All tablets.

SAA 01 172. Raising Food and Fodder from Desert Towns (NL 088)

(1) To [the king, my lord: yo]ur servant [Bel-duri]. (3) The king, my lord, [gave orders]: "[All] gover[nors] may raise food and fodder from the vi[llages of the dese]rt with you, and Adad-isse'a and Bel-lešir are to support Abi-lešir!" (9) They have not agreed to this though, but are disobedient, saying: "Why should our villages in the desert belong to all the governors? The villages are ... within each other!" (12) The king, my lord, should send word that they are to write down their desert villages. Ever since the king my lord has levied pack animals from Hamath, I have been on my own, and…

SAA 01 175. Arabs Attack a Column of Booty (NL 019)

(1) To the king, my lord: Your servant Adda-hati. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) (Ammili'ti) the son of Amiri readied himself with 300 she-camels, intending to attack the booty being [tran]sferred from Damascus to Assyria. (11) [I heard of this and] sent word to Bel-i[qbi]; he came and we went together to meet the booty. He saw us, ambushed us from behind, and we had a fight. [1],500 [boot]y sheep from the city of Huzaza, [1],500 sheep [......] city of [......], [...]2 men [......] men [...... (Break) (30) We returned and went in pursuit [after] him, getting as far as Il[...]ani, but co…

SAA 01 176. Turning in Taxes and Organizing the Province (NL 020)

(1) To the king, my lord: Your servant Adda-hati. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) The silver dues of the prefects and village managers imposed on the local population have been handed over: two talents and 18 minas of silver according to the standard of Carchemish. In addition I have sent to the king, my lord, half a shekel of gold, two [tog]as and three tunics with my messenger. (10) [When the king my lor]d gave [... to ...], he gave me 2,450 men; now Danâ has given me only 1,950, reducing (it) by 500 men. Those who were killed [...; ...] are in good health, the extra [...... (Break)…

SAA 01 220. The Corn Tax of the Samarians (ABL 1201)

(1) A letter from Arihu to Nabû-duri-uṣur. Good health to my lord! (4) As to the corn tax of the Samarians, my lord should send a notice whether it exists or not, and let us be content with that. The officials are passive, they keep where they are, they don't go to do their work, nor can we give them orders. (r 4) I have been petitioning you since last year until now in this very manner about the income, but we have not brought in any income whatever. Now send a notice whether it exists or not!

SAA 01 228. On the Chief Confectioner (to the Governor of Calah) (GPA 230)

(1) [To] the governor, [my lo]rd: your servant Nabû-dammiq. Good health to my lord! (5) The Chief Confectioner says: "I (and) Šulmu-beli-l[ašme will ret]urn to the city of [......" (Rest too broken for translation)

SAA 01 244. An Ambush on the Hill of Kawkab (ABL 1263)

(1) [To the Vizier, my lord: your servant Taklak-ana-Bel. Good he]alth to [my lord!] (4) [Bahian]u being [the key witness to the cr]imes co]mmitted by Be[l-lu-balaṭ], my lord wro[te to me]: "Let Bahianu come here." He (= Bel-lu-balaṭ) heard (of this) and ambushed 50 men on Mt. Kukab before his arrival. They killed Bahianu along with his attendants and took three minas of gold, two talents of silver, four mules and ten donkeys. (15) [...]si heard (of this), went in pursuit [after them, killed ... men] of them, [and retrieved] the mules and the donkeys. [He captured ...] men from among them and…

SAA 05 055. A Captured Informer (ABL 0741)

(1) [To the ki]ng, [my] lord, [your servant] Aššur-dur-paniya. [Good] health to the king, [my] lord! (4) My [sco]uts in the m[ountain] have captured an informer [who] was g[oing from A]rgistiani t[o Ar]iye, over the mountain. (9) [I as]ked him about [the ne]ws of the Ura[rṭian], and he informed me: (11) "The [...]tinaean(s) [...] (12) ...... (13) [has n]ot [yet] come out [...] (Reverse remains too broken for translation)

Daily Life

SAA 05 074. Mule Express not Available (NL 062)

