vo rat sa ae The Culver-Stockton Quarterly A Journal Devoted to Research and Study, in the Arts and Sciences, by Members of the Faculty of Culver-Stockton College Voutume II APRIL 1926 NUMBER 2 STUDIES OF THE CUNEIFORM TABLETS FROM CAPPADOCIA By Ferris J. ACI INTRODUCTION Lying to the north of Mount Argaeus, the highest peak in Asia Minor, is a large fertile plain. The Halys (modern Kizil Irmak), the largest river in Asia Minor, rising far to the north- east, flows near the base of the great mountain, then makes a bend to the north again, and flows into the Black Sea, thus nearly surrounding the fertile plain. Within this great bend of the river are found the sites Boghazkéi, Kara-Eyuk, and Kultepe. From these sites has come what is now a well recognized type of cuneiform tablets, called, for want of a better name, Cappadocian. Literally interpreted the name is too inclusive, for there are many other tablets coming from the geographical region from which these come, which do not belong to the same class at all, as for example the Hittite tablets from Boghazkéi. But the name Cappadocian will probably cling to the tablets to be discussed here for a long while after a more definitely descriptive name for them has been determined. It has long been noted that the Cappadocian script had a peculiar slant, the top of the wedges leaning to the right. We can only conjecture as to the reason for this, for nothing can be proved with reference to it. Mr. Sidney Smith in CCT I, p. 5, says: “It would appear that the tablet was held in the right hand of the scribe and the stylus in the left.” Such a position would readily explain the slope of the upright wedges, but it is next to impossible to produce horizontal and upward sloping wedges in this position. More likely the scribe held the tablet in his left hand and the stylus in the right, holding [11] the tablet somewhat at an angle. -The slant may possibly be an indication of another system of writing used by these people, alongside of the cuneiform. Any alphabetic script when written in a cursive hand has a general slant to its char- acters. In the old Phoenician inscriptions this is plainly to be seen. Some of the strokes of the characters slope to the left, but the general impression is of a slope to the right, just as we have it in Cappadocian cuneiform. If the Cappadocian scribes were accustomed to write a cursive script, when they adopted the cuneiform it would be natural to give it this same slant. There is a distinct character to the script as a whole which is different from any other cuneiform writing known. What seems to have happened was that the cuneiform system was adopted in the time of the Ur dynasty. This may explain the presence in Cappadocia of the Ur dynasty scribe whose seal is published by Thureau-Dangin, RA VIII, 142 ff. Remem- bering that the oldest Assyrian inscription is one of Zariku, who was appointed by Bur-Sin, it may be conjectured that cuneiform was introduced in Assyria by the Ur kings just a little earlier than they carried it to Cappadocia. This would explain the resemblance between the Cappadocian script and the old Assyrian inscription of Irishum. In Cappadocia the script developed into a more cursive style, and due to the com- parative isolation of the community, took on a character peculiar to this place. A short upright wedge, usually about half the length of the other upright wedges on the tablet, and having its head on a level with the top of the signs, is constantly used as a word divider or a form of punctuation. There appears to be no regularity to its use; rather, it would seem to have depended upon the whim of the scribe. Sometimes it seems intended as a help to determine where to divide the words, and sometimes it seems entirely unnecessary. It is never placed between the syllables of a word. Contenau’s supposed case of a word divider in the middle of a word (TC p. 14) is based upon a misunderstanding of the text. See further discussion of this point in note 2. The only parallel to this peculiarity of Cappa- docian writing found in cuneiform is a horizontal wedge used in the Amarna letters to indicate that what follows it belongs [12] with the line above. A single case of a horizontal wedge so used in Cappadocian tablets is found in BIN IV, 29:9. A closer parallel is to be found in the single dot used as a word divider in some of the Babylonian mythological texts found among the Amarna letters (Knudtzon Amarna Nos. 356, 357), and in the Moabite stone and many other North Semetic inscriptions in the alphabetic character. A pure Semitic dialect was the language in which the busi- ness transactions of the Cappadocian merchants were carried on. The use of Sumerian, so common in Ur dynasty tablets and frequent in contracts of the first dynasty of Babylon, is entirely wanting in Cappadocia. That a people who spoke an Asiatic language was mingled with the Semitic Cappa- docians is evident from the large number of non-Semitic names, but little if any trace of such a language is to be found in the Semitic. Contenau (TC p. 17) calls attention to two words in his texts which he believes reflect the influence of the Hittite language. The ending of a-hu-as and da-as he regards as parallel to the ending a frequently found in the tablet from Yuzgat and those of Arzam. He further states that the Cappa- docians followed the Hittite influence in prolonging the vowels. As to the first of these points it must be admitted that the two words which he mentions are rare; moreover, the first may be a mistake for a-hu-t%. The passage would then read a-hu-t-a a-du-nu, my brothers are ye, an expression rather frequently found, ef. BIN IV 3:18; 25:11, 30. As to the lengthening of vowels, the facts do not warrant the assumption that Cappa- docian has been influenced by Hittite. Such lengthening of vowels as we find in Cappadocian is partly graphic, and partly to express naturally long vowels. The relation of Cappadocian to other Semitic dialects is a matter difficult to determine except in a general way. ‘There can be no doubt: that it is more closely related to Assyro- Babylonian than to any other language. The roots in common use are those used in Babylonia and Assyria. The pronouns correspond to those of Assyro-Babylonian rather than to the West Semitic pronouns. But as to the question whether the relation is primarily to Assyrian or to Babylonian the evidence is conflicting. Lewy has pointed out that the demonstrative [13] third singular masculine is Su-ut, corresponding to the Old Assyrian rather than to the Old Babylonian (SATK p. 22). It should, however, be noted that the form is quite commonly used in the Tell-el-Amarna tablets, cf. Knudtzon Amarna p. 1527. Contenau has noted the similarity to Old Baby- lonian in the Cappadocian soft pronunciation and use of the mimation, which is not found in Assyrian (TC p. 16). But there is no need to attempt to identify Cappadocian with any other dialect; it has a character of its own. The following distinctive marks are to be noted as appearing only in Cappadocian: (1) Certain roots have a meaning not found elsewhere, lapdtu—to lay up for safe keeping, gapu—to borrow, take on credit, (2) the many imperfectly understood words only point to the fact of a distinct dialect peculiar to the land, (8) there is a more frequent use of tan formations of verbs than elsewhere, (4) the use of the Saf’el and sif’el discussed in my notes in JAOS, June 1926, is also a distinctive mark, for the form sif’el is elsewhere unknown, (5) the prepositions ana and ina were very often written a and 7, and is something not found in other dialects, (6) the usual formula for the opening of a letter in Cappadocian and other early tablets is a-na A... ki-bi-ma um-ma B ... ; in Cappadocian only, this is frequently varied to um-ma B...a-na A... ki-bi-ma, (7) while an enclitic 72 in a relative clause is known in other dialects, its use in Cappadocian is much more general than elsewhere. One can take any Semitic dialect and find in it resemblances to all the others. This procedure without a consideration of the differences would reduce all to one; the differences are as important as the resemblances. The Cap- padocian dialect has enough peculiarities to place it in a class by itself. It need no longer be called Assyrian or Babylonian or Akkadian, but simply Cappadocian, one of the many Semitic dialects of ancient times. It must be realized that questions of race and questions of language or culture are quite different matters. The first belongs to anthropology. The answer to the second may be but slight evidence for answering the first; for races adopt foreign languages and cultures. It does not necessarily follow, then, that a people speaking a certain language belong to the [14] same physical race with all others using the language. It has become customary, however, to speak of peoples using a Semitic language as belonging to the Semitic race. If it is kept in mind that the so-called Semitic race probably repre- sents many physical stocks, the term may be used for con- venience. The Cappadocian name list leaves no doubt that a majority of the people were Semites who named their chil- dren in honor of Semitic gods and with names made up of Semitic nominal and verbal elements. It is also quite evident that there was a considerable number of the people who were of non-Semitic origin. A-lu-ud-hu-ha-ar-8d, Ar-za-na-ah-st, Ha-&i-Sar-na, Hi-is-ta-ah-8, Sd-ak-ri-as-wa, and many others, for which see the name lists, are clearly people of Asiatic origin. The population was doubtless made up of people from the various branches of Semitic races, living side by side with people of other origins. The whole population mingled together freely in business relations, but that the Semites pre- dominated is indicated by the fact that the Semitic dialect was the one in current.use, and the fact that the majority of names were Semitic. The theory that the Cappadocian community represents an Assyrian colony was proposed by Sayce with the publica- tion of his Sargon seal in 1910. It has found support recently in the view of Dr. Lewy that there was an old Assyrian empire extending “from the city of Ashur to the Halys”’ (ZA 36, p. 19). The presence of the seal of Sargon, the patesi of Ashir, must indicate some recognition of his authority in Cappa- docia; possibly we may infer that some official appointed by the patesi was given authority to use the seal. But if the government of Assyria played any important part in the affairs of Cappadocia it is strange that there is no further reference to the fact in the records. In all