All tablets.

SAA 16 201. Revering the King (ABL 1144)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) saying: "I [will ...] in the palace. One of you [...]." (3) In the reign of your father, (when) our grandfather went up (there), they revered the king. (r 2) Last year, (when) he passed by, they revered the king, my lord. But now they ref[use] to rev[ere] the king. (Rest destroyed)

~675 BCE

·Neo-Assyrian

SAA 16

SAA 16 202. Go and Ask! (ABL 1158)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) The king, my lord, t[old me]: "On the 28th you will g[o] (and) ask!" Now, what is it that the king, my lord, [commands]? (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Economy

SAA 16 204. Glazing Bricks (ABL 1310)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...... the] commander-in-chief (3) [......] they say (4) [......] ... (5) [......] they do (6) [...... I] said (7) [......] with the king (8) [......] I (and) the brick masons (9) [......] the chief ... (10) [... have gla]zed [bricks] (11) [...] there are (12) [...] the king made clear (13) [...] asked (14) [...] ... (r 1) [...] we asked (r 2) [...] they said: "2 or 3 (r 3) [...] there are (r 4) [...] with(in) 2 or 3 (r 5) [...] we will go and [...] the face (r 6) [...] said (r 7) [...] in its place (r 8) [...] We shall clear up (who is) a friend (r 9) [... and] tell…

SAA 16 205. Appointing Guards (CT 53 109)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) I ap[point]ed two guards and two [...s] in their service. Concerning their bread I made it very clear that they are to bring the [...] down where [there are] shelters. (r 7) [Now] Marduk-remanni [..., say]ing: "The servants of the city [GN ...] our [wo]rk." (r 10) [He we]nt off [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 206. (no title) (CT 53 189)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) Now then, we have seen [the ...] of the palace who produce the [...]. There is [...] (Break) (r 3) The king, [my lord], should not [be concerned] about it. (r 5) We [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 207. Promoting Chariot Drivers and ‘Third Men’ (CT 53 249)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] my [......] (2) [......] to the cro[wn] prince [...] (3) As soon as your gods [have ...ed] the face of the king, my lord, the king, my lord, will see his statement: a servant who is loyal [to his lord], a servant who [...]s the [...] of h[is lord], a servant who [falls] and die[s] on behalf the house of h[is] lords. (7) Now, if on [... the ch]ariot-driver(s) and the 'third men' [com]e before the king, [my] lo[rd], let him be promoted. As to [...], let the overseer of the [...] write [the names of two ch]ariot-drivers and two 'third men' on [...], so that [...] (…

SAA 16 209. (no title) (CT 53 270)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [... t]he cohort commander [...] (r 1) [...] hith[er] (r 2) [...] wine (r 3) [...] refined [s]ilver (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 211. Should I Come to Calah? (CT 53 292)

(Obverse destroyed) (r 1) Should I come to Cal[ah]? (r 3) What is it that the king, [my l]ord, commands?

SAA 16 212. Good Advice (CT 53 294)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) Now [......] (2) I said: "[......] (3) of [your]se[lf ...] (4) I said: "[......] (5) [......] (6) I said: "Wh[y ...] (7) the king [......] (r 1) [......] (r 2) [He sa]id: "Wh[y don't you agree] (r 3) "to feed an aṣūdu-bowl [to ...]? O[f ...] (r 5) of the deputy [...] (r 6) Why [......] (Break) (e. 1) [The ...]s of the king [...]. (e. 2) That is a ve[ry] good advice.

SAA 16 214. (no title) (CT 53 377)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] the kin[g ...] (2) [w]ent [...] (r 1) [......] the messe[nger] (r 2) [...] wrote me (r 3) [... w]hen (r 4) [......] the [w]al[l] (r 6) [...] those [...]s (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 215. (no title) (CT 53 381)

(1) [To the king, my lord: your] servant [PN], the sc[ribe of ...]. Good [health to the king, my lord]! (Break) (r 2) Ṣalam-šarri-[iqbi] (r 3) the chief [......] (r 4) bro[ught me (...)]

