YBC 04178

Nabû-mukīn-apli/Nādinu//Dābibī, High Priest (šatammu) of Eanna, and Nabû-šarru-uṣur, Royal Overseer (ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti) of Eanna, ask Nabû-mukīn-apli/Aḫu-līšir (NMA), herdsman of cattle of the Lady of Uruk, about the cattle that were put at his disposal (ina pāni). They want to know why NMA did not bring and show (kullumu) them the carcases of the animals that grazed at(?) the Uruk wall and died during an epidemic (šibṭu). NMA says in the assembly (puḫru) that he took (našû) to […] for carcasses, which he promisses to bring. He claims to have sold 19 carcasses for 8 2/3 shekels of silver to the following individuals: Nūrea/[…], Ina-tēšî-ēṭir/Nabû-ušebši, Nanāya-iddin/Šamaš-zēru-ibni, Šamaš-iddin/Innin-zēru-ušebši, Nanāya-iddin/Gimillu, Šulāya/Mušallim-Marduk, Nargia/Issar-laban, Aḫu-iddin the gardener, Uqūbu/Innin-zēru-ušebši, and Bēl-kāṣir. However, he claims that he did not receive the silver. Additionally, Šamaš-ēṭir, agricultural supervisor (gugallu), and Gimillu/Innin-šumu-ibni allegedly lawlessly (ina šigilti) took from him 1 carcass and 2 carcasses and 7 hides (gildu), respectively. NMA guarantees (pūtu našû) for the testimony of all these individuals.

5 witnesses.

Scribe: Arad-Marduk/Marduk-šumu-iddin//Bēl-aplu-uṣur.

Paraphrase 1

Interrogation of Nabû-mukīn-apli/Aḫu-līšir, herdsman (nāqidu) of Eanna, because of an unreported epidemic. Nabû-mukīn-apli/Nādinu//Dābibī, bishop (šatammu) of Eanna, and Nabû-aḫu-iddin, royal representative (ša rēš šarri) and commissioner (bēl piqitti), question him about not having reported an epidemic amongst his herd. Nabû-mukīn-apli admits that he sold the carcasses of 19 animals for a total of 8,66 shekels of silver to various individuals, claiming he had not been paid. Šamaš-ēṭir, the canal inspector (gugallu), illegally took one carcass from him, and Gimillu/Innin-šumu-ibni two more carcasses and sevens skins. Nabû-mukīn-apli is to gather the testimonies of all those who bought and took carcasses. Five witnesses and Arad-Marduk/Marduk-šumu-iddin//Bēl-aplu-uṣur, scribe.

Paraphrase 2

Obligation to present acquitting evidence to the temple.

The tablet lays out the accusations against A, the cattle herdsman (nāqidu ša lâtu) of the Lady of Uruk, that he did not deliver carcasses to the temple. A explains that most of the carcasses were sold, some were stolen, and promises to present evidences to back up his claims.

B1, temple administrator (šatammu), and B2, royal supervisor (ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti) of Eanna, accuse (lit. spoke, qabû umma) A that he did not deliver to the temple carcasses from his fold of temple animals. The passage is phrased as a direct speech and it is a bit fragmentary:

An epidemic (šibṭu) broke out (ina libbi šakānu) in the cattle of Eanna that is under your responsibility (ina pāni), grazing at the Uruk wall, and … (fragmentary) … Why did we hear of that, but the cattle carcasses (pagru) of the … ? (fragmentary) … you neither brought (našû) nor presented (kalāmu D) us with the animals and … (fragmentary) …

A replied, in the assembly (puhru) as follows (beginning is fragmentary):

I neither presented (kalāmu D) you the carcasses (pagru) nor [direct] your attention (uznu + broken verb, probably petû) … (fragmentary) … get, bring, and present to you (našû abāku kalāmu D) the carcasses. I sold (ana kaspi nadānu) a total (napharu) of 19 carcasses for 8⅔ shekels of silver, but the buyers did not pay me; (I sold) 5 carcasses for 2½ shekels of silver to C1, 3 for 1⅛ shekel to C2, 1 for⅓ shekel to C3, 2 for 1 shekel to C4, 1 for¾ (3.igi.4.gál.lame) shekel to C5, 1 for½ shekel to C6, 2 for 1⅛ shekel to C7, 1 for⅔ shekel to C8 the gardener (nukaribbu), 1 for ¾ (3.igi.4.gál.lame) shekel to C9, 1 for½ shekel to C10. Additionally, D1, the canal inspector (gugallu), illegally (šigiltu) took from me (ina qātē našû) 1 carcass and D2 took 2 carcasses and 7 hides (mašku?, kuš.tab.ba)”.

A guarantees (pūtu našû) to bring testimony (mukinnūtu) of the men to whom he sold the carcasses and those who illegally took them.

Witnesses (mukinnu): E1–5. Scribe (ṭupšarru) F.

 A= Nabû-mukīn-apli, cattle herdsman (nāqidu ša lâtu); B1= Nabû-mukīn-zēri/Nādin//Dābibī, temple administrator (šatammu) of Eanna; B2= Nabû-ahu-iddin, royal supervisor of the Eanna (ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti Eanna); C1= Ṣābēa (Iérin-e-a)/[…]; C2= Ina-tēšê-ēṭir/Nabû-ušabši; C3= Nanāya-iddin/Šamaš-zēru-ibni; C4= Šamaš-iddin//Innin-zēru-šubši; C5= Nanāya-iddin/Gimillu; C6= Šulāya/Ušallim-Marduk; C7= Aggia/Madān-labanu; C8= Šumu-iddin, gardener (nukaribbu); C9= Uqubu/Innin-zēru-šubši; C10= Bēl-kāṣir; D1= Nabû-ēṭir, the canal inspector (gugallu); D2= Gimillu/Innin-šumu-ibni; E1= Arad-Marduk/Zēria//Egibi; E2= Sî-ēreš/Nabû-šumu-līšir//Ibni-ili; E3= Šamaš-mukīn-apli/Madān-ahhē-iddin//Šigūa; E4= Nādin/Bēl-ahhē-iqīša//Egibi; E5= Šamaš-tabni-uṣur/Marduk-šāpik-zēqi//Sîn-lēqi-unninni; F= Arad-Marduk/Marduk-šumu-iddin//Bēl-aplu-uṣur, scribe (ṭupšarru).