannu-ki-Ninua]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! The la[nd of the king my lord] is well. The Medes [around us are peaceful], and we [are doing our] w[ork]. The king, [my] lord, [can be] glad. [News] of the Elamite (king): [he is] i[n ...]. Concerning Ludû [......] the troops of the Elamite who [...] [...] him; "the previous ones who [......] [...] them [......] their [...]s [......] [... Ašpa-b]ari of Bit-[......] [the ...]s of the Elamite [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] killed their [village managers. Later they became afra]id and ascended to the mountain. I sent [Nabû]-taqqinanni to them, so they came down, concluded a treaty with him, entered it, and everybody is (now) living in his town. Two villages from their outskirts, the avengers who killed the village managers, did not come down. Their brothers told Nabû-taqqinanni: "We shall bring them down and take them before t[he governor; ......] them." As soon as they have co[me down, I shall send them to] the king, [my] lord. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 099 — Report on Ludu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15395; CT 53 659. Mannu-ki-Ninua to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 707-706. SAA 15 099; SAAo P314071.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! Ludû the [...aean] ab[out whom I wrote to the king, my] lord (Rest destroyed)

[......] until my presence

Reverse

[......] is established [in] the country [...... the]reafter my tribute [...... th]e deportees [who .....], their houses, [their ...], their stored corn, [...... th]eir [...] from [Pa]rsua (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 103 — The King is Here

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04676; ABL 1294. Mannu-ki-Ninua to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 103; SAAo P334835.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] Ka[r-Šarrukin ...] [......] city-lords [...] [......] Aya-barakka [...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) the expedition to [......] he came. I spo[ke] with him a[s the king my lord] had ord[ered me] and said: "The king, my lord, is here; [......]." He became very glad, saying: "[Now] I know that the rumour which I have hear[d] is a lie [...! From] now on [...]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 104 — Fragmentary Report on Media(?)

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01906 + K 13010; CT 53 062. Mannu-ki-Ninua to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 104; SAAo P313477.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord: your servant NN]. Good heal[th to the king, my lord]! When [I was] in the city Ur[ku...], 200 men [......] of the city they [......]. I spok[e .......]: "Who is the one wh[o ......] to you?" Th[ey .......]. The king, my lord, know[s that ... who] came [...] in [......]. They said: "A subdued man [......]" (Break) [...] in their hands [... came] to [me in Ma]zamua. [I ...... a]s the king, my lord, com[manded] [... li]ke me on the 19[th] day [...] [...] they place[d ......] I set o[ut with t]hem [...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...]...[......] [ar]ound [......] [...] let him pass [......] [...] all from here [......] they will give [...] to him. Now let [NN ...] here [......]. [Like the king my lord] said, the servan[ts of NN ca]me [into my presence]. I [told him]: "[...] there are men [......]" [H]e did not agr[ee .......] [... he]re not [......] We aft[er ......] they had told him, the man will d[o ......]. He came and said to me: "[......]." [He spoke] kindly with m[e but said]: "Why [does] Naṣib-ilu [...] in this ma[nner]?" I [encou]raged him, saying: "F[ear] not! I will go [to] the Palace [and ...]." Now then [...] is co[ming] to the king, my lord. [......] whatever in the town Urku[... ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 105 — Horses and Recruitment Officers of Calah

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00616; ABL 0127. Mannu-ki-Ninua to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 105; SAAo P334075.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Mannu-ki-Ninua. Good health to the king, my lord! A bodyguard should be appointed in the service of the scribe and the recruitment officers, to fetch and give them their men. The king, my lord, knows that the horses under me have died. The king should qui[ckly] send one of their riding-horses under me.

Reverse

The trainees came with me and I appointed them in the service of the recruitment officers. Should the king, my lord, (wish to) summon them, they are in Calah at the disposal of the recruitment officers.

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

SAA 15 106 — A Carpenter of Kar-Šarrukin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 0167; ABL 1045. (Unknown) to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Proposed date 716. SAA 15 106; SAAo P334696.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] they call him [...... in ch]arge of Gadyâ [......] of Kar-Šarrukin [......] saying, "Where [...] he is [... o]f the Palace [......] has not entered (Break)

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

Reverse

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] lai[d down] [... o]f the spoils [... of s]ilver upon a ...[...] [...] ...[...] [...] the exit [...] [...] you go out [......] Concerning the [tri]bute horse[s] about which the king, my lord, [wrote to me], the king, my lord [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 110 — Returning Landed Property

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05479 + K 15378; CT 53 081. (Unknown) to the king, from Kar-Sharrukin. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 110; SAAo P313496.

Obverse

[T]o the king, [my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! When I was in the town Ur[...], concernin[g the ...] [wh]ich Niya and Hi[...] had seized [...] I had seen, and the king [my lord] had returned [... ......]. Now Niya [and Hi...] have returned [......] [...] 130 hectares of [land ...] [...] silver [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [... o]f ...[...] I shall turn them [...] [I] shall pour [...] He/they said: "Umak[satar ...] (Rest destroyed)

Chapter 5. Letters from Der and Yadburu

SAA 15 111–154. 44 texts.

SAA 15 111 — How Many Stages from Hunnuru to Me?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07496 + K 14585; CT 53 382+. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 111; SAAo P313796.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Perhaps the ki]ng, [my] lor[d, will s]ay: "How many stages are there [from] Hun[nur] to [Bit-Bunak]ki?" [From Hun]nur to Bubilu it is [x stages, fr]om Bubilu [to Mada]ktu one stage, [from Madaktu t]o [Malak]ka [...]..., [from Mal]ak [to Bit-B]unakki [x stages, and from] Bit-Bunakk[i to] me three stages.

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

Reverse

[...] has written to me: "[The king of] Elam heard [that a] citizen of Babylon has written to [Assyr]ia: '[Concern]ing the news of the king of Elam, tell your [lord] that [...... as f]ar as [...]'" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 112 — The King of Elam in Bit-Bunakki

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1879-07-08, 0315; CT 53 893. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 112; SAAo P314302.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant [Šamaš-belu-uṣur]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! The city of D[er and the fort a]re well. My messenger [whom] I sent [to ...] has c[ome back and told me (this)]: "Nabû-ušab[ši ......] "from Hidal[u ......] "six stag[es ......] "there [......] "the tr[oops ......] "in Bubi[lu ......] "The king of E[lam ... is] in Bit-B[unakki]. Further, "the [...] is coming [......] (Break)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

Top Edge

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

Reverse

(Beginning (about 3 lines) lost) I spo[ke with them thus: "......]." [They sa]id: "[.... which] we brought out [....... Once] we had run away, all the [...] flew off and, panic-stricken, took residence in the [...], in the inner town and in [...]. Now we have returned and dwell in [our] houses. [If the ...]s come to us, we shall seize them and deliver them t[o our lord]. We shall not be sca[red]. We shall bri[ng in] the incomers with us; we shall take care of the incomers under [us ...]." (As for) Ahu-lê, the city including [...] will be in his charge [...].

Edge

[Now] I am gathering tro[ops in M]eturna, [a]s the king, my lord, wrote to me. [I] am waiting for the messenger of the king, [my lord].

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

SAA 15 117 — The King is Coming and has Crossed the River

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13003; ABL 1349. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 117; SAAo P334858.

Obverse

[To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant Šamaš-belu-uṣur]. Good health to the king, my lord! [The city of Der and] the fort are well. [Concerning the royal ...]s who live in Der, [about whom the king, my lord, wrote to m]e: "Let two of them come [and ent]er [into my presence]" — now then Nabû-ušabši [and NN] have come [befo]re me. [...... in] Calah the king my lord [gave] this very order [to me]: "[......] royal [...]s [t]o me [...]" (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] some 10 men from among them [have come before me, saying]: "To the king [......] ... [...... g]o [...]." I sa[id]: ["When the king was in] Metur[na, why] did you (pl.) not co[me to gr]eet the king? [Now the king] has crossed [the ri]ver. [If] you come [to greet] the king, the king will lift up [your heads] and see you. [The ...]s of this path are many. [The] Babylonians [were running] after me, so I got afraid [and kill]ed them."

Right Edge

Now then they are on their way [to the ki]ng, my lord. (Rest destroyed)

Edge

(Broken away)

SAA 15 118 — Elamite Troops Besiege and Take Malaku

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 1324; ABL 1063. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 118; SAAo P334708.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) they came and besieged [Malak]. At [day]break, they let their released troops go to the [...] and towns, and they plundered all the people and oxen. Those who escaped got scared and entered Der. On the 14th of Kislev (IX) I sent cavalrymen to Malak. They come back and told me: "The herald has entered the house of Zera-iddin, gathered the inhabitants of the country (and) the Malakites, and entered them into a temple. They keep watch over them, and have [...ed the ...] of Zera-iddin [...]."

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

Bottom Edge

[M]y messenger returned from the c[ity ...] on the 14th, and I have sent him to the king, my lord.

