Part 25 (2/2)

73 B.-”To the King ... thus says _Ribadda_ thy servant, the footstool of the feet of the Sun-G.o.d my Lord. Seven times and seven times at his feet I bow. Grievous it is to say what, in the sight of the King, he has done-the dog _Abdasherah._ Behold what has befallen the lands of the King on account of him; and he cried peace to the land, and now behold what has befallen the city of _Simyra_-a station of my Lord, a fortress ... and they spoil our fortress ... and the cries of the place ... a violent man and a dog.”

The next message is too broken to read, but refers to the city of _Gebal_.

The letter continues:

”Will not the King order his _Paka_ to p.r.o.nounce judgment? and let him guard the chief city of my Lord, and order me as I (say), and let my Lord the Sun set free the lands, and truly my lord shall order the wicked men all of them to go out. I present my memorial in the sight of my Lord, but this dog has not taken any of thy G.o.ds. Prosperity has fled which abode in _Gebal_, which city of _Gebal_ was as a city very friendly to the King. It is grievous. Behold I have a.s.sociated _Abdbaal_ the prefect with _Ben Khia_ (or _Ben Tobia_) a man of (war?); but despatch thou him to thy servant...”

57 B.-The salutation as usual mentions Baalath of Gebal. ”Why shall the King my Lord send to me? The best indeed trembles, of those who watch for him against my foes, and of my freemen. What shall defend me if the King will not defend his servant?... if the King will order for us chiefs of the Land of Egypt, and of the Land of _Nubia_, and horses, by the hand of this my chief as I hope, and preservation for the servants of the King my Lord. If none at all ... to me ... to march horses ... my land is miserable. By my soul's life! if the King cared at heart for the life of his servant, and of his chief city, he would have sent a garrison, and they had guarded thy city and thy servant. That the King shall know ... of our lands; and Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) shall be ordered; and to save all that live in his land, therefore it is spoken as a message to the King (with thy messengers?) As to the ... of this dispute of _Khaia_ with the city of _Simyra_, that they should send us without delay thirteen talents (or pieces of gold): I gave the proclamation. The men of blood are named in the letter to the city of _Simyra_.(230) It avails not. Ask _Khaia_ as to the letter of our previous dispute with the city of _Simyra_-to satisfy the King, and to give security to the King, they are sending again, and...”

24 B. M.-This is broken at the top.

”And King my Lord, soldiers are moving to the city of _Gebal_, and behold the city _Durubli_(231) has sent forth soldiers to war to the city _Simyra_. If the heart of the King my Lord is toward the city of _Durubli_ my Lord will also order many soldiers, thirty chariots and an hundred chief men of your land; and you will halt at the city _Durubli_, my Lord's city. If the lands are to be defended, the King will order the departure of Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) to the city of _Gebal_, and (I doubt not?) you will march to us. And I ... to slay him, and ... behold the King my Lord ... faithful; and they have warred with the men _Kau Paur_(232) (Egyptian magnates) of the King. Lo! they have slain _Biari_ the _Paur_ (magnate) of the King, and he has given gifts to my ... and they are helping. And none are servants of the King. And evil in our eyes behold is this. I am spoiled, and I fear lest ... no wish of the faithful chief be granted to him. Lo! you will make my kindred to be afflicted. The King shall arm the land ... thy soldiers great and small, all of them; and _Pakhamnata_(233) did not listen to me and they do a deed that ... and thou shalt tell him this, that he shall set free the city of _Simyra_; and (the King) will listen to the message of his servant, and shall (send) Egyptian soldiers. Behold he will say to the King that the Egyptian soldiers have no corn or food to eat, all the enemies have cut off from the midst of the cities of the King my Lord the food and the corn ... and (I) have raised soldiers gathering (in) the city of _Gebal_ ... there is not ... you shall send to us ... and to march to it, and I have stopped ... and not one of the lands of the _Canaanites_ helps _Yankhamu_ though he is for the King.”

