The Corpus of Hittite Divinatory Texts (HDivT)

Digital Edition and Cultural Historical Analysis

Andrea Trameri (Hrsg.)

Citatio: Andrea Trameri (Hrsg.), hethiter.net/: CTH 581.32 (transcr. 2024-06-21; TRde 2024-08-12)


CTH 581.32

Letter from Šarla-Kurunta to the King, with bird oracular report in preparation for an assault against Taggašta

transcriptio



Abschnitt 1ID=1: Address formula

1ID=1 --

A‑NA DUTU‑ŠI‚meine Sonne‘:D/L.SG BE‑LÍ‑IAHerr:D/L.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN QÍ‑B[Í‑MA]sagen:2SG.IMP_CNJ

Say to His Majesty, my Lord:

2ID=2 --

UM‑MAfolgendermaßen:ADV mšarla‑DKALŠarlakurunta:PNm.NOM.SG(UNM) ARAD‑KA‑M[A]Diener:NOM.SG(UNM)_PPRO.2SG.GEN_QUOT

thus (says) Šarla-Kurunt(iy)a, your servant.

Abschnitt 2ID=2: Account concerning previous and current augural work

3ID=3 --

URUšipišašinŠipišaši:{a → GN.ACC.SG.C.} URUpišatenitišš[an]Pišatenišša:GN.ACC.SG.C KURLand:ACC.SG(UNM) URUmalazziyaMal/naziya:GN.D/L.SG(UNM) kuitweil:CNJ ušgawensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

Concerning the observations (of birds) we were doing (in)1 Šipišaši (and) in Pišatenitiš[ša?] in the land of Malazziya2

4ID=4 --

nu=[nnaš(?)]CONNn:=PPRO.1PL.ACC MUŠEN?Vogel:NOM.SG(UNM) arḫaweg-:PREV Ú‑ULnicht:NEG kuiškiirgendein:INDFany.NOM.SG.C ḫūllaibekämpfen:3SG.PRS

no ⸢bird?⸣ fail(ed)3 us [there].

5ID=5 --

MUŠENḪI.A=ma=nnašVogel:NOM.PL(UNM)=CNJctr=PPRO.1PL.ACC;
Vogel:NOM.PL(UNM)=CNJctr=PPRO.1PL.DAT
EGIR‑pawieder:PREV tittanuškanzihinstellen:3PL.PRS.IMPF

But (afterwards)4 the birds kept refusing (to give) us (an answer).5

6ID=6 --

nu=[z](a)CONNn=REFL DUTU‑ŠI‚meine Sonne‘:VOC.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN;
‚meine Sonne‘:NOM.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN
kuitweil:CNJ BE‑LÍ‑IAHerr:NOM.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN;
Herr:VOC.SG(UNM)_ PPRO.1SG.GEN
URUkāšašaKašaša:GN.D/L.SG(UNM) ēštasein:2SG.PST;
sein:3SG.PST

Your Majesty, my Lord, since you were6 in Kaša〈ša〉

7ID=7 --

wēš=našwir:PPROa.1PL.NOM=PPRO.1PL.ACC;
wir:PPROa.1PL.NOM=PPRO.1PL.DAT
URUpanadaPanada:GN.D/L.SG(UNM) ešuwensein:1PL.PST;
sitzen:1PL.PST

we stayed in Panada.

8ID=8 --

maḫḫan=mawie:CNJ=CNJctr DUTU‑ŠI‚meine Sonne‘:NOM.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN BE‑LÍ‑IAHerr:NOM.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN ḫuīttiyatziehen:3SG.PST.MP

But when His Majesty, my Lord, pulled back,

9ID=9 --

nu=nnašCONNn:=PPRO.1PL.ACC;
CONNn:=PPRO.1PL.DAT
MUŠENVogel:NOM.SG(UNM) kuitweil:CNJ EGIR‑pawieder:PREV tittanuthinstellen:3SG.PST

since the bird(s) refused us (an answer),

10ID=10 --

nuCONNn EGIR‑pawieder:ADV URUkāšašaKašaša:GN.D/L.SG(UNM);
Kašaša:GN.ALL(UNM)
ūnnumenherschicken; herfahren:1PL.PST

then we travelled back to Kašaša

11ID=11 --

nu=nnašCONNn:=PPRO.1PL.DAT;
CONNn:=PPRO.1PL.ACC
URUkāšaša=yaKašaša:GN.D/L.SG(UNM)=CNJadd MUŠENḪI.AVogel:NOM.PL(UNM) EGIR‑pawieder:PREV titnuškewanhinstellen:IMPF.SUP daērsetzen:3PL.PST

and in Kašaša likewise the birds begun refusing us (an answer).

