Contract for the Sale of Dates, Thirty-second year of Darius, 490 B.C.

Shibtu, the place of this transaction, was a suburb of Babylon. This shows how women, especially of the lower rank, carried on business for themselves. The father of Aqubatum, as his name, Aradya [ “my slave”] shows, had been a slave.

One talent one qa of dates from the woman

Nukaibu daughter of Tabnisha,

and the woman Khamaza, daughter of _______,

to the woman Aqubatum, daughter of Aradya.

In the month Siman they will deliver one talent one qa of dates.

Scribe, Shamash-zir-epish, son of Shamash-malku.

Shibtu, Adar the sixth, thirty-second year of Darius,

King of Babylon and countries…

Contract for the Sale of Wheat, Thirty-fifth year of Darius, 487 B.C.

This tablet is a good illustration of the simple transactions in food-stuffs, of which we have many, and of which one or two additional examples are given below. The farmers usually contracted as in this document the sale of their produce far in advance of the harvest. In this instance the sale was made six months before the grain would be ripe and could be delivered.

Six talents of wheat from Shamash-malku,

son of Nabu-napshat-su-ziz, to Shamash-iddin, son of Rimut.

In the month Siman, wheat, six talents in full,

he will deliver in Shibtu, at the house of Shamash-iddin.

Witnesses: Shamash-iddin, son of Nabu-usur-napishti;

Abu-nu-emuq, son of Sin-akhi-iddin; Sharru-Bel, son of Sin-iddin;

Aban-nimiqu-rukus, son of Malula.

Scribe, Aradya, son of Epish-zir.

Shibtu, eleventh of Kislimu, thirty-fifth year of Darius king of countries.

Contract for Rent & Repair of a House, One Year Term, Thirty-fifth year of Darius, 487 B.C.

This contract is most interesting. Iskhuya, apparently a tenant of Shamash-iddin, undertakes to repair the house in which he is living. In addition to the rent for the year he is to receive fifteen shekels in money, in two payments, at the beginning and the completion of the work. The last payment is to be made on the day of Bel, which seems to be identical with the first of Tebet, a week later than the contract was made. In case the repairs were not then completed, Iskhuya was to forfeit four shekels. Such business methods are not, therefore, altogether modern.

In addition to the rent of the house of Shamash-iddin, son of Rimut, for this year,

fifteen shekels of money in cash (shall go) to Iskhuya,

son of Shaqa-Bel, son of the priest of Agish.

Because of the payment he shall repair the weakness (of the house),

he shall close up the crack of the wall.

He shall pay a part of the money at the beginning,

a part of the money at the completion.

He shall pay it on the day of Bel (Marduk), the day of wailing and weeping,

In case the house is unfinished by Iskhuya after the first day of Tebet,

Shamash-iddin shall receive four shekels of money in cash

into his possession at tne hands of Iskhuya.

(The names of three witnesses and a scribe then follow.)

Dated at Shibtu, the twenty-first of Kislimu, the thirty-fifth year of Darius.

Contract for Production of a Coat of Mail, Thirty-Fourth year of Darius, 488 B.C.

This tablet is dated in the thirty-fourth year Darius I (488 B. C.), and was regarded as an imporant transaction, since it is signed by four witnesses and a scribe.

One coat of mail, insignum of power which will protect,

is to be made by the woman Mupagalgagitum,

daughter of Qarikhiya, for Shamash-iddin, son of Rimut.

She will deliver in the month Shebat one coat of mail,

which is to be made and which will protect.