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Mahdê. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) (As to) the mule express that we provide and the royal bodyguard who com[es] citing a royal order that he should go as far as Šabirešu — he has used up the [...] in my possession! (6) The king, my lord, knows that I do not main[tain] a team (to go) as far as Šabirešu; the ones that go do not return. My teams are used up; the king, my lord, should know (this). (r 2) We let the teams from Calah go by; my chariot, my team and [my] [dri]ver went (with) Nabû'a the bodyguard as far as Šabirešu, and those of Šabirešu…

SAA 05 091. Revolt against the King of Urarṭu (ABL 0144)

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Aššur-reṣuwa. Good health to the king, my lord! (3) As regards Naragê, the chief tailor about whom I wrote to the king, my lord: "He and 20 of his fellow eunuchs who conspired against the king have been arrested" — (7) the king of Urarṭu has now entered Ṭurušpâ and questioned them. They have dragged forth and killed the rest of the people involved in the plot — 100 men, including the eunuchs and the bearded courtiers. (13) Urṣenê, the deputy commander-in-chief, brother of Abliuqnu, was likewise arrested in Ṭurušpâ. When Abliuqnu came to Ṭurušpâ, he (i.e.…

SAA 05 100. Smugglers on the Assyrian Border (TCL 9 67)

(1) [To the ki]ng, my lord: [yo]ur [servant] Aššur-reṣuwa. [Good] health to the king, my lord! (4) Burê, Eziye, Gamalu and Ehiye, in all four (men) under Ariazâ; Kumayu and Biriaun, in all two (men) under Ariye — these six Kummeans go and stay in Bususu, a town in the domain of the chief cupbearer. (12) The inhabitants of Bususu purchase Assyrian luxury items in Calah and Nineveh and sell them to these Kummeans. These Kummeans enter the town Aira of the house of Kaqqadanu, ruled by Saniye, a city lord subject to the governor of Calah, and bring (the merchandise) from there to Urarṭu. From…

SAA 05 101. Fragment of a List of Valuables

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... K]umm[e] (2) Perhaps [the king], my [lord], will say: "[W]hat are the [...val]uables? (r 1) [......] of bronze (r 2) [......] of bronze (r 3) [......]... of leather (r 4) [...] hundred bronze quivers (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 144. Cimmerians and the Urarṭian King (GPA 243)

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant NN]. Go[od health to the king, my lord]! (4) [The land of the king] is well (and) the f[orts] are well. (7) As to the news o[f the Urarṭian] about which the king, my lord, wr[ote me]: "[Send me] a deta[iled] report!" — (9) the Cimme[rian(s) ......] (Break) (r 2) [...] of Ar[a ...] (r 3) [...] were received [...] (r 4) ....... [...] (r 5) The Cimmerian (king) has [...ed] on it and pitched [his camp] in Uṣunali; [I do not have a full] report (yet). [...] with the Hubušk[ian]. (r 10) I have written to Urzana: "Send a detailed repo[rt on ...]" (Break) (e. 1)…

SAA 05 150. Curbing a Slave Trader (CT 53 059)

(1) [To the king], my lord, [your servant At]anha-Šamaš. [Good health t]o the king, my lord! (4) The Palace should hold back the merchant [Atarha]m (who) is [in Habr]uri. (6) Earlier, before my time, he used to go to Hargu and collect his money [...] there. (When) they made [... the]re, I arrested him, saying: (10) ["Did not] the crown prince, our lord, rule [lik]e this: 'Nobody shall put [bought] men up for sale in a trade colony?' [W]hy then have you put bought men up for sale [at one m]ina each?" (15) [Last ye]ar, when the king my lord was not yet enthroned, [he had already put a bo]ught…

SAA 05 191. (no title) (GPA 244)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) is coming [......] (3) in the country [......] (4) the mountains [......] (5) at the beginning of the mo[nth ......] (6) in Muṣa[ṣir ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 05 213. A Case Concerning a Town (ABL 1407)

(1) A letter (to) Nabû-hamatua: your servant Kuškayu. Good health to my lord! (4) Please present before Aššur-šarru-uṣur the case of the town in my hands which I told you about. (9) Let him qu[ick]ly send a letter to the city overseer or to the prefect, telling him to remove everybody from the orchard. (r 8) I will keep vigil there.

