This peculiar letter is a long reprimand of the king against some augurs, due to their negligence in a previous observation by a river. The king, visibly annoyed with the addressees, insists on the importance of the observation of these river birds (rev. 35´) and orders new observations to be made at the Maraššanda river.

The text shows that the king himself was well versed with bird oracles and their technical language (obv. 16´-18´). While “forgiving” the augurs for their previous negligence, he also warns that further mistakes will not be tolerated (lo.e. 19´-rev. 25´; rev. 26´-29´).

Some of the content is particularly difficult, due to the unclear background of the epistulary exchange and the uncertain meaning of a few terms and idiomatic expressions. Among the difficult passages is the explanation provided by the augurs in a previous letter, quoted by the king, describing the reasons that prevented them from observing the flight of an eagle, the very reason for the king’s anger (obv. 2´-10´).

The last preserved lines of the letter are addressed directly to “the scribe” (rev. 36´-38´), with a new letter heading. The message for the scribe is unclear but seems to have to do with the same issue discussed in the reprimand for the augurs, given the repetition of the same exhortations (rev. 37´ uwat duwaddu).

• A. Archi, SMEA 16, 1975: 136-139
• A. Hagenbuchner, THeth 16, 1989: 37-40 (Nr. 22)
• A. Ünal, RHA 31, 1973: 48-52
• E. Neu, Kadmos 21, 1982: 170-172
• G. Hart, Kadmos 20, 1981: 129-131
• I. Czyzewska: 6. IKH; 2007; 147-157
• M. Marizza, Lettere, 2009: 111f.
• Y. Sakuma, Diss., 2009: II 631-635

Handcopy: J. Sturm – H. Otten (KUB 31, Sturm J. – Otten H. 1939a).

Edition: Ünal A. 1973a, 49-52; Archi A. 1975e, 138-139; Hagenbuchner A. 1989a, 37-40; Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 631-635.

Translation: Marizza M. 2009a, 111-112 (Italian).

Quadrangular tablet, almost of square shape, one-columend and with well-spaced out cuneiform script. Almost completely preserved, but missing the upper edge, where the first and the last lines of the letter were written.

MS (mh.); diagnostic signs: AḪ, DA, E, IT, (KAT), LI, (TA), (TAR).

Note the ligatures RA+AŠ (rev. 31´) and KAT+TA (rev. 32´).

The king compares the augurs, for their malpractice, with kuršalla- (people), whose kuršal- behavior is something that might even lead to capital punishment. The meaning of these lexemes is entirely obscure, and it is particularly puzzling that kuršalla- people are found in other texts as temple functionaries. Unless one assumes two different roots, this may be considered a restricted, pejorative meaning of the same term.