12ID=12 --

[n]uCONNn EGIR‑pawieder:ADV URUtapiggaTapik(k)a:GN.ALL(UNM);
Tapik(k)a:GN.D/L.SG(UNM)
ūnnumenherschicken; herfahren:1PL.PST

We travelled back to Tapikka

13ID=13 --

n=aštaCONNn=OBPst kāšaREF1:INDCL [U]RUtapiggazTapik(k)a:GN.ABL arḫaweg-:PREV uškenumensehen:1PL.PST

and here,7 from Tapikka, we could complete the observations.

14ID=14 --

nuCONNn DUTU‑ŠI‚meine Sonne‘:VOC.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN BE‑LÍ‑IAHerr:VOC.SG(UNM)_ PPRO.1SG.GEN QA‑TAM‑MAebenso:ADV šākwissen:2SG.IMP

Your Majesty, my Lord, be informed as well!

Abschnitt 3ID=3: Oracle about military operations in Taggasta: question

15ID=15 --

[n]u=nnašCONNn:=PPRO.1PL.DAT ŠA URUtaggaštaTak(k)ašta:GEN.SG immagerade:ADV uttarWort; Sache:ACC.SG.N awanentlang:ADV kattaunter-:PREV [au]men(?)sehen:1PL.PST

We thoroughly [inspect]ed the matter of (a plan to attack) Taggašta:

16ID=16 --

nu=nnaš=atCONNn:=PPRO.1PL.DAT=PPRO.3SG.N.NOM ḫandaīttat(?)ordnen:3SG.PST.MP

we received confirmation (through oracle).8

17ID=17 --

[ ]…‑ma=kan andadarin:ADV kiššanin dieser Weise:DEMadv memiyawensprechen:1PL.PST

[]9 we said as follows:

18ID=18 --

[ ]‑zi DUTU‑ŠI‚meine Sonne‘:NOM.SG(UNM)_PPRO.1SG.GEN URUtaggaštanTak(k)ašta:GN.ACC.SG.C walaḫzischlagen:3SG.PRS

His Majesty will crush Taggašta

19ID=19 --

ḫalkiu[š]š=a=kanGetreide:ACC.PL.C=CNJadd=OBPk [arḫ]a(?)weg-:PREV warašzi(ab)ernten:3SG.PRS

and make harvest of its crops as well.

Abschnitt 4ID=4: Bird oracle report (first day)

20ID=20 --

[nu=z](a)CONNn=REFL dieser:DEM1.NOM.SG.N MUŠENḪI.AVogel:NOM.PL(UNM)

These (are the) birds:

21ID=21 --

ḫūranniš(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR)

a ḫuranni- bird taru(yali-)

22ID=22 --

tapaššišein Orakelvogel:LUW||HITT.NOM.SG.C G[UN?(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR.) z]ilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑ingut:ADV

A tapašši- bird (came) G[UN], lengthways, favorably.10

23ID=23 --

n=aštaCONNn=OBPst TI₈MUŠENAdler:NOM.SG(UNM) tapašši[šein Orakelvogel:LUW||HITT.NOM.SG.C z]ammanaššišzum Schaden(?) gehörig:LUW||HITT.ADJG.NOM.SG.C 3drei:QUANcar peranvor:ADV SIG₅‑ingut:ADV

An eagle, a tapašši- bird, a [za]mmanašši- bird – (all) three – (came) in front favorably

24ID=24 --

zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):ABL.

(and came) lengthways from the favorable side.

25ID=25 --

šūraššūrašKrähe(?):NOM.SG.C taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) ḫalugazBotschaft:ABL ḫalzaīšrufen:3SG.PST

A šuraššura- bird taru(yali-) called out with11 a(n oracular) sign.

