Information about the Hittites

Instruction Text for the Lords of the Towers

(Arnuwanda I)

von Schuler, Einar, Hethitische Dienstanweisungen für höhere Hof- und Staatsbeamte. Ein Beitrag zum antiken Recht Kleinasiens, Osnabrück, 1967, 36-65.

Great King Arnuwanda I seems to have been responsible for many of the Instruction texts that we now possess. He didn't create the genre of instruction texts, but the art seems to have reached its most sophisticated level in his reign, and his instruction texts were copied in later Hittite eras. Later Instruction texts evolved away from the detailed instructions given by Arnuwanda and began to resemble foreign treaties in their emphasis on loyalty oaths rather than genuine instructions. The instruction texts of Arnuwanda I, particularly the Instruction Text for the Lords of the Towers, provide a great wealth of information about Hittite society. The Lords of the Towers were the military-civil governors of rural provinces (so Beal). While they reported directly to the king, the letters from Masat Hüyük make it clear that they were not among the highest ranking officials in the Hittite kingdom.

Translation

Col. I

§1
Thusly My Sun, Great King Arnuwanda (I):
The Lords of the Towers who protect the borders, thusly may the obligation be.

§2
The forwardmost ones of the towers and towns must be (protected) by means of a watch. They must protect the watch carefully!

§3
While the watchmen have not yet come down from the watch, while the scouts have not yet [...]-ed down from the town,

§4
they must sweep the perimeter carefully (with their eyes). They must quickly bring back word. [.......] down from the watch he must come just so.

§5
May the scouts take the tower of the long road, and may the [...]-men drive down from the town to the perimeter for sweeping (with their eyes). From there may they sweep the perimeter (with their eyes) carefully just so!

§6
What scouts hold the tower of the long road, [.....] they find. If [.....]

§7
May they let the oxen, sheep, and (field-)workers down from the town.

§8
When it becomes night, the scouts [..... (some sort of withdrawal)] may they do. May they take the towers. On the first shift what scouts watched by day, the (field-)workers, the oxen, the sheep, the horses, and the donkeys may they cause to run ahead. May they move them up into the town.

§9
Further, what scouts hold the towers, may they go up into the town. May they bar the gates and the luštani-gates and may they throw the bolts. May they arrange the troops behind the gates and the luštani-gates. May they sleep behind the gate. Further, may they let the watchmen up to the gate, and they will observe the watch carefully.

§10
When it is dawn, the scouts will be (let) down from the town. May they sweep the perimeters (with their eyes) carefully! [.....] May they take the towers. May they let the (field-)workers, the oxen, the sheep, the horses, and the donkeys down just as before.

§11
May the scouts hold the distant towers of the long road. May the town be protected!

§12
What troops hold the towers, may they protect (them). Further, may they cover the roads carefully, and may they observe the enemy traces.

§13
Further, (may) the Lord of the Tower (let) the troops from the tower, and may the troops of the tower be absent for two days.

KUB 13.2

Col. I

§14
After the roads are secured, when the scouts see traces of the enemy, they will quickly bring word.

§15
May they shut in the towns. May they not let down the field-workers, the oxen, the sheep, the horses, and the donkeys. May they protect (them). Which are the forwardmost towers, and which are the (usual) roads of the enemy, may the Lord of the Tower keep account of them, and may he make a record of them. Further, may two scouts hold one road, and may three DUGUD-officials turn (i.e. visit and command) over them (all).

§16
Who are his troops of the tower, may he keep account of them, and may he keep a record of them. He will recognize in place (i.e. rank) the DUGUD-officials - 2nd place, 3rd place, and 4th place. If anywhere an enemy attacks, may the troops follow (lit. "drive") the traces of the enemy for three days. May they hold the road for two days. Whoever does not strike the enemy, the Lord of the Tower will seize the DUGUD-official - 2nd place, 3rd place, or 4th place - and may he send them before My Sun.

§17
If My Sun is nearby, the Lord of the Tower must drive before (i.e. into the prescence of) My Sun. May he bring the offender.

§18
What walled towns are in the district, may they keep an account of the supplies. What are the forwardmost towers and towns to which the enemy quickly arrives, when to those towns the Lord of the Tower drives, while he (is there) may he quickly fortify the town. May he protect (it)! May he surround it in the manner of a courtyard.