Cappadocian tablets there is not a passage that can with certainty be said to refer to Assyria, or for that matter to any country or city far removed from Cappadocia (cf. the name Ha-na-na-ri-im misinterpreted by Smith as ‘Hana of the rivers’ CCT I, p. 8). There is no evidence that Assyria held sway over Cappadocia except the Sargon seal, and it must be remembered that the date of this patesi is a century or two later than that [15] generally held for the Cappadocian inscriptions. Sargon was the sixth ruler of an uninterrupted dynasty in Assyria; per- haps by his time Cappadocia recognized the authority of Assyria to some degree. But the evidence of the whole mass of Cappadocian records which are probably earlier than Sar- gon’s time point to an independent government. For instance, mention is made of a number of eponyms; if Assyria was in control it would be natural to expect the years to be named after Assyrian officials. No Assyrian eponyms are known in so early a period, and moreover, several of the Cap- padocian eponyms bear names which are not found among Assyrian personal names. It may be inferred, therefore, that these were local officials. If it be argued that they may have been Assyrian officials who are otherwise unknown to us, it is to be noted that in the legal document BIN IV, 103, one of the parties involved in the case is an eponym. In this case at least he was a local official taking part in the affairs of the community. What was the form of government in use? Evidently many of the institutions of government known in old Babylonian usage were also found in Cappadocia. There is repeated mention of the garwm and the alum (for discussion cf. Notes 1, 10, and Walther LSS VI (4-6), pp. 64, 70, 254); the rabizum and the aklum are also found (cf. Walther ibid. pp. 75, 168 f, 267). No mention of a king is found; the highest authority was the garum or assembly. Government was organized on the city state plan, with a loose sort of federation between the various cities of the region. The government must have been of a democratic character, like other early Semitic govern- ments (cf. Lampe, The Limitations upon the Power of the Hebrew Kings pp. 9 ff). When Sargon of Akkad was asked to go to Cappadocia to defend the colony against foreign foes (cf. Weidner, Der Zug Sargon von Akkad nach Kleinasien, in the Boghazkéi-Studien, Heft 6), it was only after a council of the whole city was called that he decided to go. Very likely this body corresponded to the garum in Cappadocia. While the assembly of the Cappadocian community doubtless had a head, he was not a monarch. Several facts point to a closer relation of the Cappadocians [16 ) to the Western Semites than to any other part of the Semitic world. The geographical location is favorable to this hypothe- sis. Cappadocia is shut off from Syria and Mesopotamia by the great natural barrier of the Taurus and Anti-Taurus Mountains. While they are not impassable, there is only one easy way of communication between Asia Minor and the East; that is by way of the Cilician Gates. For centuries armies and traders have found this pass to be the gateway between the East and the West. In the Persian period there was a “royal road” between Ephesus and Susa. This road passed through central Asia Minor, turned south in the very region whence our tablets have come, and passed through the Cilician Gates. There is every reason to suppose that this route between Asia Minor and the East was older than the Persian period. The Semites who first entered Asia Minor would be most likely to follow this route. Other things being equal, we would expect. the people who first expanded in this direction to be those living nearest the region, who would be the inhab- itants of northern Syria. To this consideration must be added that of Professor Clay’s theory of an empire of Amurru in the upper Euphrates Valley, which antedated the civilization of Babylonia and Assyria. The acceptance of this view, which is constantly gaining wider favor among scholars, enables us to postulate a strong Semitic base in the region from which to expect a migration to Cappadocia in early times. We have already seen reason to’ believe that this migration took place quite early (see above, Weidner, etc.). Certain other facts bear testimony to the West Semitic character and origin of the Cappadocians. One such fact is the West Semitic character of the names of their gods. The list of divine elements in the proper names shows that the favorite god was Ashir. Ranking next in importance should be placed Adad, Anu, El, Ishtar, Sin and Shamash. A little less in importance were Amurru, Ea or Ia, Enlil. A few other divine names appear only occasionally: AB, Dagan, Ishara, Laban, MA-MA, MES, Nana, Ilabrat, Nunu, Shara, Zu. It will be seen at a glance that practically all these gods are West Semitic deities. The home of Ashir is yet to be determined. [17] Before the discovery of the Cappadocian tablets Assyria was the only place known where he was extensively worshipped. Now that there has been found another seat of his worship almost as old, possibly older, than Assyria, the question is raised whether his worship was carried from the one place to the other, or whether both came from a common origin. The presence in Cappadocia of names compounded with Ashir does not necessarily mean that they are Assyrian names, or that Ashir worship was carried to Cappadocia by Assyrians. There is a geographical name Til-Assuri which Tiglath-Pileser III mentions (Annals 176-79) as having been conquered. Ksarhaddon tells us that Til-ASSuri was another name for Mitanni, which was located on the upper Euphrates (Prism A, 2:23 Broken Prism 3:14). These facts together with the early worship of Ashir in Cappadocia suggest that Ashir worship is older than Assyria. The most common of all Cappadocian names is Ashir-malik. Malik is characteristically a West Semitic name element. Other names distinctly West Semitic are: Ikib-Ili, Ili-bani, Giria, Hananu, Ahu-waqar, Ishma-Adad, Qama-Ashir, besides those compounded with the element idin and many others. The mercantile and peaceable character of the people reminds us of the Phoenicians, who plied their trade in a very early time. There are certain features about the language which have a West Semitic flavor, as for instance the confusion of sibilants. There is an example of a construction resembling the Hebrew use of the infinitive absolute (BIN IV 10 : 19). The use of the word divider is probably a West Semitic custom. Summarizing the material furnished by the Cappadocian tablets, the following conclusions may be set forth. As early as the time of Sargon of Akkad a colony of Western Semites had migrated to the fertile plain north of Mount Argaeus, doubtless attracted by the rich mineral deposits of the region. This small colony near the base of the great mountain was defended from an enemy by Sargon in the early stages of its growth. During the next few centuries it continued to grow in size and prosperity until it embraced a large number of semi-independent cities in the district. The Semites never drove out the earlier inhabitants of the land, but like the early [18] Hebrews in Palestine, lived together with them and gradually imposed their institutions upon them. During the period of the Ur dynasty, if not earlier, the cuneiform system of writing was adopted, for the sake of securing greater permanency for their business records. The system adopted was of a some- what simplified type, adapted to a phonetic reproduction of the Semitic language being used in the business dealings, and capable of being quickly learned by inexperienced scribes. Living in comparative isolation behind the Taurus range, the script and language developed a distinct character of its own. While recognizing a certain dependence upon the superior power of their Babylonian and Assyrian kinsmen, the people of this Cappadocian colony enjoyed practical independence, as shown by their autonomous democratic form of government. This independence also prevailed in their business transactions, which for the most part were carried on locally. The colony continued to exist as an independent state at least until the time of Sargon the patesi of Ashir. By the middle of the second millennium B.C. its place had been taken by the Hittite empire, but its people still continued to live in the region as attested by the Greek traditions of the ‘‘white Syrians” of Asia Minor between the Gulf of Issus and the Black Sea, 119} TRANSLATIONS OF SELECTED TEXTS CONTRACTS The Cappadocian texts which for convenience may be grouped under this general heading are by no means uniform. They cover quite a variety of relations, most of which have to do with some sort of commercial transactions. Those con- tained in the Yale Collection all deal with business matters. Among the previously published texts there is an occasional contract dealing with marriage relations. The business contracts of the Yale Collection may be divided into the following groups: (1) Those dealing with loans of money, or promissory notes. (2) Records of sums of money and merchandise entrusted to certain individuals for trans- portation. (3) Documents binding persons entrusted with money to certain conditions in handling it. (4) Memoranda or lists of articles delivered. (5) Miscellaneous. The first group is drawn up according to stereotyped form, indicating the frequency with which such contracts were formed. Of the total number of Cappadocian tablets known a large number are of this class. The conditions underlying the loan may be assumed to be as follows: the borrower takes a certain quantity of merchandise which is evaluated at the price agreed upon, and makes a trading expedition to some more or less distant place, selling his wares for whatever price he can command. The owner of the goods, in order to protect himself, draws up this promissory note binding the trader to pay a certain sum at the end of a certain time, presumably the time for the return of the trader. The merchandise is never mentioned in the notes themselves, but that such an arrange- ment was the reason for making the loan is implied in BIN IV, 27; cf. BIN IV, 61, where it is expressly stated that certain quantities of merchandise were delivered to the trader for cer- [20] tain periods of time for certain sums of money. The period for which the loan was made varied from 1 to 7 months or from 3 to 70 hamustim according as the time is stated in one or the other kind of terms. The length of the period would probably be made to conform to the length of the journey proposed. It is to be