SAA 16 216. (no title) (CT 53 456)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Previ]o[usly] (2) [......] (3) the [... o]f the [...] official (4) said: "[...] ... [......]" (6) Now he has go[ne around ......] (7) set ou[t ......] (8) they sell [......] (9) Previously [......] (10) they used to knit [......] (11) dark-blue wool [......] (12) bast [......] (Break) (r 4) to [......] (r 5) [......] (r 6) the ex[empts ...] (r 7) has ta[ken ......] (r 8) let [......] (r 9) [......] (r 10) [their] work [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 217. (no title) (CT 53 475)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... wi]th the king, my lord (2) [......] upon (3) [......] terrible (4) [......] scribe (Break) (r 1) his [...] before [......] (r 2) [which] I am hauling [...] (r 3) [...] ... [...] (r 4) [.. the kin]g, my lord [...] (r 5) [...] ... [...] (r 6) [s]aid [......] (r 7) [...] Aššu[r ... the R]ear [Palace] (r 8) [...] lords[hip ...] (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 16 218. Who is This Goldsmith? (CT 53 488)

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant PN. Good hea]lth to the king, [my lord]! May Nabû and Mar[duk] bless the king, m[y] lord. (7) As to the go[ld]smith about whom the king sai[d]: "Who is he?" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 219. (no title) (CT 53 539)

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [...] I [...] (r 2) [...] the king, [my] lo[rd], broug[ht] (me) my [..., saying: "Let yo]ur [...] with you!" (r 6) [The king], my [lor]d pla[c]ed (r 7) [...] of ... (r 8) [... which I] saw (r 9) [... The king], my [lor]d, should [know it]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 221. (no title) (CT 53 654)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) Let him br[ing ......] (2) here [......] (3) let him take [......] (4) of/which the kin[g ......] (5) to [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 222. (no title) (CT 53 655)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... to] the king, [my] lord (2) [...... t]o greet [...] (3) I saw the [... of the king, m]y [lord] (4) [...... the kin]g, my lord (Break) (r 1) [......] because of [......] (r 3) [...... t]o the king (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 223. It is a Royal Order (CT 53 669)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...] eyes [...] (3) [...] He said: "It is a royal order (4) [...] me ... [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 225. Sold for Money (CT 53 690)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] saying, "Why [has ... sold the ...] of my lord's household for money [...]?" (3) [...] sent, placed, and ca[me ...] (4) [......] saying, "[......]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 226. (no title) (CT 53 696)

(1) [...... the ki]ng (2) [......] Nabû (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 16 227. (no title) (CT 53 698)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) 5 [......] (2) all this [......] (3) that [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 228. (no title) (CT 53 705)

(1) [To the king, my lord]: your servant [PN]. Good health t[o the king, my lord]! (4) Kabtî [...] has said: "[......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 229. We Shall Stay Awake (CT 53 713)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......] we shall stay awake (Break) (r 2) [......] month (r 3) [......] him (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 230. (no title) (CT 53 714)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Concerning what the kin]g, my lord, [pr]eviousl[y wrot]e to me [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 245. (no title)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... the o]ther ones [...] (2) [...] we do [n]ot know. N[ow the]n, the king (4) [... i]mage [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 16 246. (no title)

(1) The very [best of health] to the kin[g, my lord]! (3) [May] Na[bû ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 004. Will Mugallu of Melid Attack Mannu-ki-...? (PRT 031) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [From th]is [day], the 11th day of [this] month, [the month Nisan (I) of this year, to the 10th day] of the month Iyyar (II) of [this ye]ar, [for 30 days and nights, my stipulated term] — (4) [within] this stipulated [term, will Mugallu the Melidean strive and plan? Will he mobilize] a large and [powerful] a[rmy, and mount an attack ag]ainst Mannu-[ki-...]? (7) [Will they kil]l, p[lunder ......]? (Break) (r 2) [Be present in] this ram, [place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs], fa[vorable, prop…

