Amarna letter EA 288 - Misplaced Pages

Amarna letter EA 288 Titled: Benign Neglect
Rib-Hadi letter to Pharaoh
Material	Clay
Size	Height: 16.2 cm (6.4 in) Width: 10.5 cm (4.1 in)
Writing	cuneiform (Akkadian language)
Created	~1360-1335 BC (Amarna Period)
Period/culture	Middle Babylonian
Place	Akhetaten
Present location	Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin no. VAT 1643

Amarna letter EA 288, titled Benign Neglect, is a tall, finely-inscribed clay tablet letter, approximately 7.5 in tall x 4.5 in wide, broken into two pieces, from Abdi-Heba the mayor/ruler of Jerusalem, of the mid 14th century BC Amarna letters. The scribe of his six letters to Egypt were penned by the "Jerusalem scribe"; EA 288 is a moderately long, and involved letter.

The Amarna letters, about 300, numbered up to EA 382, are a mid 14th century BC, about 1350 BC and 20–25 years later, correspondence. The initial corpus of letters were found at Akhenaten's city Akhetaten, in the floor of the Bureau of Correspondence of Pharaoh; others were later found, adding to the body of letters.

Letter EA 288 (also see here-(Obverse): ), is numbered VAT 1643, from the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin.

A summary of letter structure: EA 288 begins with a short address to the Pharaoh. Immediately, 3 segue paragraphs begin the letter, as "dramatic statements" by the Jerusalem scribe (and Abdi-Heba); a fourth segued statement follows. Then the purpose of the letter begins, covering the second half of the letter's obverse and the reverse.

Paragraphs I-VIII (IX), complete the letter's obverse (as seen in photo).

Cuneiform and Akkadian text, EA 288

Obverse (See here: )

(Line 1)—-na 1.lugal-ri-EN-ia Utu-ia qi2-–(To King-Lord-mine Sun-god, my .. Speaking )

(2)—um-ma 1.ARAD2-Hi-Ba ARAD2-ka-ma–.–.–.–(message Abdi-Heba Servant-yours)

(3)—a-na 2. giri3-meš lugal-EN-ia 7. ta-a-an–.–(at 2.(Both) Feet(s) King-Lord-mine --///-- 7. (times) )

(4)—ù 7. ta-a-an am-qut-mi–.–(..and 7. (times) --///-- I bow ! (?I address you?) )

Paragraph II

(5)—A-mur !.. lugal-ri-EN-ia ša-ka-an–.–( ! Look (here) ! .. King-Lord-mine --///-- (You) Emplaced )

(6)—szum3-szu a-na mu-s,i Utu XX1–.–.–.–.–( Name-his At (the) "Setting" Sun XX1 )

(7)—ù ir-bi Utu XX2 ha-an-pa–.–( and (the) Rising(entering) Sun XX2 --///-- growing abundantly ! )

(8)—ša ih-nu-pu a-na mu-hi-ia–.–(.. which "grows abundantly" For Me ! (?Me & Us? )

Paragraph III

(9)—A-mur !.. a-na-ku --///-- la-a Lú-Ha-zi-a-nu–.–( ! Look (here) ! --//-- {"-I- --///-- Not"} (a) Mayor (Hazzanu) ! )

(10)—Lú-ú-a-ú --////--a-na lugal-ri-EN-ia–.–( (a) Soldier --////-- For King-Lord-mine ! )

Akkadian (with wikilinks)

Obverse (See here: )

(Line 1)—A na Šar-Ri-Beli-ia Utu qa bû

(2)—um ma Abdi-HeBa ardu-su

(3)—A na 2. giri3-meš Sarri-Beli-ia 7. (times)

(4)—u3 7. (ta-a-an)(times) maqātu !

Paragraph II

(5)—( ! Amāru ! .. Šar-Ri- Belu-ia --///-- (You) šakānu ..)

(6)—šumu-šu a na mušu Utu XX1

(7)—ù erē bu Utu XX2 --//-- ha nā bu !

(8)—ša ha nā bu mu hhu-ia

Paragraph III

(9)—( ! Amāru ! .. a nā ku --///-- l ā --///-- (a)Mayor (Hazzanu)

(10)—Lú-ú-a-ú --////-- a na Šar-Ri- Beli-ia !