noted that no interest was charged upon these loans until after the date of maturity. But after that date a certain rate of interest was charged “‘if he has not paid.” A quite common interest rate is 114 shekels per mina, per month, which amounts to thirty per cent per year. ‘Twenty per cent is also common; in several cases the rate is forty per cent and in one case (CCT I, 7a : 10) it is sixty per cent, and in another (CCT I, 8b : 10) the rate is apparently 13314%. On the other hand the rate is sometimes very low. In two cases (CCT I, 3:57, 4 : 34) the rate is given as 24 shekel 15 Se. Assuming that there are 180 Se in a shekel as in Babylonia this amounts to exactly 15%. In LTC IV, 91a: 11 the rate is only 544%. The reason for this great difference in interest rate does not depend upon the length of time for which the loan was made, for there is no definite relation between the rates given and the time. There is possibly some relation between the amount of the capital and the interest rate, the lower rate applying to the smaller sums. This, however, is not an unbroken rule for the highest rate noted is on only 4 mina of silver (CCT I, 8b :10). More probably the additional factor of the creditor’s confidence in the ability of his debtor largely determined the rate. It is interesting to note in this connection that loans to the Garum were at the rate of only 15%. The Garum could be trusted to pay. It is also to be observed that fre- quently in cases where a high rate is charged, the debtors bear non-Semitic names (CCT I, 7a, 8b, LTC IV, 90a, BIN IV, 208, 170). This may be a slight indication of the dominance of the Semitic element in the community. There are a number of tablets on which the rate of interest is stated as ki-ma a-wa-at ga-ri-im. Contenau (TC p. 46) has probably correctly assumed that this was a fixed rate established by the practice of the Garum, rather than that the contracting parties expected to have the rate determined by the Garum at the time of maturity of the note. Quite likely [21] this was the rate charged by the Garum in their transactions, and was well known when the note was drawn up. In CCT I, 5a, we have, ki-ma a-wa-at ga-ri-im 1'/, Siqlam ta a-na 1 manim (um) u-za-db. This may be taken as showing that the rate fixed by the Garum was 1% shekels, or 30% which is also the most commonly stated rate. BIN IV 121 Contents: Shume-abia is bound to pay to Ah-shalim 40 shekels of silver, three months after the hamustim of Alabum. If he fails to pay on this date he must add interest at the rate fixed by the Garum. The silver which he borrowed was that pertaining to Ashur-bashti. There are two witnesses. Transliteration: (1) 24 ma-na kasbam (2) i li-bi'* St-me-a- be-a (3) Ab-S4-lim i-Sd-d (4) i8-du ha-mu-u8-tim (5) 84 A-la- bi-im (6) a-na warbim 3” (7) i-S4-gal-Si-ma (8) Si-ma 1é4 i8- ku-ul (9) ki-ma a-wa-at (10) ga-ri-im zi-ib-tam (11) t-za-db kasbam (12) a-Sti-me A-Sur-ba-a8-tt (13) e-bu-ul (14) mahar A-Sur-damiq (15) mabar En-um-A-Sur. Translation: 2% mina of silver Ah-shalim holds as a debt against Shume-abia. From the hamustim of Alaham after three months he shall pay him; and if he has not paid, accord- ing to the word of the Garum, interest he shall add. For the silver pertaining to Ashur-bashti he is responsible. Before Ashur-damiq. Before Enum-Ashur. BIN IV 174 Contents: Zuba son of Ishtar-baliel is bound to pay to Buzur- Ashur 5 minas of silver, three months after the hamustim of Shamash-bani and Ashur-ishtigal. If he fails to pay on this date he must add interest at the usual rate. The text is one of the most typical of this class. Transliteration: (1) 5 ma-na kasbam (2) za-ru-ba-am (3)i zi-ir Zu-ba (4) mar I8tar-ba-li-el (5) Buztr-A-Sfr (6) i-S8u i8-du (7) ha-mu-us-tim (8) 84 ‘Samai-ba-ni a (9) A-Sur-i8-ti-gal (10) a-na warhim Piety Q) i-S4-gal (12) li-mu-um (18) Ili-St-ra-bi warah™™ (14) Ab-S4-ra-ni (15) Sti-ma 14 i8-kul (16) a ma-na-im (17) 114 Siqlu ta i-na (18) warhim™™” zi-ib-tam (19) u-za-db. Translation: 5 minas of refined silver upon Zuba, son of [22] Ishtar-baliel, Buzur-Ashur holds as a debt. From the Lamustim of Shamash-bani and Ashur-ishtigal after 3 months he shall pay. The eponymy ofjllishu-rabi, the month Absharani. If he has not paid, on a mina, at the rate of 1/4 shekels per month, interest he shall add. BIN IV 170 Contents: Shuhurbea and Kurkura are bound to pay to Ashir-nada 10 minas 45 shekels of silver, within a period of 3 hamustims after the hamustim of Gimil-Anim and Ili-Ishtigal. If they fail to pay on this date they must add interest at the rate of 2 shekels per mina, per month. The relatives of the debtors are bound as security for the debt. There are two witnesses. Transliteration: (1) 102g ma-na 5 Siqlu [kasbam] (2) za-ru- ba-am i zi-ir (3) St-bu-ur-be-a[-] (4) G Ku-ur-ku-ra (5) A-Sfr- na-da i-[St] (6) i8-du ha-mu-us-tim (7) 84Gimil-A-nim 0 I-li[--|gal (8) a-na 3 ba-am-S4-tim (9) i-S4-ku-lu S-ma (10) i-na t-me- Si-nu ma-al[-i-tim] (11) 14 i&-ku-lu 2 Siqlu ta (12) i-na war- him™" a-na (13) 1 ma-na-im t-zu-bu (14) kasbam i ga-ga-ad (15) qa-meSt-nu wv ki-ni-Si-nu” (16) ra-ki-iz (17) mabar A-Sur-ma-lik (18) mahar El-ba-ni. Translation: 10 minas, 5 shekels of refined silver, upon Shurhurbea and Kurkura, Ashur-nada holds as debt. From the hamu&stim of Gimil-Anum and lli-[ishti]gal, after 3 hamus- tims they shall pay. If when their time is fulfilled they have not paid, 2 shekels per month per mina, they shall add. The silver on the head of their kith and kin is bound. Before Ashur-malik. Before El-bani. BIN IV 1538 Contents: CGimil-Kubum is bound to pay to Ahatum a woman, 20 shekels of silver, three months after the hamustvm of Imtilim and Ashur-zululi. If he fails to pay on this date he must add interest at the rate determined by the Garum. Probably the names of two witnesses originally appeared in the last two broken lines. Transliteration: (1) 14 ma-na kasbam za-ru-ba-am (2) 1 zi-ir Gimil-Ku-be-im (3) A-ha-tum ti-Si (4) i8-du ba-mu-us-tim [ 23 ] 84 (5) Im-ti-lim 4 A-Sur-zu-lu-li (6) a-na 3 warhim“™ (7) i-84- gal Sti-ma (8) 14 eS-ku-ul (9) ki-ma a-wa-at (10) ga-ri-im u-za-4b (11) [mahar] Lu-lu (12) [mahar] A-ra-na-Ab-su. Translation: 14 mina of refined silver, upon Gimil-Kubum, Ahatum holds as debt. From the hamuStim of Imtilim and Ashur-zululi after 3 months he shall pay. If he has not paid, according to the word of the Garum he shall add. BIN IV 120 Contents: This is the record of the partial payment of a debt and a statement that two months extension of time is allowed for paying the balance. Interest is to begin at the rate fixed by the Garum if the balance is not paid at the appointed date. Upon paying all, Amurru-bani the debtor is to receive his tablet. The note at the end about the ass indicates the some- what informal character of the document. Transliteration: (1) 4% ma-na 8) Siqlu (2) kasbam i-na be-t-l4-ti-Sa (3) Amurru-ba-ni (4) ga-za-ar (5) S4-lim-a-hi-im (6) i&-ku-ul (7) si-tt?? kasbam a-na (8) warhim 2“™ i-S4-gal-ma (9) & dub-ba-am (10) i-l4-ki St-ma (11) i-na warbim 2" (12) 14 i8-ku-ul (18) ki-ma a-wa-at (14) ga-ri-im zi-ib-dam (15) u-za-db (16) mahar A-Sir-tabu (17) mar Si-nu-nu-tim (18) 1 imeram a-na (19) 17 Siqlu kasbim (20) ta-di-en (21) 84 S4-lim-a-hi-im. Translation: 14 mina, 814% shekels of silver out of his prop- erty Amurru-bani, the collector(?) of Shalim-ahim paid. The balance of the silver, after 2 months he shall pay, and the tablet he shall take. If within 2 months he has not paid, according to the word of the Garum, interest he shall add. Before Ashur-tabu son of Sinunutim. 1 ass for 17 shekels of silver you sold for Shalum-abum. A second group of contracts is to be distinguished by the following characteristics: a certain sum of either gold or silver or both (garments CCT I, 15a) is mentioned; often its various taxes are said to be satisfied; some further description of it is given; it is said to have been entrusted (2b-ki-cd) to a certain person or persons; witnesses’ names follow. [24] These contracts are records that were made when the owner of some goods delivered them over to a carrier agent for trans- portation. Sometimes the destination of the goods is stated, as in CCT I, 15b, where the names of several consignees for various portions of the shipment are given. The texts CCT I, 18-20, of a similar nature but containing the verb e-zi-2b, instead of 7b-ki-1d, are probably the receipts drawn up at the other end of the line when the agent delivered the shipment. BIN IV, 46 reflects a particular case of the kind involved in these contracts. It is a letter from the consignee of a certain shipment addressed to the shipper, complaining that the carrier has not delivered the full amount entrusted to him. BIN IV, 27 is also to be considered here. The group of three men who are the writers of the letter report to Shalim-ahum and Bushukin that three other men have entrusted to them various sums of merchandise. In this case the men entrusted with the merchandise had the responsibility of disposing of it to the merchant traders and fixing the terms of their loans. The property seemed to belong to Shalim-ahum and Bushukin. The carriers were the agents of the addressees of the letter. BIN IV 119 Contents: 24 minas of silver to be delivered to Hinaia were entrusted to the care of Amur-Ishtar and Kuzallim. Three witnesses’ names are added. Transliteration: (1) 24 ma-na kasbam (2) 84 Hi-na-a (8) a-na A-mur-IStar (4) 1 Ku-zal-lim (5) 4b-ki-id (6) mahar A-sur- na-da (7) mar A-Sur-i-din (8) mahar Buztr-IStar (9) mar Gimil-l4-4b-ra-at (10) mahar I-ku-bi-a (11) mar Gimil-I-li-el. Translation: 24 minas of silver consigned to Hinaia, to Amur-Ishtar and Kuzallim I entrusted. Before Ashur-nada son of Ashur-idin. Before Buzur-Ishtar son of Gimil-Ilabrat. Before Ikubia son of Gimil-Iliel. BIN IV 164 Contents: Two separate transactions are recorded in this text. First it is stated that the maker of the tablet has entrusted 101% minas of silver and 471 shekels of gold, bearing [25 ] the seal of Ashur-nimri, to the three men named in lines 6-8, who are agents of the man to whom the tablet was sent. The second part states that 7 minas of silver and 2 shekels of gold, under the seal of Ashur-rabi, have been entrusted to Sharru- Sin. There are two witnesses to this transaction. Transliteration: (1) 1014 ma-na kasbam (2) 24 ma-na 7% Siqlu (3) hurazam ba-S4-lam (4) ku-nu-ki 84 A-Sfr-ni-im-ri (5) a-na 84 ki-ma (6) ku-a-tt En-nam-A-Sur (7) A-Sfr-ta-ak-l4-ku (8) Be-lim-ba-ni (9) [ ]-ku-a (10) 4b-ki-da (11) mahar A-lu-lé-a (12) mabar Buztir-A-Sir (18) mabar I-ku-bi-a (14) 7 ma-na kasbam ga-[ ]-um (15) 2 Siqlu hurazam ku-nu-ki (16) $4 A-Sur- rabi 84 a-na (17) zi-ir Sarru-Sin (18) G El-me-tt ub-lé-ni-nim (19) a-na Sarru-Sin 4b-ki-id (20) mabar A-lu-tu-a (21) mahar A-sur-ma-lik (22) mar I-If-i8-ti-gal. Translation: 1014 minas of silver 24 mina 71% shekels of pure gold, (bearing) the seal of Ashur-nimri, to your repre- sentatives, Ennam-Ashur, Ashur-taklaku, Belim-bani, . . . I entrusted. Before Alulaia, before Buzur-Ashur, before Ikubia. 