Reverse

Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "Where is the king of Elam?" He is in Bit-Imbî. These troops which came to Malak — it is [not y]et clear [whe]ther they will proceed to Der or whether they will turn [ba]ck. As soon as there is clear [ne]ws as to [whe]re they are bound to, I shall write [to] the king, my lord. [Zera]-iddin along with his [magna]tes and sons [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 119 — Provisioning the Fort

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05193 + K 14085; CT 53 077. Šamaš-belu-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 119; SAAo P313492.

Obverse

SAA 15 125 — The Seal Impression is not like That of 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

[......] the king's [w]ork [......] let him live there [......] and the people of the country [......] the work voluntarily (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 129 — The King of Elam Goes to Bit-Bunakka; Building the Fort

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05621 + K 07307 + K 09413 + K 09593 + K 12995 + K 13054 + K 16555; CT 53 110+. Nabu-duru-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 129; SAAo P313814.

Obverse

[To the governor, my lord]: your [serva]nt [Nabû-duru-uṣur. Good health to my lord]! The ci[ty of Der and the for]t are we[ll]. News o[f the king] of E[lam]: m[y messenger] whom I s[ent] to El[am] we[nt to the town Bur]ati. [On the xth day] h[e retur]ned (with this report): "The king of E[la]m has set o[ut]. He has sen[t his messenger t]o Parsumaš, saying: 'Will [...]yâ mobilize? [...] against [...].' Umman-minâ the herald [... and Bu]r-Silâ [are rai]sing pro[visions for the expedition] in Bit-Bunakka. [They have written] to the son of Dal[tâ]: 'The king of Elam is coming, he is go[ing forth to] Bit-Bunakka.' The spearhead of [his] ch[ariotry has] gone [with] the king to Bit-[Bunakka]. "[...] into the pres[ence of ...] In the repor[t of ......] 25 [...] If from [......] within [x] day[s ......] I sent him [......] he went out [......] "betw[een ... he] will as[k ......] he will spea[k ......] to the city [of ...]. Alternatively, [......] he will com[e ......] [......] three times [......] [...... let] them com[e ...] [...... hor]ses wi[th ...] [...... Now th]en the messenger [...] [...... a]ll the time [...] [......] if in the ri[ver ...] I[f ......], I shall come, (and) my lord will g[o] to the [ki]ng. If I hear that he is going to Bit-Bun[a]kka, I shall write to my lord. [Let] the 500 soldiers of [...] come and enter [the for]t; [...]...[...] 200 [me]n [...]. Concerning what [my] lor[d wrote to me]: "After [..., inquire and inve]stigate [...], where [...]!" — [I am doing] as [my] lor[d w]rote [to his servant]. [Concerning what] my [lord] wrote to [me: "......]. If [the king comes], is there [...] this [...] of bricks?" — I have made [...] there. If I hear that the king is coming to Der, I shall transport them, bring them in, and construct towers with them. Whatever is left over, I shall keep soft with water.

Reverse

[Concern]ing what my lord wro[te to me]: "[...] and be confident un[til] we come, [and fear the king]!" — by your gods, [I am] very [confident]. [Concerning what my lord wrote to me: "...], if I [am in Me]turna" — until my messenger came from [my] lo[rd's] presence, did he say that the governor is in [Me]turna? I did not raise (any) provisions for the expedition, thinking: "I will send them to my lord." Surely, my lord, within 5 or 6 days my lord will go either to Assyria or to the enemy country, O my lord. Let my lord quickly give orders to Meturna, Zabban and Dur-[Bel-ila'i], and let my messenger quickly fet[ch] (provisions) from there posthaste to my lord! All is [ve]ry well; the city of Der is happy [indeed]. The [... and] the governor, [my l]ord, can be gla[d]. [Aššur-remann]i, the cavalry commander of the deputy (governor) [of ..., a] servant of [my lord], a [...] dog, came [to me ...], and I [said to him]: "Yo[u are a servant of] my lord; [......]. I am ill; [......] me!" I (further) said: "[...] from [...] not [...] under the king's protection [... wro]te to me, in Der [......] Der [concerning which my lord] asked me: "[...... how mu]ch is there?" — [......] I said [t]o my lord [...... o]f Aššur-remanni (Break)

Edge

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) Let the king [my lord] send [to] us [for ...] days [NN and ...]zû, the eunuchs [of ...], and let them [......] to the patient. [...] should go [to De]r [...]. [Alternatively], the king, my l[ord], should come with [......]; he should sp[e]ak [with the king], my lord. [... the cit]y of Der with the ki[ng] [...] 5 Babylonians

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

Right Edge

[...] are going up [...] a Babylonian [...] the royal seal [...]

SAA 15 133 — The Messenger Should not Tarry

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05571; CT 53 285. Nabu-duru-uṣur to the king, from Der. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 133; SAAo P313700.

Obverse

[To] the governor, my l[ord: your servant Nabû-duru-uṣur. Good he]alth to [my] lord! [The city of Der and] the fort are [well]. (Break)

Reverse

[...... it has] rained; the wat[er ...] [I have written] to the [governor], my [lo]rd; let my lord do as [the gover]nor, my lord, finds [acceptab]le. The messenger should not tarry; let my lord [quickly] give him orders, [and let him] come here.

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

Right Edge

Pe[rhaps] my [lord] will say: "[...] are covered" — the servant[s ...] [w]hat their work [...] cattle [...]

SAA 15 134 — “My Father Went to Assyria”

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07514; CT 53 388. Nabu-duru-uṣur to the king, from Der. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 134; SAAo P313802.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ["...] I shall fini[sh ......] "My [fa]ther who [was] the pr[elate of ...] wen[t t]o Assyria [......] [...] ... [......] [...] where the king [......] [... h]e wrot[e ......] [......] [...] ... [......]

Bottom Edge

[Conc]erning the chief [......] [he has sen]t his whole [arm]y [......] they are go[ing ......] their [......] (Break)

Reverse

I shall go to Bit-Hu[......] If [......], I shall go [to ...] 12 magnate[s ......] [hor]ses [......] (Break)

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

Edge

his [...] before [......] [...] people in [......]

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

SAA 15 135 — The God Enters his House

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1879-07-08, 0269; CT 53 886. Nabu-duru-uṣur to the king, from Der. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 135; SAAo P314295.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Concerning what] my [lo]rd, wrote to me: "Be on the alert until the god has entered [the inner sanc]tum, and let your guard be strong" —

Bottom Edge

(Rest destroyed)

To the vizier, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. Good health to the vizier, my lord! The Urukeans [...] lawsuit (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) I am herewith sending [him to th]e v[izier], my lord. Let the vizier, my lord, establ[ish] his case.

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

SAA 15 139

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 12948; CT 53 436. Nabu-šumu-iddina to the king, from Lahiru. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 139; SAAo P313849.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] aroun[d ...] [...] of the chi[ef ...] [...] in(to) the king's presence [...] [Il-ya]da' who [......] [in] the days of [NN] [Nabû]-belu-ka''in in [......] [...] No[w ...] [x] hundred men [...] [...] muc[h ...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 140 — Natan and Mannu-iri (of?) Lahiru

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07492; CT 53 374. Nabu-balliṭanni to the king, from Lahiru. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 140; SAAo P313788.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant] Nabû-balliṭan[ni. Good heal]th to the king, m[y] lord! [Concerning] Natan and Mannu-iri [about whom the king], my lord, wrote to me: "[W]hat are the matters [that ... in] the message?" — [I questio]ned t[hem ...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) ... [......] This [wo]rk which they have done [......] [i]n Lahiru [......] [gr]eatly [......] The whole city [......] [bef]ore Nabû-š[allim ...] [The peop]le of the city [...] greatly. [Aft]er [...] tents [...] [...]... very [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 141 — Report on Elam

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14654; CT 53 568. Nabu-balliṭanni to the king, from Lahiru. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 141; SAAo P313980.

Obverse

[To the king], my [lord: your servant Nabû-bal]liṭanni. [Good health to the k]ing, m[y] lord! [The land o]f the king [my] lo[rd] is well. [Concerning ... about] which [...] [......] in El[am] [...... s]oldiers [...... has] entere[d] [...... e]arly m[orning] [......] came (Rest too broken for translation)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 142 — The Men Here do not Suffice for the Forts!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1881-02-04, 0119; ABL 0868. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 142; SAAo P334596.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... g]ave [...]. [I am herewith s]ending her [to the king], my lord. Further: the legate of Der has written to me: "Send me 2,000 men!" But the men from here do not suffice (even) for the fortresses! Whence should I take the men to send to him?