Akkadian (from CDLI, Chicago Digital Library Initiative)

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(Akkadian Text), Akkadischer Text

Obverse, (Vorderseite):
1. a šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia šai(UTU)í
2. um-ma abdi(ÁRAD)-ḫi-ba ardu(ÁRAD)-ka-ma
3. a-na 2 šêpē(GÌRI) šarri(LUGAL) bêl(EN)-ia 7-ta-a-an
4. ù 7-ta-a-an am-qut-mi
5. a-mur šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia ša-ka-an
6. šùm-šu a-na mu-ṣi šamši(UTU)
7. ù ir-bi šamši(UTU) ḫa-an-pa
8. ša iḫ-nu-pu a-na mu-ḫi-ia
9. a-mur a-na-ku la-a ḫa-zi-a-nu
10. ú-e-ú <a-na-ku> a-na šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia
11. a-mur a-na-ku ruì šarri(LUGAL)
12. ù ú-bi-il bilat(GUN) šarri(LUGAL) a-na-ku
13. ia-a-nu-mi ad-da-a-ni ia-a-nu-mi
14. um-mi-ia zu-ru-uḫ šarri(LUGAL) dannu(KAL.GA)
15. a-ak-n i-na bît(É) ad-da-
16.
17. a-ša-ad a-na mu-ḫi-ia qa-a
18. na-ad-na-ti 1 ardūti(ÁRAD)a-i-
19. šu-ú-ta rabiṣ(MÁŠKIM) šarri(LUGAL) ka-š
20. -na mu-ḫi-ia 2 1 mârāti(DUMU.MUNUS)
21. 1 2 a-ší-ri na-ad-na-ti
22. -na qa-ti šu-ú-ta qîšat(NÍG.BA) šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia
23. li-im-li-ik-mi šarri(LUGAL) a-na mâti(KUR)-šu
24. ḫal-qà-at mât(KUR) šarri(LUGAL) gáb-ba-ša
25. ṣa-ba-ta-ni nu-kúr-tú a-na ia-a-ši
26. a-di mâtāti(KUR) še-e-ri a-di alu(IRI) gín-ti-ki-ir-mi-il
27. šal-mu a-na gáb-bi ḫa-zi-a-nu-ti
28. ù nu-kur-tú a-na ia-a-ši
29. ip-ša-ti e-nu-ma ḫa-pí-ri
30. ù la-a a-mar 2 înā(IGI) šarri(LUGAL)
31. bêli(EN)-ia ki-i nu-kúr-tú
Reverse, (Rückseite):

32. a-na muḫḫi(UGU)-ia ša-ak-na-ti
33. e-nu-ma elippa(MÁ) i-na lìb-bi tâmti(A.AB.BA)
34. qât(ŠU) zu-ru-uḫ šarri(LUGAL) dannatu(KAL.GA)
35. ti-li-iq-qí na-aḫ-ri-ma
36. ù ka-<pa-si> x ka-a-si ù i-na-an-na
37. alāni(IRI.DIDLI) šarri(LUGAL)
38. ti-le-qé-ú ḫa-pí-ru
39. ia-a-nu-mi 1 ḫa-zi-a-nu
40. a-na šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia ḫal-qu gáb-bu
41. a-mur tu-ur-ba-zu gaz(GAZ) da
42. i-na abul(KÁ.GAL) alu(IRI) sí-lu-ú qa-al šarru(LUGAL)
43. a-mur zi-im-ri-da alu(IRI) la-ki-si
44. ig-gi-ú-šu ardūtu(ÁRAD) ip-šu a-na ḫa-pí-ri
45. ia-ap-ti-iḫ-adda(IŠKUR) gaz(GAZ) te-k
46. a abul(KÁ.GAL) alu(IRI) zi-lu-ú ka-al
47. -nim a-a i-ša-al-šu
48. -is-kín šarru(LUGAL) a-na mâti(KUR)-šu]
49. i-din šarru(LUGAL) pa-ni-šu ù i
50. ṣâbē(ÉRIN) pi-ṭa-ti a-na mâti(KUR)-š
51. šum-ma ia-a-nu-mi ṣâbē(ÉRIN) pi-ṭa-tu₄
52. i-na šatti(MU) an-ni-ti ḫal-qa-at a-ba-da-at
53. gáb-bi mâtat(KUR) šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia
54. la-a i-qa-bi-ú a-na pa-ni šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia
55. e-nu-ma ḫal-qa-at mât(KUR) šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia
56. ù ḫal-qu gáb-bi ḫa-zi-a-nu-ti
57. šum-ma ia-a-nu-mi ṣâbē(ÈRIN) pi-ṭa-tu₄
58. i-na šatti(MU) an-ni-ti lu-ma-še-er
59. šarru(LUGAL) rabiṣa(MÁŠKIM) ù li-il-qé-a-ni
60. a-na ia-a-ši a-di aḫē(ŠEŠ) ù Ba.Bad(BA.ÚŠ)
61. ni-mu-tu₄ it-ti šarru(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-nu
62. túp-šar(DUB.SAR) šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia
63. abdi(ÁRAD)-ḫi-ba ardu(ÁRAD)-ma a-na 2 šêp(GÌRI)
64. ut-mi še-ri-ib a-wa-ta₅
65. a-na-ti a-na šarri(LUGAL)
66. [danniš(MA.GAL) ardu(ÁRAD)-[ka ù mâru(DUMU)-ka a-na-ku