SAA 04 006. Will Mugallu of Melid ...? (PRT 028) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [I ask you, Šamaš], great lord, whether fr[om this day, the 28th day of this month, the month ... of t]his [year], to the 27th day of [this month, ... of this year, for 30 days] and nights, the [term] stipulated [for the performance of (this) extispicy] — (r 4) [(whether) within this stipulated term M]ugallu the Melide[an with his troops will ......], (r 5) [(whether) Mugallu] the Melide[an, or ......], (r 6) [or the ...e]ans, or the [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 013. Midas Sending for Troops (AGS 051) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, [give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [M]idas, c[ity] lord of [......] (3) [who has sent] his messengers t[o NN, the troops] (4) of his nephew and the t[roops of ......] (5) to Ilu-takl[ak ......] (6) [...] king [......] (7) [...] sei[zed ......] (8) [... in th]is [y]ear [......] (9) [... Mi]das [......]? (10) [Does your] great [divinity know it]? Is it de[creed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity, Šamaš], gr[eat lord? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (12) [Disregard the…

SAA 04 015. Fragment Similar to No. 14 (AGS 061) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 0) [Let them be taken out and put aside]! (r 1) [I ask you, Šamaš, gre]at [lord, whether from this day, the ...th of this month] Ab (V), [to the ...th day of month ... of] this ye[ar], (r 4) [the troops of the ..., or] the troops of the Cilicians, [... or the troops of the T]abaleans [will ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 028. Should Esarhaddon Send an Army to Siriš? (AGS 043) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you! (2) From this day, the 10th day of this month, Sivan (III) of this year, to the 29th day, the day of the moon's disappearance of this month Sivan of this year, for 20 days and nights, the passing and the coming days included, the term stipulated for the performance of (this) extispicy — (4) within this stipulated term, (should) Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who is now intent on sending men, horses and troops, as he wishes, to Siriš, (and) whom your great divinity knows — (6) in accordance with the command of your…

SAA 04 034. Should Esarhaddon Send NN with Army to Mannea? (AGS 042) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a f]irm positive answer [to what I am asking y]ou! (2) Should [Esarhaddon, king of] Assyria, who is now [......], send [NN to the dis]trict of Manne[a ......]? (4) [...]... Does your great divinity [know it]? (5) [Is it decreed and confirmed in accordance with the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord], and your favorable decisions? (6) [If they go, will they ... es]cape and st[ay alive] (Break) (r 2) [I ask you ... whether ......] will go [...]. (r 4) [Be present in this ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs], favorable,…

SAA 04 040. Same Tablet as no. 39 (PRT 038) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1') [...] Is it decreed and con[firmed by the command of your great divinity Šamaš, great lord? Will he, who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (2) [Disregard that in] their midst either the M[edes or the ......]. (3) [Disregard that in]side Bit-Hamban [......] (Break) (r 1) [(Disregard that)] he has [ea]ten, drunk, or anointed himself with [anything unclean], o[r has altered or changed the (ritual) proceedings]. (r 2) [Disregard that] the oracle query has become ju[mbled in the mouth] of the haruspex, your servant.Let them be [taken out] and put aside! (r…

SAA 04 042. Kaštaritu Organizing War (AGS 005) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am ask]ing you! (2) [Kaštaritu], city [lord] of Kark[aššî, who has] se[nt a messen]ger [to NN saying: "Let us st]and [together], mobilize an army [and ... set out to wage] war against the army [of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria"] — (6) i[n waging] war [......] (7) [...] will he abandon [......]? (Break) (r 2) [whether] Esarhaddon, king of [Assyria, will be ......]? (r 3) [Be prese]nt in this ram, [place] (in it) [a firm positive answer], favorable designs, favorable, [propitious] om[ens] by the oracular command of your great…