SAA 05 214. Envelope of the Previous Letter (ABL 1407A)

(1) A letter (to) Nabû-hamatua: (2) your servant Kuškayu. (3) The best of health to my lord!

SAA 05 215. The Troops of Mazamua (NL 089)

(1) [To the ki]ng, my lord: [your servant] Adad-issiya. [Good] health to the king, my lord! (4) [As t]o the order that the king, my lord, gave me: "Review the troops of Mazamua and write me!" — (here are the facts): (6) 10 wagons; 20 large-wheeled chariots, 10 (of them) horse-driven, 10 mule-driven; 30 teams; 97 riding horses; 11 chariot drivers; 12 'third men'; [3]0 chariot fighters; 53 grooms of the [t]eams, in all 106 men and [30] chariots. (13) 161 cavalrymen, 130 grooms, 52 ...: in all 343 grooms. (15) [8] lackeys, 12 tailors, 20 cupbearers, 12 confectioners, 7 bakers, 10 cooks: in all…

SAA 05 292. Building the City Wall of Dur-Šarruken (GPA 242)

(1) [T]o the ki[ng], my lord: [yo]ur [servant] Šarru-e[mu]ranni. [Good] health to the king, my lord! (4) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to m[e]: "Šarru-emur[anni] keeps coming and tel[ling me] that the city wall of Du[r-Šarruken ...] (Break) (r 2) Marduk-remanni [...]. (r 3) I shall be there too and keep wa[tch] over Iqiša-Marduk and his associates, until the king inst[ructs me] otherwise. (r 7) I have heard that Šarru-emuranni [has] come; [he is] in [...], and is indeed do[ing] the work.

SAA 15 017. I have no Scribe (ABL 0151)

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Sîn-na'di. Good health to the king, my lord! (5) I have no scribe where the king sent me to. (9) Let the king direct either the governor [o]f Arrapha or Aššur-belu-taqqin to send me a scribe.

SAA 15 041. Building Houses for Deportees (CT 53 158)

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good health to] the king, my lord! (3) Concern[ing the ... about wh]ich the king, my lord, wrote [to me]: "The houses which are b[eing built] should be coate[d] with [bitumen] as in Ba[qarru]" — the king, my lord, knows that winters (lit. sn[ow] and ice) are very severe her[e]. Burnt bricks do not rem[ain] (whole) but disintegrate. Therefore [we] have built the house[s o]f mud-bricks. (14) The depor[tees wh]o came (16) [...] to the cit[y ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 084. Receiving Tribute Horses; Constructing Kar-Šarrukin (NL 042)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) They will [bring] the h[ors]es and come. (3) As to the news of Daltâ, he is not leaving (his) house and nobody is entering into his presence. I have heard that he is collecting the rest of the tribute. I shall obligate him to deliver it. (6) I have taken the released Medes who are i[n my prese]nce (and) 30 horses. The remaining people are with me. (8) [I have re]ceived the tribute of the land of Zakrutu, 40 horses. They promised to give the rest [of the tribute]. (10) The king, my lord, [should send] (word) to the magnates that they may [proc]eed against Kuluman.…

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

(Beginning destroyed) (r 2) [......] wine [...] (r 3) [News of] Merodach-Baladan: [he is] in Ba[bylon]. (r 4) [......] Bit-Dakkuri is we[ll ...] (r 5) [...... are] keep[ing] watch over them

SAA 15 208. Statement Concerning Merodach-Baladan (CT 53 408)

(1) [NN], a citizen of Babylon (2) has said [as fol]lows: (3) ["Merodach-Bal]adan has said: (4) ['...] I will kill you!' (5) [... w]hat work of [NN] (6) [... w]ith him do! (7) [......] to Mer[odach-Baladan] (8) [...... g]o! Merodach-[Baladan] (9) [......] to the [...] (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life

SAA 15 218. Chaldean Informer Captured in Larak; Priest Brings Leftovers (ABL 0763+)