Cuneiform score, Akkadian, English

Cuneiform score (per CDLI, Chicago Digital Library Initiative), and Akkadian, and English.

Paragraph-(lines 23-33)
Note: Segue-(transition), from Obverse,
+ Obverse-bottom, to Reverse (lines 23-33)

(Sub-Section 1 of 4), (lines 23-26)
23. li-im-li-ik-mi lugal-ri a-na kur-šu
___ malāku (Šár ru)Šarru-ri a na mātu-šu–!
___ Give-concern King for Land-His–!
24. hal-qà-at kur lugal-ri gáb-ba-ša
___ halāqu mātu Šarru, gab bu-ša,
___ Over-Taken land-("region") King, All-His,
24.8.--------gáb-ba-ša
___------------gab bu-ša –
___------------All-His –
25. ṣa-ba-ta-ni nu-KÚR-tú a-na ia-a-ši
___ ṣa bā t u nu kurtu a na I ā ši–!
___ "captured-in" warfare, from Me–!
26. a-di kur- Še-e-ri a-di Gín-ti-Ki-ir-mi-il
___ a di mātu--(matāti) Šeri, a di Gín ti-k-ir-m-il–!
___ also(plus) lands Šeri, plus GintiKirmil–!
(Sub-Section 2 of 4), (lines 27-28)
27. šal-mu a-na gáb-bi, ha-zi-a-nu-ti
___ šalāmu a na gab bu, lú(amēlu) Ha z a nnu–!,
___ Peace for all, Men Hazannu-(Governors)–!,
28. ù nu-kur-tú a-na ia-a-ši
___ U nukurtu a na I ā ši–!
___ But warfare for Me- (Governor of Jerusalem)–!
(Sub-Section 3 of 4), (lines 29-31.5)
29. ip-ša-ti e-nu-ma ha-pí-ri
___ Epē šu enū ma Ha pi ru–!
___ (I am)-made now (as a) (("rebel"))-Habiru–!
30. ù la-a a-mar 2 înā(IGI) šarri(LUGAL)
___u l ā amāru 2 īnu Šarru-(Phar.)-
___ and not ((able to)) see (2 eyes) ("Face/Countenance") (of-the) King-
31. bêli(EN)-ia, ki-i nu-kúr-tú–!
___-bēlu-ia —
___-Lord-mine —
(Sub-Section 4 of 4), (lines 31.5-33)
31.5--------ki-i nu-kúr-tu
___------------ — k ī nu kur tu–! —
___------------ — "Because–of" warfare–! —

Reverse, (Rückseite):

(Sub-Section 4 of 4), (lines 31.5-33)
Sub-Paragraph—Exclamation-(lines 31.5-33)

31.5--------ki-i nu-kúr-tu
___------------ — k ī nu kur tu–! —
___------------ — "Because–of" warfare–! —

((Reverse side starts here))

32. a-na muḫḫi(UGU)-ia ša-ak-na-ti
___ a na muhhu-(ia) ša kā nu
___ for upon-ME, emplaced,
33. e-nū-ma elippa(MÁ) i-na lìb-bi tâmti(A.AB.BA)
___ Enū ma MÁ(eleppu) i na libbu tâmtu(A.AB.BA)-(the sea)–!
___ Now (I am) SHIP in the HEART-(middle) (of a) STORM-! (middle of the sea–! )
End of Sub-Sections