7 minas of silver . . . ., 2 shekels of gold, (bearing) the seal of Ashur-rabi, which for Sharru-Sin and El-meti, they brought to me, to Sharru-Sin I entrusted. Before Alulaia, before Ashur-malik son of Ili-ishtigal. BINELY 3122 Contents: Four different sums of gold and silver have been entrusted to Ikubia. These amounts are the net sums after the customary official fees have been deducted. There are two witnesses. Transliteration: (1) 5 ma-na kasbam ni-iz-ha-zu (2) [malu Sd-du-Ja-zu 84-b[u - -] (3) 24 ma-na burazam ni-iz-ha-zu (4) malu [84-du-Ja-zu (5) 84-[bu - -ba]-nam (6) 14 ma-na 6 Siqlu ki la bi(?) (7) kasbam ni-iz-ha-zu (8) 0 $4-d[u-a-zu (9) ri-ik-zu-um (10) i-na ki-ir-be-Si (11) na-din 1 ma-na kasbam (12) ni-iz- ba-zu maku (13) S4-du-a-zu S4-bu (14) $4 dam-gar-ri-im (15) me-ma a-nim a-na (16) I-ku-bi-a ab-ki-id (17) mahar En- na-nim (18) mar Am-ri-a (19) mahar A-Sir-ur-hi (20) mar Bu-da-tim. Translation: 5 minas of silver, its commission(?) paid and its fee for assaying(?) satisfied, 24 mina of gold, its commission [26] paid and its fee for assaying satisfied, 14 mina 6 shekels . . . of silver, its commission paid and its fee for assaying placed bound in its midst, 1 mina of silver, its commission paid and its fee for assaying satisfied, belonging to the trader, all of this to Ikubia I entrusted. Before Ennanim son of Amria, before Ashur-urhi son of Budatim. BIN IV 147 Contents: For °/, mina 5 shekels of refined silver which Ashkutim and Ashur-nada took out from Ganish and for 3 mina 5 shekels which Ashkutim took out on behalf of Edinaia, Ashkutim is held responsible. If he fails to produce properly attested documents or witnesses for Edinaia as to his disposi- tion of the silver, he must pay a penalty for his neglect. The interest of Edinaia is thus safeguarded. Transliteration: °/, ma-na 5 Siqlu (2) kasbam za-ru-ba-am (3) 84 AS-ku-tum (4) i A-Sur-na-da (5) i-na Ga-ni-eS (6) el-ki- i-ni (7) t si-ta-tim* kasbim (8) 24 ma-na 5 Siqlu (9) 84 A8-ku- tum (10) ki E-di-na-a (11) el-ki-G §i-ma (12) dub-ba-am ha-ar- ma-am™ (13) u-l4*" si-be a-na (14) E-di-na-a AS-ku-tum (15) 14 uS-ti-li a-na kasbim (16) a-nim St-qa-am (17) A8-ku-tum a-na H-di-na-a (18) i-84-gal Si-ma dub-ba-am (19) t-14®" si-be uS-ti-li kasbam (20) As-ku-tum $4-bu is-du nu-St (21) ha-mués- tim 84 El-ba-ni (22) a-na 6 warhim™” e-ta-wa-t. Translation: °/. mina 5 shekels of refined silver which Ash- kutum and Ashur-nada from Ganish took, and the rest of the silver 24 mina 5 shekels which Ashkutum for Edinaia took, if a legally executed tablet, or else witnesses, to Edinaia, Ash- kutum does not bring up, for that silver, Sugam Ashkutum to Edinaia shall pay. If the tablet or else witnesses he brings up, the silver of Ashkutum is satisfied. From... the official period of El-bani for 6 months .. . BIN IV 152 Contents: This contract states that Buzutaia holds in his possession a tablet which was legally executed by Amur-Ishtar and Ili-alim showing that Amur-Ishtar had delivered to Ili- alim 10 minas of silver. This silver Ili-alim sent to ‘‘the city.” If the agent of Ili-alim who carried the silver to its destination [27] does not, in return for it, deliver to Amur-Ishtar in Burushatim merchandise which he has purchased with it, then Buzutaia is to turn over the tablet entrusted to him for the ensuing liti- gation. ‘There are two witnesses. Transliteration: (1) dub-ba-am ha-ar-ma-am™ (2) 84 10 ma-na kasbim (3) 84 A-mur-I8tar a-na (4) I-If-a-lim i-di-nu-ma (5) I-lf-a-lim a-na a-lim™! (6) kasbam t-si-be-lu (7 ) a-na Bu-zu- ta-a (8) ni-ib-ki-da (9) Sti-ma lu-ku-dam (10) 84 10 ma-na-e kasbim (11) i Bu-ru-u8-ha-tim (12) 84 ki-ma I-If-a-lim (13) a-na A-mur-Istar (14) 14 i-ta-ad-nu (15) dub-ba-am Bu-zu-ta-a (16) a-na da-ni-ti-ni (17) u-ba-al-8i (18) mahar A-Sir-ma-lik (19) mar Lu-zi-na (20) mahar I-din-a-be-im (21) mar A-Sfr-rabi (22) a-na Bu-zu-ta-a (23) dub-ba-am ni-ib-ki-id. Translation: A legally executed tablet for 10 minas of silver which Amur-Ishtar to Ili-alim delivered, and which silver Ili- alim to the city sent, to Buzutaia we entrusted. If the agent of Ili-alim, merchandise to Amur-Ishtar in BuruShatim, for the 10 minas ‘of silver does not deliver, the tablet Buzutaia for judgement shall deliver up. Before ‘Ashur-malik son of Luzina, before Idin-abum son of Ashur-rabi. (This) tablet to Buzutaia we delivered. The following texts are grouped together because of their general similarity. They are not contracts but are personal memoranda, all on the subject of commercial transactions, but reflecting a wide range of relations. They have possibly been the property of as many different persons as there are tablets, but more likely they represent some of the daily notations set down by some one or two prominent business men, possibly Bushukin. BIN IV 136 Transliteration: (1) 3 Siqlu kasbam (2) a-na a-ma-at (3) Gimil-IStar (4) a-di-in. Translation: Three shekels of silver for the female slave of ° Gimil-Ishtar I gave. BIN IV 167 Contents: When Ashur-rabi was sick the writer of this tablet paid to him and to Ashur-mutabel 10 shekels of silver. [28] Transliteration: (1) 10 Siqlu kasbam (2) a-na A-Sfr-rabi mar I-na-a (3) i A-Sfr-mu-ta-be-el (4) ga-za-ri-Si-nu (5) i-nu-me A-Sfr-rabi (6) ma-ar-zu-t (7) a-di-in. Translation: 10 shekels of silver to Ashur-rabi son of Inaia, and Ashur-mutabel their collector(?), when Ashur-rabi was sick, I gave. BIN IV 141 Contents: Upon the death of the daughter of Ummana the writer sent him one half a roll of cloth, probably for the burial. Transliteration: (1) 4% TUG*® i-nu-me (2) marat-zu (38) me-ta-at-ni® (4) a-na Um-ma-na (5) t-si-bi-el. Translation: 1% of a roll of cloth, when his daughter was dead, to Ummana I sent. BIN IV 128 Contents: This text states that 74 rolls of linen belonging to Shume-abia were brought to the temple; that 26 of them were disposed of there and that the rest were returned. Transliteration: (1) 74 TUG ku-ta-nu™ (2) 84 St-me-A-bi-a (3) a-na é-gal-lim (4) e-ru-bu 26 TUG (5) i-li-ki-t (6) 48 TUG ur-du-nim. Translation: 74 rolls of linen of Shume-abia to the temple came in. 26 rolls they took; 48 rolls they returned to us. BIN IV 140 Contents: The writer states that the 5 shekels of silver which Amur-Ashur weighed out for him, the same person (or possibly another of the same name) has carried to Lamazi and Ahaha, two women, thus probably canceling a debt of the writer to them. Transliteration: (1) 5 Siqlu kasbam (2) 84 A-mur-A-sur (3) mar Zu-ga-li-a (4) ig-ku-l4-ni-Si’* (5) a-na La-ma-zi (6) u A-ha-ha (7) A-mur-A-Sur-ma (8) t-bi-el. Translation: 5 shekels of silver which Amur-Ashur son of Zugalia weighed out to me, to Lamazi and Ahaha, Amur- Ashur carried. [29] BIN IV 117 Transliteration: (1) 23 TUG bi-ri-ga-nu’ (2) 84 Gimil-I8tar (3) 24 ma-na 6% Siqlu (4) kasbim it-bu-lu.” Translation: 23 striped garments of Gimil-Ishtar brought 24 mina 62 shekels of silver. BIN IV 168 Contents: This is a list of quantities of lead and other articles. Each amount of lead is designated by the name of an individual. The significance of the list is a matter for speculation. It may be an example of the kind of document referred to elsewhere as si-ib.° Transliteration: (1) 20 biltu anakum (2) Bu-St-ki-in (3) 20 biltu Dan-A-Ssir (4) 5 biltu La-ki-ib (5) mar IJ-li-a (6) 6 biltu I-na-Sin (7) 4 biltu Gimil-Sin (8) 6 biltu I-di-in... (9) 5 biltu L-lf . (10) 8 biltu A-ta- -rabu (11) 84 illat(-at) (12) Bu-st-ki-in (13) naphar 74 biltu (14) anakum (15) 14 na-ru- ga-tum (16) 1 me-at 21 TUG (17) i-lu-ki.¥ Translation: 20 talents of lead of Bushukin, 20 talents of Dan- Ashur, 5 talents of Lakib, son of Ilia, 6 saga of Ina-Sin, 4 talents of Gimil-Sin, 6 talents of Idin- ... , 5 talents of Ili- ..., 8 talents of Ata... rabu which are under the control of Bushukin, total 74 talents of lead. 14 leather bags(?), 121 state garments. BIN IV 156 Contents: This is a memorandum for 70 bolts or rolls of cloth which have been taken from the temple. For 81% of them copper at the rate of 20 minas each is to be received from the bit garum; for 504% of them Kurara is to pay in silver and for 10 of them Shuli is to pay in silver. The text indicates that the temple had some of the features of a business institution, carrying on trade relations with individuals and with the store house. 81% in line 4 is a mistake of the scribe for 914; otherwise the total of the three amounts is only 69. Transliteration: (1) i-na 70 TUG™ (2) Sd i-na ¢-gal-lim (3) el-ki-t-ni (4) 84 8144 TUG™ (5) 20 ma-na ta eram (6) bit anheo (7) a-l4-ki (8) 84 5016 TUG™ (9) kasbam Ku-ra-ra (10) i-da-nam (11) 4 10 TUG™ kasbam (12) St-li i-da-nam. [30] Translation: Of the 70 rolls of cloth which from the temple they took, for 8% rolls of cloth, copper of the store house at the rate of 20 minas each I shall receive; for 501% rolls Kurara shall pay me silver; for 10 rolls Shuli shall pay me silver. LEGAL DOCUMENTS For a discussion of detailed points with reference to the following group of texts see notes 8, 10, 12, 20. In general they represent the Old Babylonian lawsuits, yet in some cases they do not involve any dispute, but are merely affidavits executed before the Garum. The situation involved in these documents may be supposed to be as follows: two parties who are named in the beginning of the tablets of this class have either a dispute to settle or a business transaction of some importance to arrange; they go and select from one to three men to act as judges or arbiters in the matter; these men are represented by the names added at the end of the document, and by the pronoun ni-a-ti occurring in the opening and closing formulas; then the two parties state their case before the witnesses, often in the form of one party asking the other a question and receiving a formal answer; in this way they come to agreement and their speeches are recorded on the tablet; then the Garum gives its sanction to the matter, thus legalizing and establishing the agreement. Certain biblical incidents seem to reflect a knowledge of the same custom. ‘The first part of the fourth chapter of Ruth in which Boaz came to an agreement with the near kinsman of Naomi, could almost be translated into a Cappadocian busi- ness document of this type. Yahweh’s