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

SAA 15 143 — Fragment Mentioning Der and Meturna

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16105; CT 53 757. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 143; SAAo P314167.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... y]ou return [...] [...] the king, my lord [...] [... to] Der g[oes ...] [...] to his left [...] [... M]eturna [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 144 — Fragment Referring to Shalmaneser, Der and Chaldea

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14668; CT 53 576. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 144; SAAo P313988.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] my [......] let them remember [......]s [......] to the king (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] Shalmaneser (V) [...... D]er [......] Chaldea (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 145 — Fragment Referring to the Gambulaeans

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14690; CT 53 588. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 145; SAAo P314000.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) when from [......] I came [......] opposite me i[n ......] I went [......] the Gambul[ean(s) ......] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) and Mar-[......] the chief eunu[ch ......] and the Chalde[an(s) ......] opposite me [......] which the ki[ng ......] (Break)

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

Edge

[... will o]ffer [......] (Uninscribed)

SAA 15 146 — Fragment Concerning the Ru’ua Tribe and Elam

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14638; CT 53 557. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 146; SAAo P313969.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... The Ru]'ua (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] took (from) him [...... E]lam [......] he does; as [......] [...... c]om[e(s)] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 147 — Fragment Mentioning Kalbi-Uku

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13032; CT 53 457. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 147; SAAo P313870.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) x men [......] have deserte[d ......] which there [......] upon [......] from there [......] [o]f Kalb[i-Ukû ...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 148 — Fragment Mentioning Kalbi-Uku

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15605; CT 53 675. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 148; SAAo P314086.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... Kal]bi-Ukû [...] the street [...] is good [...] we did not expand (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [... g]o [...]... [... the king, m]y [lord,] knows [that ...... en]ter the streets [...] not [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 149 — The King of Elam Gets(?) Silver and Gold from(?) Zer-Babili

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13758; CT 53 507. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 149; SAAo P313920.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Bottom Edge

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

Reverse

"the king of Ela[m ...] [...] Zer-Babi[li ...] [...] sen[t ...] [...] my father's house [...] [...] at his disposal [...] [...] silver and gol[d ...] [Kalb]i-Ukû [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 150 — Siding With the King of Assyria

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07556 + K 14281; CT 53 102. (Unknown) to the king, from Der region. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 150; SAAo P313517.

Obverse

Obverse

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

SAA 15 156 — Waiting for the King; Merodach-baladan in his Country

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00667 + K 07359; ABL 0503+. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 156; SAAo P334344.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Il-yada'. Good health to the king, my lord! The land and the forts of the king my lord are well. The king, my lord, can be glad. Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "For these two months, be attentive and keep your guard strong, until I come!" — the troops and horses are arrayed together to stand guard in the district of the king, my lord, (and) [I] myself am constantly monitoring my guard. The gods of the king, my lord, have provided peace: ever since the king, my lord, went to the country of the enemy, there have been no enemy attacks whatever. The district of the king, my lord, is well indeed. As to the we[ir] about which the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Be attent[ive! Why is] the work assignment behind sch[edule]?" — they have not [finished] digging the [rivers] which they undertook, it being the ti[me] of cultivating the seeds, but have moulded bricks and trodden (earth).

Reverse

I released the men, so they have [d]ug their rivers and moulded bricks. (Now) they have gone down at it again [in the]ir [full power] and are finishing up clearing off the work assignment [which] they did not finish. Its bridge has been completely built. After the river has been completely cleared out, then I shall send (word) to Aššur-belu-taqqin: "Come, let us open the weir!" If it suits him and he comes, we shall open it. If not and he says: "At the time of cultivating the seeds," we will open it in the early winter. Also, there is very much water in the Diyala river, the waters go to Dur-Šarrukku. His men have not been able to go up to the mouth of the river because of the amount of the water. [Ne]ws of Merodach-Baladan: [he has tur]ned back and is in his country.

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

SAA 15 157 — The King is Coming, Join our Side!

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 0030; ABL 1041. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 157; SAAo P334692.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) c[ame t]o me, [saying: ".....] of the king, our lord, [...]. W[e will ...] our crops [.... ... we]nt to h[is] presence." They call [him] Ṣalâ-il, he is the one of them who has been trying to persuade them, saying: "[...] Let us get [together] and go to Il-yada'!" One of [his] broth[ers] went to Babylon into the presence of the son of Y[akin], saying: "The men have turned their faces to[wards Assyria ...]" (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) what the king my lord [......]. I said: "[He is] in the city Anat of [...]." He went and inspected the city, [...], returned and sett[led down] with his brothers, the [...eans] along the Diyala river. He has se[nt] his messengers to the Tu'man[eans] who live in the Hatalla tribe, saying: "The king, my lord, is coming forth to my house. As for you, move on and [come] to me!" The messengers whom he sent have not yet returned. After they have r[eturned, I shall write to the king, my lord], wh[at] their [new]s is. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 158 — The Son of Yakin in Babylon; the King Should Come

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01176; ABL 0504. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 158; SAAo P334345.

Obverse

[To the k]ing, my lord: [your servant] Il-yada'. [Good hea]lth to the king, my lord! The land and [the for]ts of the king my lord are well. The king, my lord, [can be glad]. News [of the son] of Yakin: he is [in Baby]lon. [Rad]manu the sheikh of Opis [has writ]ten to me as follows: "[The elders of S]ippar [said to me]: 'The king [should com]e [......].

Reverse

"[...... they] have begun "[...] ... [...] "I [have ... what] I heard." They will see [whatever] it is, [and I shall se]nd a [deta]iled [report] to [the king], my [lor]d.

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

SAA 15 159 — Gathering Intelligence on Sippar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01136; ABL 0608. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 159; SAAo P334421.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] to A[......] [He will th]row himself at the king [my] lord's [fe]et in the re[view]. Now [then] he has gone with Ahu-nuri to [meet] the king, my lord. The king, my lord, should speak kindly with him, and the king, my lord, should give him confidence so he will come and convey the kind words to the people of his country and his brothers. And concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "In addition to Radmanu finding out and sending you the news of Sippar, isn't there any Babylonian you (can) send to find out and tell you their news?" — Radmanu, the sheikh of Opis, lives [in a t]own of the district.

Reverse

A certain [...-idd]ina, an official [... of] the district [...] [... x le]agues [...] [...] whatever n[ews there is] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 160 — Nabu-ašared in Irons; Son of Yakin in Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16085; CT 53 745. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 160; SAAo P314155.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I have put the hands and] feet [of Na]bû-aša[red in irons and am herewith sending him to the ki]ng, my lord. [New]s of the son of [Yakin: he is in Bab]ylon. (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 161 — The Son of Yakin in Babylon; Messenger of Eṭiru Sent to Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04305 + K 05578; CT 53 068. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 161; SAAo P313483.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Il]-ya[da'. Good health] to the king, [my lord! The la]nd and the f[o]rt(s) of the king my lord are well. The king, my lord, can be glad. News of the son of Yakin: he is in Babylon. Bel-udu'a, the messenger of Eṭiru the prelate, who has once or twice visited the king, my lord, has now come and said: "I have been sent to the Palace [...]" (Break)

Reverse

[To the k]ing, my lord: [yo]ur [servant] Il-yada[']. Go[od heal]th to the king, [my] lord! The lan[d] and the forts of the king my lord are well. The king, my lord, can be glad. A [...] of [x] mou[n]ted men from Dur-Kurigalzu was in [...]. I [...]ed them [with ......] of the town [...r]ani. Of the 200 men of [...] my [...] anxiety before them (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning destroyed) went and [reported back]: "The people [...] have got scared and go[ne] to the other side of the river. Nobody is left on this side of the river." I heard it being reported of the king, my lord: "The king has been blocked and is going (away)," so I went with Aššur-belu-taqqin as far as the town Dar[...]. There I heard the king, my lord, is moving on, so I turned and went back to my guard.

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

SAA 15 165 — The Land of the King has Recovered

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01230; CT 53 171. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 165; SAAo P313586.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Now the land of the king, [my] l[ord], has recovered. The king, my lord, can be glad indeed. Opposite me [......] [c]louds in [......]

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

Bottom Edge

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Bat]ulu the [..., a servant o]f the governor [of GN ca]me and sl[an]dered [A]m-yata' the deputy (governor), [a servant of the king, m]y lo[rd], in the presence of the king, my lord. (Then) he brought 250 Chaldeans and a bodyguard with him, and they went and intruded into the house of the king my lord's servant, Am-yata'. He molested the slave-girls, gathered them into the storerooms, slaughtered his pigs; and all the men who had come with him, every one of them, filled his bag [with ...] from his house.

Bottom Edge

Furthermore, they went in and [captured the servant of the king], my lord, and [destroyed] al[l] the vines [and ... th]at were there. Even the town of A[m-yata'] was similarly ravaged.

Reverse

I sent a gardener of my father and my grandfather to him, saying: "Let him be brought here." Batulu sent his men to intercept him, but they (= my men) arrested every one of them and brought them into my presence. Batulu (then) went and lodged a complaint of mistreatment [bef]ore the king, my lord. [N]ow then [I am sen]ding [t]o the king, my lord, the prefects of his who led [him; let] the king, [my] lord, [question them]. [... A]m-yat[a'] (Break)

Edge

Let him speak, and [may] the king [......]

SAA 15 169 — People from Dur-Šarrukku Appeal to the Vizier

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1881-02-04, 0095; ABL 0505. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 169; SAAo P334346.

Obverse

To the vizier, my lord: your servant Il-yada'. Good health to the vizier, my lord! Sîn-uballiṭ, a servant of the vizier, my lord, and two sons of his, cohort commanders of the vizier, my lord — he himself is the mayor of Dur-Šarrukku — a brother of his went to Arrapha, saying: "I will deport him," so he r[a]n away and appealed to the king [......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 170 — Cuthaeans Selling Animals

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15921; CT 53 718. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 170; SAAo P314128.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) of [......] "[......] bows [......] Cuth[ae]ans [...] come [......] ... animals [...] [bri]ng and s[ell them] for money (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.]

