Position in chronology
SAA 02 009. Assurbanipal’s Treaty with Babylonian Allies (ABL 1105)
Translation · reference
High confidence(Beginning destroyed) (1) [We swear by Aššur, Šerua,] Bel[et-ili, ......, a]ll [the gods of Assyria and Babylonia], and [all] the great gods [of heaven and earth, ......], (3) [that] from this day on [for as long as we live we will be subjects of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria], (that) Assurbanipal, king of Assyria [shall be our king and lord, and (that) we will be totally devoted] to Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, [our] lord. (6) We will not conceal nor hide [any message] or messenger whom Šamaš-šumu-ukin, ki[ng of Babylonia] has [sent or] made [... or who has come to us] from the sons of…
Source: Parpola, S. & Watanabe, K. 1988. Neo-Assyrian Treaties and Loyalty Oaths. SAA 2. Helsinki: Helsinki University Press. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa02/P237185/
Why it matters
Transliteration
[x x x] dbe-lit—[x x x x x x x x x x x x x x] / [DÙ]-šú*-nu DINGIR-MEŠ GAL-⸢MEŠ⸣ [ša AN-e u KI.TIM x x x x x x x x x x] / [ki-i] ul-tu UD-mu an-ni-⸢i⸣ [a-di UD-mu ma-la bal-ṭa-a-ni x x x x x x x] / [šu]-u mAN.ŠÁR—DÙ—DUMU.UŠ LUGAL KUR—aš-šur.[KI LUGAL-a-ni EN-a-ni ŠÀ-bi-ni] / it-ti mAN.ŠÁR—DÙ—DUMU.UŠ LUGAL KUR—aš-šur.KI EN-[i-ni gu-um-mu-ru lu-ú ši-pir-ti] / lu-ú LÚv.A—KIN šá mdGIŠ.NU₁₁—MU—GI.NA…
Scholarly note
Neo-Assyrian treaty or loyalty oath, edited by Simo Parpola & Kazuko Watanabe (SAA 2, 1988). Binding agreement invoking divine sanction. ORACC text P237185.
Attribution
Image: BM — (British Museum, London, UK) — from Nineveh (mod. Kuyunjik) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/artifacts, P237185). source
Translation excerpted from Parpola, S. & Watanabe, K. 1988. Neo-Assyrian Treaties and Loyalty Oaths. SAA 2. Helsinki: Helsinki University Press. https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/saao/saa02/P237185/.
Related tablets
Related sources
The earliest historical document in human history. Before this, we have lists, accounts, and dedications. Here, for the first time, a ruler tells us what happened — with names, places, and consequences.
The oldest surviving law code in human history. The principle that the state — not the wronged family — defines and enforces justice begins here.
Not the first law code, but the most complete and the most famous. Inscribed on a black diorite stele over two meters tall, displayed in a public place — law made visible, law made monumental.