End of segue-(transition), to Reverse (lines 23-31.5, 31.5-33)

Paragraph, (lines 34-40)

34. qât(ŠU) zu-ru-uḫ šarri(LUGAL) dannatu(KAL.GA
___qātu zuruh, Šarru kal-ga
___(the)-Hand strong, King-mighty
35. ti-li-iq-qí na-aḫ-ri-ma
___ha lāqu KUR n aḫ ri ma–!
___Over-Took land((region)) Nahrima-(i.e. Aram-Naharaim)–!
36. ù ka-<pa-si> x ka-a-si ù i-na-an-na
___u kur ka-((<pa))-si> x ka-a-si, u e ni n na
___and land Kasi (( x Kasi )), and now
36.6--------ù i-na-an-na
___------------U e ni n na
___------------And now
37. alāni(IRI.DIDLI) šarri(LUGAL)
___alāni(IRI.DIDLI) Šarru
___Cities (of the) King
38. ti-le-qé-ú ḫa-pí-ru
___halāqu lú-meš ḫa pí ru–!
___Over-Taken (by) men Hapiru–!
39. ia-a-nu-mi 1 ha-zi-a-nu
___ia-a-nu-mi 1(bēlu), — Hazannu
___"there-is-NOT" One (1) Lord, — Hazannu (Governor),..
40. a-na šarri(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-ia, — hal-qu gáb-bu–!
___a na Šarru-ri EN-ia —,
___for King-Lord-mine —,
40.6 ------------- ḫal-qu gáb-bu
40.6--------------- halāqu gabbu–!
40.6--------------- (Over)-Taken All–!

Paragraph-(l. 41-47)

41. a-mur tu-ur-ba-zu gaz(GAZ) da-(dâku)
___amāru–! — Turbazu gaz(GAZ) da-(dâku)
___Look (here)–! — Turbazu "killed"-!
42. i-na abul(KÁ.GAL) alu(IRI) sí-lu-ú qa-al šarru(LUGAL)
___i na abullu ālu Silu ga-al šarru(LUGAL)
___in city-gate city Silu, "tragedy"?, King (Phar.)
43. a-mur zi-im-ri-da alu(IRI) la-ki-si
___amāru–! — Zimredda ālu(IRI) Lachish
___Look (here)–! — Zimredda city Lachish
44. ig-gi-ú-šu ardūtu(ÁRAD) ip-šu a-na ḫa-pí-ri
___ig-gi-ú-šu ardu-meš, epē šu a na lú.meš-ha pi ru
___"killed-by" servants-(pl.), "committed" to men(amēlu)-pl.-(Hapiru("done by men-Hapiru"))
45. ia-ap-ti-iḫ-adda(IŠKUR) gaz(GAZ) te-k
___Yaptih-Hadda gaz(GAZ) te-k
___Yaptih-Hadda slain
46. a abul(KÁ.GAL) alu(IRI) zi-lu-ú ka-al
___i na abullu ālu Silu ka-al
___in city-gate city Silu ?killed,
47. -nim a-a i-ša-al-šu

Paragraph-(l. ?47-53)

47. -nim a-a i-ša-al-šu
48. -is-kín šarru(LUGAL) a-na mâti(KUR)-šu]
49. i-din šarru(LUGAL) pa-ni-šu ù i
50. ṣâbē(ÉRIN) pí-ta-ti a-na mâti(KUR)-š[u
___ _LÚ-(amēlu) pí ta ti, — a na māti(KUR)
___men-(pl.) army-(pl.) pítati, — for land-his
51. šum-ma ia-a-nu-mi ṣâbē(ÈRIN) pi-ṭa-tu₄
___u šum ma ia-a-nu-mi ṣābu-meš pi-ṭa-tu₄
___and if "there is not" army-(pl.)-pítati -- (lines 57 & 51 are identical)
52. i-na šatti(MU) an-ni-ti ḫal-qa-at a-ba-da-at
___i na šattu (MU) an n û, — ḫalā q u a-ba-da-at(abātu-"destroyed"?)
___in year this, — Over-Taken, (destroyed?)
53. : (–gl–) gáb-bi _mâtat(KUR)_ _šarri(SÀR-_ _bêli(EN)_-ia
___ : (–gl–) gabbu mātu, – SÀR-ru, bēlu-ia, —!
___all lands, – King, Lord-mine, —!

