Egyptian Literature Part 29

49 B. M.-After the same salutation from _Yapa'a_, chief of _Gezer_, master of the horse, the letter continues: "I hear the message of the messenger of the King my Lord exceeding much. And let the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven, counsel his servant as to his land. Now strong is the chief of the men of blood against us; and send thou to destroy him O King my Lord for me; and will not the King restore from the hand of the chief of b.l.o.o.d.y ones? We are not quite made an end of by the chief of the b.l.o.o.d.y ones."

51 B. M.-With the usual salutation from _Yapa'a_, the letter continues: "Whatever the King my Lord says to me I listen to him exceedingly. It is gracious. But as I fear what shall befall, help thou my region from the power of the people of the desert lands. And now I hear that the _Pauri_ (chiefs; see the Jerusalem letter B. 103) of the King gather a mult.i.tude; and it suffices for me. And they have enlarged my heart very much."

From these letters we gather that there had been a withdrawal of the Egyptian troops about the time when the "desert people" attacked _Yapa'a_.

That these desert people were the Hebrews under Joshua, who was the contemporary of j.a.phia, we learn more clearly from the Jerusalem letters.

That Gezer submitted to them is also shown by the same.

LETTERS FROM JERUSALEM

105 B.-"To the King my Lord ... thus (says) _Adonizedek_(322) thy servant ... at the feet of my Lord ... seven times and seven times ... Behold _Milcilu_ is not rid from the sons of _Labaya_, and from the sons of _Arzaya_, as to their desire of the King's land for themselves. A ruling man who makes demand thereof, why has he not asked it of the King? Lo!

_Milcilu_ and _Takanu_ have desired the doing thereof. Lo! he has marched to it. Not having desired to strive ..." The lower half of the front is here lost, and the rest is on the back.

"So now, failing those who were chiefs of the garrison of the King, let me fly to the King.(323) Truly _Ben Piru_ (or _Ben Carru_) has fled his being led captive by my destroyers, he goes from the city _'Azati_ (Gaza): let him remind the King in his presence of a garrison to guard the land. All the King's land is rebellious. _Yagu Balaam_ is sent, and let the King's land know from the King's scribe ... Thus says _Adonizedek_ thy servant ... the messages."

102 B.-"To the King my Lord is mourning thus this _Adonizedek_ thy servant. At the feet of my Lord, of the King, seven times and seven times I bow. What shall I ask of the King my Lord? They have prevailed, they have (taken the fortress of Jericho(324)) they who have gathered against the King of Kings, which Adonizedek has explained to the King his Lord.

Behold, as to me, my father is not and my army is not.(325) The tribe that has ground me in this place is very rebellious to the King, the same is struggling with me for the house of my father. Why has the tribe sinned against the King my Lord? Behold O King my Lord arise! I say to the _Paka_ (resident) of the King my Lord, 'Why should you tremble before the chief of the _'Abiri_(326) (Hebrews) and the rulers fear the end? So now they must send from the presence of the King my Lord.' Behold I say that the land of the King my Lord is ruined. So now they must send to the King my Lord, and let the King my Lord know this; behold the King my Lord has placed a garrison to stop the way ... (_Bel'amu_ or _Yankhamu_?) ... of kings ... chiefs of the garrison ... the king as master to his land ... as to his land she has rebelled, the (lands) of the King my Lord-the whole of it. _Ilimelec_(327) cuts off all the King's land. And let one warn the King as to his land. I myself speak pleading with the King my Lord and (for once?) let the King my Lord behold the entreaties. And the wars are mighty against me, and (I am not receiving any pledge?) from the King my Lord. And let an order return from the King (my Lord). Whether will he not order chiefs for garrison? And let him be kind, and let the King my Lord regard the entreaties. This tribe behold O King my Lord has risen up. Lo the _Paka_ they have expelled. I say the lands of the King my Lord are ruined. Dost not thou hear this same of me? They have destroyed all the rulers. There is no ruler now O King my Lord. Let the King give his countenance to the chiefs; and whether shall the chiefs of the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) remain at rest? They have lingered O King my Lord. The lands are failing to the King my Lord. The _Hebrew_ chiefs plunder all the King's lands. Since the chiefs of the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) have gone away quitting the lands this year O King my Lord, and since there is no chief of the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) there is ruin to the lands of the King my Lord. They have ... O King my Lord, and _Adonizedek_ (is) dust ... messages (are asked?) of the King my Lord, there is destruction by the foe of the lands of the King my Lord."