§19
[.....] ... may he/they

KUB 31.84

Col. II

§20
May [.....] be 6 gipeššar-s out. Further, by rain gutters and mariyawanna-s may it be surrounded. May the mariyanna be out by 6 gipeššar-s. May it be seen 5 šekan-s away.

KUB 31.86 (D)

Col. II

§21
If you build some town, may the foundations be dug down into the ground. On top let them be X gipeššar-s. While you finish building the town, may the foundations be 6 gipeššar-s down, and may it be 4 gipeššar-s across(?). [So that] the water may not stand up, may they pave (it) top to bottom with stone.

§22
Further, the gates, the luštani-gates, the heads of stairs in the towns, may they be door-leavened and barred. May nothing be kept out! May the walls be wanalla-ed for mud plastering. Furher, may it be made smooth. A roof - (namely) a rough one - will leak. Let it not be (so)!

§23
What town you build, the copper-smiths bronze ḫakkunnai-s may he build. (May they...) a gate in the walls inside and outside with stone just so. Further, may no one dig into the walls. May no one burn in (them). Into the mud (for making plaster) may they not let the oxen, sheep, horses, or mules.

§24
Outside and inside may no one put a torch on a tower or on wood. May no one take a wall for an inn. May no one burn (anything) in the walls. May no one stall (lit. "station") horses or donkeys/mules in (the walls). Further, may the drains not become clogged in the town, and year by year may they sweep them up.

(A)

Col. II

§25
The Lord of the Tower in the fortified towns wood of burning thusly may he prepare. From the front: may it be 12 fingers. May the length be 1 gipeššar 4 šekan-s. The ma-[...]-wood; from the front may it be 3 fingers, may its length be 1 gipeššar. May the wood of the throne be plentiful. [ ] is the ḫarduppi. May everything be plentiful!

§26
May it be under seal. Year by year may he keep account of it. May he place (it) down with the šaramni-s. What houses of the king, ox-stalls, seal house, and bath-house are old, may they scrape them off, and a second time with new mud plaster may they make them new again!

§27
The mud plaster which fell off, may they take it from the walls. And the lowest course of stones may they reveal. Further, the threshing place, the vegetable gardens, the temples, the bath-house, the vegetable gardens of the forest, and the vineyards may they be well built!

§28
The gutters of the bath-house, of the cupbearer's house, and of the ḫilamni-house must turn (freely), so they must keep inspecting them. Whatever one is clogged by water, they must unblock it. What bird ponds are in your district, may they be in good condition!

§29
To what town the Lord of the Tower drives in turn, the Old Men, the priests, the GUDÚ-priests, the šiwanzanna-priestesses, may he keep account of. Thusly may he say to them, "In which town either some temple of the Storm God or some temple of another god exists, it is now neglected, and it is in disrepair."

§30
(If) priests, šiwanzanna-priestesses, and GUDÚ-priests do not keep account of them, (then) now you (pl.) keep account of them! Rebuild them! As it was formerly built, may they be rebuilt just so!

§31
Further, may reverent fear of the gods be established. Reverent fear towards the Storm God, may it be greatly established! Whatever of the temple leaks, may the Lord of the Tower and the MAŠKIM-official of the town repair it. If either a rhyton which is for the Storm God or an implement which is for another god is destroyed, may the SANGA-priests, the GUDÚ-priests, and the šiwanzanna-priestesses remake it.

§32
Further, may the Lord of the Tower write the implements of the god (on a tablet). May he send it before My Sun. Further, may they perform at the times of the gods. What time is for some god, let them perform it at that time. For what god a SANGA-priest, a šiwanzanna-priestess, or a GUDÚ-priest does not exist, let them promptly remake one.

Col. III

§33
(If there) is no accounting, care for it now! May they finish it! Further, from of old what offering exists, may they give it!

§34
What springs of the town are behind (the town), for (each) spring make the offerings. May they be for it! May they make them available (for the god)! And for what spring offerings do not exist, nevertheless may they (i.e. the spring gods) still come up for it! May they (the festivals) not be uncelebrated! For what mountains and rivers offerings exist, may they make offerings to them!

