Amarna letter EA 245, titled: "Assignment of Guilt," ^[1] is a medium length clay tablet Amarna letter from Biridiya the governor-'mayor' of Magidda. It is letter number four of five from Biridiya.

The letter is in pristine condition except for a missing flake (lower-right, obverse) causing a lacuna at the end of a few lines. The cuneiform characters are finely inscribed, with some photos that can even show the individual strokes of the cuneiform characters (the stroke sequence). The letter is 47-lines long, and about 5-in tall. Letter EA 245 (see here-(Obverse): [3]), is numbered BM 29855, at the British Museum.

The Amarna letters, about 300, numbered up to EA 382, are a mid 14th century BC, about 1350 BC and 20–25 years later, correspondence. The initial corpus of letters were found at Akhenaten's city Akhetaten, in the floor of the Bureau of Correspondence of Pharaoh; others were later found, adding to the body of letters.

The letter

EA 245: "Assignment of Guilt"

EA 245, letter four of five. (Not a linear, line-by-line translation, and English from French.) ^[1]

(Obverse, see here [4])

(Lines 1-7)--Moreover,¹ I urged my brothers, "If the god of the king, our lord, brings it about² that we overcome Lab'ayu, then we must bring him alive :–(gloss) ha- ia- ma to the king, our lord."

(8-14)--My mare, however having been put out of action :–-(gloss) tu- ra (having been shot), I took my place behind him :–(gloss) ah- ru- un- ú and rode with Yashdata.³ But before my arrival they had struck him down :–(gloss) ma-ah-ṣú- ú.

(15-23)--Yašdata being truly your servant, he it was that entered with me into batt[le]. May [ ... ] [ ... ] the life⁴ of the king, my [lord], that he may br[ing peace to ever]yone⁵ in [the lands of] the king, [my] lord.

(Reverse, see here [5])

(24-35)--It had been Surata that took Labaya from Magidda. and said to me, "I will send him to the king by boat :–(gloss) a- na-yi "⁶ Surata took him, but he sent him from Hinnatunu to his home, for it was Surata that had accepted from him :–(gloss) ba- di- ú his ransom.

(36-47)--Moreover, what have I done to the king, my lord, that he has treated me with contempt :–(gloss) ia₈- qí-ìl- li- ni and honored :–(gloss) ia₈- ka- bi- id my less important brothers?⁷ It was Surata that let Lab'ayu go, and it was Surata that let Ba'l-mehir go, (both) to their homes. And may the king, my lord, know.--(complete Obverse & Reverse, EA 245, minor, restored lacunae, (and a small corner of clay tablet missing), total ines 1-47)

Akkadian text

The Akkadian language text: ^[2]

Akkadian:

Obverse (see here: [6])

(Line 1)-- Ša- ni- tam d a bā bu--(..Furthermore,.. to expound upon (to talk))

(2)--UGU ŜEŠ-HI. A- ia--(upon Brothers-Mine,.. )

(3)--šum m a e pē š u--(..If .. to make happen)

(4)-- ^D MEŠ- nu ša LUGAL- ri(=ŠÀRru) ^ENBēlu- nu--( "the God"-ours,.. 'which of' King-Lord-Ours.. )

(5)-- ù k a š ā d u--(..and Defeat–!.. )

(6)--1. ^diš- La- aB- A- iYa ù til- la- nu- um- ma :-(gloss) ha- ia- ma--(1. ^diš- Labaya,.. and "bodily" : (– gl– ) "alive",.. )

(7)--nu- a b ā l u a na LUGAL- ri(=ŠÀRru) ^ENBēlu- nu--(..Bring 'unto'(to) King-Lord-Ours–!... )

segue:

(8)-- Ù tu-sà-ah- mi(=tazzimtu) : (– gl– ) tu- ra(tarû)--(..But "bad luck" :-(gloss) "returned"?('my horse was "shot"')..)