26ID=26 --

EGIRhinter:POSP KASKAL‑NIWeg:D/L.SG(UNM)

Behind the road:

27ID=27 --

weššišein Orakelvogel:NOM.SG.C taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV uetkommen:3SG.PST

a wešši- bird came diagonally taru(yali-)

28ID=28 --

2zwei:QUANcar TI₈MUŠENAdler:NOM.PL(UNM) taruēš(Orakelterminus):NOM.PL.C. zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV kušvom/im ungünstigen (Bereich):LUW.A/I(ABBR) paērgehen:3PL.PST

Two eagles taru(yali-) flew lengthways from the unfavorable side

29ID=29 --

[na]mma=atdann:CNJ=PPRO.3PL.C.NOM pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) uērkommen:3PL.PST

[th]en they came diagonally taru(yali)an

Abschnitt 5ID=5: Bird oracle report (second day)

30ID=30 --

I‑NA UDTag:D/L.SG 2KAM=mazwei:QUANcar=CNJctr

On the second day:

31ID=31 --

šūraššūrašKrähe(?):NOM.SG.C taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) ašanzasitzen:PTCP.NOM.SG.C

a šuraššura- bird (was) perching taru(yali-)

32ID=32 --

ḫalukitBotschaft:INS ḫalziyanzarufen:PTCP.NOM.SG.C

and calling out with a(n oracular) sign.

33ID=33 --

nuCONNn ḫūranniš(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR)

A ḫuranni- bird (was) taru(yali-)

34ID=34 --

tapaššišein Orakelvogel:LUW||HITT.NOM.SG.C GUN(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR.) [z]ilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):ABL.

A tapašši- bird (came) GUN lengthways from the favorable side.

35ID=35 --

n=aštaCONNn=OBPst 2zwei:QUANcar TI₈MUŠENAdler:NOM.PL(UNM) peranvor:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):ABL.

Two eagles came (respectively) in front from the favorable side

36ID=36 --

[z]ilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

and lengthways from the favorable side.

37ID=37 --

TI₈MUŠENAdler:NOM.SG(UNM) taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV paitgehen:3SG.PST

(One of the) eagles flew diagonally taru(yali-)

38ID=38 --

[EG]IRhinter:POSP KASKALWeg:D/L.SG(UNM)

[Beh]ind the road:

39ID=39 --

TI₈MUŠENAdler:NOM.SG(UNM) taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV uetkommen:3SG.PST

an eagle came taru(yali-) diagonally.

Abschnitt 6ID=6: Bird oracle report. Additional observation (“Furthermore …”)

40ID=40 --

[na]mmadann:CNJ ḫūranniš(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C taru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR)

[Fur]thermore: a ḫuranni- bird (was) taru(yali-).

41ID=41 --

tapaššišein Orakelvogel:LUW||HITT.NOM.SG.C GUN(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR.) [zil]awanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

A tapašši- bird (came) GUN, [leng]thways, from the favorable side.

42ID=42 --

nuCONNn āršintaraš(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C [z]ilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV kušvom/im ungünstigen (Bereich):LUW.A/I(ABBR) uetkommen:3SG.PST

An aršintara- bird came lengthways from the unfavorable side.

43ID=43 --

kuitman=ma=anwährend:CNJ=CNJctr=PPRO.3SG.C.ACC ušgawensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

While we were observing it

44ID=44 --

[]ušān=ma(Orakelvogel):ACC.SG.C=CNJctr taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) aumensehen:1PL.PST

we saw a []uša- bird taru(yali)an.

45ID=45 --

n=ašCONNn=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV paitgehen:3SG.PST

and it flew diagonally.

46ID=46 --

namma=ašdann:CNJ=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV [k]vom/im ungünstigen (Bereich):LUW.A/I(ABBR) uetkommen:3SG.PST

Then, it came lengthways from the unfavorable side.

47ID=47 --

namma=ašdann:CNJ=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) paitgehen:3SG.PST

Then, it flew diagonally taru(yali)an.

