Egyptian Literature Part 33

"Since my fathers and thy fathers spoke good things zealously, sending eagerly to make presents, and making friends-and did not they speak eagerly-lo! now my brother has sent two _manahs_ of gold as a present to me. Lo! there is much gold beside, which your father sent, and as this has increased beyond what your father gave, why should you send two _manahs_ of gold? Lo! I have received much, even very much gold, which remains in the temple. Enough gold has been sent. Why should you send two _manahs_ of gold? But as for thee, whatever is needed in thy land send for it, let it be taken of me for thee.

"In the time of _Curigalzu_(418) my father, all the Canaanites sent to him (saying) thus, 'What sayest thou as to the setting up of the land. It is weak. What sayest thou?'

"My father clave to thy (father). He sent to them thus, 'It has been sent to me as to your discontent. If you are foes with the King of _Egypt_ my brother, you must cleave to some other. Shall not I go out against you for this? Shall not I destroy you, as if you were discontented with me?' My father heard them not because of your father. Now behold _a.s.syria_ has arrayed against me. Did not I send to you, as to their thoughts about your land? Why do they send against me? If you have pity on me it will never be done. They will fail to win these things. I have sent to thee, as a present for thee, three _manahs_ of precious stones, fifteen pairs of horses for five wooden chariots."

3 B. M.-The salutation is the same as in the preceding.

"Since the time of _Caraindas_, since your father's envoys to my father came to me, until now there has been good-will. Now I and thou are well with each other. Your envoys have come thrice to me, making also presents, whatever was sent. And I have sent to thee whatever present has been made.

As for me, is it not all an honor, and as for thee have not I honored thee in all? Your envoy whom you send, has not he paid the twenty _manahs_ of gold that he has brought? And as for the gifts that remainder, is not the amount five _manahs_ of gold."

Five lines of the letter are here destroyed. On the back of the tablet it continues:

"... the forces of the land (of _Egypt?_) ... these let him gather within the year, which thy envoy says he has sent, and he shall cause the women of the princess to be guided to you, any time that you order. Let me ask for her that the speed may be greater; and having been delayed, when he has made speed let your envoy take (them), and he shall do more than they did before. So I have told my envoy _Sindisugab_ to say. So let them both station the chariots speedily. Let them come to me, and let them make proper arrangements; so let my envoy and your envoy come to me, speedily conveyed.

"As a present for thee I have sent thee two _manahs_ of precious stones; and (to enrich?) your daughter my son's wife(419) he gave a ... and (an amulet to cause safety?); and I have sent thee as a present precious stones to the number of one thousand forty and eight; and I sent, as your envoy was sent back with _Sindisugab_."

4 B. M.-With the same salutation as before, is very much broken. It contains a list of presents sent in connection with the same royal marriage of a daughter of the King of Egypt to the Babylonian prince. The envoy's name was _Sutti_; the presents included a throne of strong wood, ivory, and gold, and another of wood and gold, with other objects of gold and strong wood.

6 B.-The salutation is the same, but the Kings' names are spelled "_Nabkhururia_" and "_Burnaburias_." This tablet is very much injured. It refers to a daughter and a promise. It continues:

"He takes her people with (him in) seven chariots, with seven chariots which he took from me; all that belongs to her behold ... let me send her people to you. The Kings who ... of the daughter of the great King, in five chariots ... to your father ... three overseers ... us he (sent?)..."

About half the obverse of the letter is then lost, and about a quarter of the upper part of the back. It then continues:

"If (the arrangements) are already complete ... if there are no previous arrangements let ... to send _Zalmu_ for the Royal Princess, for _Zalmu_(420) was your envoy whom I sent out, let him (come) ... let him take back the soldiers whom he has sought of me, and let him (take?) ...

of the people of the neighborhood, who being speedily sent he may take back, and let them add as many as ...

"_Khai_(421) your chief, whom you send, is given soldiers and a chariot of our ... and send plenty of soldiers with _Khai_, for the King's daughter ... and otherwise do not send the King's daughter to travel.... Do not delay; send speedily ... in the course of this year you shall send a chariot and soldiers, so gathering ... let them unite as many as he says (are necessary?).

"Your father sent much gold to _Curigalzu_ ... of _Curigalzu_, the quant.i.ty thereof increased in the palace ... so, because he heard the Kings (or great men) who gave advice, thus the gold ... the Kings, brotherhood, and good-will, peace, and fealty ... the ... increased the silver, increased the gold, increased....

"As thy present I have sent ... of precious stone. To the Lady of thy house twenty (?) of precious stones: so my wife causes me to send, because very greatly ... and as she desires shall it not be done, as I rejoiced being glad ... let them take of me much gold for thyself ... let them take of me according as I ... may it come quickly; and has not my lord ordered thus, that your envoy should bring to his brother much ... so let me send to thee..."