§35

Further, may the Lord of the Tower, the MAŠKIM-official of the town, and the Old Men keep judging legal cases carefully, and may they carry (it) out. As is from of old, in the lands an obligation of the ḫurkel-sin (a sexual offence) has been done, in what town they killed them, may they kill them! But from what town they expelled them, may they expel them! Further, afterwards may those of the town bathe themselves. Further, may there be a reporting. No one may let them back. The one who lets him back, they will šakuwai (expose/reveal?) him.

§36
When they worship the gods, before the gods may no one become disorderly! In the festival house may no one become disorderly! Further, towards the SANGA-priests, the master craftsmen, the GUDÚ-priests, and the šiwanzanna-priestesses may reverent fear be established! The SANGA-priests, the GUDÚ-priests, and the šiwanzanna-priestesses - towards the gods may they be fearfully reverent! If someone brings a case sealed by means of a wooden tablet, then may the Lord of the Tower judge the case carefully! Satisfy him! If the case becomes too large, may he send it before My Sun.

§37
For a lord he must not make it. For his own brother, his own sister, or his own friend he must not make it. May no one take a bribe! Should he declare the winning case the loser? No! Should he declare the loser the winner? No! What is true, may he do that!

§38
In what town you arrive in in turn, all the men of the town you must call forth! For him whom a case exists, judge it for him! Satisfy him! If for a male or female slave of a man, or a widowed woman a case exists, judge it for them! Satisfy them! (If) the troops of Kašiyaya, the troops of Ḫimmuwa, the troops of Tagarama, or the troops of Išuwaya are there, on them hold the eyes concerning everything (i.e. insure their legal rights)!

§39
A resettled captive who is settled in the land, on him with a year's supplies - cattle, sheep - you should hold the eyes. Further from the cheese, the rennet, and the wool may you satisfy him! (If) some resettled captive leaves your land, who remains for his place, you sow seed for him as before. Further, with fields may he be filled. May they quickly give over a plot of land for him!

§40
[.....] the Lord of the ^GIŠTUKUL-man - the fields, the wood, the garden [.....] the Lord of the Palace - oxen and sheep [.....] that of the palace, too

(B iii 45 picks up here)

§41
47 ...horses...
48 ...may he hold. And...
49 ...that of the palace...
50 ...has^? x-ed^?...
51 ...may not...

§42
52 ...with in kunza-colored x-es...
53 ...may the walls of the orchards be well built!
Further, by means of water may you irrigate them. May you irrigate the meadow by means of water. May the meadow not be grazed!

§43
Further, may the vineyards be carefully sowed and built. Further, the tributary ditches and the canals, may they be cleaned up. Further, may the word of the X-official^? be feared!

§44
When they sow seed for the resettled captive, may the Lord of the Tower and the Old Men be running his^! eyes. If thusly someone says, "Give seed to me, and I will sow it in my own field. Further, I will pour out a pile." Then may only the Lord of the Tower be running his eyes over (him). When it becomes harvest time, may he harvest that field!

§45
The fields of a ^GIŠTUKUL-man who has disappeared and the empty plots of land, for you may everything be written. When they give resettled captives, may they quickly assign a place to them. Those who are attacking^? the plots of land on them concerning the matter of building may you hold the eyes. May it be carefully built!

§46
May you stand behind the matter of the works...
73 ...and this one... ...may he be...
74 in the greenery...
75 ...you will expand^?. May it be X gipeššar-s. If the temple
76 ...short^?... ...may it be 4 gipeššar-s.

L iv

§47
1 The troops... with horses
2 ...scale armor of bronze...
3 ... bronze bows...
4 ...arrows, slings...
5 may it be well kept.

§48
6 ...the troops are. And he/them with the cooks
7 ...leather shields, helmets, decorated with lunar crescents
8 ...may it be well kept. And him
9 ...may he keep looking toward!

§49
10 ...Old Man, the horses of the chariot fighter
11 ...May they not keep taking bread and beer!
5 ... But if not
6 ...they will take. The work troops who
7 ...may he keep... The Lord of the Tower
8 ...he will do/sow/perform.

§50
9 ...the palaces which are in (your) district,
10 ...hold your eyes on everything!
11 ...on the... on the seeds, on the palaces,
12 on the servants, and on the needed materials, hold your eyes!

§51
What palaces and houses of lordship are in your administrative district, keep investigating out from behind (i.e. reveal what is hidden?)! Whether anyone has damaged anything, or whether anyone has taken anything, or whether anyone has sold anything, or whether anyone has broken open a silo, or whether someone has killed an ox of the king, or whether someone has eaten up the silos and has destroyed the tablets of the left (in order to hide his crime), keep account of it!

