Amarna letter EA 38, titled A Brotherly Quarrel,[1] is a letter from the King of
Alashiya (modern
Cyprus). One identifier of many of the
Amarna letters, is the use of
paragraphing. Six paragraphs are in this letter, with much of the letter's reverse – uninscribed.
EA 38, letter number five of seven, from
Alashiya. (Not a linear, line-by-line translation.)[1]
Obverse
(Lines 1-6)–Say to the king of
Egypt-(
Mizri), my brother: Message of the king of
Alashiya, your brother. For me all goes well, and for you may all go well. For your household, your chief wives,1your sons, your horses, your chariots, among your numerous troops, in your country, among your magnates, may all go very well.
(7-12)–Why, my brother, do you say such a thing to me,"Does my brother not know this?"As far as I am concerned, I have done nothing of the sort. Indeed,2men of
Lukki, year by year, seize villages in my own country.
(13-18)–My brother, you say to me,"Men from your country were with them."My brother, I myself do not know that they were with them. If men from my country were (with them), send (them back) and I will act as I see fit.
(19-22)–You yourself do not know men from my country.Theywould not do such a thing.3But if men from my country did do this, then you yourself do as you see fit.
(23-26)–Now, my brother, since you have not sent back my messenger, for this
tablet it is the king's brother (as messenger). L[et] him write. Your messengers must tell me what I am to do.4
bottom
(26)–"to do"4
Reverse
(lines: 27-30)–Furthermore, which ancestors of yours did such a thin{g} to my ancestors: So no, my brother, do not be concerned. –(complete EA 38, with virtually no
lacunae, lines 1-30)