(1) [To the k]ing, my lord: [yo]ur [servant] Šarru-emuranni. [Good hea]lth to the king, my lord! The fort is [wel]l. (5) [...]hayu sent a Chaldean, an informer, to Larak. The [Lara]keans arrested him and took him [before] me. I asked him: "Where are you from?" He said: "A citizen of Babylon [sent me] to Larak." They said: "[He is] a crook, he lie[s]. We know him, (the) Nippurean(s) [...]." (r 2) Now then they are bringing him to the ki[ng, my lord]; let the ki[ng my lord] question him. (r 4) I asked him where the son of Ze[rî] is. He said: "He is encamped in the town Hiuru [of] the Puqudu [lan…

SAA 15 275. Fragment of a Royal Letter Mentioning Nabu-belu-ka’’in (CT 53 975)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... are e]atin[g ...] (2) [...] whatever [st]raw there is [...] (3) [...] lift your eyes [...] (4) [...] Nabû-belu-ka''in [...] (5) [... y]ou (pl.) and he [...] (6) [...] ... in [...] (7) [... the] scholars [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 289. Envelope of no. 288 (ABL 0383)

(1) [To the deputy (governor)], my lord: (seal impression) (2) [your servant Aš]šur-reṣiwa. (seal impression)

Daily Life

SAA 15 389. (no title)

(1) [To the king, my lord]: yo[ur] servant [NN]. Good heal[th to the king, my lord]! (4) Concerning what the king, [my lord, wrote to me]: "Why is [the ......] delay[ed]?" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 15 391. (no title)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) "they will g[o ......] (r 2) they will dra[g ......] (Rest destroyed)

Sargon II 004

Continued from several unpreserved slabs (1') I shattered their very strong walls [wi]th a mighty battering ram, leveling (them) to the gr[ou]nd. I took as booty [the people], [together] with their property. I destroyed, demolished, (and) burned down those cities with fire. (3') The people of the cities Sukkia, Bāla (and) Abitikna conceived (lit.: “deliberated”) an evil plan [that] was to eradicate (lit.: “to tear out the root of”) (their own) land and [g]ave [the]ir word to Ursâ (Rusâ), the Urarṭian, to do obeisance (to him). Because of the crime that they had committed, I deported them…

Sargon II 005

Continued from several unpreserved slabs (1') [... I offe]red [before them ... geese (and) ducks. I appealed to them (the gods)] in order to bring about the defeat of Marduk-apla-iddina (II) (Merodach-Baladan), descendant of Yakīn, of Chalde[an] extraction, [the (very) image of an evil gallû-demon;] I prayed t[o the]m [with supplications and entre]aties. After I had carried out in full the festival of the great lord, the god Marduk, [...] Continued on several unpreserved slabs

Sargon II 007

(1) Pal[ac]e of Sargon (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Ak[k]ad, favorite of the great gods. (3b) The gods Aššur, Nabû (and) Marduk granted me a reign without equal and exalted my good reputation to the heights. (5b) I continually acted as provider for (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, Babylon, and Borsippa (and) I made restitution for the wrongful damage suffered by the people of privileged status, as many as there were (of them); I abolished corvée duty for (the cities) Dēr, Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Larsa, Kullaba,…

Sargon II 010

(1) Palace of Sargon (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; (5) the king who with the support of the gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk ruled all together from the land Yadnana (Cyprus), which is in the middle of the sea, as far as the border(s) of Egypt (and) the land Musku, the wide land Amurru, the land Ḫatti (Syria) in its entirety, (10) all of (the land) Gutium, the distant Medes (who live) on the border of Mount Bikni, the lands Ellipi (and) Rāši on the border of the land Elam, all the Arameans who live…

Sargon II 011

(1) Palace of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; (3) the king who with the support of the gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk ruled all together from the land Yadnana (Cyprus), which is in the middle of the Western Sea, (5) as far as the border(s) of Egypt and the land Musku, the wide land Amurru, the land Ḫatti (Syria) in its entirety, all of (the land) Gutium, the distant Medes (who live) on the border of Mount Bikni, the lands Ellipi (and) Rāši on the border of the land Elam, (10) all the Arameans who live beside the…

