This contract is dated at Babylon, in the thirteenth year of the Biblical Nebuchadnezzar, and is an example of marriage by purchase—a form of marriage which had practically fallen into disuse at this time.
Dagil-ili, son of Zambubu, spoke to Khamma,
daughter of Nergal-iddin, son of Babutu, saying:
“Give me Latubashinni your daughter; let her be my wife.”
Khamma heard, and gave him Latubashinni, her daughter, as a wife;
and Dagil-ili, of his own free-will,
gave Ana-eli-Bel-amur, a slave,
which he had bought for half a mana of money,
and half a mana therewith to Khamma
instead of Latubashinni, her daughter.
On the day that Dagil-ili another wife shall take,
Dagil-ili shall give one mana of money unto Latubashinni,
and she shall return to her place—her former one.
(Done) at the dwelling of Shum-iddin,
son of Ishi-etir, son of Sin-damaqu.
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Contract for the Sale of a Slave, Eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar II, 597 B.C.
This tablet affords a good example of the sale of a slave. In this case the persons who sell guarantee that the slave will neither become insubordinate, nor prove to be subject to any governmental claims, nor prove to have been emancipated by adoption. The word rendered “emancipation” means literally “adoption,” but adoption by a freeman was an early form of emancipation. This sale is from the reign of the Nebuchadnezzar of Biblical fame, dating from 597 B.C.
SHAMASH-UBALLIT and Ubartum,
children of Zakir, the son of Pashi-ummani,
of their free-will have delivered Nanakirat
and her unsveaned son, their slave,
for nineteen shekels of money,
for the price agreed, unto Kaçir and Nadin-Marduk,
sons of Iqisha-aplu, son of Nur-Sin.
Shamash-uballit and Ubartum guarantee against insubordination,
the claim of the royal service, and emancipation.
Witnesses: Na’id-Marduk, son of Nabu-nacir,
son of Dabibi; Bel-shum-ishkun, son of Marduk-zir-epish, son of Irani;
Nabu-ushallim, son of Bel-akhi-iddin, son of Bel-apal-uçur.
In the dwelling of Damqa, their mother.
And the scribe, Nur-Ea, son of Ina-Isaggil-ziri, son of Nur-Sin.
Babylon, twenty-first of Kisilimu,
eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.
Contract for a Partnership, Thirty-sixth year of Nebuchadnezzar II, 568 B.C.
Nabu-akhi-iddin was an investor—a member of the great Egibi family. He contributed four manas of capital to this enterprise, while Bel-shunu, who was to carry on the business, contributed one half mana and seven shekels, whatever property he might have, and his time. His expenses in the conduct of the business up to four shekels may be paid from the common funds.
Two manas of money belonging to Nabu-akhi-iddin,
son of Shula, son of Egibi,
and one half mana seven shekels of money
belonging to Bel-shunu, son of Bel-akhi-iddin,
Son of Sin-emuq, they have put into a copartnership with one another.
Whatever remains to Bel-shunu in town or country over and above,
becomes their common property.
Whatever Bel-shunu spends for expenses in excess of four shekels of money
shall be considered extravagant.
(The contract is witnessed by three men and a scribe,
and is dated at) Babylon, first of Ab, in the thirty-sixth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
Contract for a Partnership, Fortieth year of Nebuchadnezzar II, 564 B.C.
From this document we learn that Iddin-Marduk and Nabu-ukin formed a copartnership in the month Tebet, of Nebuchadnezzar’s fortieth year. A year from that date each of the partners drew out twenty shekels. In the month Ulul of the next year a number of small amounts were delivered to Iddin-Marduk for various specific purposes, and a larger amount, perhaps in payment of an obligation of the firm, was paid to two other men.
Memorandum of the shares of Iddin-Marduk and Nabu-ukin,
from the month Tebet, of the fortieth year of Nebuchadnezzar,
King of Babylon, unto the month Markheswan, of the forty-second year.
One third mana of money Iddin-Marduk drew on his account
in the month Tebet, of the forty-first year.
One third mana of money Nabu-ukin drew on his account
in the month Tebet, of the forty-first year.
Fifteen shekels of Nabu-ukin’s money, coined in shekel pieces,
from ______ was given to Iddin-Marduk
for the house of Limniya on the fifteenth of Ulul, of the forty-second year;
a fourth shekel of coined money,
which was for a nutu-skin, given into the same hands.
One half shekel of money was given for palipi naskhapu;
one third of a shekel of money was given into the same hands for beef;
two giri of money was given for meat;
one shekel of money was given for Lisi-nuri;
two shekels of money, which was for Karia, was given into the same hands.
City of _____, Markheswan ______.
One mana fifty shekels are counted into the possession
of Lishiru and Bunini-epish.
Contract for Loan of Money, Sixth year of Nebuchadnezzar II, 598 B.C.
The rate of interest in this case was thirteen and one-third per cent.
One mana of money, a sum belonging to Dan-Marduk,
son of Apla, son of the Dagger-wearer,
(is loaned) unto Kudurru, son of Iqisha-apla, son of Egibi.
Yearly the amount of the mana shall increase its sum by eight shekels of money.
Whatever he has in city or country,
as much as it may be, is pledged to Dan-Marduk.
(The date is) Babylon, Adar fourth, in Nebuchadnezzar’s sixth year.
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