Amarna letter EA 245
Amarna letter EA 245, titled: "Assignment of Guilt,"[1] is a medium length clay tablet Amarna letter from Biridiya the governor-'mayor' of Magidda. It is letter number four of five from Biridiya.
The letter is in pristine condition except for a missing flake (lower-right, obverse) causing a lacuna at the end of a few lines. The cuneiform characters are finely inscribed, with some photos that can even show the individual strokes of the cuneiform characters (the stroke sequence). The letter is 47-lines long, and about 5-in tall. Letter EA 245 (see here-(Obverse): [3]), is numbered BM 29855, at the British Museum.
![[3]](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collectionimages/AN00408/AN00408147_001_l.jpg){kind=link}
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.
The letter[]
EA 245: "Assignment of Guilt"[]
EA 245, letter four of five. (Not a linear, line-by-line translation, and English from French.)[1]
(Obverse, see here [4])
- (Lines 1-7)--Moreover,1 I urged my brothers, "If the god of the king, our lord, brings it about2 that we overcome Lab'ayu, then we must bring him alive :–(gloss) ha-ia-ma to the king, our lord."
- (8-14)--My mare, however having been put out of action :–-(gloss) tu- (having been shot), I took my place behind him :–(gloss) ah-ru--ú and rode with .3 But before my arrival they had struck him down :–(gloss) ma-ah-ṣú-ú.
- (15-23)--Yašdata being truly your servant, he it was that entered with me into batt[le]. May [ ... ] [ ... ] the life4 of the king, my [lord], that he may br[ing peace to ever]yone5 in [the lands of] the king, [my] lord.
(Reverse, see here [5])
![[5]](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collectionimages/AN00408/AN00408149_001_l.jpg){kind=link}
- (24-35)--It had been that took Labaya from Magidda. and said to me, "I will send him to the king by boat :–(gloss) a-na-yi "6 Surata took him, but he sent him from Hinnatunu to his home, for it was Surata that had accepted from him :–(gloss) ba-di-ú his ransom.
- (36-47)--Moreover, what have I done to the king, my lord, that he has treated me with contempt :–(gloss) ia8-qí-ìl--ni and honored :–(gloss) ia8-ka-bi-id my less important brothers?7 It was Surata that let Lab'ayu go, and it was Surata that let Ba'l-mehir go, (both) to their homes. And may the king, my lord, know.--(complete Obverse & Reverse, EA 245, minor, restored lacunae, (and a small corner of clay tablet missing), total ines 1-47)
Akkadian text[]
The Akkadian language text:[2]
Akkadian:
Obverse (see here: [6])
- (Line 1)--Ša--tam dbu--(..Furthermore,.. to expound upon (to talk))
- (2)--UGU ŜEŠ-HI.A-ia--(upon Brothers-Mine,.. )
- (3)--šumma šu--(..If .. to make happen)
- (4)--DMEŠ-nu ša -ri(=ŠÀRru) ENBēlu-nu--( "the God"-ours,.. 'which of' King-Lord-Ours.. )
- (5)--ù kšādu--(..and Defeat–!.. )
- (6)--1.diš-La-aB-A-iYa ù til-la-nu-um-ma :-(gloss) ha-ia-ma--(1.diš-Labaya,.. and "bodily" : (–gl–
) "alive",.. ) - (7)--nu-bāu ana -ri(=ŠÀRru) ENBēlu-nu--(..Bring 'unto'(to) King-Lord-Ours–!... )
- segue:
- (8)--Ù tu-sà-ah-mi(=tazzimtu) : (–gl–) tu-(tarû)--(..But "bad luck" :-(gloss) "returned"?('my horse was "shot"')..)