48ID=48 --

āršintaran=ma(Orakelvogel):ACC.SG.C=CNJctr kuinwelcher:REL.ACC.SG.C ušgawensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

The aršintara- bird which we were watching, however,

49ID=49 --

[n]=ašCONNn=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) paitgehen:3SG.PST

it went diagonally taru(yali)an,

50ID=50 --

n=aštaCONNn=OBPst []ušāš(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C āršintarašš=a(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C=CNJadd peranvor:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

and the []uša- bird and the aršintara- bird (came respectively) in front from the favorable side

51ID=51 --

zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

(and) lengthways from the favorable side.12

52ID=52 --

nuCONNn šaluinin(Orakelvogel):ACC.SG.C TI₈MUŠEN=yaAdler:NOM.SG(UNM)=CNJadd taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) aumensehen:1PL.PST

We (also) saw a šalwini- bird and an eagle (both) taru(yali)an.

53ID=53 --

nuCONNn šaluiniš(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV paitgehen:3SG.PST

The šalwini- bird flew diagonally

54ID=54 --

TI₈MUŠEN!=maAdler:NOM.SG(UNM)=CNJctr kuinwelcher:REL.ACC.SG.C [ ]‑en (erasure)

while the eagle which [we saw]13

55ID=55 --

[nu=z(a)CONNn=REFL kat]tanunter-:PREV waraēšVogel(paar):NOM.SG.C;
Vogel(paar):NOM.PL.C
taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) wemiyatfinden:3SG.PST

it met a pair (i.e. of eagles) ‘below’, taru(yali)an

56ID=56 --

[ ]‑ta 3drei:QUANcar TI₈MUŠENAdler:NOM.PL(UNM) peranvor:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

[and …] the three eagles (came) in front from the favorable side.

57ID=57 --

nuCONNn 1‑išeinmal:QUANmul GUN(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR.) [mun]nāīt[t]at(?)unsichtbar sein; verbergen unsichtbar werden werden:3SG.PST.MP

One disappeared GUN

58ID=58 --

waraēš=ma=z(a)Vogel(paar):NOM.PL.C=CNJctr=REFL dāērnehmen:3PL.PST

while the pair turned (back).14

59ID=59 --

[ …‑t]āra(?) nu=z[(a)]CONNn=REFL ē[pper]fassen:3PL.PST

An [aršint]ara- bird: [they ca]ught (it)15

60ID=60 --

n=at=kanCONNn=PPRO.3PL.C.NOM=OBPk peranvor:ADV [k]uštivom/im ungüstigen (Bereich):ABL.SG(ABBR) uērkommen:3PL.PST

and they16 came in front from [the unf]avorable side.

61ID=61 --

[n]u=z(a)CONNn=REFL 1‑išeinmal:QUANmul EGIR‑pawieder:ADV dāšnehmen:3SG.PST

One turned back,

62ID=62 --

n=aš=kanCONNn=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM=OBPk peranvor:ADV [SI]G₅[a]zgute Seite (abl.):adv

it (came) in front from the [fav]orable side

63ID=63 --

zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

(and came) lengthways from the favorable side.

64ID=64 --

kuitman=mawährend:CNJ=CNJctr 1‑inein:QUANcar.ACC.SG.C [ušg]awensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

While we were [watc]hing this one/the former

65ID=65 --

n=aštaCONNn=OBPst ḫūšāš=ma=kan(Orakelvogel):NOM.SG.C=CNJctr=OBPk peranvor:ADV [SI]G₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

a ḫuša- bird,17 however, came in front from the favorable side

66ID=66 --

zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

(and flew) lengthways from the favorable side.

67ID=67 --

mān=mawie:CNJ=CNJctr āršintaran=ka[n](Orakelvogel):ACC.SG.C=OBPk taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) aumensehen:1PL.PST

When we saw an aršintara- bird taru(yali)an18

68ID=68 --

[kui]tman=ma=ašwährend:CNJ=CNJctr=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM ušgawensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

[wh]ile we observed it!,19

69ID=69 --

TI₈MUŠEN=maAdler:NOM.SG(UNM)=CNJctr kuinwelcher:REL.ACC.SG.C ušgawensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

the eagle which we were watching (i.e. previously)

70ID=70 --

[n=a]šCONNn=PPRO.3SG.C.NOM taruan(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) munnāītt[a]tunsichtbar sein; verbergen unsichtbar werden werden:3SG.PST.MP

had disappeared taru(yali)an

71ID=71 --

nammadann:CNJ apedanier:DEM2/3.D/L.SG pediPlatz:D/L.SG [š]arā=pathinauf-:PREV=FOC ēptafassen:3SG.PST

Afterwards, it took up20 exactly in that location.

