[5] They were known as mushkênum, derived from the Shafel-Piel stem of the root (kânu), with the meaning "to humble oneself, to be humble." Combe has compared the similar use of miskîn in Arabic for a man of humble station who is not a descendant of the prophet (cf. "Babyloniaca," III., p. 73 f.). The word passed into Hebrew as miskên, and, with modifications of meaning, into more than one European language (cf. Ital. meschino, meschinello, Portug. mesquinho, French mesquin); see Johns, "Schweich Lectures (1912), pp. 8, 74.
[6] Herodotus (I., 193) bears witness to the great fertility of Babylonia, stating that of all countries of the ancient world it was the most fruitful in grain.
[7] On the early system of tribal ownership, which survived even the Kassite conquest and requisitions, see below, [pp. 249] ff.
[8] In fact, the métayer system was in force, the landlord finding the cattle, agricultural implements, and seed for the culture of the fields; cf. Johns, "Schweich Lectures," p. 5.
[9] See the five letters of Ammi-zaduga, in "Letters of Ham." III., pp. 162 ff.
[10] For the loss of an eye the hirer paid half the beast's value, and a quarter for a broken horn, the loss of the tail, or a torn muzzle.
[11] See § 256 of the Code.
[12] Cf. "Letters of Hammurabi," III., pp. 130 ff.
[13] They are also referred to by Herodotus (I., 193), but not described.
[14] At Hit on the Euphrates are some of the largest water-wheels in Mesopotamia, a line of them being built across one portion of the river.