YBC 04097

By the 20^th day of m.VIII Kalbāya/Nabû-rēmanni (K) shall harvest (eṣēdu) reeds at the (tp)Takkīru Canal (nār takkīri), estate (šīḫu) of Ištar of Uruk, together with 20 oblates of Ištar of Uruk, and fatteners of royal cattle (mušākil alpi ša šarri), who are at the diposal of (ina pāni) K, Šamaš-zēru-iddin, Innin-zēru-ibni, and Iddināya. After cutting, he shall carry the reeds from the mouth (bābu) of the (tp)Takkīru at the (tp)Euphrates (purattu) for the work (dullu) at the royal palace, and give them to Nabû-aḫu-iddin, Royal Overseer (ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti) of Eanna. Non-compliance will result in the punishment (ḫīṭu clause) of Gubāru, Governor (paḫātu) of Babylonia and (tp)Across-the-River (eber nāri). He shall not leave behind the reeds in the (tp)Takkīru Canal.

3 witnesses including Bēl-eṭēri-Nabû, royal courtier (ša rēš šarri).

Scribe: Gimillu/Innin-zēru-iddin.

Obligation to deliver reeds with the help of temple serfs for the buidling of the royal palace.

By (adi) the 20th of Arahsamna (VIII), A will harvest (eṣēdu) reeds from (ša ina) the Takkīru-canal in the estate (šīhu) of Ištar of Uruk. He will transport (zabālu) the reeds and deliver (nadānu) them at (ina) the intake (bābu) of the Takkīru-canal by the Euphrates to C, the royal supervisor (rēš šarri bēl piqitti) of Eanna. Otherwise, he will bear (šadādu) the punishment (hīṭu) of D, the governor (pīhātu) of Babylon and Across-the-river. He (probably A) will not ditch (muššuru) reeds in (ina) the canal. The reeds are for (ana) the construction project (dullu) at (ša) the royal palace (ekallu).

A (will perform these tasks) with the assistance of (u […]) the 20 temple-serfs (širku) of Ištar of Uruk, ox feeders (mušākil alpi) taking care of the royal oxen, who are at his disposal (ina pāni) and at the disposal of B2, B3, and B4.

Names of 3 witnesses and the scribe.

A= Kalbāya/Nabû-rēmanni; B1= Šamaš-zēru-iddin; B2= Šamaš-zēru-iddin; B3= Innin-zēru-ibni; B4= Iddināya; C= Nabû-ahu-iddin, royal supervisor (rēš šarri bēl piqitti) of Eanna; D= Gūbaru, governor (pīhātu) of Babylon and Across-the-river.

Legacy paraphrase 2:

Delivery of reeds to the royal palace. Kalbaya/Nabû-rēmanni and 20 temple oblates (širkū), fatteners (mušākilū) of the royal cattle, Šamaš-zēru-iddin, Innin-zēru-ibni, and Iddinaya have twelve days to cut the reeds on the Takkiru canal, within the temple domain, and bring them to the canal’s mouth so they can be transported over the Euphrates to Nabû-aḫu-iddin, royal representative (ša rēš šarri) and commissioner (bēl piqitti) of Eanna, for work on the royal palace. If they fail to do so or abandon the reeds, they will bear the punishment (ḫīṭu) of Gubaru, governor (paḫātu) of Babylon and Transeuphrates. Three witnesses and Gimillu/Innin-zēru-iddin, the scribe.