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 [pg 220] 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 passages 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 perishing, my Lord has pronounced 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-God 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 [pg 221] 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 assist 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 assistance 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 [pg 222] 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 Hittites, 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 pronounce 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 title) thus says Ribadda. I bow at thy feet. The God Amen and the God 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 [pg 223] 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-God. 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 pass of the city of Gebal. Truly the confederates are pushing on secretly from the great pass, 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) [pg 224] 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 God 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 [pg 225] 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 principal 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 ...”