(9)--ANŠE. KUR. ra :-(gloss) MUNUS- ia ù uz uz z u--(Horse- :-(gloss) mine,..and "to be present",.. )

(10)--EGIR. ERIM- šu : (– gl– ) ha rā nn ú--(..BEHIND.ARMY-his :-(gloss) "expeditioning"(=road, journey) )

(11)-- ù er ē b u--(..and "to encamp"(to set),.. )

(12)-- it ti 1. ^diš-Ya((=pi))- aŠ- Da- Ta--(with Yashdata–!... )

segue:

(13)-- Ù a di ka šā d u--(..But before "conquering"(reaching/vanquishing),.. )

(14)-- ù dâ k u :-(gloss) ma hāṣ(ú) u--(and "killed" : (– gl– ) 'fighting'–!.. )

(15)-- ù e l û-mì(+šamû(heaven)?) 1. ^diš-Ya(=pi)- aŠ- Da- Ta--(and "ascended-up" 1. ^diš- Yashdata,.. )

(16)-- Ardu- ka ù š- û t--(Servant-yours,.. and "who of",.. )

(17)-- e r ēb u it t i--(-(always)-"to enter" with,.. )

(18)-- i na ^MÈ ERIM(=tāhāzu) tā hā zu--(..into ^BATTLE-War-Battle–!.. )

(19)-- ù l ū n â[- d u a na šâ šu ]--(and "may it be" 'to (have)-praise' for him,.. )

(20)-- til- la- aṭ( tillu) LUGAL- ri(=ŠÀRru) ^ENBēlu- ia--(.."warriors"(workers)-(of),. King-Lord-Mine,.. )

(21)--[ ù ] e p ē[- š u ]--(..and "to treat"... [ .. ])-( lacuna)

(22)-- gab bu i na [ ... ]--(..everyone in [ ..?.. ] )-( lacuna)

(23)-- LUGAL- ri(=ŠÀRru) ^ENBēlu- ia--(.., King-Lord-Mine–! .. )

segue:

Reverse (see here: [7])

(24)-- Ù 1. ^diš- Sú- Ra- Ta--(But,.. 1.- Surata.. )

(25)--yi(=pi)-il₅- q û(leqû) 1. ^diš- La- aB- A- iYa--(..took Labaya.. )

(26)-- iš tu ^URU Ma-GID₆- Da ^ki--(from Magidda,.. )

(27)-- ú yi(=pi)- qa bû a na i ā-[ ši ]( i ā ši)(--(and "said" to me:— )

(28)-- e nū ma ša ^GIŠ MÁ : (– gl– ) a- na- yi--(.."Now 'that by' BOAT :-(gloss) 'ship'... )

(29)-- u š š u r u- šu--(..Send (issue)!..(i.e. Labaya)..)

(30)-- a na LUGAL- ri(=ŠÀRru),.. ù (pi) l e q û--(to (the) King,.." ..But 'taken'..)

(31)--1. ^diš- Sú- Ra- Ta ù (pi) t a r û--(..(by) 1.- Surata,.. and "returned"-him..)

Cuneiform score, Akkadian, English

Cuneiform score (per CDLI, Chicago Digital Library Initiative), ^[3] and Akkadian, and English.

  
Obverse
Paragraph I , (lines 1-7)

1.(P. I of IV) Ša- ni- tam du- ub- bu- ba- ku- mì
___ Ša ni tam, — d a b āb u
___Furthermore, — I urged
2. _UGU- ŠEŠ ^{hi- a}_- ia
___ _UGU- ŠEŠ ^{hi- a}_- ia–!
___(with) Compatriots ^{p l.}-mine (my Brothers)–!

Sub-Paragraph
3. Šum- ma- mi yi- pu- šu- mi
___ Šum ma e pē š u ^[4]
___^QuoteIf (they)bring
4. _ ^dingir- meš_- nu ša ( Šàrru)_ Šàr_- ri _ EN_- nu
___ ilu ^pl.- nu, — ša ( Šàrru)_ Šàr_- ri _ EN_- nu, —
___ gods ^pl.- our, — which(are-of) King- Lord- ours, —
5. ù ni- ik- šu- du- um- mi
___ u ka šā du–!
___ and defeat–!
6.^{1= diš} La- ab- a- ia ù _ til- la_ nu- um- ma
Note: on Reverse", line 42.:– ma : (– gl– ) ha- ia- ma
___^{1= diš} La b a ya, — _ til lu_- nu- um- ma
___^{1= diš} Labaya, — (equipment)-nu-um-ma : (– gl– ) ha- ia- ma (by boat)(land carriage?)
7. nu- ub- ba- lu- uš- šu a- na ( Šàrru)_ Šàr_- ri _ EN_- nu
___ a b ā l u a na ( Šàrru) Šàr- ri EN- nu –!
___bring (him alive) to King Lord- ours –!
^EndQuote

