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Mekawy, Nasser

メッカーウィ, ナーセル

English

Kansai University Repository

Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters Nasser Mekawy* 1 The Participants of the Amarna Correspondence and their Capitals a- Egypt (King Amenophis III, King Amenophis IV = Akhenaton, and King Tutankhamun) b- Babylonian (King Kadasman-Enlil - Burna-Burias) c- Assyria (King Assur-ubalit) d- Mitanni (King Tusratta) e- Arzawa (King Tarl}andaradu) f- Alasia (King of Alasia} g- Hatti (King Suppiluliuma) From Memphis Thebes Babylon Babylon el-Amarna (?) Assur Wassukanni Wassukanni Memphis Thebes Arzawa Alasia ljattusa or or To letter-No. Babylon EA 1 Memphis or EA 2; 3; 4; 5; 6 Thebes el-Amarna EA 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12 Babylon EA 14 el-Amarna EA 15; 16 Memphis or EA 17; 18 (?); 19; 20; Thebes 21;22;23;24;25 el-Amarna EA 26; 27; 28; 29; 30 Arzawa EA 31 Memphis or EA32 Thebes el-Amarna EA 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38;39;40 el-Amarna EA 41; 42(?); 44 * Department of Egyptology, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, Egypt. 13 Seminar on Egyptology and Monuments 2 Means of Diplomacy: the Letter The form of the letters is pretty much the same everywhere. The letter in the Ancient Near East usually consisted of the following parts: a- Address b- Greetings c- Topic of the letter d- End form e- Date and seal In all cultures of the world, letters start with phrases, which include at least the name of the receiver, and the name of the sender, as well as a hint about the social position of both the receiver and the sender. In the ancient Near East a greeting form was appended to the address. In contrast to the address, greetings (headings), and the letter topic, the other parts of the letter (end form and date) were sometimes missing in ancient Near Eastern letters. 2.1 The Address 14 In el-Amama letters there are three variable address forms, and these are: ana R qiblma umma S "To R speak (say): thus S." EA 1: 1-4; EA 7: 1-2; EA 8: 1-3; EA 6: 1-3; EA 9: 1-3; EA 10: 1-2; EA 11: 1-2; EA 15: 1-3; EA 16: 1-3; EA 17: 1-3; EA 18: 1-2; EA 19: 1-3; EA 20: 1-4; EA 21: 1-4; EA 23: 1-5; EA 26: 1-2; EA 27: 1-2; EA 28: 1-4; EA 29: 1-4; EA 35: 1-2; EA 37: 1-2. umma Sana R qibima "Thus S, to R speak." EA5: 1-4;EA31: 1-2;EA34: l-2;EA41: 1-3. ana Rumma S "To R speak, thus S." EA 33: 1-2. The address through the following elements can be expanded: a- Through a title such as LUGAL "king," LUGAL GAL "The great king," LUGAL GAL sa matmisiri "The great king of Egypt." b- Through a kinship name such as SES-ia (alJija) "my brother" or SES-ka (alJika) "your brother." Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters c- Through affinity such as gatanija sa ara 'amu sa ira 'manni "My son-in-law, the one whom I love and who loves me" or emilka sa ira 'amilka "your father-in-law who loves you." We find this form only in the letters from King Tusratta of Mittanni to the Egyptian King Amenhotep IV. The name of the recipient and the sender are always mentioned in all the three previous form of address. 2.2 Greeting Form This form occurs for the first time particularly in the international correspondence of el-Amarna in the late Bronze Age, where was maintained the name of "Amarna greeting form." The Akkadian basic schema of this form is formed through: ana magarija I ana iasi suJmu a-na mag-ri-ka or a-na ka-sa 'Tm fine or for me all go well, for you may all go well." This particular greeting form consists of two main parts. a-na UGU-ia or a-na ia-si suJ-mu a-na E.MES-ia DAMMES-ja DUMUMES-ia LOGAJ.MES-ia ERINMES-ja ANSE.KUR.RA.MES-ia cisGIGIR.MES-ia 11 i-na SA bi KUR.MES-ia dan-nis Ju-Li suJ-mu "For me all go well, my houses, my wives, my sons, my magnates, my troops, my horses, my chariots, and inside my countries, all goes very well." (EA 1: 7-9; EA 5: 9-12; EA 31: 3-5; EA 35: 3-5; EA 7: 4-5) a-na ia-si Ju suJ-mu "For me all goes well." (EA 3: 4; EA 6: 4; EA 10: 3; EA 8: 4; EA 11: 3; EA 9: 4; EA 17: 4; EA 18: 3; EA 19: 5; EA 20: 4; EA 21: 8; EA 23: 6; EA 26: 2-3; EA 27: 3; EA 28: 6; EA 29: 2; EA 33: 3; EA 37: 3; EA 38: 3; EA 39: 3; EA 41: 3) a-na mag-ri-ka or a-na ka-sa Ju sul-mu a-na E-ka DAMME5-ka DUMUME5-ka LOGAL.MES-ka ERlNMES-ka ANSE.KUR.RA.MES-ka cisGIGIR.MES-ka 11 i-na SAb1 KUR.MES-ka dan-nis dan-nis Ju suJ-mu "For you may all go well, your house, your wives, your sons, your magnates, your troops, your chariots, and inside your countries, may all go very very well." (EA 2: 4-5; EA 3: 4-6; EA 5: 4-8; EA 6: 5-7; EA 7: 6-7; EA 8: 5-7; EA 9: 5-6; EA 10: 4-7; EA 11: 3-4; EA 17: 5-10; EA 19: 5-8; EA 20: 4-7; EA 21: 8-12; EA 23: 6-12; EA 26: 3-6; EA 27: 3-6; EA 28: 6-11; EA 29: 3-5; EA 35: 5-8; EA 37: 4-7; EA 38: 3-6; EA 39: 5-9; EA 41: 3-6; EA 42: 5-7) 2.3 End Formula In the international correspondence of el-Amarna there is no, as far as I know, end formula. However, in 18 of these letters formula with the expression, ana sulmani SES-ia "For the wellness of my brother" or ana sulmanika "for your wellness," then, it followed the appointment of different gifts. 