- (9)--ANŠE.. :-(gloss) MUNUS-ia ù uzuzzu--(Horse- :-(gloss) mine,..and "to be present",.. )
- (10)--EGIR.ERIM-šu : (–gl–) rāú--(..BEHIND.ARMY-his :-(gloss) "expeditioning"(=road, journey) )
- (11)--ù erēu--(..and "to encamp"(to set),.. )
- (12)--itti 1.diš-Ya((=pi))-aŠ--Ta--(with –!... )
- segue:
- (13)--Ù adi kašā--(..But before "conquering"(reaching/vanquishing),.. )
- (14)--ù u :-(gloss) maṣ(ú)u--(and "killed" : (–gl–) 'fighting'–!.. )
- (15)--ù lû-mì(+šamû(heaven)?) 1.diš-Ya(=pi)-aŠ--Ta--(and "ascended-up" 1.diš-,.. )
- (16)--Ardu-ka ù š-ût--(Servant-yours,.. and "who of",.. )
- (17)--ru itti--(-(always)-"to enter" with,.. )
- (18)--ina MÈERIM(=tāhāzu) tāhāzu--(..into BATTLE-War-Battle–!.. )
- (19)--ù lū â[-du ana šâšu ]--(and "may it be" 'to (have)-praise' for him,.. )
- (20)--til-la-aṭ(tillu) -ri(=ŠÀRru) ENBēlu-ia--(.."warriors"(workers)-(of),. King-Lord-Mine,.. )
- (21)--[ ù ] pē[-š ]--(..and "to treat"... [ .. ])-(lacuna)
- (22)--gab ina [ ... ]--(..everyone in [ ..?.. ] )-(lacuna)
- (23)---ri(=ŠÀRru) ENBēlu-ia--(.., King-Lord-Mine–! .. )
- segue:
Reverse (see here: [7])
- (24)--Ù 1.diš-Sú--Ta--(But,.. 1.-.. )
- (25)--yi(=pi)-il5-û(leqû) 1.diš-La-aB-A-iYa--(..took Labaya.. )
- (26)--ištu URUMa-GID6-ki--(from Magidda,.. )
- (27)--ú yi(=pi)-bû ana iā-[ ši ](iāši)(--(and "said" to me:— )
- (28)--enū ša MÁ : (–gl–) a-na---(.."Now 'that by' BOAT :-(gloss) 'ship'... )
- (29)--uššur-šu--(..Send (issue)!..(i.e. Labaya)..)
- (30)--ana -ri(=ŠÀRru),.. ù (pi)eqû--(to (the) King,.." ..But 'taken'..)
- (31)--1.diš-Sú--Ta ù (pi)aû--(..(by) 1.-,.. and "returned"-him..)
Cuneiform score, Akkadian, English[]
Cuneiform score (per CDLI, Chicago Digital Library Initiative),[3] and Akkadian, and English.
Obverse
Paragraph I , (lines 1-7)