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) (Rest broken away)

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

SAA 15 171

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16562; CT 53 803. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 171; SAAo P314212.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant Il-yada'. Good health to] the king, [my] lo[rd! The f]orts [and the l]and of the king [my lord] are well. [...] in the for[ts] [......] all [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 172 — Fragment Mentioning the Ru’ua, Kalbi-Uku and the Son of Yakin

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01155; CT 53 029. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 172; SAAo P313444.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... the] Ru'ua who [......] went away [...... Kalbi]-Ukû became afraid [......] The men of the son of Yakin [...... who] are hauling [......] has written to me: "Come [to] my help [......]! I shall go [... ...] days [...] (Break)

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

Reverse

Reverse

(Beginning destroyed) (Rest broken away)

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

SAA 15 176 — Digging a Moat

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1881-07-27, 0037; CT 53 145. Il-yada’ to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 176; SAAo P313560.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... of] the moat [...] [... o]f the moat against the tower [...] the Isuqa[ean(s)] [...] of the moat against the mountain [...] [... where] three men, where four men, where five [men ...] Perhaps the king, my lord, will s[ay]: "Why [......] the ground like this?" [...] he will reach down (by digging) [...]. [The king], my [lord] knows that [it is] in the hands of the Chaldean. We shall finish [... on the xt]h of Elul (VI) [...] [......] as far as the inside of the mountain [...]

Bottom Edge

[......] came [......]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 177 — Merodach-Baladan in Nippur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01980 + K 14600; CT 53 064. Aššur-belu-taqqin to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 177; SAAo P313479.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-belu-taqqin. Good health to the king, my lord! News of Merodach-Baladan: he is [in N]ippur. News of Bit-Dakkuri: he is staying [in ...], and they are [kee]ping watch over him. [...] Chal[deans ......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 178 — Merodach-Baladan is in Babylon, Bit-Dakkuri is well

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 22065. Aššur-belu-taqqin to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 178; SAAo P336769.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] wine [...] [News of] Merodach-Baladan: [he is] in Ba[bylon]. [......] Bit-Dakkuri is we[ll ...] [...... are] keep[ing] watch over them (Rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 179 — Merodach-Baladan in Dur-Yakin; Summoning the Puqudu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00648; ABL 0887. Aššur-belu-taqqin to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710-709. SAA 15 179; SAAo P334609.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Aššur-[belu-taqqin]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! Concerning the attack about which [the king, my lord], wrote to me: "Who released [...]?" — [NN], the priest of Uruk, sent [NN] to him; it was he who ga[ve] (the order) to release (him). Merodach-Baladan is [in] Dur-Yakin. Ina-qibi-Bel-abluṭ and Nabû-hamatua went [to the to]wn Ubulu of Puq[udu, and sta]yed there for two days; having told the Puqudu to summon their king's men, they returned and went [to s]tay in [...]. Perhaps [the king, my lord, will s]ay: "W[hy are they] assemb[ling troops]?"

(Vitrified and illegible)

SAA 15 184 — Gold for the Statue of Humhum; Deserters from Bit-zeri

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00177; ABL 0438. Marduk-šarru-uṣur to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 184; SAAo P334302.

Obverse

To the king, [my] lord: your servant Marduk-šarru-[uṣur]. Good health to the king, [my lor]d! Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Where are these kakkussu-ornaments placed?" — they are placed upon the mole of the god Šidada, outwards. There are seven of them, and their weight is 5 minas and fifty shekels of gold. One mina and 10 shekels of the gold is for the breast of the god Humhum. A total of 7 minas of gold has been used in the time of the king, my lord, but there is no written record on it. Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "What objects has Aššur-belu-taqqin made and placed there? Write it down and send it to me" — a breast part for Šidada, its weight being half a mina of gold, and one cup of 'hand water,' its weight being one mina of gold. These are the objects that he has made, and there is a written document by Aššur-[belu-ta]qqin on them.

Reverse

A cavalry commander — one of the šandabakku — with a horse has deserted to my presence. I asked him about the news, and he told me: "Ṣala[...] has been brought into the house of [NN] "[......] "[......] ["......] ["......] "[......]"

Right Edge

caval[rymen ...... of] the son of Zerî [......]. They have se[nt me this word]: "We shall desert for the [king], our lord." [...]...[...]

Edge

I (told him): "Let us send them tokens through a Babylonian." Perhaps the gods of the king my lord will make it (happen) and they will desert. I shall then send him to the king, my lord.

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

SAA 15 185 — The Women of Dur-Bel-ila’i

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13153; CT 53 498. Marduk-šarru-uṣur to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 185; SAAo P313911.

Obverse

[Your servant Ma]rduk-šarru-uṣur: [Good health t]o the k[ing, my lord]! (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] came[ls ...] [...] ... [...] Now then [I am sending] with my messenger one [...] who saw h[im]. Let the king, my lord, send a [bodyguard] with him [on ac]count of the women o[f the ...] of Dur-Bel-il[a'i]. (Edge uninscribed)

SAA 15 186 — The Son of Zeri Crossing the River at Bab-Bitqi

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01376; ABL 0830. Šamaš-abu-uṣur to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 186; SAAo P334583.

Obverse

To the governor, my lord: a tablet from Šamaš-abu-uṣur. Ra'iwanu, the nephew of Bel-iddina from Nagiati has come and told me (this): "The son of Zerî is crossing over at Bab-bitqi. The Itu'u, the Rubu'u, and the [Li]ta'u [have c]rossed [over be]fore them [at] the town Apallâ. The Rahihu [are spen]ding the night at the town Nunak."

Reverse

Report it to the Palace! I have sent you in[fo]rmation!

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

SAA 15 187 — Breaking Fallow Land in Labdudu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 2, 009; ABL 1084. Marduk-šarrani to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 187; SAAo P334726.

Obverse

[To the king, m]y lord: [your servant] Marduk-šarrani. [Good health] to the king, my [lord]! [Nabû-...]-iddina the scribe [and NN] sent (word) [concerning] the bulls [of the Lab]dudaeans, [due t]o the chief cook: "[Bring the b]ulls!" [They bro]ught 26 bulls, [which I recei]ved from them. They have (however) not [yet] brought [the res]t of the[ir] bulls. [...]

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[o]f the tur[n ...] are [o]n [my] neck. I have completely cultivated their arable fields. Now the king, my lo[rd], should give orders that they bring their remaining 81 bulls, so [I can] give bulls to them and they can break their fallow fields. (Traces of two erased lines)

SAA 15 188 — An Appeal to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13094; ABL 0939. Marduk-šarrani to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 188; SAAo P334635.

Obverse

[To the king], m[y] lord: [your servant Marduk]-šarrani. [Good health t]o the king, my lord! [Concerning what the king], my [lord], wrote to me: "Nabû-šarru-ibni [and Makk]ame have appealed to me, [saying]: '[...] from among the gardener(s), [NN] son of [NN] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Completely broken away)

SAA 15 189 — Marduk-šarrani Conspires with Merodach-Baladan

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05333B; ABL 1024. Il-yada’ or Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Dur-Kurigalzu or Babylon. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 189; SAAo P334683.

Obverse

He says: "Marduk-šarrani has said to Merodach-Baladan: 'Who is plotting [against m]e in Assyria? I have indeed bec[ome a ...! ...] from whom there is no witness.'" [...] says: "Marduk-šarrani has said [to the son of Ya]kin: '[Who in] Assyr[ia ......]' (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [... says: "]Marduk-šarrani has said [to the son of Ya]kin: '[... who] know[s] the shepherd [... who] lays your throne in [your] ha[nds ......]. And I [......] of Assyria [...] does not sin [...].'" "He has (also) said to the son of Yakin: 'There is no water in Dur-Šarrukku. If you come and launch an attack on it, you will take it in a matter of a day.'"

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

SAA 15 190 — Itu’eans Deported by Il-yada’

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07363 + K 14624 + K 16064; CT 53 332. (Unknown) to the king, from Northern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 190; SAAo P313747.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I wrote] t[o the king], m[y lo]rd: "[......] all these who [...] [...] ... [...]

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

Bottom Edge

[...] the king, my lord [...] [...] ... [...]

Reverse

[The king], my lord, should kn[ow] that these Itu'[eans] are no more com[ing] to me! [Il-y]ada' has depo[rted them] from my presence. They should call him to account for them. I have sent my messenger, who came from his presence, to the king, my lord; the king, my lord, should question him. Badâ has left for the ki[ng, my lord. He told me]: "The Aradatea[ns have go]ne to I[l-yada'], they did [no]t [come to me]." (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 191 — Fragment Mentioning Il-yada’

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16048; CT 53 727. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 191; SAAo P314137.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] does [...] [...] of Il-yad[a' ...] [...] their [...] which he [...] [...] ... [...] [... Conc]erning the new[s ...] (Remainder 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.]