---

Paragraph II, (lines 8-23)

8.(P. II of IV) Ù tu- sà- ah- mì : (– gl– ) tu- ra
___ U tu- sà- ah- mì(tazzimtu) : (– gl– ) tu- ra
___ But "bad luck"(lamentation) : (– gl– )(the horse was disabled, "shot")
9.x?- pa? _ANŠE- KUR- RA:MUNUS_- ia ù iz- zi- iz- mì
___x?- pa? _ANŠE- KUR- RA:MUNUS_- ia,– u u zzu z u
___/+-x?- pa?-+/ horse- mine,– and (rode-behind)("stood-behind")
10. _EGIR_- šu : (– gl– ) uh- ru- un- ú
___ _EGIR_- šu : (– gl– ) ha rrā n u —!
___behind (troops)- His : (– gl– ) expedition-ing —!
11. Ù ir(wrong, =sa) sa- ka- ap- mi
___ u sa kā pu ^[5]- mi
___ and en-camped- Myself
12. it- ta ^{1= diš}- Ya- aš- da- ta
___ it ti ^{1= diš}- Ya- aš- da- ta
___with ¹ Yashdata.

segue
13. Ù a- di ka- ša- di- ia
___ U a di ka šā d u
___But before "conquering"-(in-battle) (("arriving"-(into battle)-))
14. ù da- ku- šu : (– gl– ) ma- ah- ṣú- ú
___ u dâ ku- šu, – : (– gl– ) ma hā ṣ u, —!
___ and "death-us", – : (– gl– ) "struck-down", —!
15. ù al lu- ú- mì ^{1=( diš)} Ya- aš- da- ta
___ u elû lū ^{1=( diš)} Ya- aš- da- ta
___ and ascended, "let-it-be", ¹ Yashdata, –
16. _ÁRAD_- ka ù šu- ú- te(ut!-no)
___ _ÁRAD_- ka, – u šu- ú- te
___Servant- yours, – but ?straight-away?
17. yi- ru- ub- mi it- ti^# [ x ]^##
___ e rē bu- mi, – itti-[ x ]^##
___entered- Myself, – with [ them ? ]^##
18. i- na MÈ (me3=tāhāzu) ta- ha^#- zi^##
___ i na (MÈ = tāhāzu) - tā hā^# zu^##
___into BATTLE, battle
19. ù lu- ú yi- na- -[ - di- nu a- na ša- šu ]
___ u l ū nâ[ d u a na šâ šu ]
___ and "may-it-be" pr[aise for Him ]
20. _ til- la- aṭ _ ŠÀRRU_- ri^# [ _ EN_ ]- ia
21.[ ù ] li- pa- aš^#-[ ši- ih ]

Bottom

22. gáb- bá i- na [ .... ]
23. _ Šàr_- ri _ EN_- ia
24. ù ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta^#

---

Paragraph III-(lines 24-35)
24.( ù ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta^# )
___ u ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta^#
___ and ¹ Surata
Reverse

Paragraph III-(lines 24-35)

25.(P. III of IV) yi-il₅- qé- mì 1- diš- La-[ ab- a- ia ]
___ la q û 1- diš- La-[ ab- a- ia ]
___took... ¹ Labaya
26. iš- tu _IRI_ Ma-gid₆- da^ki
___ iš tu _ URU_ Me-gid₆- da^ki
___from _ city_ Megiddo
27. ù yi- iq- bi a- na ia- a- [ ši ]
___ u qa bû a na i ā ši —
___ and said to me —
28.^Quote I na- mí ((No)) šà- geš-_ MÁ_ giš- ru((yes)) : (– gl– ) a- na- yi
___^Quote i- na- mí _ MÁ_ giš- ru : (– gl– ) a- na- yi
___^QuoteBy boat ....(?by land carriage)
29. ú- ta- aš- ša- ru- uš- šu
___ u š š u r u
___(I will) send
30. a- na (_ lugal_)_ Šarru_- ri ù yi- ìl- qé- šu
___ a na (_ lugal_)_ Šarru_- ri,— ù
___to King,—
30.5-------------- ù yi- ìl- qé- šu
___----------------- u l e q û
___----------------- and take
31.^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta ù yu- ta- šar- šu
___^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___ ¹ Surata
31.5------------- ù yu- ta- šar- šu
___---------------- u u š šur u
___---------------- and send ( Him)
32. iš- tu _ IRI_ He- na- tu- na ^ki
___ iš tu _ URU_ He- na- tu- na ^ki
___from _ city_ Hannathon
33. a- na _ É_- šu ù ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___ a na _ É_- šu,^EndQuote — ù ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___To _ house_ his^EndQuote — and ¹ Surata