1.(P. I of IV) Ša-ni-tam du---ba--mì
___Šanitam, — dāb
___Furthermore, — I urged
2. _UGU-ŠEŠ-a_-ia
___ _UGU-ŠEŠ-a_-ia–!
___(with) Compatriotsl.-mine (my Brothers)–!
Sub-Paragraph
3.-ma-mi --šu-mi
___ma šu[4]
___QuoteIf (they)bring
4. _dingir-meš_-nu ša (Šàrru)_Šàr_-ri _EN_-nu
___ilupl.-nu, — ša (Šàrru)_Šàr_-ri _EN_-nu, —
___godspl.-our, — which(are-of) King-Lord-ours, —
5.ù ni--šu-du-um-mi
___u šādu–!
___and defeat–!
6.1=dišLa-ab-a-ia ù _til-la_nu-um-ma
Note: on Reverse", line 42.:– ma : (–gl–
) ha-ia-ma
___1=dišLabaya, — _tillu_-nu-um-ma
___1=dišLabaya, — (equipment)-nu-um-ma : (–gl–) ha-ia-ma (by boat)(land carriage?)
7.nu--ba-lu--šu a-na (Šàrru)_Šàr_-ri _EN_-nu
___aāl ana (Šàrru)Šàr-ri EN-nu –!
___bring (him alive) to King Lord-ours –!
EndQuote
Paragraph II, (lines 8-23)
8.(P. II of IV) Ù tu---mì : (–gl–) tu-
___U tu---mì(tazzimtu) : (–gl–) tu-
___But "bad luck"(lamentation) : (–gl–)(the horse was disabled, "shot")
9.x?-pa? _ANŠE-KUR-:MUNUS_-ia ù iz-zi-iz-mì
___x?-pa? _ANŠE-KUR-:MUNUS_-ia,– u uzzuzu
___/+-x?-pa?-+/ horse-mine,– and (rode-behind)("stood-behind")
10. _EGIR_-šu : (–gl–) -ru--ú
___ _EGIR_-šu : (–gl–) rrāu —!
___behind (troops)-His : (–gl–) expedition-ing —!
11.Ù ir(wrong, =sa) sa-ka-ap-mi
___u sakāpu[5]-mi
___and en-camped-Myself
12.it-ta 1=diš--aš--ta
___itti 1=diš--aš--ta
___with 1.
segue
13.Ù a-di ka-ša-di-ia
___U adi kašādu
___But before "conquering"-(in-battle) (("arriving"-(into battle)-))
14.ù --šu : (–gl–) ma--ṣú-ú
___u -šu, – : (–gl–) maṣu, —!
___and "death-us", – : (–gl–) "struck-down", —!
15.ù lu-ú-mì 1=(diš) -aš--ta
___u elû lū 1=(diš)-aš--ta
___and ascended, "let-it-be", 1, –
16. _ÁRAD_-ka ù šu-ú-te(ut!-no)
___ _ÁRAD_-ka, – u šu-ú-te
___Servant-yours, – but ?straight-away?
17.-ru--mi it-ti# [ x ]##
___rē-mi, – itti-[ x ]##
___entered-Myself, – with [ them ? ]##
18.i-na MÈ (me3=tāhāzu) ta-ha#-zi##
___ina (MÈ = tāhāzu) - tāhā#zu##
___into BATTLE, battle
19.ù lu-ú -na- -[ -di-nu a-na ša-šu ]
___u lū nâ[du ana šâšu ]
___and "may-it-be" pr[aise for Him ]
20. _til-la-aṭ _ŠÀRRU_-ri# [ _EN_ ]-ia
21.[ ù ] -pa-aš#-[ ši- ]
Bottom
22.gáb- i-na [ .... ]
23. _Šàr_-ri _EN_-ia
24.ù 1=dišSú--ta#
Paragraph III-(lines 24-35)
24.(ù 1=dišSú--ta# )
___u 1=dišSú--ta#
___and 1Surata
Reverse
Paragraph III-(lines 24-35)
25.(P. III of IV) yi-il5-qé-mì 1-diš-La-[ ab-a-ia ]
___leqû 1-diš-La-[ ab-a-ia ]
___took...1Labaya
26.iš-tu _IRI_ Ma-gid6-ki
___ištu _URU_ Me-gid6-ki
___from _city_ Megiddo
27.ù --bi a-na ia-a- [ ši ]