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 192 — Fragment Referring to Il-yada’

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 0836; CT 53 825. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 192; SAAo P314234.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[...] the king [...] [... I]l-yada[' ...] [...] to the king, [my] lo[rd] [...] with the king, [my] lord [... t]oday [...] ...... [...] [...] ...... [...] [...] the watch [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 193 — Crossing the Tigris to Dur-Kurigalzu

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13172; CT 53 504. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 193; SAAo P313917.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... th]at the kin[g ......] Qabaya [...] [w]ho wen[t ...] [crossed] the Tigris [and w]ent [t]o Dur-Ku[rigalzu]. The river [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 197 — Bel-ibni in Birati

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16483; CT 53 770. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 197; SAAo P314180.

Obverse

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

SAA 15 200 — Merodach-Baladan Contacts the King of Elam

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01536; CT 53 186. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 200; SAAo P313601.

Obverse

Obverse

SAA 15 207 — Fragment Referring to Merodach-Baladan

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07312; CT 53 313. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 207; SAAo P313728.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: yo[ur] servant [NN]. Good hea[l]th [to the ki]ng, [my] lord! [Concerning what the king], my lord, wr[o]te to [me: "...."] (Break) [...] Merodach-[Baladan] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...... the] Chalde[an] [......] Nanî [...] (Remainder too broken for translation)

SAA 15 208 — Statement Concerning Merodach-Baladan

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 09813; CT 53 408. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 208; SAAo P313821.

Obverse

[NN], a citizen of Babylon has said [as fol]lows: ["Merodach-Bal]adan has said: ['...] I will kill you!' [... w]hat work of [NN] [... w]ith him do! [......] to Mer[odach-Baladan] [...... g]o! Merodach-[Baladan] [......] to the [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) (Rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 209 — The Son of Yakin and Elam

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07552; ABL 1463. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 209; SAAo P334920.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... o]f the son of Yakin [......] [...... hor]ses [......] [......] [......] [...... gr]ound (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] bridge [......] "they are readying [......] Bit-Imbî [......] "... [......] is crossing over [......] of the king of Elam [......] [...... E]lam [...... the son] of Yakin (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 210 — The Messenger of the Son of Zeri

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05543; CT 53 277. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 210; SAAo P313692.

Obverse

Obverse

SAA 15 216 — A Chaldean Switching Sides

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 06108 + DT 263; CT 53 091. (Unknown) to the king, from Assyria. Proposed date 710-709. SAA 15 216; SAAo P313506.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] should [......] [...] he is from ther[e ......] "He has made Ahi[...]-naṣir the 'third man' [... to ...] with him instead of me and does not speak with me. Now he has been inciting the men, saying: 'I will [...] and run away to the king. Let the king swear to me in the name of god; if and when the king comes to Chaldea, the king should give me all the people of mine whom I shall conquer.'" (One line uninscribed) [... to] me repeatedly about [......] Elam (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

(Beginning broken away) [Let] the king, [our] lo[rd issue orders that] they should bring [......]. [...] there are some [x thousand x] hundred arrows in the fort [...] each [x] 'bones' long [...] as we set the arrows aside [......]

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

SAA 15 221 — The Puqudu Fear Deportation

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01035; ABL 1434. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 221; SAAo P334905.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) He spoke [... with u]s: "They [must not] deport us! [... wi]ll go and say [...] to our brothers, and we shall bring [a]ll of them to the [king], my lord." [Now then I am s]ending all four of them [to] the king, my lord [in ch]arge of my messenger.

[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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] the amount [The king], [my lord], should question him.

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

SAA 15 228 — Part of the Same Tablet as no. 227?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15924; CT 53 717. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 707. SAA 15 228; SAAo P314127.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) have remov[ed ...]s [cer]tainly Belšunu [...] their [...] and their oxen [...] [the Puq]udu have [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 229 — The King of Elam and Nabu-ereš of Borsippa

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 12971; CT 53 446. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 707-706. SAA 15 229; SAAo P313859.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the king of El[am ...] [...] Now t[hen ...] [... the] 'mu[le]-house man' [...] [to the king], my lord [......] [...] the face of [......] [Merodach]-Baladan who [...] [...] the king, my lord [...] [...] how that which [...] [...] the soul [...] [...] Nabû-ereš [...] [...] a citizen of Borsippa [...] [...] has [...ed o]n him [...] [...] Borsippa [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 230 — Organizing the Government of Bit-Dakkuri

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05138; CT 53 238. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 230; SAAo P313653.

Obverse

[To the king, m]y [lord]: your servant [Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, m]y [lord]! The pac[k-animals and the se]rvants of the king are well. The king, my lord, wrote to me: "[Be very atte]ntive!" At the command of the ki[ng, my lord], I have gathered [the servants o]f Bit-Dakkuri and [cla]imed authority over them. Yet Nabû-taklak has al[so cla]imed authority over al[l] the servants [of ...], saying: "They should do as I command, [the house] of my lord should not exercise authority (over them)." All the servants of [...] are city-dwellers; they sta[nd] before us and say: "[I]f Nabû-taklak is to govern u[s], we shall go [t]o the king, our lord; [...] the king, our lord, should govern us." A[ll ...] and the servants of Bit-[Dakkuri] do not s]ubmit [under his rule]. Yet at the same t[ime ...... th]ere are servants o[f ... who] are devote[d to Nabû]-taklak [......] [...] a slave ... [......] [...] Marduk-zera-ibni [......] [...] a fort [......] (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 231 — Administering Law in Hatallu, Luhu’tu and Bit-Amukani

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 0065; ABL 1175. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 231; SAAo P334771.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... bef]ore me [......] utensils [......]... [...... bef]ore me [......] the king, my lord [......] I shall do [......] Luhuteans [......] the Hatalleans [......] with them Let [the king, my lord], decide their [......]. [Conc]erning the Hatalleans [...... of] Metunu [about whom the king, my lord, wr]ote to me: "[......] your arms [...... Bit]-Amukaneans [......] 200 men (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] there [......] they chopped [...... t]hey collected [...... w]ithout knowing I sent him [t]his [...] [......] criminals [......] he molested [the]se [...] [......: "Inquire] and investigate!" [......] he is their [...] [......] to see [...] (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 232 — Urarṭian Deportees Settled in Sippar

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 2, 007; ABL 0760. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 232; SAAo P334537.

Obverse

To the king, [my lord]: your servant Šarru-e[muranni]. Good health to the king, [my] lo[rd]! The bodyguard Ahu-bani has brought 70 Urarṭian men and their dependents (lit., 'souls') and sett[led them] in Sippar. However, the men [...] allege that 10 'so[uls]' ran away from [them].

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 233 — Organizing Deportees

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 2, 407; CT 53 869. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 233; SAAo P314278.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) ["... who a]cts in this manner. "They were entrusted to one another like the horns of [...]; they have [not] been organized [into] royal contingents [l]ike the deportees [...]." I together with [...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) she/you will li[ft .....] I shall d[o t]his [...] [The k]ing should not s[ay ...] [fr]om the eunuchs [...] [N]ow four [eunuchs ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 234 — The Chaldeans Have not Let us Cultivate Corn

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, DT 063; ABL 0759. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 234; SAAo P334536.

Obverse

[T]o the king, my lord: your servant Šarru-emuranni. Good health to the king, my lord! Sîn-iddina said like this [in] my audience: "The Chaldeans have not let us cultivate corn." [N]ow the king my lord [should ...] the Chaldeans [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 235 — We Cannot Report Because of the King’s Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07388; CT 53 342. Šarru-emuranni to the king, from Babylon. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 235; SAAo P313757.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[...] I [...] [... kiss the f]eet of the king, [my] lord [...] Babylon [...] [has s]ent, saying "not [...] [...] Babylon [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 247 — Citizens of Babylon Present Audience Gifts

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07316; CT 53 314. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 247; SAAo P313729.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... the king], my lord [...] citizens of Babylon, [serva]nts of the king who went (away), have presented all the audience gifts to me. Now then a tablet [...]...[...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 248 — Too Little Sissoo Wood in Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 1910; ABL 1066. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 248; SAAo P334711.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) I [cannot] do [the work. There is] very [little] sissoo wood in Babylon for use in the work, (and) what they bring me from the city Birati [...] is all moist. [The king, my lord], knows that this work requires [a great deal] of sissoo wood. Eṭiru and Bel-ibni [......]. Since nobody [...s] the matter to [them], it does not exist in their hearts. Now, [let them fetch] sissoo wood from Ki[ssik] or from wherever it is to be found [...] [...] let them make [......] [...] the king, [my] lo[rd, ...] (Break)

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

Edge

[...] to us, [...] there.

SAA 15 249 — Building Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14099; CT 53 511. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 249; SAAo P313924.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [Now th]en [...] [...] ... [...] [about which] the king, my lord, w[rote to me]: "Execu[te] the work nic[ely]; "a work that [...] running [...]