This letter, like others, clearly indicates a withdrawal of the Egyptian troops shortly before the appearance of the Hebrews.

106 B.-The salutation is broken, but is the same as before-from _Adonizedek_. The text continues: "... which have done for me _Milcilu_, and _Suardata_(328) for the land of the King my Lord. They have hired soldiers of the city of _Gezer_, soldiers of the city _Givti_(329) and soldiers of the city _Kielti_.(330) They have gone out to (or seized) the city of _Rubute_.(331) The King's land rebels to the chiefs of the _Hebrews_, and now against this capital city _U-ru-sa-lim_ (Jerusalem) the city called _Beth Baalath_,(332) a neighbor of the city of the King-has rebelled, to delay the chiefs of the city of _Kielti_. Let the King hear as to _Adonizedek_; and will not he order Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_), and shall not the King's land turn to the King? And because there are no Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) the King's land has rebelled to the chiefs of the tribe of the _Hebrews_. They have demanded to dwell in the same with me. They have gone out against (or seized) _Milcilu_ ... and the city....

And let the King do justice to (or purify) his land."

104 B.-The same salutation from _Adonizedek_. He continues: "Lo! the King my Lord has established his law from the (rising?) of the Sun to the going down of the Sun. He is a flatterer who deceives as to me. Lo! am not I a ruler myself, a man allied to the King my Lord? Lo! I myself am a good chief of the King, and I have sent tribute to the King. There is no chief to join me, and my friends (or army) fail; they have been fighting for the King mightily. I remain ... in this _Beth Amilla_(333) ... from before me thirteen ... I am giving ten slaves ... _Suuta_ the King's _Paka_ (resident) takes charge from before me of twenty-one slave women. Twenty chiefs who remain trusty to my hand _Suuta_ has led away to the King my Lord,(334) which the King advises to his country. The whole of the King's country, which is seized from me, is ruined. They have fought against me as far as the lands of _Seeri_ (Seir)(335) as far as the city _Givti Kirmil_ (Gibeah of Carmel?).(336) They have banded together against all the chiefs of the governments, and they have fought with me. Behold I, the chief of the lords (or of the Amorites), am breaking to pieces,(337) and the King my Lord does not regard entreaties, while they have fought against me (unceasingly?). Behold array O mighty King a fleet in the midst of the sea. Thou shalt march to our land, the land of _Nahrima_ and the land of _Cazib_, and behold these are fortresses of the King.(338) Thou shalt march against the chieftains of the _Hebrew_. There is not a single ruler for the King my Lord. They have destroyed all. Lo _Tuurbazu_(339) (is slaughtered?...): in the great pa.s.s of the city of _Ziluu_(340) they have bowed down. Behold _Zimridi_ of the city of _Lachish_. The slaves have subjected him; they have done as they chose(341).... The region of _Rimmon_(342) laments: slaughter (is) in the midst ... the fort of _Zilu_ is overthrown ... let the King take heed ... let the King give his countenance to.... Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) to the land.... Since there are no Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) in this same year destruction has destroyed the people of all the lands of the King my Lord. Do not they say to the face of the King my Lord, 'Behold the land of the King my Lord has been ruined, and all the rulers have been slain, within this same year.' Will the King not order his _Paka_? And let the fleet come to me as helpers, and let them take care of the port (with the King commanding?) ... (to) the scribe of the King my Lord, (lo!) _Adonizedek_ is his servant, at his feet (he bows). Translate the messages now to the King. I am thy ... myself."

103 B.-The salutation is much broken, but part of the name of _Adonizedek_ is left. It then speaks of messages, and continues: "Let him know that they have fought all the lands that have been at peace with me; and let me warn the King as to his land. Lo! the land of the city of _Gezer_, and the land of the city of _Ascalon_, and the land of the city of (_Lachish?_) they have given (or settled) for themselves. Corn and oil (or fruit), and all things, this race has altogether gathered. And let me warn the King as to Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_). Will not he order Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) against the chiefs who have done wrong to the King my Lord?

Since within this year the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) have gone away, and quit the lands, the ruler of the King my Lord-since there were no Egyptian soldiers-(_pitati_) is brought to naught. Yea and the rulers of the King.... Behold the land of the city of _Jerusalem_.(343) No man is my subject. No people is subject to me. His tribe is arrayed (or prepared).