58 B.-This is a large and important tablet, but much broken; it begins with a short salutation, and then says at once, ”I am laid low.” It refers to the loss of the city _Abur_,(234) and mentions the names of _Aziru_ and _Abdasherah_, and says there is no garrison. The enemy are marching on to the capital. He says: ”I sent to the palace (or capital of Egypt) for soldiers and you gave me no soldiers.” ”They have burned the city _Abur_, and have made an end in the sight of _Khamu_ my son.” ”The man of sin Aziru has marched ... he has remained in the midst ... I have despatched my son to the palace more than three months (ago) who has not appeared before the King. Thus (says) my chief of the city of _Takhida_(235)-they are reaching him: of what use are the fortifications to the men left therein?” ”The chief who came out of the lands of Egypt to inform, whom you announced us on account of _Aziru_ formerly, I shall send to the King.

You will not have heard this message as to the city _Abur_. The dogs are wasting, as is said, do you not mark the news? If the King had thought of his servant, and had given me soldiers. ..” The next pa.s.sages are much damaged, but refer to the same general subject of complaint. The next intelligible sentence is: ”The people have been enraged expecting that the King my Lord would give me for my chief city corn for the food of the people of the strongholds.” He then protests his good faith, and says finally: ”And my sons are servants of the King, and our expectation is from the King ... The city is peris.h.i.+ng, my Lord has p.r.o.nounced our death ...”

77 B.-After a short salutation: ”Let the King hear the news of his faithful servant. It is ill with me: mightily fighting, the sons of _Abdasherah_ have striven in the land of the _Amorites_. They had subdued all the land of the city of _Simyra_, and they have wrecked the city _Irkata_ (Arkah) for its ruler. And now they are coming out of the city of _Simyra_, and it is ill for the ruler (who is) in face of the foes who come out.” The tablet is here broken, but refers to _Gebal_ and to the rulers _Zimridi_ and _Yapaaddu_. The writer hopes for the arrival of troops. ”Egyptian soldiers; and the Sun-King will protect me. Friendly men have been (shut up?) in the midst of his land. Moreover, the King my Lord shall hear the message of his servant, and deliver the garrison of _Simyra_ and of _Irkata_: for all the garrison have ... out of the city _Simyra_ and ... Sun-G.o.d Lord of the lands will order for me also twenty (companies?-_tapal_) of horse, and, as I trust, to the city of _Simyra_ (to defend her) you will speed (a division?) instructing the garrisons to be strong and zealous, and to encourage the chiefs in the midst of the city. If also you grant us no Egyptian soldiers no city in the plains will be zealous for thee. But the chain of the Egyptian soldiers has quitted all the lands-they have disappeared to the King.”(236)

14 B. M.-”_Ribadda_ speaks to his Lord the King of many lands the Great King. Baalath of Gebal has given power to the King my Lord: at the feet of my Lord, my Sun, seven times seven times I bow. Why wilt not thou utter for us a message to me? And (now) know the demand which my chief is despatched to make in presence of the King my Lord; and his division of horse has marched, but the man has delayed marching-its chief-as the letters to the King were not given to the hand of my chief ... as to what has been said ... of your land, is it not needful that the allies of the _Paka_ should march to the men of blood; have not all the lands been grieved? It will be necessary for the allies, but they come not being slow. Moreover I sent for men of garrison and for horses, but you care not for us (even) to return us a message for me. And I am destroyed by _Abdasherah_ like _Yapaaddu_ and _Zimridi_-and they are fugitives.

Moreover, the revolt of the city of _Simyra_ and of the city _Saarti_(237) continues against him. We remain under the hand of _Yankhamu_; and he gives us corn for my eating. We two guard the King's city for him, and he collects for the King, and orders my chief, appointing chiefs to a.s.sist for me, fulfilling the decree which thou hast thyself appointed. We have trusted in the King. And two chiefs of the city have been despatched to be sent, having come down bound from the camp of _Yankhamu_. Moreover, as to this a.s.sistance to _Yankhamu_, _Ribadda_ is in your hands, and all that is done for him (is) before you; it is not for me to punish thy soldiers. My superior is over me. And I will send to him if you do not speak about this, or he gives up the city, or I depart. Moreover, if you do not utter for us a message for me, both the city will be surrendered, and I shall go away with the men who support me. And learn that our corn also is failing, and _Milcuru_ has measured the corn-measure of _Baalath_(238) ... very much ...”