Sargon II 012

(1) Palace of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; (4) the king who with the support of the gods Aššur, Nabû, (and) Marduk, ruled (lit.: “I ruled”) all together from the land Yadnana (Cyprus), which is in the middle of the Western Sea, as far as the border(s) of Egypt and the land Musku, the wide land Amurru, the land Ḫatti (Syria) in its entirety, (10) all of (the land) Gutium, the distant Medes (who live) on the border of Mount Bikni, the lands Ellipi (and) Rāši on the border of the land Elam, all the Arameans who live…

Sargon II 013

(1) Palace of Sargon (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, favorite of the great gods; (5) who provides for (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, (and) Babylon; who abolished corvée duty for (the cities) Dēr, Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Larsa, Kullaba, Kissik, (and) Nēmed-Laguda (and) who gave relief to their people; who (re)-established the privileged status (10) of (the city) Baltil (Aššur) that had lapsed; who extended his protection over the city Ḫarrān and recorded their exemption (from obligations) as if (its people…

Sargon II 014

(1) Palace of Sargon (II), great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, favorite of the great gods. (4b) I continually act[ed] as provider for (the cities) Sippar, Nippur, Babylon, and Borsippa; I [(re)-established] the freedom (from obligations) of (the cities) Dēr, Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Larsa, Kulla[ba], Kissik, (and) Nēmed-La[gu]da. I restored the exemption (from obligations) of (the city) [Bal]til (Aššur) (10) and [the city] Ḫarrā[n], which had fallen into [oblivion] in the distant [pa]st, and [their privile]ged status…

Sargon II 015

(1') [With ... provincial governors of] my [land], ov[erseers, command]ers, noble[s, eunuch]s, and el[ders of Assyria, I sat down] insi[de my palace and h]eld a fest[ival.

Sargon II 016

(1) O god Ninurta, the one endowed with (lit.: “lord of”) power, whose strength is supreme, with regard to S[ar]gon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Su[me]r and Akkad, the one who constructed your cella, make him attain old age. May he be fully satisfied with (his) good fortune. (5) Establish his reign firmly [in]side Esagila and Ešarra. Keep his thoroughbred horses in good order (and) his (chariot) teams in good condition. Grant him [un]equaled strength (and) manly might. Mobilize his weapons so that he might strike down his foes.

Sargon II 017

(1) O god Ninšiku (Ea), the lord of wisdom who fashions absolutely everything, make your springs open up for Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, the one who constructed your cella. (5) Send forth (water from) his wells (and) provide water in great abundance for his meadowland(s). Determine as his fate wide intelligence (and) broad understanding. Bring his undertaking(s) to completion so that he might attain his desire.

Sargon II 018

(1) O god Sîn, the holy god, who renders decisions (and) reveals (ominous) signs, with regard to Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, the one who constructed your cella, duly look at him with your steadfast heart and (5) direct your just countenance upon him. Grant him a long life (lit.: “distant days”) of physical well-being. Determine as his fate years of happiness. Make his reign last as long as heaven and netherworld. Establish his throne firmly over the four quarters (of the world).

~715 BCE·Neo-AssyrianRIAo

Sargon II 019

(1) O god Adad, the canal inspector of heaven and netherworld, who illuminates the daises, with regard to Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, the one who constructed your cella, bring him at the right times rain from the sky (and) (5) floods from the depths. Pile up grain and oil in his meadowland(s). Have his people dwell (as safely) as in a meadow in great prosperity. Establish the foundation of his throne firmly (and) prolong his reign.

Sargon II 020

(1) O most honored of ladies, exalted goddess Ningal, with regard to Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, the one who constructed your cella, intercede for him in the presence of the god Sîn, your beloved husband. (5) Say good thing(s) about him for the [firm] establishment of his reign. May he (Sîn) determine as his fate good health (and) a long life (lit.: “distant days”). May his (Sargon’s) descendants rule every inhabited region forever.

Sargon II 022

(1) O god Nabû, the scribe of all (the universe), who makes opposing forces agree, with regard to Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, (and) king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, the one who constructed your cella, (5) duly look at him with your steadfast heart and direct your just countenance upon him. Grant him a long life (lit.: “distant days”) of physical well-being. Determine as his fate years of happiness. Make his reign last as long (10) as heaven and netherworld. May he continually exercise the shepherdship of all lands. May his foundation be as firm as…