Reverse

[...] of the royal road [...] [...] Babylon [...] [...] silver [...] [...] bricks [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 250 — Affairs of Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05382A; CT 53 242. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 250; SAAo P313657.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... the ki]ng [......] [...] to [......] [...] wr[ote ......] [...]... [NN ...] [... g]ives h[im ......] [... the] men [......] [...]s st[ood ...] [...] been imposed [......] [...] brou[ght] to us [...] [...] have start[ed ...] [... B]abylon [......] [......]s se[nt ...]

Bottom Edge

(Break)

Reverse

[......]... which [...] [...] one Babylonian [...] "[...] (my) daughter [...] "[...] I to [my] daught[er ...] [...] I set him [...]; if not, [...] [...] does not know him [...] [the ...]s of [my] dau[ghter ...] [...] 'bought men' [...] [...] I returned [...] [...] I bought [...] [...] there [...] [... th]e Guzu[manu ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 251 — Fragment Referring to Babylon

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14664; CT 53 572. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 251; SAAo P313984.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [... of] the king, my lord, on [our] side, [who] is [in B]abylon his [...] as [...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 252 — Fragment Referring to a Babylonian

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13103; CT 53 482. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 252; SAAo P313895.

Obverse

SAA 15 257 — Settling Babylonians in Guzana

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 1240; CT 53 837. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 257; SAAo P314246.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] Babylon [......] before the Kiprê [......] they used to buy [......] they used to pick up all of them [......] them. Later I appointed a eunuch of mine [... wi]th them; [they co]llected [...] and returned 50 camels [......]. [......] corn rations [...... a] messenger and cam[els] [......] I opened [... (and) ...] to them (Break)

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

Reverse

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......]... him [......] Eṭiru said, t[o] [... h]im along with his camel [...] of Cutha [...] sprinkled [up]on him

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

Bottom Edge

[......] Labasi [inquired and invest]igated

Reverse

[......] he asked [...] a 'daughter' of Cutha [...]...s the king, my lord, [......] ... of gold [......] the king, my lord, [......] lions (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 263 — Fragment Concerning a Borsippan Lady

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15922; CT 53 719. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 263; SAAo P314129.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the lady Barsip[itu ...] [...] letter [...] [...] has sen[t ...] [...] as in [...] [......] is sa[id ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 264 — Fragment Mentioning Nippur and Borsippa

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16474; CT 53 765. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 264; SAAo P314175.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) before [......] horse t[rainer .......] to [......] the Ki[ssikeans ......] And [......] aft[er ......] to [......] [......]

Reverse

the king [my] lo[rd ......] in Nippur [......] to Borsi[ppa ......] the king ...[......] Nippur [......] all [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 265 — Fragment Referring to Nippur

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16077; CT 53 733. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 265; SAAo P314143.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [I/he brou]ght them in [......] [...] pours [......] [Now th]en I am send[ing my] messenger [......] [...] Nippur [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 266 — Fragment Mentioning Troops of Assyria, Sippar and uruk

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13013; CT 53 459. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 710. SAA 15 266; SAAo P313872.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......]s pas[sed ...] [...... i]lku dues [...] [......] the troops of As[syr]ia [......] in Sippar [...] [......] found out [...] [......] Nabû-balliṭann[i ...] [......] Uruk [...] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......]eans [...] [... who dwe]lt [...] [......] 506 [...] [......]s from [...] [...... i]n the can[ebreak ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 267 — Fragment Referring to Bit-Amukani and Bit-Zabidaya

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13151; CT 53 497. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Proposed date 709. SAA 15 267; SAAo P313910.

Obverse

[To the kin]g, [my lord: yo]ur [servant NN. Go]od health t[o the king, my lord]! The Bit-Amu[kaneans] about whom the king, my lord, wrote [to his servant]: "Let them drag [......]" — [fr]om her[e ......] [t]o the brothers [......] [th]ey hoist[ed ......] [th]ey are comin[g ......] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] the town [GN ...] [...] 70 hectares [......] [o]f Bit-Za[bidaya ......] any myrtle [......] have [no]t given to me [......] [I shall] sue them. Let them [......] [and g]ive to me [......] (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 268 — Assyrians and Tabaleans Sold for Money in Sadiru

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01127; ABL 0602. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 268; SAAo P334415.

(Beginning broken away) wooden wall [......] what[(ever) ......] we appointed [......] afr[aid ......]

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

SAA 15 273

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15670; CT 53 711. (Unknown) to the king, from Central or Southern Babylonia. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 273; SAAo P314121.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... o]f the t[own ...] [...... the town] Ugar-Nabû [......]... the king [......] himself a [...]-man [......] to the land of Ak[kad]

Reverse

(Remainder too broken for translation)

Chapter 8. Additions to SAA 1 and SAA 5

SAA 15 274–287. 14 texts.

SAA 15 274 — Fragment of a Royal Letter Referring to Nabu-belu-ka’’in

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Rm 0916; ABL 1187. The king to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 274; SAAo P334778.

Obverse

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

SAA 15 277 — Fragment of a Royal Letter Referring to Inciting

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16128; CT 53 761. The king to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 277; SAAo P314171.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] which I [......] [...] the chief merchant ... [...] who incites his equal [...] you [...] this matter [...] is not [...] for me and my Palace (Remainder too broken for translation)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 278 — Fragment of a Royal Letter

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16499; CT 53 778. The king to (unknown). Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 278; SAAo P314188.

Obverse

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I shall not cut off my visits (lit., 'foot') [to Dur-Š]arrukin.

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

Bottom Edge

[Let me] measure [...] [...] his presence

Reverse

[... Concerning the s]heikh [about whom the king, my lord], told me: "[O]n the day [when ... go]es [to Du]r-Šarrukin (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 282 — Report on Work Done

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13042; CT 53 467. (Unknown) to the king, from Arzuhina. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 282; SAAo P313880.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) in [......] of the [......] [......] "the [......] "I did not [......] to [......] the king, my lord, [......] When [PN ......] produc[es .......] the work [......] (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

(Destroyed)

Reverse

which we [......] 12 cu[bits ......] today [......] another [......] the ground [......] On the 3rd day [......] we se[t to work ......] the work [......] (Rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 283 — Bull Colossi for Palace Gates

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07465; CT 53 363. (Unknown) to the king, from Arzuhina. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 283; SAAo P313777.

Obverse

SAA 15 286 — Harvest in the Land of Hau

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07376; CT 53 341. (Unknown) to the king, from Arzuhina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 286; SAAo P313756.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...... t]o the kin[g, my lord] [......] and [...] [......] the harvest [...] [......] is good. The land of Ha[u ...] [......] their harvest [...] [...... th]is alone [...] [......] alongside the mountain [...] [......] has been done. The front agai[nst ...] [......] everybody [is] in [his ...] [...] the whole land of [H]au is ...[...] [The k]ing, my lord, [can] be glad. [...] [...]-iddina has collected [...] [...] ..., millet, k[udimmu salt] [...] they will join [...] [......], saying: "...[...] [......] and to [...] [......] up[on] [...] [......] the town [......] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] ... [...] [I am sen]ding them [in charge of my mess]enger t[o the king, my lord]. Further, [...... of] the Itu'eans [...] [...] they should quickly set out here [...] [... t]o Nergal-eṭir th[e ...] [...] I said: "If the harvest [...] [...] he is for comi[ng up ...] [...] ...... [...] [...] (erasure) (Rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 287

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14572; CT 53 521. (Unknown) to the king, from Arzuhina. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 287; SAAo P313934.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] Urzuhina [......] days [......] [......] my [......] [...... col]lects (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Obliterated)

Chapter 9. Varia and Unassigned

SAA 15 288–391. 104 texts.

SAA 15 288 — Why is My Lord Silent While I Wag my Tail?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1881-07-27, 0199; ABL 0382. Aššur-reṣiwa to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 288; SAAo P334258.

Obverse

To the deputy (governor), my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣiwa. Good health to my lord! Why is my lord silent (while) I wag my tail and run about like a dog? I have sent three letters to my lord. Why does my lord not consent to send an answer to (my) letter? Let my lord return me to my office. As much as I served your father, so let me now serve you!

Reverse

Even if my ... ..., may my lord do this! Now then I have written to my lord. Let my lord quickly send an answer to (my) letter!

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

SAA 15 289 — Envelope of no. 288

Envelope; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1881-07-27, 0199A; ABL 0383. Aššur-reṣiwa to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 289; SAAo X150289.

Obverse

[To the deputy (governor)], my lord: (seal impression) [your servant Aš]šur-reṣiwa.

Reverse

(seal impression)

SAA 15 290 — On a Foundation Stone

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 06903A; CT 53 308. Nadin-[...] to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 290; SAAo P313723.

Obverse

[To] the king, [my lord]: yo[ur servant] Nadin[...]. As to the foundation stone [about which I wrote] to the king, my lord, [in] one side of it [...] (Break)

Reverse

SAA 15 294 — Horses from Deserters

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00558 + K 07366; ABL 0153+. Šamaš-taklak to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 294; SAAo P334099.