They are not subject to me. Lo! my desire is the same as the desire of _Milcilu_ and the desire of the sons of _Labaya_, that the chiefs of the _Hebrews_ be subject to the King's land. Lo! the King my Lord will be just to me, because the chiefs are sorcerers.(344) Let the King ask his _Pakas_ (or let one ask of the King's _Pakas_). Lo he is strong, very (determined?) and (men) have feared. The sinful fort (or camp) is very arrogant. They have burst forth from their pasture (or border) and ... to the land of the habitation of the people (night?).... Will not there be sent from the land (of Egypt?) ... (soldiers?): thou shalt come up with ... let the servants be defended ... to them. The tribe is pouring out ...

lands from the city of _As_(_calon_). Let the King ask about them. Plenty of corn, plenty of fruit (or oil), plenty.... Up to the province of my Lord _Pauru_(345) the King's _Paka_ for the land of the city of _Jerusalem_ my foe is rebelling. Up to the chiefs of the garrison this chief has surged up. Let the King's (foe) perish by the King ... for me my foe ... revolted from me. Do not desert this ... send me a chief of garrison-a _Paka_ of the King, despatched to this thy people. (The women?) are despatched(346) to the King my Lord (with) men who have been upright.

Four messengers(347) ... to go out. The chiefs of the fort (or camp) are closing the roads of the pa.s.s ... the tribe who have caused the destruction of the city of _Ajalon_.(348) Let this be known to the King my Lord. Have not I shown the people despatched a road for the King, though it is not easy?(349) Lo! the King my Lord has established his law in the land of the city of _Jerusalem_ forever, and is not the desertion of the lands of the city of _Jerusalem_ manifest? To the scribe of the King my Lord this lamentation thus (speaks) _Adonizedek_ thy servant-the afflicted. Translate the messages well to the King my Lord. O, scribe of the King my Lord (I am) afflicted, greatly am I afflicted. And thou shalt perform the desire of our people before the chiefs of the land of Cush(350) (_Casi_). Truly is not there slaughter with us? Thou shalt make it ... clear to the chiefs of the land of Cush (_Casi_) ... midst of my land the people to take ... the King to ... seven times and seven times ... my Lord to me..."

199 B. appears to be from _Adonizedek_, and speaks of _Jerusalem_. Only the lower third of the tablet remains. The clay is different to that of the preceding, and it may have been written after the city was left.

"And lo now! the city of _Jerusalem_ when these went away from the land (was) faithful to the King. Lo! the city of _Gaza_ has remained to the King. Behold the land of _Harti Cirmiel_(351) belonging to _Takanu_ and the men of the city _Givti_,(352) they have bowed down, going away from the land quietly. And truly we do so (or but whether do we do so?). Behold _Labaya!_(353) and the land _Salabimi_(354) are inhabited by the _Hebrew_ chiefs. _Milcilu_ has sent for (tribute?)(355) and the fellows (say) 'Have we not indeed dwelt in (or spoiled?) this land?' They are adjudging all that they desire to the men of the city of _Keilah_. And truly we are leaving the city of _Jerusalem_. The chiefs of the garrison have left-without an order-through the wastings of this fellow whom I fear.

These march to _Addasi_.(356) He has remained in his land (or camp) in the city of _Gaza_ ... (women?) ... to the land of Egypt..."

This letter was written apparently after the defeat of Ajalon, perhaps from Makkedah, where the kings hid in the cave. It is clear from this correspondence that when they fled, after sending away their harems, the intention was to reach Egypt. Gaza is not mentioned as taken by Joshua, and it was here that they expected to find safety.

SUYARDATA'S LETTERS FROM (_Keilah_?)(357)

69 B. M.-"To the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun by letter thus (says) _Suyardata_ thy servant, the dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun seven times and seven times I bow. The message which is sent by the King my Lord the Sun from heaven (has come?). His order shall be done for the King my Lord the Sun from heaven."

67 B. M.-Is a broken letter. It appears to begin as follows: "To the King my Lord thus (says) this _Suyardata_ thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times this soul and this body bow. An announcement to the King my Lord that I am causing one to make to bring all the soldiers of the King my Lord; and now this _Ra_(358) the overseer, my prince, has caused the countries of the King my Lord to be stripped. I am sending them to the King; to (inform myself?) of the King, I am sending to the King my Lord. Let him know this. Who are we ... of the King my Lord to the hands ... it is ruled. At the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times I bow."