§52
Or if someone has taken something from the servants (of the king?), then may the Lord of the Tower seize him! May he send him here before My Sun! And in the winter, on the cattle of the king may he hold his eyes! And may you stand behind the work of winter and of the harvest! The places of the UTÚL-stew, may they be well (kept)! May ice be taken (from the mountains)! May an ice house be built!

§53
Further, keep account of the vegetables of the vegetable garden and the steppe. May it be completely surrounded. For the cattle pirešḫanna, what share is, that share may they keep eating, but in an evil omen... ...from... may each one (to) them in an evil omen give!

19 Where (that of) a plowing field...
20 until then? is, and the fields... out...
21 and here 1 gipeššar 5 šekan only...

§54
22 And when cattle are delayed...
23 and here 1 IKU-measure 5 gipeššar-s...
24 may they keep plowing. Further, in the Spring...
25 to the servants, to the Lord of the ^GIŠTUKUL... stand behind...
26 or whether while Spring
27 down may they arrange! ...

§55
28 And when Spring...
29 What is left, and it...
30 to another town...
31 And when the enemy...
32 he sees, and to him...
33 And the cattle to him...
34 they... But the work...

COMMENTARY

B iii 55-56 If Hittite land patterns were similar to those of Medieval Europe, then a community would have had three basic types of land: arable land for crops and orchards, meadow for the growing of hay, and beyond that pasture, waste, and woodland. Meadow land was arable, so the temptation to use it as such in times of need must have been great. That required seasonal planning, however. So the temptation to use meadow as high quality pasturage in times of immediate need must have been even greater, thus inspiring this prohibition. The importance of meadow land to the Hittites is made clear by the fact that it is supposed to be irrigated. It can not be determined whether or not the meadow land could be held privately. This text indicates that the irrigation works were, as expected, a public responsibility. The fact that he has the duty to see to it that it is not grazed at least indicates that individuals did not have complete autonomy over meadow land. It should also be noted that there are historical precedents for rulers forbidding the use of meadowland in order to set it aside for the use of the grazing of military horses which are going to be marched on campaign.