SAA 04 046. Fragment Similar to No. 45 (PRT 069) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Disregard that I], the haru[spex your servant, am dressed in my ordinary soiled garments, (or) have] changed or alt[ered the proceedings].[Let them be taken out and put aside]! (r 1) [I ask yo]u, Šam[aš], great lord, [whether from this day, the ...th day of this month ... of] this [ye]ar, [to the ...th day of the month ... of this year, for 30 d]ays and 30 night[s, the stipulated term ...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 047. Fragment Similar to No. 43 (PRT 070) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, [give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) From this day, the [...th] d[ay of this month ... of this year, to] the 30th day of Siva[n (III) of this year, for ... days and nights, the] term [stipulated] for the performance [of (this) extispicy — within this stipulated term], (5) will [the troops of ...] stri[ve and plan? ...] (Break) (r 1) [Be present in this ram, place] (in it) a firm positive answer, [favorable designs, favorable, propitious omens by the oracular command of your great divinity, and may I see (them)]. (r 3) [May (this query) go] to [yo…

SAA 04 058. Should Esarhaddon Send an Aramean Scribe to NN? (PRT 025) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] their [......] (2) [......] that [......] (3) [......] Mutu [......] (4) [......] the Sap[ardean ......] (5) [......] city or [......] (6) [......] will plunder ...[......]. (r 1) [Disregard the (formulation) of] today's case, b[e it good, be it faulty]. (r 2) [Disregard that a clean or an u]nclean person has to[uched] the sacrificial sheep, [or blocked the way of the sacrificial sheep]. (r 3) [Disregard that an uncl]ean man or woman [has come near] the pl[ace of the extispicy and made it unclean]. (r 4) [Disregard that the r]am (offered) to your divinity…

SAA 04 061. Will Kaštaritu Defeat Assyrian Troops? (PRT 013) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Will Kaštaritu, city lord of] Karkaššî [......] (2) speak [...]? Will he [......]? (3) Will he wage war against them? [......] (4) Will Kaštar[itu, in waging] this war [......] (5) [...] or attack the magnates [and governors, the army of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria] (6) [Will they] kill, pl[under, ......]? (7) [Will Esarhad]do[n, king of Assyria, be troubled and angry]? (Break) (r 3) [Be present in] this ram, [place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs], (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 070. Fragment Similar to No. 71 (PRT 019) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (0) [Let] them be taken out [and put aside]! (1) [I ask you, Šamaš, great lord, whether fr]om th[is] day, [the ...th day of the month ..., to the ...th day of] Elul (VI) of [this] year, [the magnates and governors of Bit]-Kari (should) go [...... and ta]ke [the road] to the dist[rict of ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 077. Has the Enemy Captured Ṣiṣṣirtu? (AGS 072) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš], great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you! (2) [The ci]ty Ṣiṣṣirtu, a fortress of Harhar, which is located on the border of Ellipi, and (which) your great divinity knows — (4) [in ac]cordance with the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord, and your favorable decisions, has the enemy captured that city, Ṣiṣṣirtu? Has he conquered it? Has he entered it? Has he plundered and looted it? (7) Has he who can see, seen it? Has he who can hear, heard it? Does your great divinity know it? (9) Disregard the (formulation) of the prayer for today's case,…

SAA 04 078. Will Chief Eunuch Ša-Nabu-šu Break the Siege of Ṣiṣṣirtu? [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [Disregard that the oracle] query has become ju[mbled in the mouth of the haruspex, your servant].[Let them be taken out and put aside]! (r 2) [I ask you, Š]amaš, gre[at] lord, [whether Esarhaddon, king of As]syria, should send Ša-[Nabû-š]û, the chief eunuch, with an a[rmy, (as great) as he wishes, aga]inst the enemy [tro]ops which have now set up camp against the city Ṣiṣṣir[tu, a fortress of] Harhar, (r 6) [(and whether) these will, be it by ..., or in] their fear, or by their own deliberations, abandon [that city Ṣiṣṣi]rtu [...] and go elsewhere. (r 9) Be…

SAA 04 087. Fragment Similar to No. 84 (AGS 069) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], give me a fi[rm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Should Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, strive and plan]? Should he, with his troops and camp, [an army as great as he wi]shes, take the road, and go [to the district where he] wishes? Will he [......] reach that district? (6) Will [......] his [provisions] be put in place for him and will a guide direct him? (7) [Will Esarhaddon, king of] Assyria, and his troops and camp, [escape], be saved, save themselves, extricate themselves [from ..., from] a native enemy garrison, or from [any] fierce enemy? (10) [Will…