72ID=72 --

nu=muCONNn:=PPRO.1SG.DAT;
CONNn:=PPRO.1SG.ACC
mānwie:CNJ āršintaran(Orakelvogel):ACC.SG.C [ ] ušgawensehen:1PL.PST.IMPF

And when we! observed the aršintara- bird []

73ID=73 --

n=atCONNn=PPRO.3PL.C.NOM 3drei:QUANcar TI₈MUŠEN=yaAdler:NOM.PL(UNM)=CNJadd andahinein-:PREV ererankommen:3PL.PST

three eagles arrived (together),

74ID=74 --

[n]=at=kan(?)CONNn=PPRO.3PL.C.NOM=OBPk peranvor:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

they (came) in front from the favorable side

75ID=75 --

zilawanvon dieser Seite:ADV SIG₅‑azgute Seite (abl.):adv

(and came) lengthways from the favorable side.

76ID=76 --

nuCONNn tap[ašš]ein Orakelvogel:LUW||HITT.NOM.SG.C [] pariawanvon jener Seite:ADV paitgehen:3SG.PST

A ta[pašši]- bird flew diagonally [].

77ID=77 --

[EG]IRhinter:POSP KASKALWeg:D/L.SG(UNM)

[Beh]ind the road:

78ID=78 --

tapa[šš]ein Orakelvogel:LUW||HITT.NOM.SG.C [t]aru(Orakelterminus):ADV(ABBR) pariyawanvon jener Seite:ADV uetkommen:3SG.PST

a tapa[šš]i- bird came diagonally taru(yali-).

ca. 20 blank lines

end of tablet

Lit. “we observed Šiptaši, Pišatenišša …”, with the town names as direct object, thus the implied meaning of aušk(e)- is ‘to make (oracular) observations in’.
See also previous note. This interpretation is suggested by the addition of KUR to the last toponym, thus we assume a D/L (unmarked) form.
Lit. “defeat”.
For this interpretation of the logic of the passage see also Marizza M. 2009a, 109. The change of tense, from preterite (ušgawen) to present (tittanuškanzi), implies a temporal sequence, although this is likely a historic present, referring to events prior to the writing of the letter. Note that ḫūllai (obv. 5) is also present tense, but the connection with the previous sentence through nu allows to read it on the same temporal level ad sensum, whereas =ma (obv. 6) suggests a change of topic/focus into a second stage of events.
Lit. “push away, reject, repel”. The exact meaning of appa tittanuške- is unclear in context. For this interpretation see Hout Th.P.J. van den 2001c, 429 (“die Vögel setzen uns zurück”); also Hoffner H.A. 2009a, 180: “the birds were refusing to give us an answer”, Marizza M. 2009a, 109 “… continuano a non darci (un responso)”.
For an interpretation of ēšta and ḫuīttiat (obv. 9) as 2SG see Hoffner H.A. 2009a, 180 (and infra obv. 14). However, it cannot be ruled out that the two forms are 3SG. In particular, the second verb is a MP voice, thus this is necessarily 3SG.
For the usage of kāša in letters see Steitler Ch. 2020b, 368.
Lit. “it was confirmed to us”.
Hoffner H.A. 2009a, 180 suggests: “Regarding the campaign …”.
Cf. the standard form SIG₅-az (ABL) “from the favorable (side)” in obv. 22 and passim.
Cf. the instrumental in obv. 27; the meaning must be the same.
However, the movement might refer to both birds in sequence: “they (both) came from … and (then flew) from…”
See lo. e. 38.
Usually …=za 〈appa〉 daēr (cf. e.g. rev. 48).
Uncertain syntax: if this is the correct reading, then [aršint]ara would be somehow fronted even before the enclitic chain. There are in fact two cases of double enclitic chain in a sentence shortly after (rev. 50, rev. 51).
For =at as 3PL subject (also infra rev. 55), see Hoffner H.A. 2010c, 129.
Double enclitic chain!
Double enclitic chain (see previous line as well).
Mistake NOM for =an ACC?
Phraseological; the meaning seems to be that the eagle reappears in the spot where it previously escaped from sight.
Editio ultima: Textus 2024-06-21; Traductionis 2024-08-12