YBC 04043

Letter of Ardiya (A) to the High Priest (of Eanna, šatammu) and Nabû-aḫu-iddin (Royal Overseer, ša rēš šarri bēl piqitti) (NAI), "his fathers", complaining that he is alone and sick and that the recipients did not wish him well. He apologises for not coming to the recipients although he was back from the steppe and although his health got better. A informs them that he sent out a messenger to take care of the flour about which the recipients had written to him, sending him out to inquire about people and donkeys relating to an order about this by NAI. A assures the recipients that he will send his messenger on to the recipients with the results as soon as the messenger is back. A emphatically states that he is working for his lords even beyond his limits, and stresses that he will continue to do so. He rejects anything bad anybody could say about him to the recipients, stating that such gossip is no cause for summoning him. In closing, he stresses that the recipients are well aware that the people in the steppe are hard pressed (samû)