7 B.-The salutation from _Burnaburias_ is the same as in the preceding letters. The letter continues:

"On the day that my brother's envoy arrived, and brought me this message, his envoy (came) wearied to my presence: he had eaten no food, and (had drunk) no strong drink ... the envoy you send told me the news, that he had not brought to me the caravan(422) on account of (wicked men?) from whom it was not (safe?). So he has not brought to me the caravan. The explanation of the (head man?) was, because of fear of being destroyed, which my brother has (known of). Thus as I desired explanation, not ...

why the (chief?) did not ... his envoy, why he had not sent it, had not ... my brother's envoy he has caused to say this ... 'Is it not that the region was at strife?' thus ... your brother heard this. He has sent you salutation. Who is it that has told my brother thus that the land has risen? Your brother sends with speed to salute you, as wis.h.i.+ng to hear this. Does not he send his envoy to thee? I have told him then to say to my brother, 'A great mult.i.tude has arisen, and the land is at strife: the thing is true that thy envoy thus said. As thy brother heard not that the expedition has marched on thee, he has asked. Has not he sent to salute thee?' So as I asked my envoy he said, 'As the foe has arisen let him be destroyed.' My brother, have not I ordered this?(423) And so they told me all that has happened in my brother's country, and is not all this explanation necessary? And all has thus happened in my land, and as for me is it not all needful? 'The lawful command that was previously in the hands of our kingdom has been opposed,' he said. We have speedily sent salutation: an interchange of messages between us has been established ...

to your presence ..."

Several lines are here missing at the top of the tablet on the back, and the letter then continues:

"... my salutation ... and your salutation with ... Thou thyself behold hast (sent?) thy envoy, to make known this message. So I made him wait for this. I have sent my messenger with speed, when he has rested sixty-one days, and as he said to me this 'I saw the foes (but not) at all was I afraid.' And to-day he is ... I have sent to thee making many presents. I have sent to my brother's hands, as a present for thee, (eighty?) precious stones; and I have sent to my brother five yoke of horses, which are brought this day by my envoy. I desired to send, making many presents to be sent to my brother. And whatever notification (is) needful let this notification be sent, let them take it for me from their home. I have claimed delay that they may send presenting much gold. I send notice to my brother: truly on account of my delay he has remained. The gold I notify I have sent. I return explanation to your presence. Have not I despatched everything to my brother? Let him behold the notice: let him sign for whatever is sent ... I was anxious lest when I sent a notice my brother did not see (it) ... thus I have returned that which my brother signed, I have sent (it) for the gold that they brought me. As for the gifts I so despatch thou shalt thus (reply?); does not ...

"_Zalmu_ my envoy whom I send to you is responsible to us if ... have plundered. I have made _Biriyamaza_ responsible for ... (If) again they have plundered, I have made _Pamakhu_ responsible in part for ... to your land complete.

"... they have sworn ... let my envoy ... to the presence of my brother ... let him be sent back to me ... his message: let him salute ..."

8 B.-The same salutation from _Burnaburias_ to Amenophis IV. The letter continues:

"For this also my brother we speak with good-will eagerly, and we cause this to be said thus with eagerness (or speed) in reply. As for us we have been troubled indeed. Lo! the merchants who have returned with a charge, from the land of Canaan, have spoken in my hearing. They were anxious on account of the charge from my brother's presence, as _Sumatta_(424) the son of _Malumme_ from the city of _Khinnatunu_,(425) in the land of _Canaan_, and _Sutatna_ son of _Sarratu_ of the city of _Acca_(426) sent their soldiers: they perceived my merchants, and they spoiled our ... I sent to you ... let him tell you.

"The _Canaanites_ in your country, and the Kings ... in your country have violently cut off ... the silver that they carried-a present ... And the men who are my servants ... has smitten them. He destroyed our (wealth?); and as these chiefs he has caused to be slain, it is clear that the man is, indeed, my foe. And, indeed, they are slaying a chief of your envoys: when he was an envoy between us he was slain, and his people have been hostile to you, and the chief my foe, _Sumatta_, d.o.g.g.i.ng his steps, caused him to be slain; he saw him and slew him. And the other chief _Sutatna_ the _Acchoite_ (though at first they repelled him?) sent his chiefs against him ... he said thus. Behold this ... ask as to this, truly you know ... I have sent thee as a present one _manah_ of precious stones ...

my envoy speedily ... truly my brother has known ... do not (blame?) my envoy ... let him be speedily sent..."

These two last letters of Burnaburias are important as showing the disturbances in Syria, also mentioned by Dusratta (23 B.) early in the reign of Amenophis IV.

28 B.-A very broken tablet containing a long list of presents supposed to have been sent by Burnaburias, and consisting mainly of gold and gems.

LETTERS FROM ALASIYA

7 B. M.-"To the King of _Egypt_ my brother by letter, thus the King of the Land of _Alasyia_(427) thy brother. I am at peace. Peace be to my brother.

May there be much peace to his house, to his wives, to his son, to his horses, his chariots, and in his land. My brother's present (is) fifty (pounds of bronze?) five yoke of horses. I have sent my brother's present (and) my brother's envoy with speed, and let my brother despatch my messenger again with speed, and let me ask a gift which ... and.... In his letter it is directed what to send. He has sent silver. Let him send, not refusing the explanation of my envoy ... _Cuniea_, _Ebiluna_, _Sirumma_, _Usbarra_, _Belraam_,(428) the explanation which ... these things which are with ... my..."