					Why?
	Instruction Text for the Lords of the Towers Instruction Text for the Lords of the Towers (Arnuwanda I) von Schuler, Einar, Hethitische Dienstanweisungen für höhere Hof- und Staatsbeamte. Ein Beitrag zum antiken Recht Kleinasiens, Osnabrück, 1967, 36-65. Great King Arnuwanda I seems to have been responsible for many of the Instruction texts that we now possess. He didn't create the genre of instruction texts, but the art seems to have reached its most sophisticated level in his reign, and his instruction texts were copied in later Hittite eras. Later Instruction texts evolved away from the detailed instructions given by Arnuwanda and began to resemble foreign treaties in their emphasis on loyalty oaths rather than genuine instructions. The instruction texts of Arnuwanda I, particularly the Instruction Text for the Lords of the Towers, provide a great wealth of information about Hittite society. The Lords of the Towers were the military-civil governors of rural provinces (so Beal). While they reported directly to the king, the letters from Masat Hüyük make it clear that they were not among the highest ranking officials in the Hittite kingdom. Translation Col. I §1 Thusly My Sun, Great King Arnuwanda (I): The Lords of the Towers who protect the borders, thusly may the obligation be. §2 The forwardmost ones of the towers and towns must be (protected) by means of a watch. They must protect the watch carefully! §3 While the watchmen have not yet come down from the watch, while the scouts have not yet [...]-ed down from the town, §4 they must sweep the perimeter carefully (with their eyes). They must quickly bring back word. [.......] down from the watch he must come just so. §5 May the scouts take the tower of the long road, and may the [...]-men drive down from the town to the perimeter for sweeping (with their eyes). From there may they sweep the perimeter (with their eyes) carefully just so! §6 What scouts hold the tower of the long road, [.....] they find. If [.....] §7 May they let the oxen, sheep, and (field-)workers down from the town. §8 When it becomes night, the scouts [..... (some sort of withdrawal)] may they do. May they take the towers. On the first shift what scouts watched by day, the (field-)workers, the oxen, the sheep, the horses, and the donkeys may they cause to run ahead. May they move them up into the town. §9 Further, what scouts hold the towers, may they go up into the town. May they bar the gates and the luštani-gates and may they throw the bolts. May they arrange the troops behind the gates and the luštani-gates. May they sleep behind the gate. Further, may they let the watchmen up to the gate, and they will observe the watch carefully. §10 When it is dawn, the scouts will be (let) down from the town. May they sweep the perimeters (with their eyes) carefully! [.....] May they take the towers. May they let the (field-)workers, the oxen, the sheep, the horses, and the donkeys down just as before. §11 May the scouts hold the distant towers of the long road. May the town be protected! §12 What troops hold the towers, may they protect (them). Further, may they cover the roads carefully, and may they observe the enemy traces. §13 Further, (may) the Lord of the Tower (let) the troops from the tower, and may the troops of the tower be absent for two days. KUB 13.2 Col. I §14 After the roads are secured, when the scouts see traces of the enemy, they will quickly bring word. §15 May they shut in the towns. May they not let down the field-workers, the oxen, the sheep, the horses, and the donkeys. May they protect (them). Which are the forwardmost towers, and which are the (usual) roads of the enemy, may the Lord of the Tower keep account of them, and may he make a record of them. Further, may two scouts hold one road, and may three DUGUD-officials turn (i.e. visit and command) over them (all). §16 Who are his troops of the tower, may he keep account of them, and may he keep a record of them. He will recognize in place (i.e. rank) the DUGUD-officials - 2nd place, 3rd place, and 4th place. If anywhere an enemy attacks, may the troops follow (lit. "drive") the traces of the enemy for three days. May they hold the road for two days. Whoever does not strike the enemy, the Lord of the Tower will seize the DUGUD-official - 2nd place, 3rd place, or 4th place - and may he send them before My Sun. §17 If My Sun is nearby, the Lord of the Tower must drive before (i.e. into the prescence of) My Sun. May he bring the offender. §18 What walled towns are in the district, may they keep an account of the supplies. What are the forwardmost towers and towns to which the enemy quickly arrives, when to those towns the Lord of the Tower drives, while he (is there) may he quickly fortify the town. May he protect (it)! May he surround it in the manner of a courtyard. §19 [.....] ... may he/they KUB 31.84 Col. II §20 May [.....] be 6 gipeššar-s out. Further, by rain gutters and mariyawanna-s may it be surrounded. May the mariyanna be out by 6 gipeššar-s. May it be seen 5 šekan-s away. KUB 31.86 (D) Col. II §21 If you build some town, may the foundations be dug down into the ground. On top let them be X gipeššar-s. While you finish building the town, may the foundations be 6 gipeššar-s down, and may it be 4 gipeššar-s across(?). [So that] the water may not stand up, may they pave (it) top to bottom with stone. §22 Further, the gates, the luštani-gates, the heads of stairs in the towns, may they be door-leavened and barred. May nothing be kept out! May the walls be wanalla-ed for mud