15 Seminar on Egyptology and Monuments 2.4 Date As far as I know, there is no date indication, and there is no detailed date with a day, month or year. At the end of the EA 23 only, the date is written in Heiratic rnpt 36 ibd 4 prt: "year 36, month 4 of the winter," because this letter is a copy from an original letter, and was prepared for the Bureau of the International Correspondance at el-Amarna. EA23 3 The Spectrum of the Royal Letters 16 The international letters from el-Amarna are concerned mainly with the following themes: a- The exchange of high value gifts such as gold, lapis lazuli, horses, chariots, clothes, chairs and beds. EA 2: Rs. 1-5 (Kadasman-Enlil to Amenhotep III) ; EA 3: 13-22 and 32-34 (Kadasman-Enlil to Amenhotep III); EA 4: 36-50 (Kadasman-Enlil? to Amenhotep III?); EA 5: 13-33 (Amenhotep III to Kadasman-Enlil); EA 6: 20-22 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep III); EA 7: 53-72 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 8: 43-47 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 9: 7-18 and 38 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 10: 8-24 and 43-49 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 11: 19-34 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV) ; EA 14 (giftlist from Amenhotep IV to Burna-Burrijas); EA 15: 9-15 (Assur-ubalit to Amenhotep IV); EA 16: 9-12 (Assur-ubalit to Amenhotep IV); EA 1 7: 36-45 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 19: 34-70 and 80-85 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 20: 80-84 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 21: 35-41 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 22 (giftlist from Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 25 (giftlist from Tusratta to Amenhotep III) ; EA 27: 104-113 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV); EA 29: 182-187 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV); EA 31: 28-38 (Amenhotep III to Tarbandaradu of Arzawa); Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters EA 34: 16-25 (from the King of Alasia to the King of Egypt): EA 35: 10-15, 23-26 and 43-53 (from the King of Alasia to the King of Egypt); EA 37: 9 (from king of Alasia to the king of Egypt); EA 41: 23-43 (Suppiuliuma to Tutankhamun?). b- Strengthening of the intergovernmental relationships EA 1: 62-65 (Amenhotep III to Kadasman-Enlil); EA 6: 8-17 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep III); EA 7: 36-41 (Burra-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 8: 8-10 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 9: 6-7 and 19-37 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 15: 7-9 (Assur-uballit to Amenhotep IV): EA 17: 21-29 and 51-54 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III): EA 19: 30-33 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III): EA 20: 8-13 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 23: 30 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 24 § 35: 111-113 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III): EA 28: 42-49 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV): EA 32: 2-4 (TarlJandaradu of Arzawa to Amenhotep III): EA 34: 42 (king of Alasia to the king of Egypt): EA 41: 7-13 and 16-22 (Suppiluliuma to Tutankhamun?). c- Diplomatic marriages EA 1: 10-17 and 96-98 (Amenhotep III to Kadasman-Enlil): EA 2: 6-11 (Kadasman-Enlil to Amenhotep III): EA 3: 4-12 (Kadasman-Enlil to Amenhotep III); EA 4: 4-22 (Kadasman-Enlil to Amenhotep III?): EA 5: 16 (Amenhotep III to Kadasman-Enlil): EA 11: 16-22 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 19: 1 7-24 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III): EA 20: 8-9 and 14-32 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 21: 13-23 