controversy with his people in Micah 6 is a figurative use of the same custom. The mountains and foundations of the earth are called upon to be witnesses while Yahweh and his people speak in turn. Other passages are Zech. 3: 1 and Job 1-2, where Satan plays the part of the adversary or accuser. BIN IV 109 Contents: The legally executed contract of Buzazu and EI- wadaku: Buzazu engaged El-wadaku to represent him in arranging a matter of business. The contract was drawn up [31] before two witnesses and officially endorsed by the Garum of Ganish. Bin IV, 110 is a duplicate of this text, in which the difficult passage ba-a-a-ni-ma is written on one line, though it is divided between two lines in the present text in a way that Suggests there are two separate words instead of banima. Transliteration: (1) Bu-za-zu a-na El-wa-da-ku (2) iz-ba- at-ni-a-ti-ma” (3) um-ma Bu-za-zu-ma (4) a-na El-wa-da- ku-ma (5) a-na a-e-tim zi-ki*! (6) du-ga-al® um-ma (7) El-wa- da-ku-ma a-na (8) a-wa-tim zi-ga-ga (9) t-ga-al um-ma (10) Bu-za-zu-ma, ba-a (11) a-ni-ma a-wa-tam (12) 14 di-na-kum 14 du-ga-l4-ni (13) a-na a-wa-tim (14) a-ni-a-tim ga-ru-um (15) Ga-ni-e8 i-din-ni-a-ti-ma (16) mahbar batrim® 84 A-8fr si-bu-ti-ni (17) ni-di-in mabar Ma-nu-um-ki-I&tar (18) mar Gimil-be-lim (19) mabar “Samas-ba-ni (20) mar I-na-Sin. Translation: Buzazu laid hold upon El-wadaku before us. Thus (spoke) Buzazu to Elwadaku: as to the matter of my . will you arrange? Thus (spoke) Elwadaku: as to the matter of thy .. . I will arrange. Thus spoke Buzazu: ... The Garum of Garnish gave legal sanction to this matter for us. Before the sword of Ashur we gave our testimony. Before Manum-ki-Ishtar, son of Gimil-belim, before Shamash-bani son of Ina-Sin. BIN IV 104 Contents: This is an affidavit of Dibazia and Buzur-Ishtar, the representative of Buzur-Ashur, recording Dibazia’s sworn statement that 214 minas 6 shekels of gold was paid on his debt to the god Adad; this was paid from the proceeds of some merchandise which he and Buzur-Shamash had received from Gimil-Ishtar and Elwadaku. The document was nego- tiated before the Garum of WabSuSana and in the presence of three witnesses. Transliteration: (1) Buztr-IStar $4-ki-ma (2) Buatir-A-Sur a-na Di-ba-zi-a (3) iz-ba-at-ni-a-ti-ma (4) um-ma Buztr- Istar-ma (5) ki-ma Buztr-A-Sur a-Sd-al-ga (6) i-na lu-ku-tim S84 a-Sti-me (7) “Adad ga-tum i-si-ig-nu-ni-ma (8) Gimil-IStar t El-wa-da-ku a-na (9) zi-ri-ga & Buztr-“Samas (10) ub-lu-ni- ku-nu-ti-ni 2/4 ma-na 6 Siqlu (11) burazum a-na hu-bu-li-ga [32] (12) 84 4Adad 14 i-si-ki-el (13) me-ma i-na ra-me-ni-ga (14) ta-aS-gul 14 i-na lu-ku-tim (15) a me-tim 84 ni-i8 a-lim™ (16) ga-i-l4 um-ma Di-ba-zi-a-ma (17) ki-na i-na lu-ku-tim (18) 84 ga-ti ‘Adad (19) i-si-ig-nu-ma lu-ku-dam (20) Buztir-A-Sur a-na Gimil-IStar (21) 0 El-wa-da-ku ib-ki-du-ma (22) a-na zi-ri-a Buztr-“Samas (23) U-si-be-l4-ni lu-ku-tum a-na (24) hurazim i-zur(?)-ma 214 ma-na 6 Siqlu (25) hurazum a-na hu-bu-li-a 84 “Adad (26) i-si-ki-el me-ma i-na ra-me-ni-a (27) U-lé a8-gal i-na lu-ku-tim (28) a me-tim-ma as-gul (29) a-na a-wa-tim a-ni-a-tim (30) ga-ru-um Wa-ab-St-Sd-na (81) za-hi-ir rabi ji-din-ni-a-ti-ma (32) mahar batrim 84 A-Sur si-bu-ti-ni (33) ni-di-in mahar A-Sur-rabi (34) Dan-A-sir (85) mahar MA-MA- HI-IR. Translation: Buzur-Ishtar the representative of Buzur- Ashur laid hold upon Dibazia before us. Thus (spoke) Buzur- Ishtar representing Buzur-Ashur: I ask you, of the merchan- dise which they consecrated to Adad and which Gimil-Ishtar and Elwadaku brought to you and to Buzur-Shamash, was there not paid 21% minas 6 shekels of gold on your obligation to Adad? Did you pay anything of yourself? . . . Yes or no? Thus (spoke) Dibazia: yes, from the merchandise’which they consecrated to Adad, the merchandise’of Buzur-Ashur they entrusted to Gimil-Ishtar and Elwadaku, and they brought it to me and Buzur-Shamash. The merchandise for gold .. . and 2144 minas 6 shekels of gold on my obligation to Adad was paid. I paid nothing of myself... . The Garum of WahbSuSana, small and great, gave legal sanction to this matter for us. We gave our testimony before the sword of Ashur. Before Ashur-rabi, before Dan-Ashur, before MAMA-HI-IR. BIN IV 103 Contents: This is an affidavit showing that the Limmu Ashur-imeti, Kulumaia and Hunia have deposited 10 impor- tant sealed documents with Ashur-nishu, an official. Hight of them were letters whose contents are not stated; two were tablets having to do with the payment of debts. The names of four witnesses are added. [33 ] Transliteration: (1) li-mu-um A-Sfr-i-me-ti (2) Ku-lu-ma-a t Hu-ni-a (3) a-na A-Sfr-ni-Si PA-DU” (4) iz-bu-du-ni-a-ti-ma (5) ta-ma-l4-ki* ku-nu-ki-e (6) 84 ga-ri-im Ga-ni-e8 (7) za-hi-ir rabi ib-ki-du (8) um-ma li-mu-ti-ma (9) i-na li-be ta-ma-l4-ki (10) 4 na-as-bi-ra-tum (11) $4 ga-ru-um Ga-ni-iS (12) za-hi-ir rabi t-l4-bi-du (13) 4 na-as-be-ra-tim 84 (14) Im-ti-Ili 84 ga-ru-um (15) Ga-ni-iS za-hi-ir rabi (16) ik-nu-ku-t(?)-na-ni (17) 1 dub-bu-um ha-ar-mu-um (18) 84 44 ma-na kasbam (19) $4 hu-bu-ul Gimil-Istar mar Ili-is-ti-gal (20) a-na A-Sir-tabu ha-bu-lu-ma (21) kasbam Bu-za-zu is-ku-lu-ma (22) a-na 224 ma-na 5 Siqlu kasbim (23) zi-ba-at kasbam dub-bu-um (24) uk-ta-lu 1 dub-bu-um (25) $4 20 ma-na kasbim 84 a-na (26) A-Sfr-tabu A-mur-Ili ha-bu-lu-ma (27) A-mur-A-sfr I-kib-Ili (28) & Buztr-A-sir (29) ga-ta-du-ni naphar 10 dub-bi-e (30) ku-nu-ki-e 84 za-hi-ir rabi (31) i-na ta-ma-ld-ki ik-nu-ku-ni (32) me-ma dub-bi-e a-ni-t-tim (33) a-na A-Sfr-ni-8u PA-DU (34) 84 I-kib-Ili ib-ki-du-ma (35) mahar a-lim™ be-li-ni (36) i-S4-ku-nu (37) mahar En-um-A-Sir mar A-ni-nim (38) mahar Tabu-zi-lé-A-Sir mar A-Sfr-i-din (39) mahar I-li-aS-ra-ni mar Gimil-be-lim (40) mahar Bu-ta ga-za-ar A-Sir-ma-lik. Translation: The eponym Ashur-imeti, Kulumaia and Hunia laid hold upon Ashur-nishu, the official, before us. Sealed decisions of the Garum of Ganish, great and small, they deposited. Thus (spoke) the eponym: among the documents are 4 letters which the Garum of Ganish, great and small, filed(?); 4 letters of Imti-Ili which the Garum of Ganish, great and small, sealed for me; 1 affidavit saying that 44 minas of silver, of the debt of Gimil-Ishtar son of Ili-ishtigal, are owing to Ashur-tabu; and that the silver of Buzazu they paid, and for 224 minas 5 shekels of silver the interest of the silver, the tablet was executed; 1 tablet for 20 minas of silver which Amur-Ili owes to Ashur-tabu and which Amur-Ashur, Ikib-Ili and Buzur-Ashur . . .; a total of 10 sealed tablets which the Garum sealed among the decisions. All these tablets they deposited with Ashur-nishu, the official, for Ikib-Ili. Before the alum and our lord they established it. Before Enum- Ashur son of Aninim, before Tabu-zila-Ashur son of Ashur-idin, before Ili-ashrani son of Gimil-belim, before Buta, the collec tor(?) of Ashur-malik. [34] BIN IV 108 Contents: This is an affidavit giving the testimony of Ashur- rabi, corroborated by Enlil-bani, proving that Ashur-rabi had delivered 10 minas of silver to the father of Enlil-bani and that it had been carried before the alum. There are four witnesses. Transliteration: (1) A-Sir-rabi a-na ‘En-lil-ba-ni (2) iz-ba- at-ni-a-ti-ma (3) um-ma A-Sir-rabi-ma a-na (4) 7EN-ba-ni-ma (5) 10 ma-na kasbam ni-iz-ha-zu (6) malu sd4-du-a-zu (7) s4-bu kasbam s4 damgar (8) a-na a-be-ga a-di-in-ma (9) a-na a-lim™ a si-a-ma-tim (10) u-si-bi-el-Si um-ma (11) ¢EN-ba- ni-ma (12) ki-na kasbam ma-ab-ri-a (13) ta-din-Si-um-ma, (14) a-na Ma-nu-um-ba-lim-A-Sur (15) mar E-na-ma-nim (16) ib-ku-zu-ma a-na a-lim™ (17) G-bi-el-Su si-ma-am (18) i8-t- mu-ni-kum a-ma (19) a-wi-lu a-ni-t-tim lu si-bu-ga (20) ki-ma kasbam a-na a-be-a ta-din (21) mahar Be-lim-ba-ni mar A-Sfr- be-el-a-wa-tim (22) mahar A-Sir-ba-ni mar Ku-ta-a (23) mahar Ku-ku-l4-nim mar Ku-ta-a (24) mahar Ili-ba-ni mar Ma-ni-a. _ Translation: Ashbur-rabi laid hold of Enlil-bani before us. Thus (spoke) Ashur-rabi to Enlil-bani: 10 minas of silver, its commission paid and its fee for assaying satisfied, silver of the merchant, I delivered to thy father and he sent it to the alum for evaluation. Thus (spoke) Enlil-bani: it is true; you gave him the silver in my presence, and he entrusted it to Manum- balim-Ashur son of Enamanim, and he carried it to the alum. The price they fixed for you. I wish these men to be your witnesses that you gave the silver tomy father. Before Belim- bani son of Ashur-bel-awatim, before Ashur-bani son of Kutaia, before Kukulanim son of Kutaia, before Ili-bani son of Mania. LETTERS Business letters represent the most numerous class of Cap- padocian tablets. They can be recognized at a glance by means of one of the two following formulas: (1) A... a-na B... ki-bi-ma um-ma, (2) Um-ma B...a-naA... ki- bi-ma. There may be one writer or a number; likewise the addressees may be one person or several. These were not mere casual letters designed to give information only, but [35] were intended as permanent records of the transactions men- tioned in them. Four aspects of the business relations of the community are represented by the following groups of letters. (1) Letters about goods sent to the commission merchant. These letters state that a certain amount of goods which is described is being sent to the addressee by a certain person or persons. Request is made that the goods be exchanged for silver and that the silver be sent to the writer. It is to be observed that the writer places no price upon the goods, but turns them over to the commission merchant who is addressed, and who is to sell them for what he can. The writers are probably the producers of the goods. Bushukin is included in the names of the addressees of these letters. We conclude, then, that one at least of the Bushukins mentioned so often in Cappadocian tablets was a commission merchant. BIN IV 81 Contents: This is a letter of Ashur-bel-awatim to Bushukin and Gimil-Ishtar, stating that he has sent to them a quantity of merchandise, and requesting that the silver for it be sent to him. Transliteration: (1) a-na Bu-Si-ki-in (2) 0 Gimil-IStar ki-be-ma (3) um-ma A-Sur-be-lé-wa-ti-ma (4) 1 TUG Gimil- IStar na-as-a-ku-um (5) a-bi a-ta (6) mu-hu-ur-Su (7) 1 qa ri-is-dam™ (8) Gimil-IStar na-aS-a-kum (9) 6 ma-na (10) anakam i-nu-me (11) u-za-ni a-na (12) I-din-IStar mar A-Sur- ma-lik (13) a-di-in-8t-ma (14) be-lu-a a-du-nu (15) kasbam 84 di-na-ma, (16) si-be-l4-nim. Translation: To Bushukin and Gimil-Ishtar speak: thus (says) Ashur-bel-awatim: 1 roll fof cloth Gimil-Ishtar is bearing to you; my father art thou; receive it; 1 qa of first quality (oil) Gimil-Ishtar is bearing to you; 6 minas of lead, when he went forth, to Idin-Ishtar son of Ashur-malik I delivered. Yeare my lords; thesilver for which they are sold, send to me. BINGYV ite Contents: This is a letter of Huzarum to Bushukin and Ena- Ashur stating that Gimil-Kubum is bringing them a consign- ment of lead and cloth. The following directions are given for [36] the disposition of the merchandise: as soon as it arrives and has been appraised and the usual fees deducted, the value in silver is to be sent to the writer; if the merchandise is sold the silver received for it is to be sealed and sent to the writer; if a certain other circumstance prevails, the merchandise is to be sent on to Burushatim and 1 mina of silver sent to the writer. Transliteration: (1) q-na Bu-Su-ki-in (2) U E-na-A-Ssir ki-bi-ma (3) um-ma Hu-za-ru-um-ma (4) anakam 1 TUG™ (5) £4 si-ib?