89 B.-This is much broken. After the usual salutation he says that Abdasherah has fought strongly, and has seized cities belonging to Gebal; that news has reached the city as to what has befallen the city _Ammia_ (_Amyun_) from the men of blood. A certain _Berber_(239) chief is mentioned. He speaks of ”two months,” apparently as the limit of time in which he expects to be aided by the _bitati_, or Egyptian soldiers.

Abdasherah is marching on Gebal.

79 B.-Also broken. With the usual salutation, speaks of a great fight with the men of blood, who made an end of men, women, and soldiers of his poor country. He sent men, and they were beaten. The city of _Irkata_ (Arkah) is mentioned, and the King of the _Hitt.i.tes_, who is making war on all the lands. The King of _Mitani_ will be king of the weak (or false) land of the writer's people. He concludes by calling _Abdasherah_ a dog.

44 B.-After the usual salutation, this letter appears perhaps to refer to the coming of Irimaia. ”Lo the King shall send the choicest of thy chiefs-a son of Memphis (_Nupi_) to guard the city.” The text is then much broken, referring to the palace and to cavalry, and to guarding the city for the King. He will fulfil the wishes of the _Pakas_, and is a faithful servant, as they would testify. The lands are to be made quiet again. ”I say as to myself, lo! my heart is not at all changed as to my intention to serve the King my Lord. Now p.r.o.nounce this judgment O Lord of justice.

Cause all to be told that whoever crosses over from his own place the King my Lord will ... My Lord shall decide that this evil shall not go on. Who shall say anything against it? Now return a letter, and all my possessions that are with _Yapaaddu_ (he will make equally safe?) in the sight of the King.”

72 B.-”To _Khaia_(240) the _Pa_ ... (an Egyptian t.i.tle) thus says _Ribadda_. I bow at thy feet. The G.o.d _Amen_ and the G.o.d _Sa_ ...(241) have given you power in the presence of the King. Behold thou art a man of good ... the King knows, and through your zeal the King sends you for a _Paka_. Why is it asked and you will not speak to the King? that he should order for us Egyptian soldiers to go up to the place-the city _Simyra_.

Who is _Abdasherah?_-a slave, a dog, and shall the King's land be smitten by him? Who set him up? And mighty with men of blood is the strength of his power. But send reinforcements: fifty _tapal_ (companies?) of horse and 200 foot soldiers; and both shall go forth from the city _Sigata_(242) (Shakkah). Know his intentions. Until the (_bitati_) Egyptian soldiers are sent he will not be mastered, (nor) any of the men of blood, and the city of _Sigata_ and the city of _Ambi_(243) are both taken, and thus ...”

17 B. M.-”_Ribadda_ speaks to ... (Amenophis IV?(244)) the King of many Lands: at the feet of ... my Sun-G.o.d. And I repeat as to ... (the expedition?) against the city of _Kappa_(245) ... and against the city _Amma_ ... cities faithful to the King my Lord. Who is this _Abdasherah_?-a slave, a dog, and shall he ... in the midst in the lands of my Lord? ... the King my Lord has asked as to his servant, and ... I send my messenger. Lo ... my cities, and with the letter ... my messages.

And now behold he is marching to the city _Batruna_(246) and he will cut it off from my rule. They have seized the city of _Kalbi_(247)-the great pa.s.s of the city of Gebal. Truly the confederates are pus.h.i.+ng on secretly from the great pa.s.s, and they have not made an end-mightily contumacious.

For they have promised to take the city of _Gebal_ ... And let the King my Lord hear ... this day ... they have hastened chariots and ... I trust and ... and the fate of the city of _Gebal_ ... by them, and all the lands ...

as far as the land of Egypt have been filled with men of blood. My Lord has sent no news as to this decree as I hoped by letter. And we desire that the city be saved, and the villages of the city, from him, for my inhabiting. I have been hard pushed. Help speedily O King my Lord ...

soldiers and chariots, and you will strengthen the chief city of the King my Lord. Behold the city of _Gebal_: there is not, as is said, of chief cities (like) the city _Gebal_ a chief city with the King my Lord from of old. The messenger of the King of the city of _Acca_(248) (Accho) honor thou with (my) messenger. And we have given cavalry at his pleasure ...

and a division of horse ... because of pleasuring him(249) ...”