---

segue
33.5------------- ù ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___--------------- u ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___--------------- and ¹ Surata
34. la- qí- mi _ kù- BABBAR ^{hi- a}_ ip- țì- ir- ri- šu
___ le q û _ kù- BABBAR ^{hi- a}_
___took silver, – returning
34.6------------- ip- țì- ir- ri- šu
___---------------- t â r u
___----------------returning
35. i- na _ ŠU_- ti- šu : (– gl– ) ba- di- ú
___ i na _ ŠU_- ti- šu : (– gl– ) ba- di- ù
___in "Hand"-his — : (– gl– ) ba- di- ù–! (the ransom—!) (the Silver—!)

Paragraph IV-(lines 36-47)

---

36. (P. IV) Ša- ni- tam, – mi- na- am- mi ep- ša- ku- mì
___ Ša ni tam, — mīnu epē š u
___Furthermore, — what (have I) done
36.3---------- mi- na- am- mi ep- ša- ku- mì
___------------- — Mi- na- am- mi ep- ša- ku- mì
___------------- — ^QuoteWhat (have I) done
37. a- na ( Šàrru)_ Šàr- ri_ _ EN_- ia
___ a na ( Šàrru)_ Šàr- ri_ _ EN_- ia—?
___to ( Šàrru) _ King(- ri)_ _ Lord_- mine—?
38. i- na- mí _sig_-ia : (– gl– ) ya- qí- ìl- li- ni
___ i nu ma-(enūma), — _sig_-ia : (– gl– ) ya- qí- ìl- li- ni —!
___Now, — (I am) contempted —!
39. — Ù _DUGUD_ : (– gl– ) yu- ka- bi- id
___ — U : (– gl– ) yu- ka- bi- id (kabta ^[6])
___ — But are honored
40. _ ŠEŠ_ ^{HI- A}- ia șé- eh- ru-ta₅
___ _ ŠEŠ_ ^{HI- A}- ia,— șe hē ru, —!
___(compatriots)(Brothers) ^{p l.}-mine,— less important, —!^EndQuote

segue
41. Ù ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___ U ^{1= diš} Sú- ra- ta
___ But ¹ Surata
42. yu- ta- šir9
Note: the rest, (majority), of line 42, is the up-side-down cuneiform from Obverse, Line 6
nu- um- ma : (– gl– ) ha- ia- ma

42. yu- ta- šir9
___ aṣû
___brought
43.^{1= diš} La- ab- a- ia ù
___^{1= diš} La- ab- a- ia ù
___ ¹ Labaya
43.7-------------- ù
___---------------- u
___---------------- and
44. yu- ta-šir₉- mì ^{1= diš, d}iškur- me- her
___aṣ û ^{1= diš, d}iškur- me- her
___brought ¹ Ba'al-Mehir
45. a- na _ É_- šu- ni
___ a na _ bītu_- šu, –!
___to _ house_- his, –!

Sub Paragraph
46. Ù lu- ú yi- de- mi
___ U, — l ū i d û, ^[7] –
___ And, — "may-it-be" proclaimed (& recognized), –
("may you know ")
47.( Šàrru) Šàr- ru EN- ia–!
___( Šàrru) Šàr- ru EN- ia–!
___ King Lord- mine–!
(End)
  

See also

• Biridiya
• Labaya
• Tel Megiddo
• Glossenkeil (Amarna letters)
• Amarna letters–phrases and quotations

References

• Moran, William L. The Amarna Letters. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, 1992. (softcover, ISBN  0-8018-6715-0)
• Parpola, 1971. The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Parpola, Simo, Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project, c 1997, Tablet I thru Tablet XII, Index of Names, Sign List, and Glossary-(pp. 119–145), 165 pages.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amarna letter EA 245.

• Photo, EA 245: Obverse
• Photo, EA 245: Reverse
• Line Drawing, EA 245: Obverse & Reverse, CDLI no. P270957 (Chicago Digital Library Initiative)
• CDLI listing for all EA Amarna letters, 1-382