° A-al-tabu (6) $4 me-ih-ri 84 lu-ku-tim (7) Gimil-Ku- bu-um na-as-a-ku-ni (8) a-bi a-ta a-ma-kam (9) ma-la anakum (Oru Ges Cli) iz-ku-t-ni (12) a-ta & E-na-A-Sur (13) ma-ti-ik & wa-kib (14) di-na-ma i-na (15) ba-nim-ma kasbam si-be-lé-nim (16) & Gimil-Ku-ba-am (17) du-ur-da-ni-Si (18) Si-ma anakum 1 TUG™ (19) ta-ad-nu kasbam (20) ku-un- ga-ma (21) si-bi-ld-nim (22) Sa-ma si-mu-um (23) a-ma-kam ma-ti-ik (24) a-na Bu-ru-u8-ha-tim (25) lu-ku-ti li-ti-iq-ma (26) kasbam 1 ma-na (27) li-li-a-am. Translation: To Bushukin and Ena-Ashur speak: thus (says) Huzarum: the lead and the cloth of the invoice of Al-tabu which is a bill of the merchandise, Gimil-Kubum is bearing to you. My father art thou; as soon as the lead and the cloth are free from imposts, there do thou and Ena-Ashur _ and at once send me the silver; even by Gimil-Kubum send it down to me. If you sell the lead and the cloth, the silver seal and send to me. If the price there . . . to Burus- hatim let my merchandise go and one mina of silver let him bring up to me. BIN IV 24 Contents: This is a letter of Ashur-imeti and Gimil-Hubur to Bushukin, Amur-Shamash and Kurub-Ishtar, stating that Uzur-sha-Ashur will bring to them a consignment of lead and cloth. Instructions are given that the material is to be exchanged for silver when the carrier arrives in Burushatim and this silver is to be returned to the writers. Transliteration: (1) um-ma A-Sfr-i-me-ti (2) U Gimil-Hu- bur-ma (3) a-na Bu-St-ki-in (4) A-mur-“SamaS mar Me-Sar- rabi (5) & Kiir-ub-IStar ki-bi-ma (6) 2 biltu 10 ma-na anakam ku-nu-ku (7) 10 ma-na anakam ga-tim (8) 4 TUG st-ru-tum [37] (9) li-wa-tum (10) 1 imeru za-la-mu-um (11) & e-nu-um (12) me-ma a-nim (13) U-zur-84-A-Sur mar A-Sur-be-el-a-wa-tim (14) i-ra-di-a-ku-nu-ti (15) St-ma U-zur-84-A-Sfr (16) a-na Bu-ru-us-bha-tim (17) e-ra-ab anakam 4 TUG bi-tt-a (18) di-na- St-ma a-na Bu-ru-us-ha-tim (19) lu-si-ri-ib-ma a-na kasbim (20) lu ta-ir-ma kasbam (21) i-na si-bi-8i lu-ub-lam. Translation: Thus (say) Ashur-imeti and Gimil-Hubur: to Bushukin, Amur-Shamash son of Meshar-rabi and Kurub- Ishtar speak: 2 talents 10 minas of sealed lead, 10 minas of certified lead, 4 garments... lass... , all this Uzur-sha- Ashur son of Ashur-bel-awatim will bring to you. When Uzur- sha-Ashur comes in to Burushatim, the lead and the garments judge for him and to Burushatim cause him to enter in, and for silver let him turn it over, and the silver with his invoice, let him bring to me. (2) Reports concerning the disposal of goods. Another class of transactions is represented by the following letters. In each of them the writer or writers are rendering account for the disposition they have made of certain quantities of merchandise. The Bushukin who is addressed in BIN IV, 27 is probably the same individual mentioned in the previous group of letters. BIN IV 61 Contents: This is a letter of Lakibum and Ili-alim to Shalim- ahum. The writers have received a consignment of lead and linen and garments belonging to Shalim-ahum. Ili-ashrani was the carrier of the articles. A complete report of the dis- position of these goods is the purpose of the letter. Lines 1-25 are occupied with the salutation and a statement of the balance of the three articles after the usual fees and taxes have been deducted. Some of each of the three items was sold on credit to Buzur-Ana son of Elani; his debt was covered by two tablets, one for 28 minas, due in 50 hamuStim and one for 10 minas, due in 45 hamu&tim. Another portion was similarly disposed of to Idin-abum son of Idin-Ishtar. 8 rolls of linen and three garments were appraised for the writers; 5 rolls of linen were turned over to the temple; a certain number of rolls of linen (line 47) were appraised for the writers. For the [33] balance of the lead, linen and garments, which were not sold, Ili-ashrani was held responsible and his obligation was covered by two tablets which were made for 1014 minas and 4 mina of silver respectively. Interest at the usual rate of 30% was to be charged upon these sums. Transliteration: (1) a-na S4-lim-a-hi-im ki-be-ma (2) um-ma La-ki-bu-um U [-If-a-lim-ma (3) 6 biltu 30 ma-na anakam ku-nu-ki (4) 20 TUG St-ru-tum® ga-di 84 li-wa-tim (5) 85 TUG ku-ta-ni $4 a-na [-lf-aS-ra-ni (6) one lib-ba 414 TUG ku-ta-ni (7) i 1 $d-ra-am ni-iz-ha-tim”® el-ki-i (8) 2 Siqlu kas- bam i-bu-ku 8 TUG ku-ta-ni (9) iS-ra-ti-ga é-gal-lim el-ki 0 2 Siglu kasbam (10) ta-bu-ul si-ti®? TUGH toa 73 14 14 TUG ku-ta-nu (11) 1 TUG St-ra-am a-na i&-ra-tim (12) el-ki-i 3 Siqlu kasbam i-bu-lu (18) si-tf Su-ru-ti-ga 20 14 2 TUG ga-di (14) 84 li-wa-tim i-na 6 biltu 30 ma-na (15) anaki(-ki)-ga 12 ma-na anakam (16) ni-iz-ba-tim el-ki-i 924 ma-na (17) mu- ta- 614 ma-na anakam (18) “Ili-abrat-bani el-ki (19) a-na-kam ld[-] 84 Ab i8-du (20) 50 ma-na 5 Siclu anak(-ak) ga-ti-Su (21) 4 ga ri-is-dam 14 ma-na anakam (22) 0 5 Siclu kasbam 84 a-na A-bi-di-ba-an (23) du-si-be-l4 St|-|kam-ru 9 ma-na anakam (24) a-na J-lf-ag-ra-ni ni-bu-ul (25) si-tt anaki(-ki)-ga 5 biltu 53 ma-na anakum (26) lib-ba 3 biltu 14 1 ma-na anakam (27) 7 Siqlu ta 20 TUG ku-ta-ni 14 ma-na ta (28) 10 TUG St-ru-tum 15 Siqlu ta naphar kasbe(-be)-ga (29) 38 ma-na 414 Siqlu Buztir-A-na (30) mar E-la-ni i-ki-ib (81) lib-ba 30 14 2 ma-na a-na 50 ha-am-s4-tim (32) i-S4-gal 10 ma-na 414 Siqlu (33). a-na 45 ha-am-Sd-tim i-Sd-gal (34) 2 biltu 14 ma-na 10 Siqlu anakam (35) 7 Siglu ta 20 TUG ku-ta-ni 14 ma-na ta (36) 4 TUG Si-ru-tum 15 Siqlu ta (37) 1 imerum za-la-mu-um” ki-ma 1% ma-na (38) a-na 3024 ma-na AZAG a-na 47 ha-am-Sd4-tim (39) I-din-a-ba-am mar I-din-IStar (40) i-ki-ib G-mu-st-nu war- hum” (41) 84 Ki-na-tim li-mu-um (42) Su-da-a mar En-na- nim 8 TUG ku-ta-ni (43) G3 T UG Si-ru-tum i-di-in ni-a-tt (44) 5 TUG ku-ta-ni Ne Ae tig (45) é-gal-lim a-na si-me-im el-ki-ma (46) 124 ma-na i-na ni-ga-zi™ (47) ) ni-S4-ga-an ki-ma 3(?) TUG ku-ta-ni (48) 7 Ya Siqlu 14 614 Se hurazam 5 Siqlu kasbam (49) i-di-in-ni-a-ti si-t? TUG ku-ta-ni-ga (50) 17 TUG i 1 TUG Sti-ru-um kasab(-ab)-Sti-nu (51) 144 ma-na ta t 10 Siqlu kasbam (52) 84 $u-ri-im 5 °/g ma-na (58) si-ti anaki(-ki)-ga [39] 40 ma-na 14 10 Siqlu (54) kasab(-4b)-SU 5 ma-na (55) lu 84 si-tt TUG ku-ta-ni (56) u St-ri-im lu 84 si-tt (57) anaki(-ki)-ga 10 °/, ma-na kasbam (58) za-ru-ba-am i li-be (59) I-lf-aS-ra-ni (60) i8-ti-in dub-bu-St (61) $4 1024 ma-na kasbim (62) ti a-ha- ma (63) 84 16 ma-na kasbim (64) la-be-it warhum 1™ (65) Ku-zal-li li-mu-um (66) St-da-a mar E-na-nim (67) 114 Siqlu ta (68) ina warbim 1" a-na (69) 1 ma-na-im t-za-A4b (70) 5 imere” $4 si-ib (71) I-If-aS-ra-ni me-du. Translation: To Shalim-ahum speak: thus (say) Lakibum and Ili-alim: there were 6 talents, 30 minas of sealed lead, 20 Surutum ... 85 rolls of linen which you delivered to Ili- ashrani. From these, 414 rolls of linen and 1 Surutum were taken as commission; 2 shekels of silver. . . ; 8 rolls of linen as thy tithe the temple took; and 2 shekels of Silver... The balance of thy cloth is 7234 rolls of linen. One Surutum for tithes was taken; 3 shekels of silver. . . The balance of thy Surutum is 18... From the 6 talents, 30 minas of thy lead, 12 minas of lead were taken for commission; 924 minas - . . 648 minas of lead Ilabrat-bani took. Here he does not . . . From 50 minas, 5 shekels of lead, to his credit, 4 ga of first quality (oil); 14 mina of lead and 5 shekels of silver which you sent to Abidiban. ... A total of 9 minas of lead to Ili- ashrani we transferred. The balance of thy lead is 5 talents, 53 minas of lead. From these (net balances) 3 talents, less 1 mina of lead, at the exchange rate of 7 shekels, 20 rolls of linen at 14 mina each, and 10 Surutum at 15 shekels each, Buzur-Ana son of Elani bought on credit; the total of thy silver (for these) is 38 minas, 414 shekels. Of this amount, 28 minas, after 50 hamuStim he shall pay. Two talents, 14 minas, 10 shekels of lead, at the exchange rate of 7 shekels, 20 rolls of linen at 14 mina each, 4 Surutum at 15 shekels each, and 1 ass at 14 mina, for (a total of) 3024 minas of silver, for 47 hamustim, Idin-abum son of Idin-Ishtar took out on credit. Their time (to pay) is the month of Kinatim, the eponymy of Shudaia son of Ennanim. Hight rolls of linen and 3 gurutum he delivered to us. Five rolls of linen surplus (?), the temple took for sale (?). We placed in the treasury (?) 