Obverse

To the king, my lord: your servant Šamaš-taklak. Good health to the king, my lord! Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Write down the number of your horses by [...] and by deserters, and [sen]d it to me" — [I have (already) given] over to the king, my lord, the horse(s) of the deserters [of las]t year. [This] year seven horses [have deserted to m]e. And concerning what the king, my lord, [wrote to me: "...] your men [...... h]orses" — [... the re]cruitment officers of my country (Break)

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

Bottom Edge

[the ...] are in [his] cha[rge, and the horse]s are in charge of the prefects of the recruitment officers and of the scribe.

Reverse

Let the king, my lord, make it crystal-cl[ear] to them that they must b[ring] the men and ho[rses] to me. Not [one] recruitment officer should be late. Let them [quickly] bring [the men and] horses [to me]. [...] from the fort [...] to the other side of the riv[er ... there are] n[o] men with me. They have been delayed in the country. We ke[ep] our watch. The king, my lord, can be glad.

SAA 15 295 — Justice for the Son of Abu-ila’i

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 00633; ABL 0550. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 295; SAAo P334375.

Obverse

To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good heal[th to] the king, [my] lord! The son of Abu-i[l]a'i, about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Do justice to him!" — his adversary went to the ordeal [but turned back from the ord]eal.

Reverse

[The ...] set a [fine ...] but he did not pay it, so the son of Abu-ila'i seized his share and his people.

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

SAA 15 296 — Sending People to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14652; CT 53 566. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 296; SAAo P313978.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Man[nu-ki-...] the bod[yguard ...] Hagal[......] Now the[n I am sending them] to the king, [my lord ......] the bod[yguard ...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 297 — Sending a Person to the King

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15014; CT 53 607. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 297; SAAo P314019.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[...] the king [...] [...] come d[own ...] [...] his men are coming down and living [with] his people. [I]f the king, my lord, commands, [I will fe]tch them (and) release him [to] his [...]. [... who] do [...] [...] will [cer]tainly run aw[ay ...] [... one of] my king's [men] ...[...] [...] he got afraid [...] [...] he watched [...] [...] com[es down wit]h her [...] [...] com[es down ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 301 — Going to the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01091; ABL 1436. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 301; SAAo P334907.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) I shall speak with [him]: "Go to the Palace!" Now then I am sending him to the Palace. (Rest uninscribed)

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

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 302 — Going to the Palace

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01922; CT 53 207. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 302; SAAo P313622.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] to my eunuch [...] ... they sent to me: "[... peop]le from among us "[...] to the Palace (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) "[...]. W[e are] the king's [servants]." [Now then] they are on their way [to the king], my [lo]rd. [Whatever] their [......] [...... let] them speak [......] their people (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 303 — Inventory of People

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15009; CT 53 604. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 303; SAAo P314016.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......]bi (and) his people, [NN ...] (and) her daughter, [...... M]ar-suri, [...... Ada]d-immi, [......] whom the king (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 304 — Organizing a District

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, 1883-01-18, 0262; CT 53 934. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 304; SAAo P314343.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health t]o the king, [my lord]! [Concerning what the king], my [lo]rd, wrote to [me: "......] your [...], the 'souls' [...]! Do not ap[proach] anybody [...]!" (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 314 — Fragment Concerning Deportation and Cultivation of Fields

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14674; CT 53 580. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 314; SAAo P313992.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] you [......] they (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [......] fiel[d] [...] their [...]s [... they de]ported [... ...]... [......] I wrote [......] the work [...... k]ean(s) [... The day] I see (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 315 — Fragment Concerning a Gardener

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 12978; CT 53 447. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 315; SAAo P313860.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] I should have heard [...], (but) I did not he[ar it]. [Concer]ning the garde[ner ... about wh]om the king, my lord, [wrote to me], six men [......] [wi]th the men [of ...] g[ave] orders [...] (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.]

Reverse

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

Bottom Edge

In this country, O kin[g, my lord], they wie[ld] the plough with six oxen [...]. They cultivate the seed [...] and make a good [harvest ...].

Reverse

Now [......] [wi]th him [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 319 — Fragment Referring to Harvest

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16046; CT 53 725. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 319; SAAo P314135.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) Now [......] [W]hen [...]? [Li]ke [...] [the ha]rvest is excellen[t ...] (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 320 — Fragment Referring to Harvesting

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14995; CT 53 599. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 320; SAAo P314011.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) gives his [......] harv[ests the f]ield [...] [Wh]en therein [...] that [......] in [......] [......]

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

Bottom Edge

[......]

Reverse

as [......] let them be appointed [......] as relie[f ......] [The ki]ng, my lord, wha[tever ...] [he sa]ys [...] [...] let [the king], my lord [...] [......] [...] the kin[g ...] (Rest destroyed)

(Beginning destroyed) [... y]ou w[rote ...] [... x] hundred corn ra[tions ...] [...] to the town [...] [... li]ft [......] [...] to [......] [...] their oxen [...] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 325 — Fragment Concerning Corn Rations and Camels

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15617; CT 53 685. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 325; SAAo P314096.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] Ennet-Aššur [......] "corn rations [...... c]amels [...... the ki]ng (Break)

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

Reverse

Reverse

(Destroyed)

Edge

[...] I have wr[itten to] the king, my lord [...]

SAA 15 329 — Fragment Concerning Grass and Straw

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16516; CT 53 786. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 329; SAAo P314196.

Obverse

SAA 15 332 — Fragment Referring to Road Stations

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 0724; CT 53 821. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 332; SAAo P314230.

Obverse

(This letter is edited as SAA 05 251)

SAA 15 336 — Fragment Referring to Cavalry

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 1648; CT 53 845. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 336; SAAo P314254.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] cavalry [...] [...] Assyrian [...] I gav[e t]o Nabû-[...]. [T]he me[n ...] (Rest destroyed)

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

(Beginning destroyed) three [......] 60 sheep [...] they together with [...] are going [...] their people [...] eat bread [...] d[rink wi]ne (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 340 — Fragment Concerning Sheep

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14620; CT 53 549. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 340; SAAo P313961.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] one person [...] [The king, my lord], knows that my sheep [...] have gone up [to ...]s [...] their vanguard [...] are coming down [... the] officials [......] me (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 341 — Inspecting the Fort and Clearing Canals

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04700; CT 53 228. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 341; SAAo P313643.

Obverse

SAA 15 344 — Why Do You not Glaze Bricks?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 13074; CT 53 476. (Unknown) to the king. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 344; SAAo P313889.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the king, [my lo]rd [... s]peaks ["...] your work ["...] Why do you not glaze bricks in [...]?" The [...]-man [ga]ve [...], saying: "If there is much [...]"

[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 15 345 — What are You Doing?

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07542; CT 53 395. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 345; SAAo P313809.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] have done [...] [... in] Tishri (VII) [...] [the king, m]y [lord] w[rote ...] (Break) Perha[ps the king, my lord, w]ill say: "[What are you] doing?"

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

Reverse

[...] I [...] On the 15th day [...] I shall finish ... [...] I shall give them [the p]rice (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 346 — Doing the Work

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01171; ABL 1441. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 346; SAAo P334909.

Obverse

To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! When [......] upon [......] the king, my lord [...] ... [...] I shall la[y ...] if [.....] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) I will d[o] the work [...] (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 347 — Fragment Concerning a Wall etc.

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15317; CT 53 640. (Unknown) to the king. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 347; SAAo P314052.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) Let the king, my lord, as[k ...] If not, who would tell [...] in the king's presence? [...] their wings [...] Concerning the wall about which [...] (Break)

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [...] not [......] [th]e men [......] [x] minas [......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 348 — Limestone and Master Builders

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05212; CT 53 239. (Unknown) to the king. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 348; SAAo P313654.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the king [...] [promo]ted the ki[ng ...] [...] our work [...] "Limestone and [...] st[one] has been provided; the deputy [...] ... The master builder[(s) ...] [...] the[ir] work [...] [...] does" [...] I sent [...] before him [...] (Rest broken away or too fragmentary for translation)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 349 — Fragment Concerning Master Builders

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, Sm 1691; CT 53 911. (Unknown) to the king. Proposed date 717-706. SAA 15 349; SAAo P314320.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [t]o [......] master builders [......] to [......] he [......] [...] to [...]

Reverse

(Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 350 — Watch Over Houses Neglected

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 05586; CT 53 291. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 350; SAAo P313706.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to the king, my lord]! [Conce]rning the gu[ard ...] the king [...] about it [...] instead ...[...] the rams of [...] [a]s a fine [...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) (Rest broken away)

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

SAA 15 357

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 04743; CT 53 231. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 357; SAAo P313646.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) "[......] the king heard [...] "Concerning [...] "we are afraid and [...] the delegate [...] [w]ho before u[s ...] [t]o each other [...] they [s]et [...] [...] rea[r ...] (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) [... of the ki]ng, [my] lord [...] [t]o him not [...] [...] the king, my lord [...] [la]id him [..., he] passed on [...]; He is betw[een the ... of the c]ity and the can[al]. When I saw the let[ter] of the king, [my] lord, [I] went to [...]. The messenger [...] (Break)

Edge

[......] the king, my lord [...] [Perhaps the king, my lord], will say: "[...]" [......] the king [...]