Paragraph-(l. 54-61)

54. la-a i-qa-bi-ú a-na pa-ni šarri(_LUGAL_) bêli(_EN_)-ia
___l ā q a b û pā nu, — King Bēlu-mine
___(( (This-is)-"Not spoken before", — King Lord-mine))
55. e-nu-ma ḫal-qa-at mât(_KUR_) _šarri(ŠÀRru_) bêli(_EN_)-ia
___enū ma ḫalā q u mātu(KUR), – Šarri(LUGAL) bēlu(EN)-ia–! —
___Now Over-Taken land("region"), – King-Lord-mine–! —
56. ù hal-qu gáb-bi ha-zi-a-nu-ti
___u ḫalā qu gab bu, – lú(amēlu)-meš-Ha z a nnu–!,
___and over-taken all, – men-(pl.)-Hazannu–!
57. šum-ma ia-a-nu-mi ṣâbē(ÈRIN) pi-ṭa-tu₄
___šum ma ia-a-nu-mi ṣābu-meš pi-ṭa-tu₄,
___If "there is not" army-(pl.)-pítati, -- (lines 57 & 51 are identical)
58. i-na šatti(MU) an-ni-ti lu-ma-še-er
___i na šattu (MU) an n û, — lu-ma-še-er
___in year this, — lu-ma-še-er (?lūman)-"Now, alas!"?)
59. šarru(LUGAL) rabiṣa(MÁŠKIM) ù li-il-qé-a-ni
60. a-na ia-a-ši a-di aḫē(ŠEŠ) ù Ba.Bad(BA.ÚŠ)
61. ni-mu-tu₄ it-ti šarru(LUGAL) bêli(EN)-nu

Paragraph, lines 62-66
Note: Final address to the "King-Lord-mine" (Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's scribe)

62. _dup-sar(DUB.SAR)_ _lugal-ri_ _EN_-ia
___A na țupšarru-(=țuppu-šarru, Tablet-King, i.e. "Scribe"), ((u)) Šarru-ri bēlu-ia
___To man-"scribe-(King)", ((and)) "King-Lord-mine"
63. abdi(ÁRAD)-ḫi-ba ardu(ÁRAD)-ma a-na 2 šêp(GÌRI)
___um ma 1-ÁRAD-hi-ba, ardu a na 2 _šepu_
___ 1-Abdi-Heba, servant at the 2-feet
64. ut-mi, še-ri-ib, a-wa-ta₅
___ma qātu, șēru, ((my))-"Story", (word) (=a matu)
___I bow, (on-my-back) (="defenselessly"), ((my))-story (words)
65. a#-na-ti a-na šarri_(LUGAL)_
___a nû A, & banû B a na (Šár ru)Šarru-
___((produced))-"created, and 'to-be-good' ", for King-

Line 66, on Left side
66. _mâru(DUMU)_-ka a-na-ku
___ (anāku)-dūmu-ka anāku((as verb, "I am"))–!
___Fervently(strongly), (I am) servant-yours–!, and (I am) son-(="Compatriot")-yours ( I(=anāku) = "I am", (as verb) )–!

References

Moran, William L. 1987, 1992. The Amarna Letters. EA 289, "Benign Neglect", pp. 330-332.
^ CDLI page for EA 288
^ Linear style of Rainey, 1970
Foto, Transkription und Zeichnung von EA 288 auf Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (englisch).
Rainey, 1970. El Amarna Tablets, 359-379, Glossary:Vocabulary, gabbu, pp. 55-87, p. 63; English: "all".
Rainey, 1970. El Amarna Tablets, 359-379, Glossary:Vocabulary, hazannu, pp. 55-87, p. 64.
^ Parpola, 1971. The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Glossary, pp. 119-145, epēsu, p. 124; English, "to do, place, treat".
Parpola, 1971. The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Glossary, pp. 119-145, šakānu, p. 140; English, "to place, set".

Moran, William L. The Amarna Letters. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, 1992. (softcover, ISBN 0-8018-6715-0)
Parpola, 1971. The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Parpola, Simo, Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project, c 1997, Tablet I thru Tablet XII, Index of Names, Sign List, and Glossary-(pp. 119–145), 165 pages.
Rainey, 1970. El Amarna Tablets, 359-379, Anson F. Rainey, (AOAT 8, Alter Orient Altes Testament 8)

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