124 mina. As for the 3(?) rolls of linen, he appraised (them) for us at 7% shekels less 614 Se of gold and 5 shekels of silver. The [ 40] balance of thy linen is 17 rolls and 1 Surutum; their silver at 14 mina each and 10 shekels of silver for the Surutum is 5°/g minas. The balance of thy lead is 40 minas less 10 shekels; its silver is 5 minas. Both for the balance of thy linen and Surutum and for the balance of thy lead 10°/, minas of refined silver is due from Ili-ashrani. One of his tablets for 1014 minas of silver and the other for 4% mina of silver lay up; the month of Kuzallim, the eponymy of Shudaia son of Enanim. At the rate of 114 shekels per month, per mina he shall pay interest. Five asses of the invoice of Ili-ashrani have died (?). BIN IV 27 Contents: This is a letter of Alahum, Imtilim and Buzur- Ashur to Shalim-ahum and Bushukin. Three different indi- viduals, Hurazanim, Amur-Ashur and Adad-bani, entrusted lots of merchandise, including lead, linen, garments and asses, to the writers. The usual fees have been taken out and the balance of the merchandise which was the property of Shalim- abum and Bushukin was distributed to the damkar in five different lots. In each case the lot was evaluated in terms of silver and the time set for payment. Transliteration: (1) a-na Sé-lim-a-hi-im (2) 1 Bu-Sd-ki-in ki-bi-ma (3) um-ma A-la-hu-um-ma (4) Im-ti-lim 0 Buztir-A- Sir-ma (5) 2 biltu 6 ma-na anakam (6) 32 TUG ga-tum 84 li-wa- tim (7) 2 imere za-l4-me-in’ (8) Hu-ra-za-nim ib-ki-id-ni-a- ti-ma (9) 2 biltu 10 ma-na anakam 3014 ku-ta-ni* (10) 4 8t- ru-tim 2 imere za-l4-me (11) A-mur-A-Sir ib-ki-id-ni-a-ti-ma (12) 23 ku-ta-ni 2 imere za-ld-ma-am (18) “Adad-ba-ni ib-ki- id-ni-a-ti-ma (14) i-na 4 biltu 16 ma-na anaki(-ki)-ma(?) (15) 8 ma-na ni-iz-ha-tum (16) 9 ma-na 314 Siqlu a-na (17) “Adad- ba-ni ni-bu-ul (18) 15/; ma-nal a-na Hu-ra-za-nim (19) ni-bu-ul 1324 ma-na 51% Siqlu (20) mu-ta-ti si-tt anaki(-ki)-ga (21) 3 biltu 4314 ma-na (22) 8514 ku-ta-nu 4 Si-ru-tum (23) 5 imere za-ld-mu iz-ku-t-nim (24) lib-ba 2 biltu anakam 32 ku-ta-ni (25) 10 Siqlu ta anakim 15 Siqlu ta ku-ta-ni (26) 20 ma-na kasbam a-na 25 ha-am-sd-tim (27) i zi-ir dam-gar ni-din 1 biltu anakam (28) 16 ku-ta-ni 10 ma-na kasbam 1 zi-ir dam-gar ni-din 4314 ma-na anakam (30) 17 TUG ku-ta-ni 2 imere 914 ma-na 5 Siqlu (31) i zi-ir dam-gar ni-din 2 imere (32) 1 ma-na [41] kasbam i zi-ir dam-gar ni-din (33) 1 wa-ni-ba a-na 4 ma-na i zi-ir (384) dam-gar ni-din a-na 3 biltu 4314 ma-na (35) anakim 65 TUG w 5 imere 40°/; ma-na 5 kasbam za-ru-ba-am (36) i zi-ir dam-gar ki-nu-tim 14 ta ta 84 hu du a-na (37) 25 ha-am- $4-tim na-din warhum” Ab-Sé-ra-ni li-mu-um (38) Bu-zu-zu 8 (?) a ga ti ig ni-din kasab(-4b)-St-nu a ga-tt (39) (?) ru Si-ru- um a-na si-tt TUG"-ga 1214 ku-ta-nu (40) 3 Si-... Translation: To Shalim-ahbum and Bushukin speak: thus (say) Alahum, Imtilim and Buzur-Ashur: two talents, 6 minas of lead, 32 garments ... , 2 ass loads, Hurazanim entrusted to us; 2 talents, 10 minas of lead, 301% rolls of linen, 4 Surutwm, 2 ass loads, Amur-Ashur entrusted to us; 23 rolls of linen, 2 ass loads, Adad-bani entrusted to us. From the 4 talents, 16 minas of thy lead 8 minas are commission; 9 minas, 34% shekels, to Adad-bani we transferred; 1°/,,minas to Hurazanim we transferred; 1224 minas, 514 shekels mutau. The balance of thy lead, 3 talents, 4814 minas, 8514 rolls of linen, 4 Surutwm and 5 asses are free from obligation. From this, 2 talents of lead at the exchange rate of 10 shekels and 32 rolls of linen at 15 shekels each, we delivered to the merchant, for a considera- tion of 20 minas of silver, to be paid after 25 hamuStim. One talent of lead and 16 rolls of linen, we delivered to the merchant, for which 10 minas of silver are to be paid (by him). 43% minas of lead, 17 rolls of linen and 2 asses we delivered to the merchant, for which 914 minas, 5 shekels are to be paid (by him). Two asses we delivered to the merchant for which 1 mina of silver is to be paid (by him). One waniba we delivered to the merchant for which 14 mina is to be paid (by him). For 3 talents, 4314 minas of lead, 65 rolls of linen and 5 asses delivered to the merchant 40°/, minas, 5 shekels of refined silver are due . . . after 25 hamustim. The month of Absha- rani, the eponymy of Buzuzu... (3) Acknowledgement of the receipt of goods. These letters form another part of the documents involved in the trading business. In BIN IV, 46, Buzur-Ashur appears to be the buyer who has bought something from Gimil-belim for which he has paid 371% shekels of silver. This amount has been forwarded in the hands of Ashur-malik, who has failed to deliver the whole amount. This fact is the occasion for the [42] letter. In BIN IV, 44, Ab-shalim is the buyer who acknowl- edges the receipt of the lead and offers a price for it. BIN IV, 80 states that 25 garments have been received, and reports the price for which they have been sold. The disposition that has been made of the money is also given. BIN IV 46 Transliteration: (1) a-na Buzir-A-Sur (2) ki-be-ma um-ma (3) Gimil-be-lim-ma i-na (4) 14 ma-na 7% Siqlu (5) kasbim 84 A-Sur-ma-lik (6) ta-db-ki-da-ni (7) 14 ma-na /4 Ssiqlu (8) i-din- nam 7 Siglu (9) t-l4 i-din-nam (10) um-ma Su-ut-ma (11) a-na zi-ti-Su*” (12) $4-ku-ul. Translation: To Buzur-Ashur speak: thus (says) Gimil- belim: of the 1% mina, 7 shekels of silver which with Ashur- malik you deposited for me, he has paid me 14 mina, 4% shekel; 7 shekels he has not paid me. Thus he (spoke): as regards his balance it was paid. BIN IV 44 Transliteration: (1) a-na Buztr-A-Sfr (2) ki-bi-ma um-ma (3) Ab-Sd-lim-ma (4) 6 biltu anakam (5) I-ku-bi-a (6) ub-lam si-im (7) anakim i-na (8) Bu-ru-ué-ba-tim (9) ni-is-ta-na-me (10) al-kam-ma ma-lé (11) e-bu-ri-St-nu (probably a scribal error for e-ri-bu-st-nu) (12) anaki-ga a-bu-uk-ma (13) kasbam 1 Siqlu (14) ta 84 biltim. Translation: To Buzur-Ashur speak: thus (says) Ah-shalim: Six talents of lead Ikubia brought to me. The price of lead in Buruhatim we have determined. Come! Whenever they come in I will buy thy lead at 1 shekel of silver per talent. BIN IV 80 Transliteration: (1) um-ma Bu-St-ki-in-ma a-na (2) Waz-al- ti-Ili 0 A-ba-a-a (3) ki-be-ma a-na Waz-al-ti-Ili ki-bi-ma 25 TUG™= (4) I-din-A-bu-um ub-lam (5) 714 Siqlu ta kasab(-ab)- Su-nu (6) 3 ma-na 114 Siqlu lib-ba (7) 12 ma-na kasbam I-din- A-bu-um (8) [ub]-lé-ku-um 5 siqlu kasbam (9) [a] ga-ti I-din- A-be-im (10) a-di-in 1 ma-na 10 Siqlu kasbam (11) a-na Buzur- i-tu (12) [a-diJ-in (18) [si-ti kasbe(-be)]-ga (14) 1 ma-na 1044 Siqlu kasbam (three lines broken). [43 ] Translation: Thus (says) Bushukin: to Walti-Ili and Abaia speak: to Walti-Ili speak: 25 garments, Idin-Abum brought me. At 714 shekels each, the silver for them is 3 minas, 1144 shekels. Of this, 144 mina of silver Idin-Abum will bring to you; 5 shekels of silver, I placed at the disposal of Idin-Abum; 1 mina, 10 shekels of silver, I gave to Buzur-utu. The balance of thy silver is 1 mina, 1614 shekels of silver. This tablet is valuable because it furnishes evidence that the reading 14 for the unusual sign in lines 5-6 is correct; 25 garments at 714 shekels each would bring. exactly 3 minas, 114 shekels as stated in line 6. See my “Cappadocian Notes” in JAOS, June 1926. (4) Letters about the collection of debts. BIN IV 26 Contents: Thisisa letter of Shalim-ahum to Lakib and Bu- shukin, stating that the writer holds negotiable bonds on which payment is due, totaling 2 talents, 58 minas, 1 shekel of silver. A partial payment has been made upon this indebtedness, totaling 2 talents, 27 minas, 18 shekels. The writer does not desire interest upon the balance but wishes the principal paid at once. Previous correspondence has been carried on with reference to the matter; Lakib and Bushukin have promised to instruct Hinaia, one of their associates, to pay the debts. This, Hinaia has evidently done to the extent mentioned above. The writer now asks that Hinaia be told to forward the balance. Transliteration: (1) um-ma S4-lim-a-hu-um-ma (2) a-na La-ki-ib i Bu-St-ki-in (8) ki-be-ma 5424 ma-na 51% Siqlu (4) kasbim Sa si-ib Ab-Sd-lim (5) 84 a G-me ku-ur-bu-tim (6) ta-ki- ba-ni 58 ma-na 181% Siqlu (7) Sd si-ib Bu-Sd-ki-in (8) 28% ma-na 7 Siqlu (9) 8&4 Lu-lu-u mar Zu-ku-hi-im (10) 314% ma-na S4 i-na (11) Du-ur-hu-me-it (12) A-Sir-Samsi(-si) i Hi-na-a i-ki-bu-ni (13) 5 ma-na S84 A-mur-IStar $84 anaki(-ki)-a (14) ta-aS-bu-ra-nim um-ma, a-du-nu (15) Hi-na-a, i-S4-ga-al-su (16) U ti-ir-ti-ni a-na Hi-na-a (17) i-ta-l4-ak naphar 2 biltu 58 ma-na 1 Siqlu (18) lib 31 ma-na 15 Siqlu (19) 4% ma-na S4-du-a-zu (20) Gimil-Sin i Mar-Gimil-A-Sfr (21) ub-lu-nim 20°/, ma-na (22) 14 ma-na §4-du-a-zu (23) Mar-E-ra-a ub-lam (24) 31 ma-na 15 Siqlu 4% ma-na (25) S4-du-a-zu 2 ma-na (26) a-ha-ma me-ih- [44] ra-at ik-di-8i (27) Dan-A-8ir ub-lam (28) 4124 ma-na 2% ma-na 4-du-a-zu (29) I-lf-a-lim ub-lam 18 ma-na 18 Siqlu (80) Kdr- ub-IStar ub-lam (31) napbar 2 biltu 27 ma-na 18 Siqlu (82) kasbim 84 ub-lu-ni-ni si-tt kasbim (33) 3024 ma-na 3 Siqlu (34) $4 d-mu-Su e-ti-ku-nu (35) zi-ib-dam 14 ta-S4-me-a (36) kasbam ¥4-a%-ki-l4-ma i ba-nim-ma (37) si-be-lé-nim t a zi-ir (38) Hi-na-a St-ub-ra-ma kasbam (39) S4-aS-ra-kam-ma i-ki-bu-ni (40) lu-si-be-lam i-na dub-be ma-nu (41) 614 ma-na 5% Siqlu (42) kasbam 84 si-ib Ah-Sd-lim (43) a-na d-me ba-ti--tim? (44) i zi-ir dam-gar-ri (45) na-din 31 ma-na 184% Siqlu (46) 84 si-ib A-Sfr-mu-ta-be-el i Nu-ur-IStar Sti-ma, (47) d-mu-St-nu ma-al-u AZAG 84 S0-ki-lé-ma i ba-nim-ma, (48) si-be-l4-nim kasbam 84 Llt-a-lim t Kitr-ub-IStar ub-lu-ni-ni (49) me-Si-um” dub- bu-um ik-be-da ku-nu-ti-ma 14 du-si-be-l4-nim. Translation: Thus (says) Shalim-ahum: to Lakib and Bushukin speak: Concerning 5424 minas, 51% shekels of silver of the document of Ah-shalim, which at the time of the loan you put out on credit, 58 minas, 181% shekels of the document of Bushukin, 2814 minas, 7 shekels of Lulu son of Zukubim, 3114 minas which in Dur-humit, Ashur-Shamshi and Hinaia took out on credit, 5 minas of Amur-Ishtar for my lead, you wrote to me; thus you spoke: Hinaia shall pay it and our order to Hinaia shall go. The total is 2 talents, 58 minas, 1 shekel. Of this amount, Gimil-Sin and Mar-Gimil-Ashur brought me 31 minas, 15 shekels and 14 mina for the fee for assaying; Mar-Eraia brought me 20°/, minas, and 14 mina for the fee for assaying; Dan-Ashur brought me 31 minas, 15 shekels and 14 mina for the fee for assaying, 2 minas... ; Ili-alim brought me 4124 minas and ?g mina for the fee for assaying; Kurub-Ishtar brought me 18 minas, 18 shekels; the total which they brought me is 2 talents, 27 minas, 18 shekels of silver. For the rest of the silver, for which the time for payment has arrived, you shall not yield the interest, but weigh out the silver and send it to me at once; and write to Hinaia that the silver which I loaned and they put out on credit, he must send tome. From the tablets reckon 614 minas, 524 shekels of silver of the document of Ah-shalim to be given to the merchant at the time of opening. 31 minas, 18% shekels of the document of Ashur-mutabel and Nur-Ishtar, [45] when their time is completed and the silver is weighed, send it to me at once. For the silver which Ili-alim and Kurub- Ishtar brought me a duplicated(?) tablet . . . for you and do not send to me. NOTES 1. a-lim” BIN. IV, 127:8. Three explanations of the signs here read a-lim™, have been offered. Contenau. (TC. 58) reads a-81-ki and regards it as the name of some kind 6f official. Smith (CCT I, 8) says, ‘Though Ashur is only named once, it is probable that ‘ the city,’ a-lim KT, i. e., the capital city, constantly mentioned is Ashur.’”’ Presumably the one men- tion of the city of Ashur to which he refers is the passage, CCT I, 37a:21-23, a-na st-a-ma-tim a-na a-lim™ *A-Sur u-bi-el. Cf. LTC. IV, 5:11, t-na a-lim™ A-Str ma-ga-ra-am, ete. Con- tenau is probably mistaken in reading A-sfr-ma-ga-ra-am as a . name, in which case we would have here another possible mention of the city of Ashur. The third explanation to be considered is that of Lewy, (SATK, 16, note 28,) who states on the basis of texts LTC. IV, 95, 96 and CCT, 49b, that the city designated simply a-lim”, must be BuruShatim. His reasoning is not conclusive, and more adequate proof must be awaited before accepting this view. Lewy also seems to hold that alum refers to some constituted authority. It is not impossible that in some instances such as those cited above the phrase may refer to the city of Ashur, but it is also evident from the passage cited below that it was sometimes used in the sense of a council of elders. Its relation to the Garum is not clear. BIN. IV, 152:5, 11. If this were the only reference to the word alum it would be natural to infer that it represented a certain city. But it is probably used in the same sense here as elsewhere. BIN. IV, 103:35. Here the term is undoubtedly used in the sense of “‘the elders of the city.”’ 2. anak(ak) ga-tim, BIN. IV, 29:16. That ‘‘ag-ga-tim’’ is not a word, but that the syllable ag (ak) is to be considered a phonetic complement showing the pronunciation of the ideo- gram AN.NA, is proved by LC. 241:line 4, 84 a-na zi-ir [46] anak(-ak), line 5 ga-tim, etc. If ag-ga-tim were one word it would not be divided between the two lines in this way, but the remainder of the word would be written on the right hand end of the next line. This explains Contenau’s difficulty with a word divider in the middle of a word (TC. p. 14); his case is only another example of the phrase anak(-ak) ga-tim, with the word divider between the phonetic complement and the word ga-tim. 3. ar-nu-um, BIN. IV, 29:39. This is a word appearing frequently in Old Babylonian legal texts, with the meaning “penalty”; ef. Leipziger rechtswissenschaftliche Studien, Heft 3, 1922, p. 56, and Schorr, VAB 5, 350. It is a forfeit which a person binds himself to pay in case of failure to fulfill obliga- tions. In this case it may be a fine imposed for leaving mer- chandise too long in the store house. 4, a-wi-id-ga, BIN. IV, 29:3. This is apparently some material which was measured in talents; its price in this case (line 4) is given at 524 minas, 5 shekels. Cf. M-A 63b, zmittu 2. 5. ba-tt-vi-tim, BIN. IV, 26:48. It is derived from the root pitt, to open, and refers to the opening of the cases of the tablets mentioned in this letter. 6. batrim, BIN. IV, 109:16. This reading is adopted from Dr. Lewy’s explanation of the hitherto unrecognized sign, appearing in this line and frequently where this formula occurs. See SATK 16, note 31, and 67g. 7. bi-ri-ga-nu, BIN. IV, 117:1. It is read by Contenau as a personal name (LTC IV, p. 10), but appears here with the determinative for garments. It is also to be read as a garment in the passages cited by Contenau. 8. bit ga-ri-im, was certainly connected with the garum. This phrase means ‘‘store-house”’ in known Babylonian texts. The garum was doubtless an assembly of the merchants of the town, which not only decided in cases of disputes between these business people of Cappadocia, but furnished a sort of municipal store-house for their wares. Articles which were not sold at once in the market place could be stored in the bit garim. One of the Yale letters seems to show that rent was sometimes charged for storage in the bit garum. Cf. BIN. IV, 29:39, [47] 9. du-ga-al, BIN. IV, 109:6. This, v%-ga-al (line 9) and du-ga-ld-ni (line 12) are all from the root kdlu, to hold or carry. For the translation here cf. SATK 56c. 10. ga-ru-um, passim. The older translators of Cappadocian tablets have unhesitatingly rendered this word as “ judge.” Contenau and Smith, the compilers of the recent volumes of Cappadocian texts, have retained the idea of an individual, some sort of official, as representing the Garum. Contenau in his Trente Tablettes Cappadociennes, p. 73f, regards the Garum as a prefect. In this he-is following Sayce in his article published the year before in the Museum Journal. The expression ga-ru-um . . . za-hi-ir rabu, Contenau regards as meaning the supreme prefect, prefect of the great and small. Smith in CCT I, p. 9f. holds that the Garum was a local town official who was in charge of the bit garim which was a store- house and which had a standard weight. This, he further holds, was the official after whom the period of time called a hamustim was named. Since there are often two names appearing after the hamustim, he concluded that there were often two Garim. Lewy in SATK, 16, 32, and OLZ 1923, 537, note 4, holds that the Garum is to be compared with the KAR Sippar, discussed by Walther, LSS VI, 4-6, 70ff. He understands the term to mean a council of elders who consti- tute the city authority. This view was discussed by Lands- berger in ZA 35, 233ff, who takes the position that Garum refers not to a council of elders but to the Colony itself. Let us now consider the data furnished by the Cappadocian tablets with reference to the Garum. We are led to the con- clusion that the Garum could not have consisted of a single official but that Lewy is probably right in holding it to be a council. In the cases where the Garum renders a decision it is often stated in the formula that it was the ga-ru-wm Ga-nt-is za-hi-ir rabu. Lewy has explained the phrase za-hi-ir rabu as indicating that the decision was unanimous, that is all the members of the Garum, small and great, concurred in the decision. This explanation appears quite satisfactory until we find the phrase used in a slightly different way in BIN IV, 103. The subject of this tablet is some documents which were sealed by the Garum of Ganish za-hi-ir rabu. Three times [48] the phrase is repeated in the tablets and then a fourth time the phrase za-hi-ir rabu is used without the preceding ga-ru-wm Ga-ni-is’ (line 30) and used in the same kind of construction in which the whole phrase was used before. Now if zahir rabu is merely an adverbial phrase qualifying the action of the Garum we might expect the scribe to grow tired of writing the whole formula so many times and omit the adverbial part, but instead he omits the words ga-ru-um Ga-ni-is, and allows simply za-hi-ir rabu to stand in its place. From this we may conjecture that za-hi-r rabu was a technical term which could be used to denote the same thing as Garum. It may have obtained its technical sense, not from the unanimity of the decision of the Garum but from the way in which the body was constituted. Possibly the za-hi-ir rabu corresponds to the upper and lower houses of our legislative bodies. Sometimes the phrase is written ideographically 7 UR.GAL. Cf. CCT ], 49:10. This suggests that this ideogram in the unpublished text (CBS 4051) discussed by Sayce in the Museum Journal, June 1918, may refer to the Garum and not to the ‘‘older son” as he suggests. Another function of the Garum is found in the oft repeated phrase in the contract literature, a-na a-wa-at ga-ri-1m zZ1-vb- tam ti-za-db, according to the word of the Garum, interest he shall add. ‘This was in case the debtor had failed to pay at the date specified. This indicates that the Garum entered into business relations and that the interest rate which it recognized was considered as standard. That the Garum was not exclusively a judicial body is indicated by the tablet of the British Museum, CCT I, 4. Here we have the record of two loans made to the Garum by Enlil-bani. ‘These passages are of interest because wherever the Garum is made the sub- ject of the verb, the verb is plural; ef. SATK, 16, note 32. This is significant because in the contracts a regular formula is adhered to, and when the debtors are more than one a plural verb is always used. Moreover, in this very tablet there are records of several different loans; some of them are to one individual, in which case the verbs are singular; some of them are to groups of individuals, when the verbs are plural. It is stated in the second of these loans to the Garum that certain [49] men whose names are given, the representatives of the Garum, received the money. These facts strengthen the conclusion to which we have come, namely that the Garum was a body of men and not an individual. Occasionally we find a letter from the Garum or one addressed to it; cf. Babyl., VI, 191, 7. In these letters the pronouns which refer to the Garum are always in the plural. The unpublished text of the University of Pennsylvania CBS 5681 and 5680 on which Sayce, in the Museum Journal, June 1918, bases his conclusion that there was also a “‘prefectess,”’ furnish examples of this plural pronoun referring to the Garum. Sayce’s conclusions about the ‘‘pre- fectess’’ are based upon mistaken readings of the texts. His ga-ru-tum is probably Bi-ru-tum. Babyl., VI, 187, 18 furnishes another example of the plural verb with the Garum. 11. ga-tum, BIN IV, 4:6. The exact significance of this word is not clear. Its meaning is doubtless to be derived from gatu, hand. It is perhaps most often used in connection with a word for metal, but here is used with garments. That it implies some act of authorization is indicated by the phrase a kasbim ga-ti §d-ag-na-at, on the silver my hand was laid, BIN IV, 155:14, and t-na kasbim ga-tum A-Sur-tak-ld-ku mar A-ld-hi-im §d-ag-na-at, on the silver the hand of Ashur-tak- laku, son of Alahum was laid, BIN IV, 127:14. Smith (CCT I, p. 8) implies that the word is to be practically identified with ku-nu-kz, “ of the seal’; this must be modified in the light of the passage, 3 biltu 15 ma-na anakum ku-nu-ku 2214 ma-na a-na anakim ga-tum, BIN IV, 30:18-19, where the two kinds of lead seem to be contrasted. 12. ha-ar-ma-am, BIN IV, 147:12. The phrase dub-ba-am ha-ar-ma-am is regarded by Lewy (SATK, 59, note e) as a tablet rendered invalid. In the light of its use in BIN IV, 152, an invalid tablet does not seem to fit the circumstances. The word ha-ar-ma-am is probably not Assyrian, but is derived from the West Semitic values of the root haram, to make sacred, or to pronounce inviolable, cf. BDB Lexicon, 355b. It signifies a tablet whose facts were guaranteed by oath. Smith (CCT I, p. 12) refers to them as ‘‘ sworn tablets.’”’ The only Cappadocian tablets which are known, which are of an especially binding or legal character are those called by Smith [50] “ Abstracts of Legal Cases,” but which really seem to be affidavits, and are so named in BIN IV. The importance attached to tablets designated ha-ar-ma-am, frequently men- tioned in letters and contracts, is not in harmony with the idea of “ invalid tablets,” which would then be of no impor- tance. Such importance could well attach to these so called “affidavits” which were executed before the Garum on solemn oath. We may reasonably conjecture, then, that the Cappa- docian name for such tablets was dubbum harum. 13. ib-ki-zu-ma, BIN IV, 108:16. The full form would be ib-ki-it-