SAA 15 358 — Fragment Mentioning Heralds and Jugs of Wine

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07431; CT 53 355. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 358; SAAo P313769.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

have not brou[ght ......] ... [......] Raši-Marduk [......] [the] herald of the [......] and a lett[er .......] [x j]ugs of wine [......] [the] herald of [NN ...] and a lett[er ......] two jugs of wi[ne ......] to Ahhe[šaya ......] brough[t ......] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 359 — Wine for the Daughter of [NN] and her Escort

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 12967; CT 53 443. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 359; SAAo P313856.

Obverse

T[o the king, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good heal[th to the king, my lord]! The king, my lord, [wrote me]: "The daughter of [NN] is coming, and there are many men [and women] wi[th her]. Let them eat [bread and drink] wi[ne], [......] sweet [oi]l" — (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 360 — Visit by Two Ladies

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 19544. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 360; SAAo P336771.

Obverse

[To the king], my [l]ord: your servant [...]ta. [Good hea]lth to the king, my lord! [The ladies NN and ...]dirti, [the ...]s of the spring have come [to m]e (Remainder too broken for translation)

Reverse

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

SAA 15 371 — Fragment of a Private Letter

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15026; CT 53 611. [...]Ya to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 371; SAAo P314023.

Obverse

[A tablet of ...]ya to Bel-abu-uṣur. Good health to m[y] brother! (Break)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) ...[...]... I listen much to my brother.

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

SAA 15 372 — Fragment Mentioning a Golden Seal

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01415; CT 53 179. [...]Ya to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 372; SAAo P313594.

Obverse

[To the king, m]y [lord: your servant ...]aya. [Good health to] the king, my lord! [When] the king's [...]s [came to] my [presence] [...]... [...] the golden signet ring [...]... [... not y]et [...] (Rest uninscribed)

SAA 15 373

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 01877; CT 53 198. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 373; SAAo P313613.

(Beginning destroyed) [about which the king, my] lo[rd, wrote] to [me]: "Why [did you] send those [...]?" — I am now dispatching a letter. Nabû-bal[liṭ the] wine [mast]er (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 374

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, BM 116358; CT 53 224. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 374; SAAo P313639.

Obverse

SAA 15 377

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 07322; CT 53 318. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 377; SAAo P313733.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord: yo]ur servant [NN]. Concerning [the ...] about which [I said] to [the king, my lord]: "[......] to the land A[...] "the [...... who] fro[m ......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Broken away)

SAA 15 378

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 14608; CT 53 543. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 378; SAAo P313955.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good heal[th to the king, my lord]! The king, [my] lo[rd, ......] fo[rts ......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 379

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

Reverse

(Beginning broken away) they (are) th[ere. The ... which] I had fetched [...] under the kin[g's] aegis, I have le[ft in] the province. (Rest uninscribed)

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

SAA 15 384

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 15668; CT 53 710. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 384; SAAo P314120.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [......] the governors [...... does n]ot agree (Rest destroyed)

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

Reverse

(Uninscribed)

SAA 15 385

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16082; CT 53 743. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 385; SAAo P314153.

Obverse

T[o the king, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! Concerning [......] (Remainder too broken for translation)

Reverse

(Beginning broken away)

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

Right Edge

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

Edge

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

SAA 15 386

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 16571; CT 53 805. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 386; SAAo P314214.

Obverse

To [the king, my lord]: your servant [NN]. Good he[alth to the king, my lord]! On the 12t[h] day [......] of the king, my lord [......] as [......] (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 387

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 17607. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 387; SAAo P336772.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed) [...] the road which [...] [...] her [...] Perha[ps the king, my lord, will say]: "[... the ...]-man [...]" (Remainder too broken for translation)

SAA 15 388

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 18297. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 388; SAAo P336773.

(Beginning destroyed) and [......] alongsi[de ......] again[st ......] and [NN ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 389

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 18474. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 389; SAAo P336774.

Obverse

[To the king, my lord]: yo[ur] servant [NN]. Good heal[th to the king, my lord]! Concerning what the king, [my lord, wrote to me]: "Why is [the ......] delay[ed]?" (Rest destroyed)

Reverse

(Destroyed)

SAA 15 390

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 19520. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 390; SAAo P336775.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

Reverse

[...] a 'third man' (and) a shield-bearer [... x] homers of corn rations the governor [of Zab]ban from my threshing floor [...] Der ...[...] (Rest destroyed)

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

SAA 15 391

Tablet; clay; Kuyunjik (Nineveh). British Museum, London, UK, K 20292. (Unknown) to the king. Assigned to Sargon II's reign (721–705 BC). SAA 15 391; SAAo P336776.

Obverse

(Beginning destroyed)

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

Bottom Edge

(Uninscribed)

Reverse

"they will g[o ......] they will dra[g ......] (Rest destroyed)

Colophon

Source and license. This edition reproduces the English translation of the State Archives of Assyria online (SAAo, oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa15/), the digital edition of Andreas Fuchs and Simo Parpola, The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part III: Letters from Babylonia and the Eastern Provinces (State Archives of Assyria 15; Helsinki University Press, 2001), 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 machine-readable catalogue for this volume states its data is "released under the CC0 license" (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); the annotated edition's own per-text credit line states it is "released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license 3.0." Both statements are recorded here; this edition credits SAAo, Andreas Fuchs, 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 391 catalogue entries edited in Fuchs and Parpola's Correspondence of Sargon II, Part III, 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 nine-chapter division follows the print edition's own chapters, as recorded in SAAo's catalogue, and each tablet's obverse, reverse, and edges are marked where the source itself marks them. No word has been altered, paraphrased, or supplied by this library. Brackets, ellipses, and parenthetical markers such as "(Break)," "(Rest destroyed)," and "(Beginning destroyed)" are SAAo's own, recording damaged, restored, or lost cuneiform. 388 lines across 212 of the 391 texts are too damaged for SAAo itself to have published a translation; each such gap is marked in place rather than filled. Two texts required special handling beyond the volume's normal pattern. SAA 15 379 (SAAo P313972): the page captured for this edition's frozen witness is an Oracc server error rather than a rendered translation; no English text could be recovered from it, and nothing has been supplied in its place. SAA 15 125 (SAAo P314313): SAAo renders this text only in its older ATF "score" display rather than the volume's usual line-by-line table, with the translation embedded as plain-text line labels rather than table rows; its English is reproduced here just as completely and verbatim as every other text's, though the same table structure that lets line-by-line damage be counted for the rest of the volume was not available for it, so no damage count is given for this one entry. SAAo's catalogue also marks three letters in this volume — SAA 15 083, 084, and 335 — as independently re-edited a second time under a different SAA volume's designation; each such letter's own full text is present here as normal, with the cross-reference noted alongside its provenance line.

Composite identification. Each letter above is given by its SAA 15 catalogue designation, its ancient sender and recipient where SAAo's catalogue names them, its tablet's excavation provenience and museum registration, its citation in the earlier Assyriological literature (chiefly ABL and CT 53, with occasional citations to Iraq, CTN, and NL) where SAAo notes one, and its SAAo text ID (a CDLI P-number or, for two duplicate/join entries, an X-number), under which the full transliteration and morphological analysis can be studied further at SAAo's own site.

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

🌲

The Correspondence of Sargon II, Part III — Letters from Babylonia and the Eastern Provinces — State Archives of Assyria 15

State Archives of Assyria 15 — Letters from Babylonia and the Eastern Provinces

Contents

Chapter 1. Letters from Arrapha

SAA 15 001 — Ru’uaean Eunuch Returned from Damascus; the City Wall of Meturna

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 002 — Dangerous Boat Trip; King Approaching Uruk

Obverse

Reverse

Edge

SAA 15 003 — Cavalry of Nibe

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 004 — Physicians for the King; Inscriptions for a Temple in Der

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 005 — We Did not See the Moon

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 006 — Claiming Reward for Good News of Rain

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 007 — Servants of Bel-ahhe-eriba Appeal to the King

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 008 — The People and Goods of Nabu-ahhe-iddina

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 009 — The Palace Manager of Arrapha and Writing-Boards

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 010 — Distributing Barley Rations

Obverse

Bottom Edge

Reverse

SAA 15 011 — Providing for Bel-iqiša

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 012 — Escorting Captives to [Dur]-Šarrukin

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 013 — Captives

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 014 — Itu’eans Working in Dur-Šarrukin

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 015 — Exempting the Recruits of the Chief Eunuch

Obverse

Reverse

Right Edge

SAA 15 016 — Entering Deportees into Fortified Places in Arrapha

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 017 — I have no Scribe

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 018 — Captives in Arrapha

Obverse

Bottom Edge

Reverse

SAA 15 019 — Bought Slaves and Captives

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 020 — Fragment Concerning Mule Express in the Province of Arrapha

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 021 — Partitioning Fields in Arrapha

Obverse

Reverse

Right Edge

SAA 15 022 — Fragment Mentioning Arrapha

Obverse

Reverse

SAA 15 023 — Hailstorm

Obverse

Reverse

Chapter 2. Letters from Lubda and the Hamrin Area

SAA 15 024 — Dispute over Ownership of Towns and Lands