100 B.-"... to the King my Lord ... my Sun ... letter thus (says) _Suyardata_ thy servant, the dust of thy feet: at the feet of the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun seven times seven times I bow. O King (the message?) is despatched by me, as to there having been made a war. With the city of _Cielti_ (Keilah) I am warring.(359) My chief city has gathered and has turned to me: against which has sent _Adonizedek_ who is greedy of silver-against the chiefs of the city of _Keilah_. And they have marched on me behind (or to the west of) me. And know O King my Lord lo! he is marching-_Adonizedek_-to remove my city from my hands. Let the King ask if he is marching-this chief; and if there is one ox or a beast before him.(360) And _Labaya_ has deserted his faith. The weak (or the gate) he is marching against we have succored. But now _Labaya_ is with _Adonizedek_. I march to a city of my brethren.... Know O King as to his servant. Order thou this my desire. And do they not gather? They have put all to shame. The news (is true?): let there be an order of the King for his servant."

107 B.-Begins with the same salutation from _Suyardata_. It is much injured, but the following words are clear: "Know O King my Lord lo! his land has ... the city of _Keilah_ ... against me, chiefs ... the ... our ruler ... and truly we ... against them; and truly we guide the friendly chiefs from the land of the King my Lord."

It seems from this that the previous letter brought a.s.sistance to the writer.

68 B. M.-Perhaps earlier than the preceding; reads: "To the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun thus (says) _Suyardata_ thy servant: seven and seven times this soul and this body bow. Let the King my Lord learn. I am one (put to shame?). There shall be Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) despatched of the King my Lord. I am hard pressed; and consider thou me (come out to me?) and I shall be established by the King my Lord."

101 B.-With the usual salutation is from _Suyardata_, and, though broken, appears to read: "It is my desire to approach, as taking refuge with the King my Lord. Who am I to regard (being seen?)? Let me approach the King my Lord with these things (articles) of silver-and the silver is pure. O King my Lord _Yankhamu_ (is) thy right hand; and I am mourning for him, since, wholly having gone away, no Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) will come back to me from the King my Lord. Let the King my Lord learn how thirty temples of the G.o.ds he has put to shame-he who fights against me. I am left alone. Mightily he has fought against.... Give me rest O King my Lord from his hand. The King my Lord shall send Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_).

Now _Yankhamu_ also has returned to the house of the King my Lord. He shall come back-soldiers of the King my Lord with him. Mighty is he who has fought against _Suyardata_ and (men) fail."

The enemy must have been of another race to destroy the temples. The letter is valuable because it shows that _Yankhamu_ was a contemporary of _Suyardata_, who was a contemporary with _Adonizedek_, for _Yankhamu_ was also contemporary with _Aziru_, who was living about twenty years after the death of Thothmes IV.

LETTERS OF THE LADY BASMATH

137 B.-"To the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun by letter thus (says) the Lady whose name is _Basmatu_,(361) thy handmaid. At the feet of the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun, seven times seven times, I bow. Know O King my Lord behold! there has been war in the land, and the land of the King my Lord has been wearied by rebels, by men of blood. And know O King as to his land, and know my foolishness (or disgrace). Behold the men (or chiefs) of blood have sent to the city of _Ajalon_, and to the city of _Zar'a_ (Zorah),(362) and (this is) to show that there is no place of refuge for the two sons of _Milcilu_; and know O King my Lord this request."

138 B.-"To the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun by letter thus (says) the Lady whose name is _Basmatu_, thy handmaid, the dust of thy feet, and at the feet of the King my Lord my G.o.d my Sun seven times seven times I bow. Let the King my Lord pluck his land from the hands of the men of blood. Am not I tired marching to the town of _Zabuba_; and because of not resting O King my Lord?"

There is only one place in Palestine called Zabuba; it is the Sububa of the fourteenth century, the modern Ezbuba, south of Taanach, west of the plain of Esdraelon. Poor Basmath had to go some sixty miles by road to reach it from her home. This interesting little letter, which shows she was not one of the ladies sent to Egypt, though probably a person of importance, seems perhaps to indicate that the central part of the country, from which no appeals for help occur in the letters, was undisturbed. The Amorite-Hitt.i.te league came down to Bashan and to Tyre, but not apparently as far as Accho. The Hebrews, on the other hand, coming from Seir, are said to have gone as far north as Rimmon and Shiloh, but were mainly fighting southward from Ajalon. Between the two theatres of war lay the whole of Samaria and lower Galilee, in which Basmath found a refuge.