60 B.-After salutation: ”The King my Lord shall know: behold _Benmabenat_(250) son of _Abdasherah_ strives for the city _Gatza_.(251) They have subdued the city of _Ardata_, the city _Yahlia_, the city _Ambi_, the city _Sigata_,(252) all the cities are theirs; and the King shall order the cutting off of the city _Simyra_, so that the King may rule his land. Who is this _Abdasherah_?-a slave, a dog. O King it is thy land, and they have joined the King of the land of _Mitani_. But come to us to the King's land to ... before the cities of your rulers are destroyed; and lo! this has been said ... thy _Paka_, and not ... his cities to them. Now they have taken the city of _Ullaza_(253) for it is as has been said, until you shall march to this city of _Simyra_. And they have slain for us the _Paka_ and the Egyptian (_bitati_) soldiers who (were) in the city of _Simyra_ ... they have done to us, and shall not I go up ... to the city of _Simyra?_ The cities _Ambi_, _Sigata_, _Ullaza_, (_Caphar?_) _Yazu_(254) have fought for me. Their destruction for us by them, will be pleaded against the city of _Simyra_, these cities ... and the sons of _Abdasherah_ ... Alas! and the city of Gebal demands of the men of blood as to the city _Tikhedi_.(255) I marched; but there befell an entering-in to spoil by the men of blood.”

23 B. M.-The usual salutation is absent, and it seems to be written to an official: ”To ... as a letter thus _Ribadda_. I bow at thy feet. Baalath of Gebal the G.o.d of the King my Lord may (she?) strengthen thy power in the presence of the King thy Lord-the Sun of the lands. You know behold that a (covenant?) has been engraved. But why was it sent? And lo! this thou shalt announce: I am left in fear that an end will be made of all.

Thou shalt make the whole known. Behold it was sent to me. 'Do not wait to go forth to the city _Simyra_ till I come.' Behold you know, the wars are exceeding mighty against me, but he comes not. I did march, and lo! the city of _Ambi_ (_'Aba_) has been burned by me. You know that the chief and the princ.i.p.al men of this city have gathered with _Abdasherah_, and behold I did not march farther. Behold you know all that has been; and on this account ... having asked my question of my prophet(256) behold I feared accordingly. Hear me speak-favorably as I trust (as to) coming; and you know that they strive with our country, who behold are men of good will.

Because ... your favor is strong ... do not you urge ... a message to this city, and out of its midst she sends to ...”

86 B., a much-broken letter, supposed to be from _Ribadda_, mentions _Batruna_ and _Ambi_.(257) Toward the end it reads continuously: ”The King of the land of the _Hitt.i.tes_ behold is ... to the sons of _Abdasherah_, for he hastens to despatch soldiers of the royal ... and the neighboring places have joined: the lands of the King my Lord are made a desert, which the dogs bring to naught: they have mourned. If _Neboyapiza_ fears the King my Lord will he not march on them, if the King my Lord will speak to the great man of the chief city-to the great man of the chief city of _c.u.midi_(258) (_Kamid_) ... to march to join ... to me...”

41 B. begins with the usual salutation from _Ribadda_. ”Behold I am a faithful servant of the Sun-King, and I confess that my messages have been sad for the King, as you own. The King my Lord shall hear the messages of his faithful servant, and _Buri_ is sending out in the direction of the city _Simyra_ and _Hadar_ ... has marched against you, and they have beaten us, and they have brought us low. (These foes?) are destroying in my sight, and I was ready (to go out?) with the _Paka_ to keep watch in the presence of the chiefs of the governments. And my Lord shall hear the news. Now _Aziru_ the son of _Abdasherah_ is marching with his brethren from(259) the city _Gebal_: and despatch Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_), and thou shalt march against him and smite him-the land is the King's land; and since one has talked thus and you have not moved, the city of _Simyra_ has been lost. The King my Lord shall hear the news of his faithful servant. There is no money to buy me horses, all is finished, we have been spoiled. Give me thirty (companies-_tapal?_) of horse with chariots ...

men ... there is none of this with me ... not a horse ...”

<script>