12 B.-The salutation is the same, mentioning only one son of the King of Egypt.

"My brother has speedily sent my envoys (under escort?), and I heard your salutation. The chief (and) my merchants my brother has despatched speedily (under escort?): has not your chief approached with my merchants and my fleet (or s.h.i.+p)?"

15 B.-A much broken letter from the same, referring to the sending of copper. The last words appear to be "let him come returning year by year."

11 B.-The salutation is the same, including "thy house, thy concubines,(429) thy sons," etc. This is a very difficult letter, but appears to read: "Why, my brother, do you utter this message to me? My brother has known nothing at all that I have not done. As for me, behold the Chiefs of the land of the Lucci(430) whom you confounded in my land, I (was) glad should be conquered."

"My brother you say to me, 'Lo the Chiefs of thy land are with them,' but I (say) my brother has not known this that they are with them; (or) if they are Chiefs of my land. But send thou to me and do as I wish.

"Do not you know the Chiefs of my land? Do not make this message (even) if they are Chiefs of my land. But do as you wish.

"Lo! my brother, as you do not send my envoy, this letter will speak for me as a brother of the King. It is brought by your envoy.

"Moreover, I have perceived neither hinderance nor evil in what was done, and lo! my brother, are not you at rest in your heart?"

5 B. M.-The salutation is in the fullest form-nine lines. The letter is almost perfect, and continues:

"Lo I have sent to thy presence five hundred pieces of copper (or bronze) as a present for my brother; as brother, little copper is found (is it not so) in your midst. When the power of _An-Amar-ut_(431) my Lord smote the whole of the men of my land, and none made bronze, also my brother it has not been found in thy midst.

"Your envoy with my envoy I hope to despatch, and whatever my brother requires of copper I also have sent thee. A Brother thou art to me. Much gold and silver he has sent to me. My brother, G.o.d (_Elohim_) gives me also gold. And to my brother's presence I have sent thee whatever my brother desires. Moreover, my brother, do not you desire my envoy? And my brother has given me also men of his bosom. My brother has sent me two (precious vases?) and has despatched to me one of the Chiefs of ill.u.s.trious birth.(432)

"Moreover, my brother, the Chiefs of my land say to me, that they have walked for me according to the letters of the King of Egypt; and, my brother, the decrees also, and the ...

"Moreover, as a Chief of the land of _Alasiya_ has died in the land of Egypt, and his possessions are in your land, and his son and his wife are with me; and, my brother, the possessions of the Chiefs of _Alasiya_ are ... Give them also, my brother, into the hands of my envoy. My brother, has not he abode in your midst, as your envoy abode three years in my land, because the power of _An-Amar-ut_ is in my land; and with my family (and) my wife, is the son of him who has died even now, my brother. I hope to despatch (under escort?) your envoy with my envoy; and I have sent a present to thee, my brother. Moreover, my brother has sent the gold that I desired of thee-much gold, my brother. And let my brother send the possessions that I ask of thee. And, whatever were the messages, my brother has done all, and as for thee whatever messages you utter to me, I also have done. With the King of the _Hitt.i.tes_, and with the King of _s.h.i.+nar_, with these I am not familiar. Whatever gifts they have sent to me, and I have rendered twice the amount to thee. Thy envoy has been sent to me to serve, and my envoy has been sent to thee to serve."

6 B. M.-"Thus the King of _Alasiya_ to the King of _Egypt_ my brother. Let him learn: behold I have been at peace, and my land is mighty; and because of your salutation peace be to you, peace be to your house, your sons, your wives, your horses, your chariots, your land. May there be much peace forever, my brother.

"Lo! you shall send to me. Why do not you send your envoy to my city again; and I heard not. Lo! how much you afflict me, and I am not made acquainted with all in your midst, and I wonder at this. And now I have despatched my envoy to your city, and I have also despatched to you, by the hands of my envoy for you, one hundred (pounds?) of bronze again. And your envoy carries now gifts-a couch of strong wood, enriched with gold, and chariots enriched with gold, and two horses, and forty-two (vases?), and fifty gold (vases?), and two cups, and fourteen pieces of strong wood, and seventeen large vessels of good make ... from the (?); four (vases?), and four gold (vases?) ... the gifts of which none ..."

The next thirteen lines are almost entirely destroyed. The letter continues on the back of the tablet:

"... _Alasiya_ my merchants with thy merchants, and ... with them; and truly there is good faith ... and my envoy will go to your city, and your envoy shall go to my city. Moreover, why will you not despatch for me (unguents and vases?) I (say), and I will order what you wish, and that which is useful (serving well?) in fulfilment of the decree, I order to be given thee. Behold you sit on the throne of your Kingdom."

13 B.-A short fragment, too broken to read, includes the names of the countries of _Egypt_ and of _Alasiya_, with salutations. It includes a reference to merchants, and apparently to presents, nine lines in all.