YBC 03983

Legal procedure against a man accused of having illegal possession of temple livestock.

Duplicate: YOS 6, 231

Three sheep, one branded and one young goat belonging to Zumbu/Nanāya-ēreš (Z), herdsman (nāqidu) of the Lady-of-Uruk, were taken (abāku) from the flock of Aḫliti’i/Madû-iakini (A). Z stated that the sheep of the Lady-of-Uruk were from his stall. A stated in the assembly (puḫru) that Bazuzu (B), shepherd (rēʼû) of Z, entrusted (paqādu) the sheep to him. B swore in the assembly by the life (nīšu zakāru) of the gods and king that he gave (nadānu) the sheep to A and entrusted them to him. 

[Fragmentary] One young goat from the sheep was entrusted from B to A.

A could not show (kullumu D) the sheep to the assembly. He must fetch one branded sheep from the flock of A and additionally A has to give 30 more to the property of the Eanna.

6 witnesses and the scribes: Nādinu and Kīnāya

Legal procedure against a man accused of having illegal possession of temple livestock.

Duplicate: YOS 6, 231

The tablet lays out the legal case of A, a herdsman (nāqidu) of the Lady-of-Uruk, who is accused of taking away (abāku) sheep and goats (ṣēnu) from (ultu) B’s fold. A claims (umma, no verb) that it is the temple’s livestock and it is part of his fold (ša qabuttu-ia).

The said animals are: 2 male lambs (kalūmu), one of which (ina libbi) is branded with a star (ša kakkabtu šindu), and 1 he-goat (gadû); total (napharu) of 3 sheep and goats.

B argues (qabû umma) in front of (ina) the assembly (puhru) that C, a shepherd (rēˀû) of A, entrusted him with (ina pāni paqādu) the animals. C was brought in (abāku) to the assembly, sworn (nīšu zakāru) by the gods and king, and testified (kânu) that he neither delivered to B, nor entrusted (paqādu) B with, the sheep and goats.

B could only prove that the he-goat was entrusted with him by C, but not the sheep.

For the 1 star branded sheep, the temple sets (parāsu) a 30-fold fine (1 adi 30)* on B, to be delivered to the property (makkūru) of Eanna.

The tablet is drafted in the presence (ina ušuzzu) D1 the temple administrator (šatammu) and D2 the royal supervisor of the Eanna (ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti Eanna), D3 the courtier (ša rēš šarri), D4, and D5. Scribes (ṭupšarru): E1 and E2.

 * Note that the 30-fold fine was costmary for temple property. This is the reason only the star branded sheep (i.e. marked with the star of Ištar) is mentioned in the context.

 A= Surabu/Nanāya-ēreš, herdsman (nāqidu) of Eanna temple; B= Ahu-litiˀ/Ilānia-kini; C= Bazuzu, shepherd (rēˀû) of A; D1= Nabû-mukīn-zēri/Nādin//Dābibī, temple administrator (šatammu); D2= Nabû-ahu-iddin, royal supervisor of the Eanna (ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti Eanna); D3= Ba-gi-ˀ-zu, courtier (ša rēš šarri); D4= Adad-ušēzib/Sāmiku; D5= Ilteri-zabad/Ha-za-bu; E1= Nādin, scribe (ṭupšarru); E2= Kīnāya, scribe (ṭupšarru).