___u bû ana iāši —
___and said to me —
28.QuoteIna- ((No))-geš-_MÁ_ giš-ru((yes)) : (–gl–) a-na-
___Quotei-na- _MÁ_ giš-ru : (–gl–) a-na-
___QuoteBy boat ....(?by land carriage)
29.ú-ta-aš-ša-ru--šu
___uššur
___(I will) send
30.a-na (_lugal_)_Šarru_-ri ù -ìl-qé-šu
___ana (_lugal_)_Šarru_-ri,— ù
___to King,—
30.5--------------ù -ìl-qé-šu
___-----------------u eqû
___-----------------and take
31.1=dišSú--ta ù -ta--šu
___1=dišSú--ta
___1Surata
31.5-------------ù -ta--šu
___----------------u šu
___----------------and send (Him)
32.iš-tu _IRI_ -na-tu-naki
___ištu _URU_ -na-tu-naki
___from _city_ Hannathon
33.a-na _É_-šu ù 1=dišSú--ta
___ana _É_-šu,UnQuote — ù 1=dišSú--ta
___To _house_hisEndQuote — and 1Surata
segue
33.5-------------ù 1=dišSú--ta
___---------------u 1=dišSú--ta
___---------------and 1Surata
34.la-qí-mi _-BABBAR-a_ ip--ir-ri-šu
___leqû _-BABBAR-a_
___took silver, – returning
34.6-------------ip--ir-ri-šu
___----------------âru
___----------------returning
35.i-na _ŠU_-ti-šu : (–gl–) ba-di-ù
___ina _ŠU_-ti-šu : (–gl–) ba-di-ù
___in "Hand"-his — : (–gl–) ba-di-ù–! (the ransom—!) (the Silver—!)
Paragraph IV-(lines 36-47)
36. (P. IV) Ša-ni-tam, – mi-na-am-mi -ša--mì
___Šanitam, — mīnu š
___Furthermore, — what (have I) done
36.3----------mi-na-am-mi -ša--mì
___------------- — Mi-na-am-mi -ša--mì
___------------- — QuoteWhat (have I) done
37.a-na (Šàrru)_Šàr-ri_ _EN_-ia
___ana (Šàrru)_Šàr-ri_ _EN_-ia—?
___to (Šàrru) _King(-ri)_ _Lord_-mine—?
38.i-na- _sig_-ia : (–gl–) -qí-ìl--ni
___inu-(enūma), — _sig_-ia : (–gl–) -qí-ìl--ni —!
___Now, — (I am) contempted —!
39. — Ù : (–gl–) -ka-bi-id
___ — U : (–gl–) -ka-bi-id (kabta[6])
___ — But are honored
40. _ŠEŠ_-A-ia --ru-ta5
___ _ŠEŠ_-A-ia,— ru, —!
___(compatriots)(Brothers)l.-mine,— less important, —!EndQuote
segue
41.Ù 1=dišSú--ta
___U 1=dišSú--ta
___But 1Surata
42.-ta-
Note: the rest, (majority), of line 42, is the up-side-down cuneiform from Obverse, Line 6
nu-um-ma : (–gl–) ha-ia-ma
42.-ta-
___aṣû
___brought
43.1=dišLa-ab-a-ia ù
___1=dišLa-ab-a-ia ù
___1Labaya
43.7--------------ù
___----------------u
___----------------and
44.-ta-šir9-mì 1=diš, diškur-me-
___aṣû 1=diš, diškur-me-
___brought 1Ba'al-Mehir
45.a-na _É_-šu-ni
___ana _bītu_-šu, –!
___to _house_-his, –!
Sub Paragraph
46.Ù lu-ú -de-mi
___U, — lū dû,[7] –
___And, — "may-it-be" proclaimed (& recognized), –
("may you know ")
47.(Šàrru)Šàr-ru EN-ia–!
___(Šàrru)Šàr-ru EN-ia–!
___King Lord-mine–!
(End)
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Moran, William L. 1987, 1992. The Amarna Letters. EA 245, Assignment of Guilt, p. 299-300.
- ^ Akkadian language characters & Line Drawing, EA 245: Reverse & Obverse Archived 2015-05-31 at the Wayback Machine, CDLI no. P270957 (Chicago Digital Library Initiative)
- ^ CDLI page for EA 245
- ^ 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, sakāpu, p. 138; English, "to lie down, rest".
- ^ Moran, William L. 1987, 1992. The Amarna Letters. EA 107, "Charioteers but no horses", pp. 180-181; note 2 for DUGUD, read "kabta", related to English "important (person)", "honored".
- ^ Parpola, 1971. The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Glossary, pp. 119-145, idû, p. 127; English, "to know". "to make known, recognize", "to inform, proclaim"
- 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.
External links[]
- Photo, EA 245: Obverse
- Photo, EA 245: Reverse
- Line Drawing, EA 245: Obverse & Reverse, CDLI no. P270957 (Chicago Digital Library Initiative)
- CDLI listing for all EA Amarna letters, 1-382
- Amarna letters
- Egyptian Epigraphs