plastering. Furher, may it be made smooth. A roof - (namely) a rough one - will leak. Let it not be (so)! §23 What town you build, the copper-smiths bronze ḫakkunnai-s may he build. (May they...) a gate in the walls inside and outside with stone just so. Further, may no one dig into the walls. May no one burn in (them). Into the mud (for making plaster) may they not let the oxen, sheep, horses, or mules. §24 Outside and inside may no one put a torch on a tower or on wood. May no one take a wall for an inn. May no one burn (anything) in the walls. May no one stall (lit. "station") horses or donkeys/mules in (the walls). Further, may the drains not become clogged in the town, and year by year may they sweep them up. (A) Col. II §25 The Lord of the Tower in the fortified towns wood of burning thusly may he prepare. From the front: may it be 12 fingers. May the length be 1 gipeššar 4 šekan-s. The ma-[...]-wood; from the front may it be 3 fingers, may its length be 1 gipeššar. May the wood of the throne be plentiful. [ ] is the ḫarduppi. May everything be plentiful! §26 May it be under seal. Year by year may he keep account of it. May he place (it) down with the šaramni-s. What houses of the king, ox-stalls, seal house, and bath-house are old, may they scrape them off, and a second time with new mud plaster may they make them new again! §27 The mud plaster which fell off, may they take it from the walls. And the lowest course of stones may they reveal. Further, the threshing place, the vegetable gardens, the temples, the bath-house, the vegetable gardens of the forest, and the vineyards may they be well built! §28 The gutters of the bath-house, of the cupbearer's house, and of the ḫilamni-house must turn (freely), so they must keep inspecting them. Whatever one is clogged by water, they must unblock it. What bird ponds are in your district, may they be in good condition! §29 To what town the Lord of the Tower drives in turn, the Old Men, the priests, the GUDÚ-priests, the šiwanzanna-priestesses, may he keep account of. Thusly may he say to them, "In which town either some temple of the Storm God or some temple of another god exists, it is now neglected, and it is in disrepair." §30 (If) priests, šiwanzanna-priestesses, and GUDÚ-priests do not keep account of them, (then) now you (pl.) keep account of them! Rebuild them! As it was formerly built, may they be rebuilt just so! §31 Further, may reverent fear of the gods be established. Reverent fear towards the Storm God, may it be greatly established! Whatever of the temple leaks, may the Lord of the Tower and the MAŠKIM-official of the town repair it. If either a rhyton which is for the Storm God or an implement which is for another god is destroyed, may the SANGA-priests, the GUDÚ-priests, and the šiwanzanna-priestesses remake it. §32 Further, may the Lord of the Tower write the implements of the god (on a tablet). May he send it before My Sun. Further, may they perform at the times of the gods. What time is for some god, let them perform it at that time. For what god a SANGA-priest, a šiwanzanna-priestess, or a GUDÚ-priest does not exist, let them promptly remake one. Col. III §33 (If there) is no accounting, care for it now! May they finish it! Further, from of old what offering exists, may they give it! §34 What springs of the town are behind (the town), for (each) spring make the offerings. May they be for it! May they make them available (for the god)! And for what spring offerings do not exist, nevertheless may they (i.e. the spring gods) still come up for it! May they (the festivals) not be uncelebrated! For what mountains and rivers offerings exist, may they make offerings to them! §35 Further, may the Lord of the Tower, the MAŠKIM-official of the town, and the Old Men keep judging legal cases carefully, and may they carry (it) out. As is from of old, in the lands an obligation of the ḫurkel-sin (a sexual offence) has been done, in what town they killed them, may they kill them! But from what town they expelled them, may they expel them! Further, afterwards may those of the town bathe themselves. Further, may there be a reporting. No one may let them back. The one who lets him back, they will šakuwai (expose/reveal?) him. §36 When they worship the gods, before the gods may no one become disorderly! In the festival house may no one become disorderly! Further, towards the SANGA-priests, the master craftsmen, the GUDÚ-priests, and the šiwanzanna-priestesses may reverent fear be established! The SANGA-priests, the GUDÚ-priests, and the šiwanzanna-priestesses - towards the gods may they be fearfully reverent! If someone brings a case sealed by means of a wooden tablet, then may the Lord of the Tower judge the case carefully! Satisfy him! If the case becomes too large, may he send it before My Sun. §37 For a lord he must not make it. For his own brother, his own sister, or his own friend he must not make it. May no one take a bribe! Should he declare the winning case the loser? No! Should he declare the loser the winner? No! What is true, may he do that! §38 In what town you arrive in in turn, all the men of the town you must call forth! For him whom a case exists, judge it for him! Satisfy him! If for a male or female slave of a man, or a widowed woman a case exists, judge it for them! Satisfy them! (If) the troops of Kašiyaya, the troops of Ḫimmuwa, the troops of Tagarama, or the troops of Išuwaya are there, on them hold the eyes concerning everything (i.e. insure their legal rights)! §39 A resettled captive who is settled in the land, on him with a year's supplies - cattle, sheep - you should hold the eyes. Further from the cheese, the rennet, and the wool may you satisfy him! (If) some resettled captive leaves your land, who remains for his place, you sow seed for him as before. Further, with fields may he be filled. May they quickly give over a plot of land for him! §40 [.....] the Lord of the ^GIŠTUKUL-man - the fields, the wood, the garden [.....] the Lord of the Palace - oxen and sheep [.....] that of the palace, too (B iii 45 picks up here) §41 47 ...horses... 