SAA 04 091. Fragment Similar to No. 90 (AGS 083) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 0) [Let them be taken out and put aside]! (r 1) [I ask you], Šamaš, great lord, [whether, should Assurbanipal, son of Esarh]addon, king of Assyr[ia, send NN to ..., (and should) he] go [...], (r 5) [he will successfully carry out whatever orders and] matters [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 096. Should Esarhaddon Send Ša-Nabu-šu to Plunder ...? [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], gi[ve me a fi]rm [positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [From this day, the ...th day of this month], A[b (V), to the ...th day of the month ...], (3) [should Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, send Ša-Nabû]-šû, [chief eunuch], (4) [with the men, horses and army at his disposal, t]o the district [of ...]? (5) [If he sends them], will they kill [what there is to kil]l, [loot, what there is to loot ...]? (Break) (r 2) [... The base of the middle part] is 'loose.' (r 3) [... The coils of the colon are ...] (and) are 16 in number. (r 4) [May (this query) go to your great…

SAA 04 097. Fragment Similar to No. 96 [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [Disregard that the subject of this query, Ša-Nabû]-šû, [chief eunuch, ...]. (r 2) [Disreg]ard that 20-30 Cimmerians [......]. (r 3) Disregard what [they talk] with [their] mouths [...]. (r 4) [Dis]regard that they talk and [......]. (r 5) [Disreg]ard the (formulation) of the prayer for today's case, [be it good or faulty]. (r 6) [Disregard th]at he who touches the fo[rehe]ad of the sheep [is dressed in his ordi]nary [soiled] garments. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 101. Should NN be Sent to Lay Siege to and Conquer the City ...? (PRT 011) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [Should Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, send NN with me]n, ho[rses, and an army, as (great as) he wishes, ......]? (4) [If he sends him, should he with men, horses, and an army, (as great) a]s he wis[hes, go to take the city ..., and will he, be it] through friendly words [...... or] by means of ramps, [or by means of battering-rams, or by ladder]s, [conquer that city, ...]? Will it be delivered to him? (9) [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? Does your great divinity] know it? (r 1) [Disregard that a clean or an unclean person has touched the…

SAA 04 105. Should the Assyrian Army Go against a City Named on Papyrus? (AGS 113) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], give m[e] a firm positive answer [to what I am as]king you! (2) [The city whose name is] written [in this papyrus and placed] before your great divinity — (3) [should ...], the eunuchs, the magnates, (and) the arm[y of Esarhaddon, king] of As[syria, march] against [......] (Break) (r 1) [Be present in this ram], place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs, [favorable, propitious omens by the] oracular command of your great divinity, [and may I see (them)]. (r 3) May (this query) go [to your great divinity, O Šamaš], great [lord], and may an oracle be given…

SAA 04 106. Fragment Similar to No. 105 (AGS 096) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... Will he who can see, see it? Will he] who can hear, [hear it]? (2) [Disregard that ...]...[...]. (3) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case, be it good or] fau[lty]. (4) [Disregard that a clean or an unclean person has touched the sacrificial sheep, or blocked the] way of the sacrificial sheep. (r 1) [Disregard that an unclean man or woman has come] near [the place of the extispicy] and made it unclean. (r 2) [Disregard that an unclean person] has performed [exti]spicy [in this place]. (r 3) [Disregard that the ram (offered) to your great divinity for…

SAA 04 118. Fragment of a Military Query (PRT 040) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...]... [will they attack (him), and kill and pl]unde[r him? Will Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], be troubled [and angry? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (4) [Disregard that the day is ad]vanced (5) [Disregard the (formulation) of the prayer] for today's case, [be it good, be it faulty]. (6) [Disregard that he who touch]es the forehead of the sheep [is dressed in his ordinary soiled garments]. (7) [Disregard that the oracle query has become jumbled in the mouth of] the haruspex, your servant. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 121. Fragment of a Military Query (AGS 073) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Will Esar]haddon, [king] of Assyria, be [......]? (2) [Will he who can see], see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? [Does your great] divinity [know it]? (Rest destroyed)