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IID; EA 24 § VI: 59-62 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 31: 11-26 (Amenhotep III to TarlJandaradu of Arzawa): EA 32: 4-13 (TarlJandaradu of Arzawa to Amenhotep III). d- Consolation or solace in death EA 11: 5-15 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 28: 12-19 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV); EA 29: 55-60 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV). e- Congratulations for accession EA 33: 9-10 (king of Alasia to the king of Egypt); EA 29: 61-64 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV); EA 41: 16-1 7 (Suppiluliuma to Tutanchamun?). f- Historical events Such as the conflict between Tusratta and DU-bi EA 1 7: 11-20 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); the conflict between Mitanni and ijatti EA 17: 30-35 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); the Pest in Alasia EA 35: 14-15 and 35-39 (King of Alasia to the King of Egypt). g- Immunity of royal messengers and royal merchants EA 7: 73-82 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 8: 10-21 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV): EA 16: 43-55 (Assur-uballit to Amenhotep IV); EA 24 § 29: 40-42 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III); EA 28: 12-41 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV): EA 29: 155-161 (Tusratta to Amenhotep IV): EA 30: lff. 17 Seminar on Egyptology and Monuments (Tusratta? to the kings of Kanaan); EA 38: 23-25 (King of Alasia to Amenhotep III); EA 39: 10-20 (King of Alasia to the King of Egypt). h- The journey of a god statue EA 23: 13-1 7 (Tusratta to Amenhotep III). i- Protocol of international communication EA 3: 19-31 (Kadasman-Enlil to Amenhotep III); EA 7: 8-32 (Burna-Burrijas to Amenhotep IV); EA 34: 7-15 (king of Alasia to the king of Egypt); EA 42: 15-26 (sender is not known). 4 The Royal Messenger The Amarna letters provide us with important hints about the diplomatic function of the Amarna messengers inasmuch as they provide important evidence to understand the trade and diplomacy of the period. In looking for the importance of the Amarna messengers, one must first consider who could serve as a messenger (mar sipri). EA 149: 83 mentions that a foot soldier filled this position, because generally someone closely associated with the palace was used. One passage (EA 21, III, 22-23) states that a Mitanni princess acted as a royal messenger, while another passage (EA 29: 156-162) indicates that a Mitanni family member was used in the messenger service. In EA 11: 36-37 and EA 39: 10-20 merchants were involved in carrying the royal message. Additional evidence is given for the importance of the messenger by the fact that there are some twenty-three letters in which messengers are mentioned specifically by name. Some of them are repeated numerous times, especially the Egyptian messenger Mane and the Mitanni messenger, Gillia, but most of them appear only once. As royal representatives, one would expect that the royal messengers would enjoy the some facilities and privileges in their missions. Kadasman-Enlil invites the Egyptian messengers to "eat and drink with him" (EA 3: 23-28). In another case the Babylonian King Burna-burias apologized to the Egyptian messenger, because he had been ill and the Egyptian messenger never had the chance to eat or drink wine in his presence (EA 7: 8-10). Some messengers were given gifts by the foreign rulers, for example, the Tusratta King of Mitanni honored the Egyptian messenger Mane and the interpreter, J:Iane in a splendid manner and gave them many presents. 18 Here I will summarize the functions and tasks of the royal messengers through the following points: a- Carrying the clay tablet or the message "tuppu" from his king to the foreign rulers b- Reading the letter to the foreign kings c- Interpreting and defending the policy of his country d- Establishing or re-establishing diplomatic relations e- Viewing, negotiating for and accompanying the prospective bride f- Carrying the royal gifts between kings Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters 5 Passport for the Royal Messenger It was very important for the royal messenger to have a passport during his journey from one country to another. Therefore, some of the royal messengers received a passport from their kings. This passport helped messengers to make their journeys faster and to avoid bureaucratic delays. Such