48 ...may he hold. And... 49 ...that of the palace... 50 ...has^? x-ed^?... 51 ...may not... §42 52 ...with in kunza-colored x-es... 53 ...may the walls of the orchards be well built! Further, by means of water may you irrigate them. May you irrigate the meadow by means of water. May the meadow not be grazed! §43 Further, may the vineyards be carefully sowed and built. Further, the tributary ditches and the canals, may they be cleaned up. Further, may the word of the X-official^? be feared! §44 When they sow seed for the resettled captive, may the Lord of the Tower and the Old Men be running his^! eyes. If thusly someone says, "Give seed to me, and I will sow it in my own field. Further, I will pour out a pile." Then may only the Lord of the Tower be running his eyes over (him). When it becomes harvest time, may he harvest that field! §45 The fields of a ^GIŠTUKUL-man who has disappeared and the empty plots of land, for you may everything be written. When they give resettled captives, may they quickly assign a place to them. Those who are attacking^? the plots of land on them concerning the matter of building may you hold the eyes. May it be carefully built! §46 May you stand behind the matter of the works... 73 ...and this one... ...may he be... 74 in the greenery... 75 ...you will expand^?. May it be X gipeššar-s. If the temple 76 ...short^?... ...may it be 4 gipeššar-s. L iv §47 1 The troops... with horses 2 ...scale armor of bronze... 3 ... bronze bows... 4 ...arrows, slings... 5 may it be well kept. §48 6 ...the troops are. And he/them with the cooks 7 ...leather shields, helmets, decorated with lunar crescents 8 ...may it be well kept. And him 9 ...may he keep looking toward! §49 10 ...Old Man, the horses of the chariot fighter 11 ...May they not keep taking bread and beer! 5 ... But if not 6 ...they will take. The work troops who 7 ...may he keep... The Lord of the Tower 8 ...he will do/sow/perform. §50 9 ...the palaces which are in (your) district, 10 ...hold your eyes on everything! 11 ...on the... on the seeds, on the palaces, 12 on the servants, and on the needed materials, hold your eyes! §51 What palaces and houses of lordship are in your administrative district, keep investigating out from behind (i.e. reveal what is hidden?)! Whether anyone has damaged anything, or whether anyone has taken anything, or whether anyone has sold anything, or whether anyone has broken open a silo, or whether someone has killed an ox of the king, or whether someone has eaten up the silos and has destroyed the tablets of the left (in order to hide his crime), keep account of it! §52 Or if someone has taken something from the servants (of the king?), then may the Lord of the Tower seize him! May he send him here before My Sun! And in the winter, on the cattle of the king may he hold his eyes! And may you stand behind the work of winter and of the harvest! The places of the UTÚL-stew, may they be well (kept)! May ice be taken (from the mountains)! May an ice house be built! §53 Further, keep account of the vegetables of the vegetable garden and the steppe. May it be completely surrounded. For the cattle pirešḫanna, what share is, that share may they keep eating, but in an evil omen... ...from... may each one (to) them in an evil omen give! M 19 Where (that of) a plowing field... 20 until then? is, and the fields... out... 21 and here 1 gipeššar 5 šekan only... §54 22 And when cattle are delayed... 23 and here 1 IKU-measure 5 gipeššar-s... 24 may they keep plowing. Further, in the Spring... 25 to the servants, to the Lord of the ^GIŠTUKUL... stand behind... 26 or whether while Spring 27 down may they arrange! ... §55 28 And when Spring... 29 What is left, and it... 30 to another town... 31 And when the enemy... 32 he sees, and to him... 33 And the cattle to him... 34 they... But the work... COMMENTARY B iii 55-56 If Hittite land patterns were similar to those of Medieval Europe, then a community would have had three basic types of land: arable land for crops and orchards, meadow for the growing of hay, and beyond that pasture, waste, and woodland. Meadow land was arable, so the temptation to use it as such in times of need must have been great. That required seasonal planning, however. So the temptation to use meadow as high quality pasturage in times of immediate need must have been even greater, thus inspiring this prohibition. The importance of meadow land to the Hittites is made clear by the fact that it is supposed to be irrigated. It can not be determined whether or not the meadow land could be held privately. This text indicates that the irrigation works were, as expected, a public responsibility. The fact that he has the duty to see to it that it is not grazed at least indicates that individuals did not have complete autonomy over meadow land. It should also be noted that there are historical precedents for rulers forbidding the use of meadowland in order to set it aside for the use of the grazing of military horses which are going to be marched on campaign.