OTHER LETTERS FROM THE SOUTH OF PALESTINE

136 B.-"To the King my Lord (my G.o.d?), the Sun from heaven, by letter thus (says) _Yamirdagan_ thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times seven times I bow. I hear the message of the King my Lord to me, and now I will guard the city of the King my Lord till the coming of a message of the King my Lord for me."

Comparing the name with that of Dagontacala of Ascalon, it appears that this writer was probably a Philistine.

151 B.-A letter from the "Chief of the town _n.a.z.iba_" to say he goes with his chariots and horses to meet the King's soldiers. This place must, therefore, have been in or near the plains. It may be the Nezib of the Bible (Josh. xv. 43), now _Beit Nusib_, eight miles northwest of Hebron, close to Keilah. The chariots could easily reach this vicinity from the plain, by the broad flat highway of the Valley of Elah.

55 B. M.-With the usual salutation, _Ben Addu_, captain of the King's horse, says: "Now they watch the land of the King my Lord exceedingly. And who am I-a dog.... He will hear the messages of the King my Lord and of the _Ka-pa_ (for _Paka?_) of the King my Lord. To (_Sagusi Khasi?_) ...

thus (says) _Ben Addu_: I bow at thy feet. All is failing. So now those who are our friends are fleeing to the King; will not he despatch ... the road.... Now they guard the road: it is cleared for thee."

56 B. M.-The usual salutation from _Ben Addu_, of the city of _Pitazza_; continues: "Now they guard the city, and land of the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven: all that the King has said they watch-the allies. And the decree of the message of the King my Lord _Bel Anapa_ (Baal Anubis) the _Paka_ of the King my Lord has uttered. The King my Lord is mighty as the Sun in heaven. Whom I but a dog, and shall such a one not mind the message of the King my Lord the Sun from heaven?"

153 B.-From the same _Ben Addu_, of _Pitazza_, with the usual salutation, and to the same effect as the preceding, but too broken to read.

The only site which seems to be suggested by Pitazza is the important ruin of _Futeis_, southeast of Gaza. It is near the road to Egypt and in the plains. The letters probably refer to arrangements for the flight of the kings of Jerusalem and Gezer, or of their wives.

77 B. M.-A short broken letter by _Satiya_, who was apparently chief of the city (or chief town) of _Eni-Saam_(_si_), which is perhaps En-Shemesh, close to Zorah, in the Valley of Sorek, now _'Ain Shems_. It is the Ir-Shemesh of the Bible (Josh. xix. 41), otherwise Beth-Shemesh (Josh. xv.

10). Here, again, we find an Egyptian station in an open valley, on one of the main roads to Jerusalem.

133 B.-"To the King my Lord by letter thus (says) the chief of _Kanu_ thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times I bow. Thou thyself hast sent to me, to muster to meet the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_); and now I with my soldiers and with my chariots (am) in sight of the soldiers of the King my Lord, as far as the place you will march to."

This town cannot well be any of the Kanahs of Palestine, since the word would then be "_Kanatu_." It is more probably the important ruin _Kanya_, close to Rabbath of Judah, immediately west of the Valley of Elah; chariots would be possible in this vicinity.

LETTERS FROM UNCERTAIN SITES

33 B. M.-"To the King my Lord by letter thus (says) _Abd Istar_(?)(363) the King's servant. At the feet of the King my Lord I bow, seven times at the feet of the King my Lord, and seven more, both heart and body. And this is to show the King my Lord how mightily he fights against me, and destroys the rulers from the presence of the King my Lord; and the great King shall give orders for my defenders. Moreover, it sends messages to the King my Lord as to me, and I shall hear all the messages of the King my Lord. I will listen. Now ten women (concubines?) I am retaining."

Perhaps these were some of the ladies on their way to Egypt: "_tumiki_"

seems to come from the root "_wamak_," an Arabic root meaning "to love."

The Amorite words with an initial "_vau_" are nearer to Arabic than to Hebrew or Aramaic. One of the commonest is "_uras_," "to desire" or "ask,"

whence one of the names of Istar, the G.o.ddess of desire.

34 B. M.-Is a short letter broken at the end; it merely acknowledges a message, and is from _Abd Astati_. There was a deity _As_, or _Ast_, apparently of Egyptian origin.