was only valid for one time, one particular place, and for a special task. Such document mentioned the name of the royal messenger, his job, his sender, his companions, and his destination. EA No. 30 is a clear example of such a documents. It was given to a royal messenger from Mitanni on his way to Egypt to make his journey faster and to avoid bureaucratic delays in Canann and on the Egyptian boundary, especially across the frontier fortress Sile, where officials inspected the traveling messengers for proper documents. a-na LUGAL.MES sa KUR Ki-na-a-a!J-{!Ji} I JR.MES SES-ia um-ma LUGAL-ma I a-nu-um-ma 1A-ki-ia LODUMUKIN-ia I a-na UGU LUGAL KUR Mi-i$-ri-i SES-ia I a-na du-ul-Ju-!Ji a-na kal-le-e I al-ta-par-su ma-am-ma I lu-u la i-na-a!J-!Ji-is-su I na-aO-ri-is i-na KUR Mi-i!J-ri-i I su-ri-pa u a-na SU I fLJO!Jal-zu-u!J-li sa KUR Mi-i$-ri-i I it-t[i] !Ja-mut-ta Ji-ii-' Ji' -[ilk I u kat(?)-su mi-im-ma i-na mu!J-!Ji-su Ju-u la ib-ba-as-si "To the King of Canaan, servants of my brother: Thus the King says. I herewith send Akiya, my messenger, to speed posthaste to the King of Egypt, my brother. No one is to hold him up. Provide him with safe entry into Egypt and hand him over to the fortress commander of Egypt. Let him go on immediately, and as far as his presents are concerned, he is to owe nothing" (EA 30-13). 6 Royal Messenger Travel Durations Below is a table with the distances and the travel duration of the royal messenger. C. Kuhne suggests the average distance between 50 to 65 km per day with a travel duration from 24 days to 40 days to reach the desired capital. The distance Distance in km Travel duration Wassukani B Memphis ca. 1550km 24 to 31 days Wassukani B Amarna ca. 1850 km 29 to 37 days Wassukani B Thebes ca. 2250 km 35 to 45 days Babylon B Memphis ca. 1500km 23 to 30 days Babylon B Amarna ca. 1800km 28 to 36 days Babylon B Thebes ca. 2200 km 40 to 50 days 19 Seminar on Egyptology and Monuments References: Abdel Kader, M., "The Administration of Syria-Palestine during the New Kingdom," ASAE 56 (1959). Adler, H.P., Das Akkadische des Konigs Tusratta van Mitanni, AOAT 201, Neukirchen-Vluyn, 1976. Albright W. 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S., Amarna Personal Names, ASOR 9, Indiana, 1993. Holmes, L. Y., "The Messengers of the Amarna Letters," JAOS 95 (1992). Izre'el, S., The Amarna Scholary Tablets, CM 9, Groningen, 1997. Kitchen, K. A., Suppiluliuma and the Amarna Pharaos: A Study in Relative Chronology, Liverpool Monographs in Archaeology and Oriental Studies 9, Liverpool, 1962. Knudtzon, J. A., Die el-Amarna-Tafeln mit Einleitung und Erlauterungen, VB 2 Bde., Aalen (1964). Kuhne, C., Die Chronologie der internationalen Korrespondenz van el-Amarna, AOAT 17, Neukirchen-Vluyn, 1973. Meier, S. A., The Messengers in the Ancient Semitic World, Atlanta, 1988. Moran, W. L., The Amarna Letters, Baltimore und London, 1992. Munn-Rankin J. M., "Diplomacy in Western Asia in the Early Second Millennium B.C.," Iraq 18 (1956). Muntingh, L. M., "The International Amarna Correspondence and Western Asia Diplomacy in the Amarna Age (14 Century B.C.)," in: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Asian Studies, Section V: Asia and the Other Regions, Hong Kong (1983). Rainey, A. F., El Amarna Tablets 359-379: Suppelment to Knudtzon, J. A., Die El-Amarna-Tafeln, AOAT 8, Neukirchener-Vluyn, 1970. Redford, D. B., Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 1992. Reeves, N., Echnaton: A.gyptens falscher Prophet, Kulturgeschichte der antiken Welt 91, Mainz, 2002. Sallaberger, W., "Wenn du mein Bruder hist, ... ": Interaktion und Textgestaltung in altbabylonischen Alldaysbriefen, CM 16, Groningen, 1999. Salonen, E., Die GruB- und Hoflichkeitsformeln in babylonisch-assyrischen Briefen, SO 38, Helsinki, 1967. 20 Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters Ders., Die Tontafel van el-Amarna, VS 11, Leipzig, 1915. Valloggia, M., Recherche sur les "messagers" ( wpwty) dans les sources egyptiennes profanes, These 212, Geneve-Paris, 1976. van Beckerath, J., Chronologie des Pharaonischen Agypten, Miinchner Agyptologische Studien 46, Mainz, 1997. van Soden, W., "Dolmetscher und Dolmetschen im alten Orient," IUO 32, Neapel (1989). 21 

Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters

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Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters

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